**Chapter 24: The Marines and CP1 in the East Blue!**
The East Blue, Oykot Kingdom. This was a relatively wealthy Nation, specializing in various Lighting Fixtures. Their main product was a wide variety of Crystal Chandeliers, and thus their main trading partners were either rich or noble.
To maximize profits, the Royalty and Nobility within the country directly enacted Law that pulled all Citizen into the Factory, making them produce Lighting Fixtures for them year-round.
The Citizen, who had completely become Professional Worker, had no worries about food and drink and even had far better conditions than many poor Nation, but they had almost no free time. This resulted in the people here all having numb Expression.
They looked just like a group of Robot!
Even upon seeing an enormous Warship appear at the Port, the Citizen showed little Reaction as they passed by. Only the Soldiers of the Royal Army stood with wide mouths, staring dumbfounded as teams of Marine Soldier, holding Musket, quickly walked down the Deck on wooden planks.
The leading General, besides quickly sending someone to inform the King, didn't dare to go up and intercept or question them.
He had actually seen Marine Warship before, but this was truly the first time seeing one so enormous. Especially the Triple-barreled Turret on top and the two rows of Large-Caliber Cannon on either side, which made people tremble with fear just looking at them.
Is this Marine Headquarters?
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"
A Royal Guard, wearing a white Breastplate, with a black leather Scabbard at his waist, and carrying a long-barreled Musket on his back, rushed in, shouting continuously.
King Siniel Rivai was sitting on a crystal Throne, Speaking with Prince Lyle, who was standing below the platform. Seeing this Royal Guard's rudeness, a clear look of displeasure appeared in his eyes.
"What are you shouting about? Where have your usual Rules gone!"
Prince Lyle, standing beside him, even cast an annoyed glance.
"Your Majesty, a Warship from Marine Headquarters has arrived, and they say they want to see you!" This Royal Guard quickly stopped, panting as he Reported.
"What!" King Siniel Rivai immediately stood up, about to go out and welcome them, but after thinking for a moment, he slowly sat back down.
"Royal Father?" Prince Lyle looked at him in confusion.
"Although they are from Marine Headquarters, I am also the King of Affiliated Countries under the World Government. In terms of Identity, there's no need to go out and welcome them; just waiting here is fine."
King Siniel Rivai said softly and unhurriedly. Prince Lyle listened, nodding repeatedly and agreeing completely. Indeed, who are they?
Royalty of a Nation!
Marines from Headquarters, aren't they still just Marines?
About ten minutes later, a Marine Officer wearing a Coat of Justice and carrying a reddish-brown Scabbard, and a person dressed like a Government Official in a black Suit, black leather shoes, white shirt, and blue tie, walked in carrying a Small Black Box.
"Hello, King Siniel Rivai, I am Commodore Langman of Marine Headquarters."
The former simply introduced himself and then remained silent. Immediately after, the latter took over the Speaking, saying: "I am Harold, a Member of CIPHER POL No.1, a Direct Subordinate Department of the World Government."
People from CP1?
King Siniel Rivai thought inwardly that this was bad. If it were just Marine Headquarters coming, it would be nothing, but with people from CP coming along, it definitely wasn't a small Matter, and certainly not a good one.
"Hehehe, welcome, welcome. May I ask what brings the two of you to our Oykot Kingdom?"
But on the surface, he maintained an enthusiastic Attitude.
"Please wait a moment."
The CP1 Member lifted the Small Black Box and quickly entered a triple eight-digit Password. He took out a yellowish-brown File Bag from inside, then closed the black box and casually placed it on the ground. Immediately after, he held the Document with both hands and handed it to a Royal Guard Soldier standing nearby.
"Please pass it to His Majesty the King."
King Siniel Rivai, not understanding why, took the File Bag handed over by the Royal Guard. He found a File Report inside. Taking it out and looking, it turned out to be a World Government Communique!
"This..."
However, as soon as he saw the content on it, his Expression changed; specifically, it became a bit unpleasant. But he quickly composed his Expression.
