Chapter 183: Bill's Shattered Ambition and a New Path
As the powerhouses of the Goa Empire feasted, the members of the Silver Alliance, hiding in the silver mine tunnels, were trembling with fear. The power of the One Emperor, Three Dukes was simply too terrifying. They had actually considered using traps against these ruthless individuals.
"Boss, what should we do?"
Abelon, the third-in-command of the Silver Alliance and a Paramecia Roll-Roll Fruit user, tremblingly asked his boss. The previous Logia-type wood-fire battle had collapsed half of the mine and countless tunnels. This catastrophic destructive power terrified them. That legendary Heavenfall Duke Issho hadn't even unleashed his most terrifying Heavenly Fall Meteorite.
"Boss, the people from the Goa Empire haven't left yet…"
Pesseta, the second-in-command of the Silver Alliance, with dual cannons on his back, also cautiously looked at the moody Bill.
Bill remained silent, but cursed inwardly; how was he supposed to know what to do? Fist Slayer Housparton, who could fight Jack to a standstill, was already enough to wipe them out. Not to mention the even stronger Piercing Duke Aramaki and Heavenfall Duke Issho.
"Boss, how about we surrender…"
A subordinate swallowed his saliva and suggested with some fear. But Bill's terrifying gaze scared him into immediately shutting up and shrinking back.
Just then, a subordinate rushed in. "This is bad, Boss! The flag of the Goa Empire has been planted outside!"
The shout completely shattered Bill's last sliver of hope. These bastards from the Goa Empire actually hadn't left and were going to occupy Silver Island? He had wanted to wait for Kael and his people to leave before rebuilding Silver Island. But Kael wasn't leaving. Now they only had two paths. One was to escape Silver Island while the powerhouses of the Goa Empire weren't paying attention, completely abandoning this territory. The second was to pledge allegiance to Kael.
Bill thought for a long time, and finally called his partner, Gold Emperor Tesoro. He requested the world's richest man and king of an Allied Nation to negotiate with Kael and ask him to leave Silver Island. But Tesoro didn't care about Bill, his pure silver supplier, at all. He could simply find another supplier for silver ornaments and utensils. He wouldn't offend the world's strongest Allied Nation for a small fry. Especially since Tesoro had already received intelligence about the war on Silver Island from the underground dark world. This made Tesoro even less willing to provoke the Goa Empire. The strength of the Three Dukes probably surpassed that of the Three Disasters and the Division Commanders. As a businessman, Tesoro could not afford to offend such a powerful and wealthy force.
The Gold Emperor's heartless abandonment made Bill feel even worse. Was his hard-built Silver Alliance going to be destroyed by the Goa Empire?
"Boss, since the Gold Emperor, our partner, is unreliable, then let's cling to the Exiled Emperor's thigh." "With Boss's strength, becoming an Imperial Marquis would be a simple matter!"
Pesseta, who was the most loyal, immediately suggested. Previously, the Goa Empire's influence was only in the East Blue, so Bill's reluctance to go to the East Blue was understandable. But now, Kael had already expanded his influence to the Four Seas and the Grand Line. Today, he even planted his flag in the New World. With such a powerful force, it wouldn't be shameful for them to join. First Mate Pesseta's words made Bill, who had been stuck in a rut, ponder.
His ambition had always been to develop his own power until he could rival the Four Emperors, or even overthrow them. But after witnessing the terrifying battles of these formidable individuals, he admitted that he was like a frog in a well, with a narrow perspective. He estimated that he would never achieve that terrifying level of strength in his lifetime. Forget the Four Emperors, he couldn't even reach the level of Fire Fist Ace. His ambition was like a punctured balloon, quickly deflating.
Bill's dream was shattered. His ambition was slapped hard by cruel reality.
"Perhaps you are right, Pesseta."
Bill's spirit was a bit listless, looking resigned.
"Don't be discouraged, Boss. By pledging allegiance to Emperor Kael, perhaps Boss can become famous worldwide even faster." "Look, Piercing Duke and the others also reached their current positions step by step."
Pesseta acted like a trusted advisor, comforting his boss.
"That's right, Boss, defeat a pirate with a bounty of 500,000,000 Berries, and you can be promoted to Imperial Marquis of the Goa Empire." "Perhaps Boss will soon become the next Imperial Marquis!"
Abelon also tried to persuade his boss, as he also wanted to cling to the Goa Empire's powerful leg.
"500,000,000, Imperial Marquis…" "Ah ha ha ha, you're right, maybe I can also stand alongside the Three Dukes!" "What Marquis name should I take to sound more imposing?"
Bill's eyes seemed to regain vitality; if he worked hard enough, he might become one of the One Emperor, Three Dukes. That would be magnificent.
"Boss, Piercing Duke defeated Diamond Jozu, and Heavenfall Duke defeated Vista, great pirates with bounties over 1,000,000,000 Berries. According to the Goa Empire's Hereditary Title system, they might become Vlad the Impaler and Heavenly Fall Duke. Fist Slayer Housparton, who fought Jack to a draw, might not be promoted to the Duke position."
"Boss might have a chance to become a member of the One Emperor, Two Dukes, Two Marquises."
Several subordinates, with very low emotional intelligence, explained to their boss that he seemed to have no chance of standing alongside the Three Dukes. However, he did have a chance to stand alongside Fist Slayer Housparton. The premise was that Bill had to quickly defeat a great pirate with a bounty over 500,000,000 Berries.
"If you can't speak properly, then shut up!"
Bill slapped each of these mood-killing subordinates, sending them flying.
"Boss, Melt Marquis sounds good, Magma Marquis is also good." "Molten Marquis!" "Hearthstone Marquis!" "Ore-Eating Marquis, Stone-Swallowing Marquis…"
Abelon, Pesseta, and some squad leaders all spoke up to offer suggestions to their boss. They hadn't even joined the Goa Empire yet, nor had they received Kael's approval, but they were already here naming their Marquis titles. It must be said that these guys were just so thoughtless. Their intelligence was truly touching.
And in the mine tunnel where they gathered, ears and eyes quietly appeared on the mountain wall, watching these guys' self-indulgent meeting.
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