The golden doors of the auction house slowly opened.
The once noisy venue fell silent instantly.
That silence wasn't natural; it was a repressive, fearful silence, a silence where even breathing was forbidden.
Everyone—whether they were wealthy merchants or ruthless pirates—lowered their heads, not daring to look directly at the doorway.
Even the most notorious pirates with bounties exceeding 100 million were now obediently seated, their arrogance completely suppressed.
Three figures walked in from outside the door.
Leading the way was an overweight middle-aged man wearing a white robe and a square glass hood.
That's the distinctive attire of the Celestial Dragons —the bubble hood, supposedly because they don't want to breathe the same air as the lowly people of the "lower realm."
Behind him followed a woman who was also wearing a bubble hood, was obese, and had thick makeup on her face.
The woman, holding the hand of a seven or eight-year-old boy and wearing a bubble headband, arrogantly surveyed the bowed-headed crowd around her.
A family of three.
Celestial Dragons.
The two members of the Charloss Family and the Shalria Family, along with their youngest son.
Behind the three followed four CP Agent dressed in black suits, each with a calm demeanor and sharp eyes.
The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Saint Charlos held his head high, his gaze sweeping over the lowered heads, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.
"The commoners are at least sensible."
His voice wasn't loud, but everyone in the quiet room could hear him clearly.
No one dared to refute it.
No one dared to speak.
No one even dared to look up.
Saint Charlos, with his family, sat down in the VIP seats at the very front and center of the venue.
That was the best spot in the entire auction hall, with a superb view, spacious and comfortable seats, and even a personal attendant.
The atmosphere in the hall eased slightly after the Celestial Dragons took their seats.
But it still felt oppressive.
The pirates who were originally making a lot of noise were now all shrugging their necks and speaking in hushed tones.
Roy sat in the back corner, watching this scene, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
"This Celestial Dragons is as arrogant as ever."
His voice wasn't loud, but under the cover of his Telekinesis Field, only those nearby could hear it.
"It seems the lessons learned from Mary Geoise a few years ago have been forgotten so quickly."
"Now they dare to swagger away from Mary Geoise and come to the 'lower realm' to show off their power."
Roy's gaze turned cold as he looked at the bulky white figure in the front row.
Saint Charlos sat in the VIP seat, legs crossed, flipping through the catalog of today's auction items.
His gaze lingered on the poster of the mermaid girl for a long time.
"This mermaid is quite beautiful."
His voice carried a sense of self-righteous arrogance.
"I'll take it."
Shalria glanced at the poster and curled her lip. "What's so great about mermaids? They don't have any fighting power."
You don't understand.
Saint Charlos waved his hand,
"The way a mermaid swims in the water is more beautiful than any jewel."
I want to keep her in a private aquarium in Mary Geoise.
He said this as if he were discussing a piece of furniture or a pet.
There was not a trace of guilt, nor a trace of pity.
In their eyes, all races in the "lower realm"—whether human, Fish-Man, mermaid, or anything else—are merely tools, toys, and slaves.
Yamato's hand, gripping the spiked club, was bulging with veins.
She gritted her teeth and whispered, " Roy... I want to punch him."
"Don't worry," Roy said calmly, "There will be a chance."
Jinbe sat beside him, his fists clenched so tightly that the prayer beads rattled.
That usually honest face was now filled with suppressed anger.
The blue-haired mermaid girl on the auction stage Shyarly.
He was an ordinary resident of Fish-Man Island, because he was playing around, surfaced and was captured by slave traders.
She was still a child.
Elder Nyon's face was also ashen.
The two Kuja female warriors locked in the cage were her people.
The women of Amazon Lily receive warrior training from a young age, preferring to die in battle rather than suffer humiliation.
Now, they are treated like commodities, placed on an auction stage, open to bidding.
The Hancock Sisters huddled behind Elder Nyon, their faces pale.
They recalled how, a few years ago, they had been locked in such cages, picked over and treated like merchandise.
That despair, that fear, that humiliation—these are still etched deep in their memories.
Hancock bit her lip, her eyes reddening, but she held back her tears.
She is the next Pirate Empress of Amazon Lily, she cannot cry.
Roy gently placed his hand on her head.
Hancock looked up and saw Roy's calm eyes.
Don't be afraid.
His voice was very soft.
No one will be taken away today.
Hancock nodded vigorously.
10:00 AM.
"Smack--"
The lights in the venue suddenly went out.
Only the center of the stage remained, with a spotlight shining brightly.
A man in a tuxedo, with his hair neatly combed, walked out from behind the curtain.
He had a smile on his face and elegant manners, just like a gentleman.
But everyone present knew that he had handled more slaves than most people had ever seen in their entire lives.
"Distinguished guests, welcome to the Golden City Auction House."
His voice, amplified through the loudspeaker, resonated throughout the venue, carrying a professional enthusiasm.
"Today, we have prepared dozens of treasures for you—rare jewels from the West Blue, mysterious weapons unearthed from ancient ruins, and legendary Devil Fruit..."
He paused, then his smile deepened.
"Of course, there's also what everyone's been waiting for most—'living treasures'."
A burst of excited whispers arose from the audience.
The host raised his hand, signaling for everyone to be quiet.
"Well then, without further ado—"
"The Golden City Auction has officially begun!"
"Smack!"
He snapped his fingers.
The spotlight shifted to the center of the stage, where a display stand slowly rose.
On the display stand, there was a sapphire the size of a fist, which refracted a dazzling light under the lights.
"The first item up for auction— 'Star of the Deep Sea '! A top-quality sapphire from the deep-sea mines of Fish-Man Island!"
Starting bid: 10 million Beli!
Immediately, someone in the audience raised a sign.
"Eleven million!"
"Twelve million!"
"Fifteen million!"
The bidding was in full swing.
Roy leaned back in his chair, watching the farce with utter boredom.
His Observation Haki had already penetrated into the underground of the auction house.
There were rows of cages there.
Mermaid girls, Kuja warriors, and many more slaves treated as commodities were all imprisoned there.
He memorized everyone's location.
Then, withdraw your Observation Haki and continue waiting.
The best is yet to come.