The Thought of Seizing the Flag

"Hahaha, do you think I didn't know? You're an admiral candidate.

How about this? Once I return from Ryugu Kingdom, Gawain and I will submit a petition to the Five Elders, requesting that the Navy add a fourth admiral position!

Haven't the pirates recently gotten some so-called Fourth Emperor? Then naturally, the Navy should have four admirals to match!"

Mjosgard warmly invited Gion along. The three of them walked at the front and arrived at the banquet hall, filled with laughter and cheer.

Enormous round tables stood in neat rows, with especially wide spaces between them. Beside the tables, Mjosgard's servants constantly replaced the food and wine, while Merfolk sang and danced in the open spaces. The air itself seemed filled with joy.

When the dancing Merfolk saw Gawain return, they stopped flicking their tails. Pointing at him, they cried out in delight.

"Saint Gawain is back!"

"It's Lord Gawain!"

"Quick, go offer him a drink!"

"Lord Gawain's pants are soaked! Bring the pants the head maid prepared for us!"

Amid the cries, Tris led some of the Fish-Men in a rush toward the bedrooms and brought out the clothes Brooke had packed for them.

Another group of Merfolk rushed toward Gawain, laughing as they asked about his recent journey and his relationship with Gion.

Gion was a little stunned. It had been far too long since she had encountered such a large group of enthusiastic women.

Surrounded by their chattering, Gion pursed her lips. She really wanted to draw her sword and cut something.

Of course, she only thought about it. Besides, as an older unmarried woman meeting a group of young girls, she even felt as though she had regained a little of her youth.

Meanwhile, surrounded by the Merfolk, Gawain headed toward the bedroom. Tris and the others soon brought over his change of clothes.

"Lord Gawain, shall we help you change?"

"We can do it. We've never done it before, but it won't be a problem."

"Do you need help?"

"No!"

Gawain shook his head, refusing the Merfolk's enthusiasm. He quickly went to the bedroom to change, then returned to the banquet hall.

When Gawain came out, Mjosgard waved at him.

"Over here. Come sit down. I have so much I want to talk to you about."

"Mm."

Gawain nodded and sat down beside Mjosgard, while Gion took the seat on Gawain's other side.

Mjosgard raised his glass as he spoke to Gawain.

"While you were at the naval base, I already picked out our ship. It's a reinforced tower ship.

It's not that I like big ships. It's just that I've encountered shipwrecks before. If the ship is bigger, then even if we run into danger, our chances of surviving should be higher, right?"

With that, Mjosgard clinked glasses with Gawain. Gawain took a taste. It was similar to champagne from his previous life.

But this wine was... green, and it carried a faint grassy fragrance. That was quite remarkable.

Gawain drained the glass in one gulp and set it down. A maid immediately refilled it for him.

Glass after glass, cup after cup, four or five hours passed. Mjosgard was truly getting drunk.

Mjosgard sighed and began to reminisce.

"General Gion probably doesn't know why we're going to Ryugu Kingdom, huh...?

Five years ago, the World Government's various member nations held a cooperative meeting. Although it wasn't a Reverie year, they wanted to convene an additional Reverie. The topic was allowing Ryugu Kingdom to join the ranks of the member nations.

Back then, I hadn't met Queen Otohime yet. So at the time, I was just like any ordinary Celestial Dragon—stupid and cruel.

Not only did I join the other Celestial Dragons in opposing the World Government's resolution, I was even radical enough to want to slaughter every Fish-Man in Ryugu Kingdom. I had a ship coated, then set out for Ryugu Kingdom, planning to take my guards and kill Neptune directly.

Instead, I encountered a giant Sea King. Our coating and ship were both destroyed. That shipwreck killed all my guards, while I happened to fall into Ryugu Kingdom.

Even covered in wounds, I still held a gun and wanted to kill any Fish-Man who approached me. Of course, they wanted to kill me too.

I understood them. Those people who wanted to kill me had either been insulted and cursed at by me, or perhaps they were slaves rescued by Fisher Tiger.

What they hated most were Celestial Dragons, and I had no right to hate them for it.

I should have died there. They fired at me, but I never expected Queen Otohime to suddenly arrive.

The beautiful queen used her body to block the bullet, protecting a bastard as ugly as me, both inside and out."

As his words fell, Mjosgard viciously slammed his glass onto the table. Fortunately, the banquet was loud, and the singing, dancing Merfolk were not frightened by him.

The servants around them, however, were terrified. They had been watching Mjosgard and Gawain all along. Seeing the glass shatter, they hurried over to carefully clean it up.

