A palace stood in the northern part of Sky Arena on Paros Island.
Its interior was lavish beyond measure, with luxury on display everywhere.
And it wasn't free. Staying there cost money.
For a force of hundreds or even thousands, the daily expense of such a luxurious place was enormous.
Only core members received that kind of treatment.
The other exceptions were contestants in the Swordsmanship Tournament.
Golden Lion Shiki stood face-to-face with Hades.
Hades regarded Shiki with a smile.
Shiki's gaze rested on Hades as well.
Every time Shiki saw him, he felt Hades had grown stronger, his true strength even harder to fathom.
"Go on, Shiki. What do you want to ask?"
"I even put off Newgate's invitation for this."
Hades smiled casually. He was curious what Shiki wanted to ask, though he had a faint guess.
"Hades, I want to know what you think of the World Government, and where you stand on a war between the Flying Pirates and the World Government."
Golden Lion Shiki fixed him with an intense stare and spoke in a low voice.
Shiki had his own ideas, but he still wanted to hear Hades answer for himself.
They were the only two people in the entire hall.
Shiki's voice echoed through it.
"You should already know the answer, Shiki. Reinhardt at your side knows it even better."
"Could the Flying Pirates have grown so quickly without outside help?"
Since Shiki had asked, Hades saw no need to hide it. Instead, he smiled and answered with a question of his own.
Shiki's pupils contracted.
He had long had a vague feeling that the Flying Pirates' rise had gone far too smoothly.
After the God Valley War, their growth had been like a clear run down an open road.
At the time, though,