The Reverie was about to begin.
Kings of Affiliated Nations across the seas were traveling to Mary Geoise under the escort of Navy Warships.
Even though Affiliated Nations now held greater status and power within the World Government, the rule that only fifty of their kings could attend remained unchanged.
Some kings wanted to come; others did not, or lived too far away. Whatever the reasons, fifty attendees would be found in the end.
Even those who could not come would send envoys to the Reverie.
This was the Marines' busiest time.
They had to commit most of their forces to escorting the kings and other important figures of the Affiliated Nations.
Their task was to deliver them safely to Mary Geoise.
During this period, the Marines' hold over the seas would weaken considerably.
They had no spare capacity to hunt down pirates.
Some pirates would grow bolder and stir up trouble.
Ships carrying delegates from Affiliated Nations were often targeted by pirates, too.
They might not carry as much treasure as the Heavenly Tribute, but everyone aboard was important to their nation.
Kings, members of the royal family, ministers, princes, and princesses.
Any one of them could fetch a hefty ransom and make their captors rich overnight.
There was no avoiding it.
Fortunately, the Heavenly Tribute had already been delivered to Mary Geoise. Otherwise, the Marines' workload would have been even heavier.
This was hardly their first time. The escort missions proceeded in an orderly fashion.
Sengoku sat in his office, receiving constant updates on the escorts across the seas so he could prevent any mishaps.
If pirates were spotted targeting an Affiliated Nation's ship,
and its escorting Warship could not hold them off, he would immediately order forces from a nearby Marine Base to provide support.
The Reverie