Mjosgard wiped his hand. It was bleeding a little, but it was nothing serious.

He wiped his hand on his clothes, endured the pain, and spoke to Gawain and Gion with utmost seriousness.

"This time, I'm not only returning those Merfolk to Ryugu Kingdom. I also want to fulfill Queen Otohime's old dream.

After saving me, the queen spoke with me for a long time. She sent me back to Mary Geoise, and I gave her the thing she had dreamed of obtaining.

It was an experimental provision from the Five Elders allowing Ryugu Kingdom to become a member nation!

Queen Otohime's lifelong dream was for all Fish-Men to live on land like humans, or beside the land.

They wanted to see the sunset and sunrise every day as well.

When I obtained that provision for her, I thought we would save each other as friends, help each other achieve our goals, and finally stand beneath the sunlight together, realizing our new ideals.

But only a few days later, I heard news of Queen Otohime's death and the provision's disappearance. Ryugu Kingdom lost its chance to reach the surface as well!"

Smack!

Mjosgard patted Gawain on the shoulder. He was somewhat drunk, and his hand involuntarily tightened around Gawain.

Gawain felt a little pain, and his brow furrowed. Seeing that, Gion's nostrils flared slightly before she gently kicked the corner of the table.

Thud.

The sudden jolt made Mjosgard's table tremble. Mjosgard swayed for a moment, and his hand around Gawain had already loosened.

Taking the opportunity, Gawain raised his glass and spoke to Mjosgard.

"What a painful memory, senior. I can feel your resentment and anger.

So let this glass be for Otohime!"

"To Otohime, cheers!"

After clinking glasses, Gawain refilled his cup and raised it once more.

"Senior, rest assured. You will definitely have a chance to avenge Queen Otohime. I guarantee it.

So let this glass be for your future vengeance!"

"I will avenge Otohime. Cheers!"

"There are regrets in the past and hatred in the future. A simple friendship has become an echo from another age. Whether it is you, who truly changed your ways, or kind and compassionate Otohime, neither of you should have ended up like this.

So let this glass be for simple people, for kind people, and for those who should have had a better life than they do now. They deserve something better."

"She deserved it. She truly deserved it. If I didn't already have a wife, if she hadn't already become someone else's wife, if there weren't so many ifs, if I could return to five years ago...

I... I would definitely save you. How I wish you were still alive, Otohime..."

Thump!

Mjosgard collapsed onto the table, completely drunk.

Having dealt with this disheartened middle-aged man, Gawain lifted his slightly tipsy eyes and looked around.

The Merfolk were nearly drunk too. Their tails were tangled together as they huddled close and whispered among themselves.

There were also the singers and opera troupe Mjosgard had invited. After several hours of banqueting, everyone was feeling somewhat tired.

Gawain rose to his feet, lightly clapped his hands, and spoke.

"Mjosgard is drunk, and so am I. There's no need for any more performances here. Everyone should get thoroughly drunk as well.

What could be more relaxing than a banquet where both hosts and guests are satisfied?"

As his words fell, Gawain ignored the drunken cheers and turned toward the outside of the residence.

Gion immediately rose and followed behind him.

The two left the banquet hall, passed through the corridor, and stood beside the garden in the courtyard, which was filled with the scent of soap.

Watching the stars in the night sky and listening to the cheers and drinking contests from the banquet hall behind them, Gion softly spoke.

"My lord, so there was such a story behind our upcoming journey.

As for Queen Otohime's death, the Navy also has its own assessment. There is a high probability that it stemmed from internal conflicts among the Merfolk."

"I know."

Gawain nodded. At the same time, he looked at Gion and gave her a deep smile.

"Ryugu Kingdom lies right between the Grand Line and the New World. It is practically the only passage for pirates traveling between those two places.

That geographical position makes its significance extraordinary.

Gion, although you only began following me today, you will not have much idle time.

Once we reach Ryugu Kingdom, I will meet the people I intend to recruit, while you investigate the darkness behind Ryugu Palace for me.

Using the investigation into Queen Otohime's death as an opening, we need to involve ourselves in Ryugu Kingdom's internal affairs.

Ryugu Palace has flown Whitebeard's flag for far too long. It is a vital transportation route. Only by placing it in my hands can I feel at ease.

What do you think?"

"Of course!"

A glint flashed through Gion's eyes. As expected, her lord had grand designs. After only one banquet, he had already revealed a little of his ambition to her.

With a single move, he intended to seize control of the passage pirates used to enter the New World?

Then what did her lord ultimately want?

Gion was already beginning to look forward to it.

Would it be the world?