Information Overload

King Freio V wore a broad smile. His slightly plump body stood ramrod straight as he bowed with gentlemanly grace.

"Honored World Noble, I am King Freio V of the Kingdom of Krilar. You must be weary from your journey. A chamber has already been prepared for you in the palace. Please board the carriage and rest at the palace for a while. Tonight, I will personally host a welcoming banquet in your honor."

"Much obliged."

The Celestial Dragon nodded and, supported by a maid, stepped into the carriage.

Before leaving, Noki found Ain and instructed her, "I'm worried someone may still try to endanger the World Noble. Please take some men around the island and station personnel in advance, just in case."

Ain nodded lightly. "Don't worry, Noki. I understand. You be careful too."

"Mm!"

Noki then followed the carriage into the resplendent royal palace of the Kingdom of Krilar.

Speaking of the Kingdom of Krilar, it could only be considered a small nation among the World Government's member states. It was underdeveloped in every respect, and the last time a World Noble had visited was over twenty years ago.

At that time, the king had not been the current King Freio V, but his late father, King Freio IV.

Since Noki was responsible for protecting the Celestial Dragon, he was assigned a room beside the World Noble's chambers.

Even so, unless necessary, Noki was not allowed to meet with the Celestial Dragon. Five or six CP Organization agents stood guard outside her room at all times.

With nothing to do, Noki could only lie on the soft, comfortable bed and sleep, conserving his energy.

Little Black had picked up his habit of sleeping. Whenever Noki slept, it curled up and lay on top of him, sleeping along with him.

Bang! Bang!

Who knew how much time had passed.

Noki was awakened by several agents knocking on his door.

"Rear Admiral, the World Noble wishes to see you."

"See me?"

Noki briefly straightened his appearance and entered the Celestial Dragon's room under the agents' guidance.

Even indoors, the Celestial Dragon still wore her traditional attire and a white veil, wrapped up from head to toe.

Was she sick or something?

The question crossed Noki's mind.

But he immediately remembered that Celestial Dragons generally had bizarre obsessions with cleanliness. They believed that anywhere outside the Holy Land, even the air itself, was unworthy of their lofty status.

The door closed.

Only the Celestial Dragon, the maid, and Noki remained inside.

Noki held his head high and stood tall, showing no weakness before the Celestial Dragon. "What did you want to see me about?"

To his surprise, it was not the Celestial Dragon who answered, but the maid standing beside her.

"Rear Admiral, first of all, I would like to thank you for saving my life a few days ago."

"You..."

Though Noki had only seen the maid twice, he still recognized that she was not the same person he had encountered before!

Her face looked strangely familiar...

"I presume you have recognized it already. That's right, the one sitting before you is not the real World Noble. I am."

The female Celestial Dragon narrowed her eyes and gave him a polite yet composed smile.

Noki scrutinized her closely. She had bright eyes, white teeth, and a graceful figure. Even among all the women he had met, her looks and physique were first-rate.

Judging by her appearance alone, she was only in her twenties or thirties, yet her bearing was exceptionally mature.

"What do you mean by this?"

"It's simple. The identity of a Celestial Dragon draws too much attention. There are many places in this country I wish to visit without others knowing, and using the identity of a World Noble is highly inconvenient. That is why I had my maid impersonate me, so I could travel freely."

"If you didn't want others to know, why tell me?" Noki kept his gaze fixed on her.

"As a weak woman wandering around an unfamiliar country, I'm bound to run into trouble. I witnessed the Rear Admiral's strength with my own eyes. You are very reliable, so I hope you can serve as my guard during this secret outing."

Noki shook his head. "I refuse. My mission is to ensure the World Noble's safety. Since you are going out as a civilian, that falls outside my duties.

"If you happen to die outside, that would be none of my concern. With how concerned the World Government is about appearances, they would conceal your true cause of death anyway. They might even have your maid replace you."

The Celestial Dragon was rendered speechless for a moment, then sighed. "You really are nothing like him."

Noki's gaze sharpened as he asked in a low voice, "You knew my father, Cudilia Rogers, didn't you?"

