Looking at the innocent expressions on the three Celestial Dragons' faces, Gawain gently shook his head.
If what excites them isn't living, breathing human beings, then the scene before them actually looks quite interesting.
It's like a group of close friends getting together to chat about limited-edition figurines.
Putting aside his distracting thoughts, Gawain nodded to the three of them.
"Well, it shouldn't be too long. After I've taken care of some miscellaneous matters, I'll arrange for you to be super criminals in Impel Down!"
As for now, I'm going home. How about we call it a day?
"I'll listen to you!"
"No problem, but you have to be quick! I can't stand that bastard Charlos showing off in front of me!"
"Also, after you've arranged things for the three of us, could you please not arrange anything for the others yet, so that the three of us can show off for a couple of days?"
"Haha, sure, we'll see!"
Gawain smiled as he saw the three Celestial Dragon off.
After the Sky People had gone far away, Shirahoshi couldn't help but whisper to Gawain?
"Gawain, what kind of slaves are they talking about, the limited edition slaves?"
Have you been involved in the slave trade all this time?!
What are you thinking about?
Gawain shook his head, waved to the guard captain walking towards him, and said to Shirahoshi.
"I wouldn't have done this kind of business before, but I might give it a try in the future."
In Mary Geoise's past slave culture, the highest-ranking pirates with extremely high bounties and great fame were considered top-tier; pirates who were extremely tall and easy to ride were considered high-tier; female Merfolk and Mink Tribe were considered excellent; and Devil Fruit User were considered good.
If this slave-owning system is allowed to continue, I dare not send you directly onto land.
You must understand that Sabaody is located just below Mary Geoise. Even if you use my name, without fundamentally reducing the prevalence of Merfolk slavery, I can hardly guarantee the safety of any of you Merfolk.
So, how can I reduce the hype surrounding Merfolk slaves?
At this point, Captain Winslet had already knelt before Gawain.
Gawain raised his hand to signal them to stand up, and then he led the group into his castle.
As they walked, Gawain continued speaking.
"Mjosgard talked to me about this issue a few days ago. I think that simply prohibiting Celestial Dragon from buying Merfolk or banning slave auctions from capturing Merfolk will only have the opposite effect."
Because the more unattainable something is, the more those guys will pursue it.
So how should we accomplish all of that?
First, new trendy items were introduced. Prisoners in Impel Down were already rare. Before this, no one except the Five Elders could take away criminals from Impel Down, especially the most heinous criminals on Level 6.
Isn't this a top-quality limited-edition item? You can tell just by looking at those three Celestial Dragons.
Secondly, they cracked down on and controlled slave sellers, influencing and manipulating market choices by controlling the supply of slaves.
Finally, open up Fish-Man Island, Merfolk to completely shed their status as a rare species and roam freely under their noses every day. Then they naturally won't think you're that rare.
As for whether the Celestial Dragon might develop desires for you, given your large presence in Sabaody, and then directly kidnap you?
Let me put it this way: as long as this kind of thing doesn't happen every day, when it does, Mjosgard and I can just give them a good beating.
Brawls between Celestial Dragon are nothing unusual; a fight every ten days or two weeks is quite normal. I might not be able to watch over you every day, but given Mjosgard's personality...
Once you arrive in Sabaody, he will definitely move Sabaody to live.
Furthermore, imagine if the Celestial Dragon were constantly talking about turning others into slaves, then Sabaody would probably be deserted by now, with no ordinary, honest civilians living there.
What the Celestial Dragon have always pursued are rare, limited, and special slaves.
To the Celestial Dragon, an ordinary human is about as valuable as a bowl of plain porridge.
"As long as we can reduce your Merfolk in the eyes of the Celestial Dragon to that of ordinary humans, you will be close to being safe."
At this point, the maids on the castle grounds, led by Brooke, knelt down in unison and respectfully and uniformly called out to Gawain.
"Welcome, Saint Gawain!"
Seeing this, Gawain shrugged.
