At the former Foosha Village, in the newly built hot spring port, Stelly respectfully welcomed His Majesty the King and His Highness the Prince to the front of the noble procession.
At this moment, the princess whom Stelly considered a stepping stone to advancement was obediently supporting her father as they passed through countless... densely packed nobles.
On either side of the king, nobles offered their greetings, and as the king responded to each eligible noble, Stelly followed behind, constantly sneering at them.
Some might think that Stelly's appearance is not elegant at all; he looks like a red carpet star trying to get attention, spreading his feathers behind the king.
As the representative of the Outlook Family, the second most prestigious family in the Goa Kingdom, isn't Stelly bringing shame to his family by doing this?
Sigh, anyone who thinks like that should probably think more carefully.
When you realize that you actually think nobles are like actors.
You should also consider this: shouldn't it be the other way around? Who did the entertainment industry learn its ways from?
Even when Oscar-winning actors and actresses portray famous nobles, we usually only say that they have a bit of aristocratic air about them.
Does this mean they acted well?
No, that's not true!
This is saying that the nobles acted better than they did.
The world's most professional actors are all gathered in the palace of the king.
And Stelly, this young man, has only just embarked on this path.
Although he is being too obvious now, the nobles around him understand him, and they can even tolerate Stelly in his current state.
Everyone willing to abide by the rules of the game for the elite has the opportunity to gradually learn until they mature.
Moreover, given Stelly's family background, he would likely be tolerated even more often.
In short, under the king's leadership, the nobles finally stopped what they were doing and stood in a position that, although not assigned by anyone, had long been agreed upon, and looked at the ship that was no more than two nautical miles away on the sea.
Gazing at the Little Dark Bird cutting through the waves from afar, Stelly couldn't help but say to the King.
"Your Majesty, I truly feel sorry for my parents."
Because of their serious illness, they didn't even have the chance to get here in time to witness the arrival of the great Celestial Dragon!
Even this magnificent ship, which seemed poised to sail away at any moment like a phoenix from mythology, was one they never had the chance to see with their own eyes.
Why..."
As he said this, Stelly gave himself a mental pat on the back while giving himself a look of deep regret.
Because he felt that what he said was absolutely brilliant!
This simple sentence expresses both filial piety towards his parents and admiration and respect for the Celestial Dragon.
Besides, if the king could understand it, he could continue to think of other things.
Outlook III was about the same age as him, was now almost too weak to even get out of bed, while the king himself was in excellent health.
In this way, a simple comparison can cheer up the king!
With just one sentence, how many birds with one stone could this be?
Stelly was so happy he wanted to give himself a compliment.
As expected of you, Stelly!!!
With these thoughts in mind, Stelly's smile grew even wider as he waited expectantly for the king's response.
As for the king.
The old man didn't bother to look at Stelly; he already knew what kind of person Stelly was—he couldn't even hide his basic emotions.
They didn't learn the cunning and shrewdness of the nobility, but they did learn their arrogance and domineering nature.
He's a master of all strategies, but quick to grasp the intrigue...
In short, His Majesty the King doesn't think much of that kid, Stelly.
However, from another perspective, even though Outlook III's successor was worse, it was still better than him being diligent and ambitious.
As the controller of the Empire's second military unit, a Stelly who only knows how to use his family's wealth to create all sorts of toys is more reassuring than a Stelly who constantly buys weapons and ammunition!
Just like this village right here, this whole thing was initiated by Stelly, and he even bore 60% of the construction costs Stelly.
If it weren't for Stelly's flamboyant and stubborn nature, neither His Majesty the King nor the other nobles would have wanted to touch Garp's cake.
When Garp gets angry, he even beat up the king of the Goa Kingdom.
Although no one is afraid of him, it wouldn't be right to get beaten up for no reason, right?
In short, don't be fooled by Stelly's cheerful smile at this moment.
In fact, the nobles who were looking at Stelly at that moment were secretly laughing even harder.
Stelly was even hoping his hot spring plan would earn praise from the Celestial Dragon.
The nobles, however, were thinking, "When will Stelly finally get a beating?"
As for the hot spring Holy Land at our feet?
Haha, if there are suckers willing to pay money and effort to personally seek out the opportunity to get beaten up, then naturally everyone will follow suit.
Garp's anger is definitely going to be borne by Stelly.
