"I never expected that elevator to be powered by the Giant Race..." Meiser frowned as he stared at the massive elevator in the distance. "How ruthless."
Operating such a gigantic elevator... even the Giant Race would risk being worked to death.
"Slaves from the Giant Race are quite useful," the man controlled by Meiser chimed in. "Using them as power sources is the most cost-effective method. After all, it only costs some food—no wages needed."
"Hah, truly fitting of their style," Meiser sneered.
He then turned his gaze toward Mary Geoise in the distance, thinking, 'Let me bring you a little shock.'
"Go on, that's the place for delivering slaves," the man pointed to a large building to the side.
After glancing at the indicated location, Meiser nodded and proceeded to drag two large water tanks covered with black cloths toward it.
As for the man? Meiser had commanded him to return below—he might be of use later.
"Well, if it isn't Kane," a one-eyed man chuckled as he approached the figure dragging the water tanks. "What good stuff did you manage to get?"
"None of your business," Meiser replied coldly.
The one-eyed man's face immediately darkened. How dare this bastard disrespect him?
"What are you two doing?" a man in a suit nearby asked coldly. "Planning to cause trouble?"
At this, the one-eyed man's expression worsened further. He turned to the suited man with an ingratiating look and said, "Not at all, I was just greeting my friend here."
"Stop wasting time and move along."
"Yes, yes, of course..." The one-eyed man didn't dare say another word and quickly left with his underlings.
After watching them go, Meiser focused on the suited man.
"Didn't expect you back so soon after just two days," the suited man remarked as he approached. "What did you bring this time?"
"Young Merfolk."
The suited man: !!!
His face lit up with excitement, and he leaned in, lowering his voice. "You managed to get Merfolk too?"
"Yes."
"Excellent... absolutely excellent!"
"What's going on?" Meiser asked, puzzled by the man's fervor.
"Saint Maverick issued an order for me to procure a young female Merfolk," the suited man explained. "Now I can complete that mission. How could I not be excited?!"
After all... Saint Maverick had given a strict command!
If he failed to obtain a Merfolk, he'd be thrown into the water to become one himself.
As for whether he would survive?
"Don't joke around, the Celestial Dragons couldn't care less about the lives of us lowly people!!"
Meiser fell silent for a moment upon hearing this, then cooperatively put on an excited expression and said, "In that case, could I also receive a reward from the Celestial Dragon?"
"Of course!"
The man in the suit lowered his voice and said, "This lord is extremely generous and won't shortchange you."
With that, the suited man patted Meiser's shoulder, signaling him to first bring the goods into the room ahead.
This would also prevent the Fish-Man race from being snatched by others.
After the two entered the room reserved for the Saint Maverick family, the suited man lifted the black cloth and took a look.
Confirming it was a young and beautiful female Merfolk, delight immediately appeared in the suited man's eyes.
Then he said, "Wait here, I'll go invite Saint Maverick right away!"
With these two Merfolk... Saint Maverick would surely reward him handsomely!
"Alright."
Watching the other leave, Meiser slowly narrowed his eyes, thinking to himself: 'I didn't expect to make contact with a Celestial Dragon so soon...
Well... this works too.
This will make it much more convenient for me to act.'
Thinking this, a flickering light appeared in Meiser's eyes.
"Useless, all of you are useless!" Saint Maverick kicked over a guard, his face contorted with rage as he shouted, "Why haven't you managed to get me the Merfolk I want yet?!"
Listening to Saint Maverick's words, the steward forced himself to speak up: "Saint Maverick, Merfolk aren't exactly easy to..."
"Then how come that bastard Saint Holz has a young female Merfolk?" Saint Maverick roared angrily.
Just thinking about that guy's smug face made the veins on Saint Maverick's forehead bulge, his blood pressure skyrocketing.
He then drew the short gun from his waist and aimed it at a nearby guard. "Worthless trash, you're no use to me alive!"
BANG!
