The Celestial Dragons Are Also Priced

"So that's how it is..."

The remaining Five Elders exchanged glances, eventually offering silent, bitter smiles.

For the Celestial Dragons, so-called bloodlines were important, yet not that important.

Those in power never possessed mercy or pity.

Only interests were eternal.

Besides, sons were the sort of thing that could be reproduced at any time.

"A truly sensible little brat."

"This saves us quite a bit of trouble."

"One billion Beli is not a small sum, either."

"Indeed."

The Five Elders offered their commentary one after another.

Saint Damocles smiled and said:

"This brat Darren is very clever. Perhaps after this incident, we can maintain a long-term connection with him."

Hearing this, the eyes of the other Five Elders brightened slightly.

That was indeed a good idea.

Anyone could see that Rogers Darren, this North Blue Admiral, would sooner or later enter the ranks of the Navy's highest decision-making body.

With his talent and aptitude, becoming a Navy Admiral was perhaps only a matter of time.

When that day came, having a Navy Admiral who took orders directly from the World Government would greatly increase their control over the Navy, and would also serve to "monitor" the other generals.

Seeing the changes in his colleagues' expressions, Saint Damocles sneered inwardly.

He already stood at the pinnacle of the World Government's power, his influence immense; a casual command or a mere glance from him could cause a nation to perish.

But he was not satisfied with this.

His name, after all, was Damocles!

The legendary blade that represented the authority of "God"!

His ultimate goal was the seat of the "Head of the Five Elders."

However, unlike the other Five Elders, the family behind Saint Damocles did not possess deep influence or power within the Holy Land.

In terms of support and heritage within the Holy Land, he was far inferior to his colleagues.

If he wanted to step into that position of "one person above all others," he had to secure external power.

The Navy, as the largest violent law enforcement agency under the World Government, was his breakthrough point.

He would start by fostering Rogers Darren, helping him rapidly ascend to a position of real power within the Navy, and step by step, gradually bring the Navy's authority under his own control.

When that time came, his say within the World Government would naturally increase significantly.

"But before that, let us first take a look at these investigation results."

Saint Damocles smiled as he changed the subject, slowly opening the document in his hand.

North Blue, Branch 321.

Base Commander's office.

After seeing Sengoku off, Darren had returned directly from Batia Island with Momonga and the others.

"So... is there really no problem with the Holy Land side?"

Momonga looked at Darren, who was sitting there calmly smoking a cigar, and finally unable to suppress his inner curiosity, he asked.

Darren exhaled a dragon-like plume of white smoke, squinted, and smiled:

"I sent Saint Childers and his family a very 'sincere' condolence, one they could not refuse."

When he said the word "sincere," he deliberately emphasized the tone.

"What kind of condolence?" Momonga asked, bewildered.

"One billion Beli."

"What!?"

Momonga gasped, unable to believe his own ears.

One billion Beli... that was no small sum.

It was already the annual tax revenue for many small and medium-sized kingdoms!

Across the entire North Blue sea area, the total taxes collected by Darren and his men through fostering countless mafia families and underworld forces barely exceeded 2 billion Beli a year!

And now, just to send a "condolence," their North Blue Navy had effectively worked for nothing for half a year!

Not to mention that in their original plans and expectations, the establishment of the North Blue Navy fleet was a bottomless pit when it came to the need for resources and funding.

"Are you insane?"

Momonga looked at Darren, who appeared calm and unbothered, with a face full of helplessness.

As Darren's adjutant, he served the functions of both "butler" and "staff officer."

Watching Darren "squander" money as if it were dirt, Momonga felt as though his own heart were bleeding.

"It's all worth it."

Darren flicked the ash from his cigarette.

"Money can be earned again, but the opportunity to give a gift to a Celestial Dragon is not something just anyone has."

"If I hadn't established a connection with Saint Damocles this time, the merchant ship I sent wouldn't even have the qualifications to enter the inner sea of the Red Line."

One billion Beli was indeed a terrifying, astronomical figure.

One must remember that it is only the year 1492 of the Sea Circle Calendar; the Great Pirate Era has yet to begin, and inflation is nowhere near as horrific as it will be in later generations. The purchasing power of the Beli remains strong.

Even a legendary great pirate like Byrnndi World, known as the "World Destroyer," only had a bounty of 200 million Beli.

One billion Beli was equivalent to five Byrnndi Worlds.

However, Darren believed this sum was well spent.

In this world, strength is always paramount.

Beyond that, the second priority is power, not money.

Hearing Darren's reply, Momonga pondered it carefully and found it not without reason, though he still said with a pained expression:

"It's still too expensive..."

"Expensive?"

Darren raised his eyes to look at him and suddenly laughed.

"At least I find it quite interesting."

Momonga asked in confusion, "What do you mean..."

Darren tilted his head back and took a puff of his cigar.

"The Celestial Dragons possess the supreme power in this world; they can treat people—anyone—like livestock to be plundered and traded. To them, money is the standard by which everything is measured."

"But this time, it proves one thing..."

He paused, then added with a mocking smile:

"It turns out that even the lives of Celestial Dragons have a price."

Momonga fell silent and gave a bitter smile upon hearing this.

Only a freak like Darren, whose bones were filled with rebellion and madness, could come up with such a unique train of thought.

A moment later, Momonga remembered something and asked slowly:

"Then, regarding the internal investigation within the Navy..."

Darren laughed.

"The report has already been submitted. I have provided everything the government needs unconditionally."

"The sailing logs of each warship at the time of the incident, the locations of every naval officer... and, of course, that includes us, the North Blue Navy."

Momonga frowned. "And what about you personally?"

"Me?"

Darren wore a cryptic smile.

"As the North Blue Admiral, I was, of course, stationed at Batia Island at the time of the incident... diligently performing my duties."

"On this point, everyone in the North Blue naval fleet, as well as the members of the Inspection Team from Marine Headquarters... Major Gion and her partner can testify for me."

"Yes, a perfect alibi."

Having said this, Darren stubbed out his cigar and draped his naval cloak over his shoulders.

"Let's move out. Since the big shots from Headquarters have left, it's time for us to get to work."

Momonga asked in astonishment:

"Go where?"

Darren's footsteps did not falter in the slightest as he pushed the door open.

The cold sea breeze whipped his cloak behind him like a dancing dragon.

"The money lost on one Celestial Dragon must be recovered from another."

Momonga was stunned for a moment, then instantly understood.

A name flashed through his mind.

—Donquixote Doflamingo.

I beg for everything, I am endlessly grateful.