But the Celestial Dragon's appreciation... heh!
As the Dark Bird Ship finally came to rest at the edge of the dock, almost within reach, someone among the nobles suddenly spoke in a very conspicuous gesture and an exceptionally loud voice.
"Aaaaaah, the most magnificent Celestial Dragon, I am ready to become your mount!!!"
The moment the words left his mouth, the nobleman suddenly dropped to the ground and then rushed toward the end of the dock.
Soon after, he stayed like a dog at the place where the Celestial Dragon were about to land.
He exhaled as he comically swayed his hips, making himself appear even more like a wild animal.
Surprisingly, at this moment, the guy who was pretending to be a dog wasn't being looked down upon by anyone.
Meanwhile, hardly anyone around him laughed at this older brother.
Meanwhile, the guy was vigorously shaking his butt while squatting on the ground, secretly delighted.
In his heart, one sentence kept echoing, and that sentence was...
"Stelly, you're definitely going to get a beating from Garp, but you might not be able to win the Celestial Dragon's favor!"
Thinking of this, the guy pretending to be a dog shook himself even more vigorously, still remembering the last time the Celestial Dragon visited the Goa Kingdom a few years ago.
Back then, that Celestial Dragon forcibly ordered the guy in front of him, along with several other nobles, to act as dogs for his amusement.
Because of this, the nobles who had disguised themselves as dogs all received considerable rewards and wealth!
Seven or eight years have passed since then, and the money of the nobles who once played the role of dogs, including the guy who is now pretending to be a dog, has been almost entirely squandered.
Now, another opportunity to make money has arrived!
At this moment, the brother dressed as a dog was filled with longing for the God of Wealth!
What does face matter? Is it more valuable than the treasures casually bestowed by the Celestial Dragon?
In this almost frenzied atmosphere...
On the Little Dark Bird...
Lucci stood on the railing of the now-stationary ship, coldly looking down at the crowd below.
As he watched, he was deep in thought. About two minutes later, Lucci suddenly spoke.
"Kaku, Jabra, Blueno, and Weiqu, directly surround the entire island."
The master's order was for those nobles to go where they were supposed to be.
An adult's command is absolute.
"So, we should have identified each criminal before making the arrest!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Lucci pointed at the guy who was playing the role of a dog on the dock and said with a sneer.
"Nobles and commoners should be easy to distinguish, after all, there is a world of difference between them."
But Your status is so high that even nobles are willing to behave like lowly commoners in front of you!
At this point, Lucci waved his hand with a cold laugh.
"Look down there, that guy dressed as a dog, if it weren't for his expensive clothes, I really wouldn't be sure who he is."
Such nobles are everywhere, causing considerable trouble for our selection process. Well then, hehe.
Better to arrest the wrong person than let one go. Let's take control of everyone around here first!
The master instructed that the nobles be sent to where they belonged, and then that Foosha Village be temporarily restored to a state where houses could be built...
At this point, Lucci clapped his hands lightly.
"What could be more suitable as a foundation than silt moistened by hot spring water?"
After saying that, Lucci suddenly stepped out of the ship, then strode through the air and landed behind the group of kneeling nobles who were welcoming him.
After all, in Lucci's view, those noble etiquettes were prepared for Gawain, and even if the lord didn't mind, he himself would not experience the welcoming ceremony for the lord!
The instant Lucci landed, Kaku had already grabbed the shameless nobleman who was playing the role of a dog!
While holding the man dressed as a dog by the neck, Kaku showed the person in his hand to the other nobles.
Meanwhile, Lucci had already released his pigeon.
Thousands upon thousands of pigeons quickly spread out, each one tracking a person present almost one-to-one, making them veritable human trackers!
Amidst a swarm of pigeons, Lucci approached the old king from behind and gently placed his hand on the old king's shoulder, which was stiff from the sudden event.
Feeling Lucci's movement, the old king trembled violently, but before he could say anything, Lucci spoke up!
"This... must be the king of the Goa Kingdom, right!"
I am Rob Lucci, a Saint Gawain of Gawain!
"No, no, no, how could that be? You're not a lackey, you're an elite, an outstanding talent, a big shot!"
As soon as Lucci finished speaking, the king hurriedly turned to look at Lucci.
While praising Lucci, a Celestial Dragon's subordinate, as was customary, the king cautiously asked Lucci.
