A new path of fate had appeared, though its gateway remained sealed, and the quest to unlock it had yet to manifest.
William's consciousness withdrew from the Plaza of Fate, returning to the grand council chamber of the royal palace. He found himself among the assembled ministers, all awaiting the arrival of the envoy from the Faraise Kingdom.
Shortly thereafter, the envoy entered the hall under guard escort.
William briefly assessed the newcomer—a handsome middle-aged man with an elegant, upright bearing and solemn countenance. His attire was impeccably tailored, his beard meticulously groomed to perfection, embodying the quintessential aristocratic demeanor. Even his bow to William and the ministers struck the perfect balance between dignity and respect.
William, however, quickly diverted his attention elsewhere. The envoy's appearance held little interest; what truly mattered was the man's combat capability, which William had already evaluated during his cursory examination. This Romanos, as the envoy was called, possessed unremarkable strength—his hands entirely free of calluses, betraying a complete lack of rigorous training in swordsmanship or martial arts.
Romanos, seemingly oblivious to his dismissal, completed his formal greeting before deliberately lifting his gaze toward the elevated throne. "Where," he demanded loudly, "is His Majesty King Norton I?"
The newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Manny, regarded Romanos with a measured glance before responding languidly, "His Majesty has abstained from governmental affairs for years now. Whatever proposals or requests your kingdom wishes to present can be addressed directly to our Regent."
"That is hardly equivalent!" Romanos exclaimed, gesturing emphatically with his right hand, his tone growing increasingly forceful. "I stand before you as the official envoy of King Robert of the Faraise Kingdom. This diplomatic correspondence was personally drafted by King Robert and addressed specifically to your sovereign, Norton I. How dare a mere subject presume to receive such a document in the king's stead? Is this not tantamount to usurpation?"
The chamber, filled predominantly with William's loyalists, met Romanos's pointed insinuation with cold, contemptuous stares.
"You believe yourself qualified to represent King Robert," William remarked with deliberate calm, "yet question my authority to act on behalf of His Majesty Norton I?"
"The circumstances are entirely different," Romanos insisted, his posture rigid with conviction. "King Robert cannot physically travel to your nation, necessitating my representation. King Norton I, however, resides within these very palace walls."
"Very well then," William replied evenly, remaining seated without so much as twitching a finger. He merely directed a guard with his eyes. "Summon His Majesty Norton I."
William's demeanor—as if calling for a servant rather than a sovereign—deeply offended Romanos. Born into generations of nobility and steeped in the doctrine of divine monarchy, the envoy found such behavior utterly reprehensible. It seemed the rumors circulating abroad—that the Navia Kingdom had fallen under the control of treasonous usurpers—were not unfounded. Everything before him confirmed that William's attitude and authority had long since transcended the proper bounds of a loyal subject.
Traditionally, the council chamber contained no seating save for the royal throne. After William's ascendance to power, however, chairs had been installed for himself and the ministers.
As they waited, the Navian ministers remained comfortably seated while Romanos stood alone in the center of the hall, enduring the unabashed scrutiny of Manny and the others.
Eventually, King Norton I was escorted into the chamber. Compared to William's first encounter with him years earlier, the monarch had grown noticeably paler and more corpulent. The dark circles beneath his eyes had deepened considerably, and his hairline had receded even further.
Romanos bowed deeply to Norton I with genuine reverence, yet the Navian ministers remained conspicuously motionless. A few officials—not from William's original faction but from the old aristocracy—shifted uncomfortably in their seats, but observing William's stillness, they dared not take independent action.
Only after William rose and offered Norton I a perfunctory bow did the others follow suit, rising to pay their respects.
Once Norton I took his seat, he issued no command for the others to be seated. Nevertheless, when William casually returned to his chair and made a subtle downward gesture with his hand, the ministers promptly resumed their seats.
Romanos inwardly seethed at this flagrant disregard for royal protocol but proceeded according to diplomatic procedure. He presented King Robert's document to Norton I, only to watch as an attendant immediately intercepted it before the king could even break the seal, delivering it directly to William's hands.
William scanned the contents, finding his suspicions confirmed—the document addressed territorial claims over Cocoyasi Village and Hosha Town.
"Regarding the incorporation of Cocoyasi Village and Hosha Town into our kingdom," William stated, passing the document to Dampier, who also served as Minister of Technology, "I see no room for negotiation. These communities endured years of pirate subjugation without intervention. We liberated them from their oppressors, and their integration into our realm reflects the will of their people."
"Matters of territorial sovereignty cannot be determined by mere peasants," Romanos countered sternly. "They may choose to become subjects of the Navia Kingdom, but they possess no authority to transfer lands rightfully belonging to the Faraise Kingdom."
"Transfer?" William scoffed with undisguised contempt. "Both the people and the territory were liberated through Navian military intervention. If neither the liberators nor the inhabitants themselves have decision-making authority, what conceivable right do you claim?"
"Your reasoning is specious at best," Romanos retorted through gritted teeth, his tone acquiring a menacing edge. "Your actions constitute nothing less than territorial annexation against the Faraise Kingdom. Such aggression could easily be interpreted as an act of war."
A profound silence descended upon the hall. King Norton I regarded Romanos with visible trepidation, while the ministers exchanged meaningful glances.
"The Arlong Pirates occupied those territories for years without the slightest challenge from your kingdom," William observed, arching an eyebrow. "Yet now, mere days after our successful liberation campaign, you appear in my court threatening warfare? How curious that your courage manifests only after the danger has passed."
"Both our nations are member states of the World Government," Romanos replied with thinly veiled malice. "Should conflict erupt between us, the World Government would inevitably take notice. While they typically remain neutral in disputes between member nations, they would scarcely ignore a situation involving a cunning fugitive who has systematically corrupted East Blue's Marine forces to evade justice!"
Romanos fixed his gaze intently on William, clearly anticipating a reaction. To his evident disappointment, William's expression remained perfectly composed, betraying not the slightest perturbation.
"Is this truly your leverage?" William asked, his voice dripping with mockery. "Hiding behind greater powers? Is this why you cowered before the Arlong Pirates yet now feel emboldened to challenge me?"
William gestured casually to his guards, then pointed toward Romanos, whose face had flushed crimson with indignation. "Cut off his ears."
Romanos's expression transformed instantly to one of horror as two guards, fierce as predators, swiftly pinned him to the ground.
"I have already stated that the matter of Cocoyasi Village and Hosha Town is not open for discussion," William declared, rising to stand over the prostrate envoy. "Your ears clearly serve no purpose except as ornaments. Return to your master and deliver this message: if he desires war, I shall gladly accommodate him."
🔥 Want to read the next 20 chapters RIGHT NOW?
💎 Patreon members get instant access!
⚡ Limited-time offer currently running...
👉 [Join on - patreon.com/GoldenLong]