The Celestial Dragon glanced toward the door and lowered her voice. "As long as you agree to protect me, I will tell you what you want to know."

"How about you tell me first, and then I'll cooperate? Otherwise, if you decide to go back on your word later, there's nothing I can do about it."

"You..."

The Celestial Dragon wanted to tell him the truth, but feared that there might be ears beyond the wall. Meeting Noki's piercing gaze, she became somewhat flustered. It truly put her in a difficult position.

"How about this? As long as you take me out of the palace, I'll immediately tell you everything. If you are dissatisfied afterward, you can simply leave me behind."

Noki thought it was a good idea and nodded. "Fine."

Noki led the female Celestial Dragon out of the room. The CP Organization agents only cared about confirming the World Noble's safety and asked nothing else, allowing the two of them to leave the palace.

"Can you tell me now?" Noki looked at the woman beside him, who seemed as though she had just been pardoned.

"Mm... Let's go to the café up ahead first."

"Hey!"

The moment Noki looked away, the female Celestial Dragon actually ran off. He could not help sighing helplessly. "Was she really a World Noble?"

The two found a secluded corner in the shop.

"Here is your cappuccino."

Noki placed the coffee cup in front of the female Celestial Dragon and kept a latte for himself.

"Thank you."

The female Celestial Dragon held the cup with both hands.

"Tell me. What exactly was your relationship with my old man?"

"Me..."

The female Celestial Dragon paused, and her eyes suddenly turned serious. "I'm actually your mother."

Pfft!

Noki sprayed the coffee he had just sipped all over her face. "Even if you're a World Noble, you can't joke about something like that. My mother died when I was born. If you keep insulting her, don't blame me for showing no mercy!"

The female Celestial Dragon said anxiously, "But I really am!"

"Don't forget that you're only a civilian right now. Killing you would be effortless for me."

Noki had his limits, and she had undoubtedly crossed one of them. No matter who it was, no one could insult his family. Want to be his mother? She had to be worthy of it!

As Noki spoke, the blade at his waist was nearly drawn.

"Don't be impulsive! I truly am your mother. If you don't believe me, I'll explain it all slowly."

"Talk!"

"It was... It was like this."

The female Celestial Dragon began to explain. "Twenty-two years ago, your father, Rogers, was also the captain of the escort warship assigned to protect me. Later..."

After listening for a long time, Noki finally understood.

Twenty-two years ago, his old man had met this woman—his mother, for the time being—Anasiah, during an escort mission. After a series of accidents, the two of them somehow became a couple, and then he came into the world.

At the time, Anasiah was exceptionally beautiful among the Celestial Dragons and was also the daughter of her family's head. Many Celestial Dragons from other families wanted to marry her as their lawful wife. Some had even arranged engagements without Anasiah's knowledge. But because of Noki's father, those engagements were forced to dissolve, and the other Celestial Dragons were made to wear enormous green hats...

Several Celestial Dragons pressured the World Government and nearly had Rogers executed outright. Later, because Rogers was quite renowned in the Marines and Anasiah repeatedly pleaded for him, the matter was finally settled.

As a "bastard," Noki naturally could not be raised in the Holy Land as a Celestial Dragon. He could only be taken into the Marines by Rogers.

From then on, Anasiah never saw Rogers again, until his death...

Noki understood everything.

Why Sakazuki had so strongly opposed him getting involved with women, why he had repeatedly warned him to stay away from Celestial Dragons, and why he believed Noki's strength was still far from sufficient.

It was because his father Rogers had not died at the hands of pirates. He had probably been schemed to death by the World Government!

Noki remembered what Gion had said at the time: the pirates and Marines at the scene had all perished together, leaving no survivors.

He had found it strange back then. It was extremely difficult for both sides in a battle to end up without a single survivor.

How could they all just happen to perish together?

Now that he thought about it, the Celestial Dragons had probably borne a grudge against his old man and sent agents to stab him in the back.

If that was really the case.

Then his military career would likely end at Marine Headquarters vice admiral at most.