"Lord Lucci, when will the Celestial Dragon disembark? Doesn't he enjoy those cute games where people dress up as animals?"
"I wonder if you would mind sharing with us what the Celestial Dragon on board likes? If we know that, we can make sure he feels at Celestial Dragon."
At this point, the old king lowered his head slightly and gave Lucci a perfectly timed expectant smile.
But before the old king could finish laughing, Stelly, who was behind him, suddenly spoke up.
Then Stelly interrupted and spoke loudly to Lucci.
"Yes, sir, if you could tell us what the Celestial Dragon likes, even if Celestial Dragon likes the moon, I could take people and find a way to get it for him!"
In short, no matter what the adults demand, I, Stelly, will never let those demands go unfulfilled!
At this point, Stelly excitedly squeezed to Lucci.
Meanwhile, the old king, who had been pushed aside by Stelly, couldn't help but let out a frustrated, bitter smile.
This young man, Stelly, is far too young!
He only knew that he should flatter the Celestial Dragon, but he left himself no room for maneuver whatsoever!
In the king's view, one should always leave oneself some leeway, no matter when or where!
Take, for example, what that kid Stelly just said. Ha! He actually dared to claim he could pluck stars from the sky for the Celestial Dragon!
What if the Celestial Dragon really want the stars?
What will happen if Stelly can't be reached?
Are there any other options besides death?
Thinking this, His Majesty the King shook his head dismissively. Making such a fellow the heir of the Outlook Family was actually a good thing for his kingdom.
Next, they would marry their daughter off to the family and then let her control the future of the Outlook Family.
How could that brainless guy, Stelly, compare to his daughter, who had undergone countless upbringings?
It won't be long before my daughter will be able to transfer everything of the Outlook Family to the kingdom!
By then, their descendants will have more wealth and a brighter future!
Thinking about this, did the king feel he was getting a little carried away?
That shouldn't be the case. He's been king for over thirty years; how could he be so easily manipulated by fantasies?
But this fleeting feeling is so real now...???
For a moment, the king looked down in confusion, realizing that just a instant earlier, he had been lifted up by the tall Blueno!
Blueno said to Lucci while carrying the king's clothes.
"Boss Lucci, this guy is the king of the Goa Kingdom, right?"
Haha, this guy is really bold!
Of course, he was also quite unlucky!
As soon as he finished speaking, Blueno grabbed the king and left, showing no respect whatsoever to this so-called ruler!
Standing to the side, Stelly watched everything in utter shock. Beside him, the king and prince, and even his princess fiancée, had all been captured by the menacing members of the Black Ice Terrace!
As the situation spiraled out of control, Stelly grew increasingly tense, and he suddenly lost interest in the Celestial Dragon's arrival.
Because he suddenly realized that the Celestial Dragon, who could decide his and anyone else's life or death at any moment, could suddenly become unreasonable...
Then there would truly be no place in the world where reason prevails!
Just as he was thinking this, Stelly himself was lifted up by someone else.
Just as he was being carried away by the soldiers of the Black Ice Terrace, the king, who was being carried by Blueno, finally realized what was happening.
He shouted desperately at Blueno, while also yelling in Lucci's direction.
"My lords, my lords!
What on earth happened?!
We are willing to accept our fate, and we will fulfill any request from the Celestial Dragon in accordance with our agreement with the World Government!
We have been paying a large sum of money into the Heavenly Tribute every year, and in the last five years, we have even paid 180% of the Heavenly Tribute!
We are a model nation, we are a model aristocracy!!!
I just want to know... why?!
Why is this happening?!
Why are they suddenly arresting us?!
As soon as he finished speaking, the old king looked at Lucci with a heart full of despair, while Lucci...
Looking at the old king's suddenly aged face, Lucci remained silent for a moment without expression, then said in a low voice.
You just asked this question!
You ask me, what does the sir... that is, Saint Gawain, like?
Then let me tell you, he likes Foosha Village, and he likes even more that windmill in Foosha Village that has stood for so long and keeps spinning!!!
After finishing speaking, Lucci turned to the old king, whose face was filled with shock, and continued.
"Look what you've done, you foolish country and foolish king!"
You've ruined the things adults love!
You ruined his expectations and completely extinguished the surprise he longed for!
Most importantly...
Do you even have the right to ask why, you idiots!!!