Lord Reid and his entourage followed the so called Folk Trio into the antechamber of the World Conference Hall. Crystal chandeliers bathed the vast space in dazzling light, gilding every corner in gold.
Kings from different nations stood in small clusters, speaking in hushed tones, while attendants moved gracefully among them, offering champagne.
At the center of the hall, several Celestial Dragons wandered about arrogantly, their heads encased in bubble helmets. Their contemptuous gazes swept across the room. Wherever they passed, allied kings were forced to kneel in submission.
This was exactly the test of obedience Lord Reid had anticipated.
If you did not kneel, your nation would be expelled from the alliance tomorrow. The day after, it would simply vanish from the map.
"Lord Reid, the conference will begin in half an hour. Please rest here for now," Folk Three said, bowing respectfully. "Is there anything you require?"
Reid waved him off. "No need. Go attend to your duties."
Folk Three looked as though he had been granted a great pardon and retreated at once.
At that moment, a Celestial Dragon wearing a fishbowl helmet suddenly stopped, his gaze locked onto Vitt.
Today, Vitt wore an ice blue gown. Her silver hair cascaded down like a waterfall, giving her an air of cold, elegant beauty.
The Celestial Dragon's eyes lit up. He raised his cane and pointed at her. "That woman. I want her to be my new wife."
The antechamber fell into dead silence.
The surrounding kings stepped back instinctively. Some even covered their eyes. They could already foresee the tragedy about to unfold.
Vitt raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "Oh?"
As the air seemed to freeze, a bloated, middle aged man in an ornate royal robe suddenly squeezed through the crowd.
With an obsequious grin, he hurried over to the Celestial Dragon and bowed deeply. "Honored Saint, your taste is truly exquisite!"
He pointed at Vitt and deliberately raised his voice. "This lowly commoner does not know her place. She should be taught a lesson. Just look at her eyes. Such blatant disrespect toward a god!"
Lord Reid glanced at him, expression unreadable.
The sea was vast, after all. There were always small, insignificant corners of the world that knew nothing beyond their own patch of land. Such rulers cared only about their own pleasure and survival, indifferent to the lives of their people or the storms gathering on the open seas.
They all shared the same trait. Glory and wealth for themselves mattered more than any looming catastrophe.
The Celestial Dragon, whose name was Saint Copperich, did not recognize this king, but the flattery pleased him greatly. Seeing the Saint nod, the king grew bolder.
"A woman like this is best suited to be your slave. To be chosen by you would be her greatest honor."
Encouraged, Saint Copperich strode toward Vitt. "Commoner, it is my honor to make you my wife!"
He had barely taken two steps when the CP0 guard beside him grabbed his arm, voice shaking. "Saint Copperich, you cannot go over there!"
"Impudent fool!" Saint Copperich roared. "You dare stop me?"
The CP0 agent lowered his voice, nearly grinding his teeth. "That is the first mate of the Crimson Dawn, Lady Vitt. And beside her is…"
Saint Copperich followed his gaze and finally noticed Lord Reid standing calmly at Vitt's side.
Reid was smiling at him. Blood mist flowed slowly from his fingertips, and his eyes were colder than ice.
Inside the fishbowl helmet, cold sweat instantly beaded across Saint Copperich's face.
His family's repeated warnings echoed in his mind. Never provoke anyone from the Crimson Dawn, especially their captain, the Mist Lord, Reid.
The sweat inside his helmet gathered into a thin stream.
He turned stiffly, lips trembling, as if to say something.
"Saint Copperich!" the king mistook his reaction for approval and spoke even louder.
A first nod meant acknowledgment. A second nod meant immediate success.
"I suggest throwing her into the dungeon and teaching her properly. A woman like that deserves a beating!"
With every word, Saint Copperich's face grew paler.
The CP0 guard closed his eyes in despair.
"And that pretty boy beside her!" the king continued, growing more excited as he pointed at Lord Reid. "He looks suspicious. Saint, do you need my help…"
Bang.
Saint Copperich suddenly staggered and dropped to his knees. His fishbowl helmet cracked with a sharp snap.
Before the king could finish, Saint Copperich exploded in fury. "Shut up, you idiot!"
The allied king recoiled in shock, then forced a smile. "Your Excellency, please calm yourself. Our country produces many beautiful young women. If you like…"
"Get out! Leave at once!" Saint Copperich's voice was already trembling with fear.
The king froze, utterly confused. "Saint? Saint? What is this…?"
"Shut up…" Saint Copperich whimpered, his voice on the verge of tears. "If you want to die, do not drag me with you…"
Lord Reid chuckled softly. Blood mist crept toward the king's feet. "Your Majesty, may I ask your surname?"
Only then did the king realize something was terribly wrong. He stammered, "I I am the king of Pumpkin Island in the West Blue…"
"Pumpkin Island…" Reid nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly looked at Tesoro.
Tesoro gave a slight nod in return.
"I I must have mistaken them!" Saint Copperich babbled and turned to flee.
"Wait. Do you not have a brother?" Reid's voice drifted after him, light and calm.
Saint Copperich froze. Cold sweat streamed down his face. Indeed, his elder brother, known as Saint Titaniumplate, had not yet risen today.
"First mate, any thoughts?" Reid asked.
Vitt walked slowly up to Saint Copperich. A rose branch formed into a small hand, gently patting his fishbowl helmet. "Saint Copperich, is it? I heard your family recently opened a new auction house near the burial grounds."
Saint Copperich nodded frantically. "Yes. Yes!"
Reid's smile deepened. "Excellent. I am very interested."
Saint Copperich's legs gave out. He nearly collapsed. "You are most welcome. We will provide you with the highest level of service!"
At that moment, a shriveled Celestial Dragon kicked Saint Copperich to the ground.
"Useless!"
Reid blinked in confusion.
"Lord Reid, I am the boy's father, Saint Titaniumplate," the newcomer said hastily. "The new auction house in Chambord. I will present it to you personally."
Reid nodded in satisfaction. The blood mist patted the man's shoulder. "Very good. Go."
Saint Titaniumplate looked as though he had been spared execution. He dragged Saint Copperich away in a panicked retreat, even leaving his cane behind.
Vitt laughed softly. "Captain, you scared him."
Reid shrugged. "I only wanted to discuss business."
Tesoro adjusted his glasses, a cold gleam flashing across the lenses. "Indeed. It is time for a proper discussion. The auction houses on Butcher Street have been growing far too unruly lately."
Moria let out a low laugh. "Fufufufu. Another unexpected fortune, perhaps?"