After all, admirals and fleet admirals were directly dispatched by the World Government and the Celestial Dragons. With an identity as sensitive as his, it would already be good enough if they spared his life. How could they possibly allow him to hold real power?

Noki fell silent for a long time. If so, his life goals and all his plans would have to undergo major changes...

Although he had few memories of his old man, much of his life in the Marines over the years had actually been built upon the foundation his father left him.

For that alone, he could not simply let it go. He had to avenge him!

"Noki, may I call you that?"

Anasiah gripped her cup tightly. Her seemingly open and generous manner earlier had actually been meant to conceal the tension and fear in her heart.

She had waited for this day for a full twenty years!

She had wanted to see her son sooner, yet feared bringing unnecessary trouble upon Noki. Only after hearing that he possessed the strength to guard a region and had established a solid foundation in the Marines did she dare come find him.

It was not that she had never considered giving up her identity as a Celestial Dragon and willingly living an ordinary life with Rogers.

But Rogers had told her that the identity of a Celestial Dragon was the best shield for both her and Noki. No matter what, she could never give it up. Otherwise, the day it was abandoned would be the day catastrophe descended!

Noki stood and sighed. "Though I still don't understand what exactly happened with the muddled love between you and my old man back then, things are what they are. We should keep our distance for now."

"I understand... But even if it's only for one day, can you stay with me? This country is where Rogers and I fell in love. Can you accompany me and take a proper look around?"

Seeing the immense hope in Anasiah's eyes, Noki's heart gradually softened. Come to think of it, this mother he had never known had also made no small effort to protect him.

"Fine. Only one day. We must return to the palace by this time tomorrow."

"Mm!"

Anasiah rushed forward excitedly and hugged Noki's head. Tears often shimmered in her eyes. After twenty years, she was finally holding her son again.

"It's too late today. Let's find an inn and rest first. I'll try to find somewhere luxurious and comfortable."

Noki let her hug him for a while before pushing her away.

"I heard Marine salaries aren't very high. You don't need to accommodate me too much. I can accept it!"

"Ordinary Marines may not be very wealthy, but I'm not an ordinary Marine."

During his year in East Blue, Noki had saved up around fifty million Berries. He could barely be considered fairly wealthy.

On the way to look for an inn.

Noki asked curiously, "In my impression, Celestial Dragons are all extremely arrogant and tyrannical. But judging by how you treat other people, you don't seem like a World Noble at all. Why is that?"

"Perhaps because I don't entirely belong to this world."

Noki immediately stopped walking.

Anasiah continued, "Rogers often told me that. He taught me many things. Perhaps the reason I'm unlike ordinary Celestial Dragons is also because of his influence."

"Oh, right!"

Anasiah blinked playfully. "Noki, do you want a harem?"

"A harem?"

Noki had received a little too much information today. Could his old man have been a transmigrator...?

"Mm-hmm. Rogers told me back then to look after a little girl named... Boa Hancock, and said he was saving her for you as a wife. I specially wrote those words down in a notebook because I was afraid I would forget.

"About ten years ago, when that little girl was being bullied under Saint Roswald, I personally rescued her and kept her by my side, treating her like my own daughter. When the Holy Land was invaded, I deliberately let her and her two younger sisters escape. We made an agreement then: to repay my kindness, she promised to become my daughter-in-law."

"Heh... My old man really was farsighted. He hadn't even figured out his own affairs, yet he had already arranged mine so thoroughly."

Anasiah added, "I heard Noki already has a girlfriend. Then little Hancock can only be part of your harem, right?"

"No need!"

Noki rubbed his forehead helplessly. "I'll pretend I never heard any of this. Ain alone is enough for a wife.

"Besides, Boa Hancock is known as the Pirate Empress. As a Marine, how could I marry a pirate? Even if she is one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea aligned with the World Government, it still won't do!"

Anasiah's large eyes lit up. "Noki, I want to meet your wife."

"That's fine, but I'll first find you a suitable inn, then arrange for her to meet you."

"Okay!"

Anasiah cheered as she hugged Noki around the waist.

Noki smiled helplessly.

His mother really did seem a little unreliable.