The lethal bullet easily pierced through the guard's heart, effortlessly ending his life.
The guard hadn't dared to move from beginning to end, even when... facing death.
"Hmph, too scared to even move. Truly useless," Saint Maverick cursed.
He then turned his gaze to the other guards, planning to kill a few more to vent his anger.
Seeing this, sweat immediately broke out on the foreheads of the remaining guards, but they too didn't dare to move.
After all... they were facing a god!
Before a god, they wouldn't dare harbor even a shred of resistance, even in death.
Just then, the voice of the suited man came from outside.
"Saint Maverick! I've found the Merfolk you wanted!"
Hearing this, Saint Maverick's eyes instantly lit up.
"Quick, come in and speak!"
"Yes!"
The suited man quickly rushed in, looking excitedly at Saint Maverick. "Just now, Kane from the Slave Hunting Group brought two Merfolk to the Holy Land."
"I've seen them myself—they're young and beautiful female Merfolk."
"Hahaha, excellent!" Saint Maverick looked approvingly at the suited man. "You've done well!"
"Tell me, what reward do you want?"
"It is my honor to serve Saint Maverick."
Seeing how well-mannered the suited man was, Saint Maverick nodded in satisfaction. "Then I shall reward you with a Devil Fruit to eat."
He remembered there was still one Devil Fruit left in his treasure vault—he might as well grant it to this well-behaved young man.
"Thank you, Saint Maverick!"
Saint Maverick nodded, then asked, "Where is my Merfolk? Show me quickly!"
"She is at the temporary holding area for slaves outside the Holy Land."
"Why wasn't she brought directly here?" Saint Maverick frowned.
"I was afraid she might be intercepted by other nobles along the way, so I..."
Saint Maverick fell silent for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, you did the right thing."
If the Merfolk were brought in directly, there was indeed a chance she could be snatched by other Celestial Dragons.
After all... this man had no power to resist a Celestial Dragon.
Then he said, "Take me to see her. I will personally bring her back."
"Yes, Saint Maverick!"
With that, the suited man turned and opened the door, saying, "Please follow me."
Saint Maverick nodded, then turned his gaze to the butler.
The butler immediately understood his meaning and called out to the guards outside, "Bring Slave No. 99! Saint Maverick is going out!"
"Yes!"
The guards outside immediately ran to the slave quarters and led out a tall, well-built man.
After tying the slave to the carriage, the guard returned to his post.
"The slave carriage is ready."
"Good."
The butler nodded, then turned to Saint Maverick and said, "Saint Maverick, we may depart now."
"Mm."
Saint Maverick nodded and followed the suited man out.
The guards trailing behind breathed a sigh of relief.
They had survived another day...
Being a guard for a Celestial Dragon was... truly difficult.
"Is this slave moving a bit too slowly?" Saint Maverick frowned as he watched the man pulling the carriage. "Is he about to break down already?"
The butler glanced at Saint Maverick and asked, "Shall we replace him?"
Saint Maverick thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Never mind, we'll deal with it when we return."
Replacing him was too much trouble—he would make do for now.
Hmm... maybe I should get a few slaves from special races to use as transportation, Saint Maverick thought to himself.
Ordinary humans were simply too weak—they wore out too quickly.
Yes, if the opportunity arose, he would acquire a few strong Fish-Men to serve as his carriers.
As he pondered, Saint Maverick picked up a whip and struck the man in front of him.
Crack!
The man's face twisted in pain, but he dared not complain. Instead, he forced himself to quicken his pace.
Seeing this, Saint Maverick nodded in approval.
"That's more like it."
"Move faster!"
"Yes..."
Obeying the command, the slave mustered all his strength, straining forward in a desperate bid for what little hope of survival remained.
"Ah..."
"Why haven't they arrived yet?"
Leaning against the wall, Meiser yawned and said, "Isn't this a bit too slow?"
Even walking should have gotten them here by now.
Just then, some noisy sounds came from outside the door.
