Uta's cry of alarm was far too abrupt for an occasion like this banquet. Hearing her cry, the guests all turned to look in her direction.
Even the band performing in the middle of the lawn was affected. Their rhythm became slightly disordered, and they could no longer find their previous tune. The musicians stopped playing one after another, while the singer at center stage cut off mid-note and stared toward the disturbance in utter bewilderment.
The entire banquet venue suddenly fell silent.
"Speak up, little girl."
"If you won't talk, Uncle will take you to find your parents."
At the dining table, the old man held Uta's hand as though he had not noticed the shift in the atmosphere. He continued speaking to her on his own, completely ignoring her struggles and resistance.
"Grand Duke Antal Langre!"
Some among the guests recognized the crowned old man. Seeing what was happening, none stepped forward to stop him. Those unwilling to invite trouble even instinctively took several steps back.
Antal Langre was the ruler of the Grand Duchy of Belan. Even in a place like the East Blue, the Grand Duchy of Belan could be considered a colossal power. Loguetown, where Pirate King Roger had been executed, had once fallen within the Grand Duchy of Belan's territory.
However, after Roger ushered in the Great Age of Piracy before his death, Loguetown became the final stop before entering the first half of the Grand Line from the East Blue and was placed under strict Marine control.
Even after losing a densely populated major town, however, the Grand Duchy of Belan remained immensely powerful and was still one of the East Blue's foremost forces.
The strongest nation in the East Blue was the Kingdom of Goa, now controlled by Shanks. The Kingdom of