"What? You're saying who's going to make the first move? Tell me clearly right now, stop leaving things unsaid and making people guess. Speak..."
Seeing that Luo Chen was once again using this attitude to brush her off, Catherine was furious. Her heart was pounding as she stepped forward, grabbed his collar, and loudly questioned him.
"Hehehe, no need to rush, Catherine, he'll make his move soon, hmm... look, he's already made his move!"
Luo Chen wanted to hide a little longer, but then he saw Carlos reappear before everyone's eyes, leading his subordinates dressed in black suits and wearing gangster sunglasses.
"Hmm, this is... Carlos and the others. Could it be that the people you were just talking about who were about to make a move are them, Luo Chen?!"
Catherine looked in the direction Luo Chen pointed and saw Carlos and his gang, dressed as gangsters, blocking the entrance.
"Hehe, today's auction was really well held, and I managed to acquire a satisfactory slave. I hope that auctions like this can continue to be held next time, don't you think, Sir Aix..."
At this moment, some people also left their seats one after another, preparing to go backstage to pay the amount and take their slaves away. Among them, a man in his fifties, dressed in noble clothes and with a slightly muscular face, said to the nobleman accompanying him.
"Yes, the auction was a great success today. Everyone was largely satisfied. Now, all I have to do is deliver Beli and I can take my beautiful slave star back. I'm really looking forward to it... Hehehehe!!"
The man stroked his beard and chuckled as he replied; he was the very person who had just taken the picture of the famous female celebrity who had captivated the entire South Blue.
The group remained oblivious to the impending crisis, preparing to leave with smiling faces. Others, such as Sabo and Gladius, seemed to sense that something was amiss in the atmosphere and remained thoughtfully in their original positions.
"Haha, I've already paid all the late fees. Now all I have to do is go to the back office to hand it over. I'm so excited!!"
"Hmm... This is... Lord Carlos?! May I ask what brings you here? Is there something you wish to say to us?"
Just as most of the noble merchants were about to leave after paying their full amount, they saw Carlos standing outside with a group of men in black, seemingly welcoming and waiting for them. One of them looked surprised and asked a question.
"Um... Lord Carlos, is there anything else?"
The others, hearing the man's words, also looked towards Carlos and asked him the same question, puzzled.
"What an idiot! He's made it so obvious, can't you see his intentions? What else could his purpose be but to take our lives? But I really can't believe he actually dared to attack all of us!"
In the VIP section, Gladius, seeing Carlos's cold expression and silent demeanor, had already roughly guessed his intentions. He glanced at the others with an expression as if they were idiots, thinking to himself.
"Heh heh heh, so you're preparing to make your move? Very well, this gives me a reason to act. I was just about to confirm things with him about Les. I hope you won't disappoint me, Carlos, the king of the underworld!!"
Meanwhile, Sabo also realized Carlos's intention at the same moment, his gaze narrowing as he silently watched him.
"Hahaha, what do I need?! Of course, of course I need to talk to you about something..."
Meanwhile, at the main gate, Carlos heard the noble merchants asking him about his intentions, which made him think their ideas were incredibly naive. He looked up at the sky and laughed heartily.
"Oh, is there something important you need our help with? Please don't hesitate to tell us, and we'll do our best..."
Upon seeing Carlos's mocking tone and arrogant demeanor, the representatives of various factions mixed in with the crowd were already aware that he was about to make a move. They placed their hands on the hilts of their swords at their waists and cautiously stared into his eyes.
However, the others were not so enlightened and still naively thought that Carlos just needed their help.
"Hahaha, I'm truly astonished. Your intelligence is truly worrying. I've already led all my troops here to wait for you, and you still can't guess my intentions?"
Since that's the case, then I'll be frank with you. I have indeed come here today to discuss something with you, but it requires you to hand over your lives. Is that alright, you fools?!
Carlos had given up all hope of understanding the intelligence of these idiots, so he raised his weapon and stated his purpose.
"Uh... you want us to entrust our lives to you? What are you talking about, Lord Carlos? If that's the case, how can we possibly survive? Please stop joking with us and just let us pass!"
Upon hearing Carlos's words, the nobles instantly became alert, their faces showing fear. They took a few steps back before stammering out their reply.
"Make way, let you all leave? Don't call them idiots, morons. Just accept your fate. The only reason I'm holding this auction today is to lure out all the maggots on the island and then get rid of them all at once."
As I expected, I was already content with just cutting off the hands of the other kings' henchmen. I never imagined it would unleash so many big fish – the Revolutionary Army, pirates, and even the subordinates of the rising king, Joker. This time, we've caught quite a few... Hehehehehe!!"
Carlos and his two key guards stepped forward, forcing everyone back into the hall, while his black-clad subordinates gripped their weapons tightly, firmly controlling the outer passage to prevent anyone from slipping out.
Only then did Carlos look at these nobles and other people with a hint of amusement in his eyes, and said jokingly.
"Hmph, Carlos, don't think you can be so rude and disrespectful just because we call you 'Sir'. Do you know that your status and position are entirely due to the connections we nobles make with the government, and the protection we provide for you?"
If we're really gone, let's see who can continue to cover for your actions. You'd better be sensible and release us immediately, and apologize, otherwise...
Seeing that Carlos seemed genuinely intent on harming them, and remembering that they held leverage over him, the nobles hardened their stance, adopting an air of superiority and threatening him in a very contemptuous manner.
"Protection?! Don't be naive, you fools. Although I used to need you nobles to bribe those above me, I no longer need you bunch of useless trash. I've already taken care of things with the Celestial Dragons. As long as I contribute a portion of my profits each year, they'll turn a blind eye to my behavior."
Moreover, I can easily support another batch of nobles like you. You are nothing more than fat sheep that I have domesticated.
And you lot, it seems you've forgotten all about me lately, recklessly expanding your sphere of influence on Supomachi Island. Do you really think I can't see it?
But it doesn't matter now. You will all die here, contributing your last remaining value to my empire!
Take action...
After explaining all his plans and intentions to them, Carlos gave the order to act without hesitation.
His two seemingly formidable subordinates followed his command and stepped forward expressionlessly.
"Finally, I couldn't hold back any longer. Perfect, I couldn't hold back either. Let me see just how capable you are, the king of the underworld, Carlos!!"
At the same moment, Luo Chen also stepped forward, his eyes filled with fighting spirit as he stared intently at Carlos. In his Observation Haki, he sensed that Carlos possessed strength no less than his own, which excited Luo Chen greatly.