"Brooke, you don't need to do all this nonsense anymore. This is my home. I don't want to come back every time like a guest, watching you all looking so awkward and uneasy."
After speaking, Gawain looked at the other maids in the courtyard.
"Ladies, you probably all remember my face now, right? From now on, when you see me, just give me a smile."
After all, your smiles are all so sweet, and what could be more delightful than a sweet smile?
Gawain simply waved his hand.
So get up, everyone, and go do what you're supposed to do.
"Yes, sir!!!"
Brooke excitedly agreed as the maids stood in front of her, then quickly dismissed the gathered maids.
When the maids left, they were all somewhat absent-minded. The words that had just come from the Celestial Dragon's mouth were like a nuclear bomb dropped into their hearts!
At the same time, Gawain patted Brooke on the shoulder.
"Brooke, come and get to know everyone. You'll have many opportunities to meet in the future."
"Marine Admiral candidate Gion, Shichibukai knight Jinbe, and Princess Shirahoshi of Fish-Man Island."
"Yes, sir. I'll arrange rooms for everyone right away!"
"It's not that bad. We'll be leaving soon, and I'll be meeting the Five Elders later."
After I leave, please entertain everyone and also prepare some suitable clothes for each of us to take with us.
"Yes, sir, I'll arrange it right away."
Upon receiving the order, Brooke, like a little bee that had found its purpose in life, led Gawain and his group into the hall.
While sitting on the sofa, Gawain continued speaking to Shirahoshi and the others while the maids were setting up the extra-large sofa.
"I don't know if you can understand what I'm saying, Shirahoshi, but it doesn't matter if you don't. I'm not mainly talking to you."
Jinbe, remember what I said. Take some time to convey my voice to the Merfolk. I hope you are prepared to face the challenge."
"I see!"
Jinbe nodded emphatically.
Beside her, Shirahoshi nervously wagged her tail.
"Gawain, I can understand some of it. It's roughly about letting others become slaves for us, right? If our people can be safe, I will be so happy."
But shouldn't we only make the truly heinous criminals into slavery?
If someone's mistake wasn't that serious, or if they were simply framed, then... then let them become Gawain Gawain's slaves!
Anyway, you won't treat them badly~."
"Haha, as expected of you, you're always so kind."
Hearing Shirahoshi's words, Gawain smiled wryly, then shrugged at Gion and Jinbe.
"You two wouldn't be like Shirahoshi, sympathizing with the criminals in Impel Down, would you?"
Perhaps there are innocent people among them, but I can assure you that those who are not innocent have committed countless crimes.
"Letting those guys recuperate in Impel Down is a real waste of the Navy's resources. Compared to imprisonment, being a slave to the Celestial Dragon is the punishment they truly fear!"
"I have no objection. Anyway, as long as those criminals are unhappy, I will be very happy!" Gion said noncommittally.
As for Jinbe, he pondered for a moment with a somber expression.
"I must admit that the prisoners in Impel Down are indeed more vicious. If making them slaves can replace and save more people of rare races, then I am willing to bear this sin!"
"Um."
Hearing their statements, Gawain nodded.
"Although human trafficking is not a good job, as long as the process, the result, and the impact are all good, that's enough!"
As for the human rights of prisoners in the Impel Down?
If they weren't worth exploiting, then the only human right I would grant them would be to die a just death.
But now, as slaves, they can not only protect the Merfolk, but also be sold as commodities to plunder the wealth of the Celestial Dragon for us.
If we want to build a large-scale Sea Train in the future, I would need an astronomical figure of at least several trillion Beli.
This could be considered a... unique contribution that those criminals made to this sea!
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain stood up.
"That's all for now. You can rest at home for a while. If you need anything, just ask my head maid, Brooke."
I'm going to see the Five Elders.
Wow, it's 520 already. I really hope you don't see this message right away.
After all, on this day, everyone's time shouldn't be wasted on words written by an old man like me.
But rest assured, no matter the wind or rain, no matter the heat or cold, I will always make time for you.
Good night.