"Saint Maverick, they're right inside."
"Open the door for me!"
"Yes!"
The man in a suit stepped forward and pushed the door open, revealing the scene inside.
After scanning the room, Saint Maverick locked his gaze onto the two massive water tanks covered with black cloth.
"So the Merfolk are here."
"Yes," the suited man nodded.
"Take that black cloth off!" Saint Maverick commanded.
As he spoke, he walked in from outside and waved his hand, signaling his guards to close the door.
The suited man immediately stepped forward and removed the black cloth from the two large tanks, revealing the two mermaids inside.
The two mermaids looked around with "terrified" eyes, their bodies trembling uncontrollably, appearing extremely frightened.
"Ahahahaha, they really are young and beautiful mermaids!" Saint Maverick exclaimed excitedly.
With these, he could finally show off to that bastard!
Hahahaha!
Hearing this, the suited man's face lit up with joy—as long as his master was satisfied.
Then he noticed Meiser still standing nearby.
"Hey, Kane, kneel down quickly!" the suited man said.
Did this idiot not know that one must kneel when facing a Celestial Dragon?
If he offended the Celestial Dragon, he'd be dead for sure!
Hearing this, Meiser glanced at Saint Maverick, considering whether to subdue him right now.
"I'm in a good mood today, he doesn't need to kneel," Saint Maverick waved his hand dismissively.
For this guy who managed to get him mermaids, he was willing to show some leniency.
After circling the tanks a few times, Saint Maverick said, "Not bad, I really like these two mermaids."
"With them, I can finally compete with that guy Saint Holz."
"Compete?"
Meiser was taken aback. Compete in what?
Who has the prettier mermaids?
"That's right, a competition!" Saint Maverick laughed heartily. "I plan to build a huge swimming pool and then release some piranhas to chase the mermaids in it!"
"Whoever's mermaid gets eaten first loses!"
"Ahahahaha!"
As if imagining some highly amusing scene, Saint Maverick laughed uproariously with his hands on his hips.
But to Meiser, that laughter sounded extremely grating.
"Truly worthy of being a Celestial Dragon---" Meiser murmured inwardly.
If he hadn't come, Camie and the others would have fallen into this guy's hands.
By then... they definitely wouldn't have survived!!
At this moment, Meiser felt immensely grateful that he was here—otherwise his friends would be doomed!
"Ahahahaha, I'm very satisfied with your goods," Saint Maverick glanced at Meiser. "Your name is..."
"Saint Maverick, his name is Kane."
"Oh, Kane, right."
Saint Maverick nodded, then said, "I'll give you three hundred million Berries for these two mermaids. You can go collect the money from him later."
As he spoke, Saint Maverick pointed at the suited man beside him, signaling him to go collect the money from this guy.
He then continued, "Remember to keep catching Fish-men for me from now on, understood?!"
"Hahahaha!"
He thought this guy who could capture Fish-men was quite capable, so he didn't mind giving him a little extra money.
Watching Saint Maverick laugh arrogantly, Meiser fell silent for a moment before saying, "What a... despicable guy!"
"What?!"
Hearing Meiser's words, Saint Maverick was taken aback, then his face darkened as he said, "Are you talking about me?"
This lowly commoner actually dared to call him despicable?!
Had he been too lenient with him?!
The suited man stared dumbfounded at Meiser, unable to understand why this bastard would say such a thing.
Had he lost his mind?
The butler also looked at Meiser in shock, clearly not expecting him to dare say that to a Celestial Dragon. Was he not afraid of death?
At that moment, everyone's gaze fell on Meiser, wondering if he had a death wish to dare speak to Saint Maverick like that.
Seeing this, Meiser said calmly, "That's right, I'm talking about you!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, the Mangekyō Sharingan appeared in Meiser's eyes, and without hesitation, he used an Illusion Technique to control them all!
"Clang!"
In just an instant, all of them were completely immobilized by Meiser's Illusion Technique!