"Establishing equal and friendly relations with Mermaid and Fish-man is indeed a good thing. But if it's just to deliver a Communique, I don't think there was any need for the two of you to come in person, was there?"
King Siniel Rivai asked tentatively. At the same time, Prince Lyle was also looking at the CP1 Member with a nervous Expression.
"According to the first article of the Communique on the Establishment of Equal and Friendly Relations between Humans, Merfolk, and Fish-Men, all Merfolk Tribe and Fish-Man Tribe Member within the borders of Affiliated Countries must be unconditionally sent back to the Fish-Man Tribe."
The CP1 Member looked directly at the King on the platform with a blank Expression, and his tone became even colder and more ruthless.
"Buying and selling Slave inherently violates the World Government's Law. Originally, there should have been punishment, but the Five Elders have granted special approval: as long as you cooperate well with our work, no responsibility will be pursued!"
King Siniel Rivai chuckled, "But we don't have any Fish-man here. Did you perhaps come to the wrong place?"
"Please do not doubt the Intelligence Gathering Ability of our CIPHER POL, Your Majesty." The CP1 Member's gaze was very calm, completely disregarding the King's sophistry.
"Half a year ago, your esteemed Nation's Prince Lyle visited Goa Kingdom and purchased a female Mermaid from Marquis Albutt for the price of 130 million Berry. She is currently in a newly installed Water Tank in the Royal Palace Garden."
King Siniel Rivai fell silent. He had nothing to say, and at the same time, he was somewhat frightened.
Suddenly, Prince Lyle couldn't stand it anymore. He took a step forward and said angrily, "Hey, what kind of talk is that?"
The gazes of the CP1 Member and Commodore Langman turned towards him.
"Yes, I did buy a Mermaid, but Marquis Albutt of Goa Kingdom bought her at Sabaody Archipelago and then resold her to me. The entire process was reasonable and legal, so she is my Property. By what right do you demand her?"
Prince Lyle was naturally unwilling. He hadn't finished having his fun with that Mermaid yet, and even if he did get tired of her someday, he could resell her to the Nobility of other Nation and still make a profit.
"Reasonable and legal?"
The CP1 Member looked coldly at Prince Lyle. "Slave Trade was prohibited by the World Government's Law a long time ago!"
"Hey, there are so many Slave Company and Slave Auction House on Sabaody Archipelago, and we haven't seen you shut them all down! Slave Transaction has long been a fact tacitly accepted by everyone, including your World Government and Marines!" Prince Lyle laughed in anger.
"Tacit acceptance is not acknowledgment. If we pursue it, your purchase of a Mermaid violates the World Government's Law. So, are you deciding to refuse to cooperate with our work and then take a trip to Enies Lobby with us?"
As the CP1 Member posed this question, Commodore Langman's tiger-like eyes beside him became sharp. He completely disregarded the dozen or so Royal Guard around the Main Hall.
"You..."
"Enough!"
Prince Lyle still wanted to argue, but at this moment, King Siniel Rivai on the platform roared to stop him. Then he turned and Ordered a Royal Guard Soldier, "Go bring that Mermaid out and send her to the Port to be handed over to the Marines."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Royal Father—!" Prince Lyle was furious.
"Since that is the case, we shall take our leave."
Seeing that the Matter was settled, the CP1 Member and Commodore Langman turned and walked out of the Royal Palace Hall without any delay. They were also rushing to two other Nation to demand Fish-man Slave.
"Royal Father, why? We are Affiliated Countries of the World Government, and we pay our Heavenly Tribute on time every year. What would happen if we just didn't give them a mere Mermaid? Would they dare to seize her by force?"
Prince Lyle was trembling with anger.
"Seize by force?"
King Siniel Rivai didn't expect his Son to be so foolish. He sneered, "They have an Order from the Five Elders in their hands. Why wouldn't they dare? What do you think that Commodore Langman is here for?"
"To go against the World Government just for one Mermaid... I see it now. If the Throne (Position) is ever truly passed to you, this Nation will sooner or later face National Destruction!"
(End of this chapter)