Summoned by the Five Elders

Before long, Hoffman arrived at the Holy Knights' headquarters.

There he found Garling bare-chested, doing one-finger push-ups with an enormous block of gold on his back.

"Lord Saint Garling!"

Hoffman held one hand lightly against his chest and bowed.

Garling sprang to his feet and tossed the block of gold aside. Wiping the sweat from his face with a towel, he said calmly:

"Hoffman, tell me everything that happened after you and Sullivan went back..."

Hoffman gave him a detailed account of everything that had happened yesterday and today.

The more Garling heard, the more pleased he became, a smile spreading across his face.

Especially when he heard that Longinus had set his own training schedule and plan.

A younger generation member of exceptional talent who could also stay true to his original ambition to improve and maintain his self-discipline was practically guaranteed a place among the strongest on the seas.

Longinus had exposed the fact that the Holy Knights were raising a chosen candidate, but what did it matter?

Wasn't letting mediocrities die for geniuses the very secret to keeping their people prosperous?

Whether they kept the mediocrities in the dark and let them die in ignorance, or told them and left them trembling in fear as they were now,

the fact that they would become sacrifices to temper the geniuses' character at the appropriate time would not change.

That was the price they had to pay for the privilege they enjoyed.

Longinus had openly raised his banner and challenged the entire Holy Land.

Garling could hardly resist getting up to applaud him!

The arrogance of a strong man like that was perfectly in line with Garling's own attitude toward life.

How could someone become a king who defeated everyone if he didn't dare compete with everyone?

The Holy Knights had needed to spur the other promising children into competing with Longinus anyway. Now that he had stepped forward himself, the effect would be even better.

As for whether Longinus might be killed by a powerful Celestial Dragon?

Of course not. No Celestial Dragon with any real strength would live outside Pangaea Castle, doing nothing but eating and waiting to die.

The mediocrities outside Pangaea Castle could serve perfectly well as nourishment for Longinus's growth.

Rotten wood was only fit to be used as fertilizer, and it ought to be proud of that.

Hoffman hesitated again and again, but finally voiced his thoughts:

"Lord Saint Garling, at least as I see it, Lord Saint Longinus isn't arrogant. He's actually quite kind.

"In Lord Saint Homing's chambers, Lord Saint Longinus personally hands out meat to everyone. If Lord Saint Doflamingo brings slaves, even they get a share.

"As for why he asked Sullivan what happened in your chambers, I think it also seemed to be out of... for Sullivan...

"Sorry, you might not like this word being used for Sullivan, but I think 'concern' is the right word."

Garling seemed to be in an excellent mood. He chuckled and said:

"Hoffman, you still don't understand Longinus. Do you know? Right where you're standing now, more than thirty Celestial Dragons came to complain just a little while ago."

Hoffman nodded. "Lord Saint Longinus holds nothing back against anyone who disrespects him, even if the other person is a Celestial Dragon."

"Exactly... You've completely misunderstood him! What arrogance! So much so that even you misunderstood him like this!"

Garling threw back his head and laughed, slapping his knee repeatedly. It was a loss of composure Hoffman rarely saw from him:

"You think he's approachable? No, no, no, Hoffman. I'm afraid he doesn't even see you as his own kind. You pose no threat, so he doesn't care.

"A lion roars at another lion, but when faced with flowers and grass, it may even show a childlike side.

"Only when he faces his fellow Celestial Dragons does the child show his true face!

"Cruel and ruthless-those are insults when used for commoners, but for nobles, they're part of our splendor."

Hoffman did not object. As a CP Agent trained from childhood, he believed in the nobility of Celestial Dragon blood even more than the Celestial Dragons themselves. If Longinus truly saw them as his own kind, that would be a defilement of a god.

Just then, a CP Agent rushed in and dropped to his knees with a thud. "Lord Saint Garling!" he said urgently. "Lord Saint Longinus has been summoned to the council hall by the Five Elders..."

Garling's smile vanished, and dark lines appeared beneath his eyes. "The old men have crossed the line. The Holy Land has always been the Holy Knights' responsibility."

He abruptly rose and pulled on a black robe.

By the time Garling reached the council hall, a tall agent was carrying a bewildered Lu Ye there under his arm.

The hall was bustling. Pucout, Lawrence, and the other aggrieved parties were crowded against the wall, looking pitiful.

When they saw Garling arrive in person, they all hunched their shoulders, trying to hide their heads behind one another.

The bulky, towering genius Pucout had nowhere to hide. His eyes slowly drifted to the side, and he pursed his lips and whistled, pretending to be calm.

Three sofas stood in the center of the hall: one single-seater and two double-seaters, with five places in all.

A simple round coffee table stood beside them.

The council hall had another name within the World Government-the Room of Authority.

Four old men sat on the sofas, while another stood to one side.

None of the five said a word, but their presence was oppressive.

They were the Five Elders, who represented the highest authority of the World Government.

Lu Ye looked at the empty seat, then at the tall old man standing to one side with an inverted trident-shaped mustache. He couldn't help worrying for the World Government.

He doesn't even know to sit when there's a seat. No wonder the World Government's reign is growing weaker by the day. If he likes standing so much, he should go be a security guard!

In any case, as soon as Lu Ye was set down, he swaggered brazenly over to the empty seat at a jog and plopped himself down. He even smiled and nodded at the blond, short-haired Elder beside him, who was looking at him askance.

Garling couldn't help smiling at Lu Ye's actions.

Arrogance!

What arrogance!

At three years old, he already wants to sit as an equal with the Five Elders. That's the resolve of a strong man, just like mine!

As the CP Agent who had accompanied Garling along the Path of the Strong, Hoffman knew Garling didn't get along with the five old men. He brought a sofa in from outside so Garling wouldn't be at a disadvantage in bearing.

"Garling, we didn't invite you."

The round-faced Elder, who had a bald crown and a wavy white beard, gave him a calm warning.

Garling spread his hands. "This child has embarked on the Path of the Strong. I think you should understand what I mean.

"Meanwhile, the Five Elders who govern the World Government have summoned a Celestial Dragon who has never set foot outside the Holy Land...

"Aren't you the ones crossing the line?"

The Elder with the inverted trident mustache said coldly, "You should know that we opposed this Path of the Strong Plan from the beginning."

"No, I didn't!"

Garling lounged on the sofa, propped his legs on the coffee table, and scratched his ear with his little finger.

"I'm twenty-seven this year, and I've only been in charge of the Holy Knights for four years. I came up through the Path of the Strong myself, and I fully approve of this selection system.

"Only the strong deserve to stand among the Holy Knights and protect the dignity of the Celestial Dragons from violation. To help a chosen candidate grow strong, even if it requires a little sacrifice, every...

"How should I put it? Dirty-blooded Celestial Dragon!

"Yes, it's a contribution they should make."

The bald Elder in a white kendo robe said:

"At the very least, you should explain the criteria for selecting a chosen candidate and tell the candidate what conduct is forbidden and what is permitted, rather than leaving it entirely up to your wishes.

"Don't let fear continue to spread through the Holy Land, Garling..."

Garling gave a disdainful snort.

"I don't believe I'm obliged to explain the standards by which I do things. At least, thanks to my efforts, the Holy Land is very safe, and the Celestial Dragons' authority has been upheld.

"You, on the other hand, I hear Roger is causing more and more trouble, and Rocks' remnants are running rampant across the seas. Can the World Government put them down quickly?

"Elders, I have no intention of overstepping my authority. I'm only concerned about whether instability on the seas might affect the safety of the Holy Land.

"I think worrying about that is far more important than suspecting a three-year-old child."