Despite the deaths of several affiliated kings, world summits usually involve a broad contingency of royal family members. Once the successions were finalized, not a single nation was absent from this conference.
It was no joke, everyone understood that a meeting was about to take place that would sweep across and reshape the entire global landscape. Who would willingly leave at a time like this? If they didn't participate now, they likely wouldn't get another chance.
Arriving at the ground floor of the Headquarters, Diarmuid happened to see Kuzan and Borsalino walking inside. Seeing him, they waved him over.
"How did it go?" Borsalino asked curiously.
"She's gone. I saw it with my own eyes, she vanished into thin air. By now, she's likely already in a brand-new world," Diarmuid remarked, clicking his tongue.
"Is that so? She really left..." Borsalino mused with a touch of sentiment.
"Where's Sakazuki?" Diarmuid asked.
"Gone back to the New World," Kuzan responded calmly.
Borsalino added, "Things are stirring in the New World. Sakazuki went back early to hold the line."
Diarmuid nodded, then asked, "What's the situation here?"
"As far as I know, no one is missing. The countries represented by the hundred kings are all upstairs," Borsalino replied after a moment's thought. After a brief pause, he added, "But the situation has shifted. Over a dozen nations from the East Blue are standing firmly with the Revolutionary Army, led by the Goa Kingdom. It seems Dragon hasn't been idle during this time."
Previously, during the Great Battle of Mariejois, the Revolutionary Army had jumped out to align themselves with the Navy. However, the Navy had largely ignored them, though they didn't move against them either.
Diarmuid had expected to run into that meddling fellow Dragon inside the Domain of the Gods, but he never showed. Dragon seemed to have zero interest in the Celestial Dragons, the Domain of the Gods, or even Imu, whom he had once met.
He never once appeared in the Domain of the Gods. Now, Diarmuid understood what he had been up to. These past three days were likely spent networking and forming alliances.
Thinking about it, with the various powerhouses of the Navy making their move, Dragon knew the opposition had no chance of a comeback. With his cunning, he understood what mattered most: at this stage, it was essential to get a seat at the "table" legitimately. To sit firmly at the gambling table of the new era, one had to have enough chips. During this interval, he must have been consolidating his strength and influence among the East Blue's affiliated nations.
Based on Borsalino's report, he had succeeded to some extent. A dozen East Blue nations standing in solidarity with the Revolutionary Army wasn't a massive number, but it wasn't insignificant either. One had to consider that the Revolutionary Army's power wasn't limited to just that.
Indeed, from every perspective, the Revolutionary Army now had the qualifications to enter the game.
Chatting with Borsalino and exchanging a few words with Kuzan, the three soon entered the Headquarters building together.
Near the elevators, a figure was leaning against the wall, appearing to be waiting for someone. Even when the elevator doors opened, he didn't enter. As soon as Borsalino, Diarmuid, and Kuzan arrived, they spotted him.
Their expressions turned slightly subtle.
It was indeed Dragon. He leaned there with a smile, looking at Diarmuid and the others. Seeing Dragon here wasn't surprising, but the subtlety stemmed from the fact that just a few days ago, this was a stronghold of the Mariejois faction. Now, seeing the leader of the former rebel forces standing here so openly felt... indescribable.
"Oh? Have you three become such close friends?" Dragon greeted them with a chuckle.
Diarmuid rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Our relationship has always been good. On the other hand, you, appearing here so openly, aren't you afraid we'll take you down?"
"Surely not? I did participate in this righteous movement for change alongside you. Besides, the entity that designated the Revolutionary Army as an illegal organization was the World Government, the Mariejois faction. Conveniently, they were completely destroyed three days ago. So, no one is around to judge me as the 'World's Worst Criminal' anymore, right? No one to label the Revolutionary Army an illegal organization?" Dragon said, laughing. He seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood.
Borsalino smiled as well. "Are you also going to say that since you've integrated the will of a dozen East Blue nations, you're now a 'good guy' and no longer an 'evil leader'?"
"Hey, hey, you old monkey, I've always been a good guy, okay?" Dragon said with annoyance. After a pause, he added, "You guys know exactly what the Revolutionary Army is really about."
As those words fell, Diarmuid, Borsalino, and Kuzan all started laughing. Dragon joined in.
It was true. All this time, it was the World Government and the Mariejois faction that had branded the Revolutionary Army as evil. Now that they were finished, there was no need to continue sanctioning the Revolutionaries. Furthermore, as Dragon said, while he had been labeled the "World's Worst Criminal," the Navy knew exactly what kind of man he was and what kind of organization he led.
Dragon was indeed ruthless. In the countless upheavals he had instigated, many innocent people had undoubtedly died. To say he had "original sin" was entirely accurate. But to call him an evil, terrifying person was unnecessary. As for "original sin," it didn't count for much in this world right now, and no one would dwell on it.
The rule remained: in this world, the winner is king, and the winner defines justice.
The Navy won, so the Navy is justice. The World Government collapsed, and after its dark secrets were exposed, it was destined to become the symbol of darkness and evil—it had no choice!
Dragon, at the final hour, found the right stance to pivot the Revolutionary Army. He became one of the parties who could carve up the fruits of victory. As a winner, he was naturally "righteous" too. It was that simple.
Although for a long time, Diarmuid and the Navy brass had operated with the intent to suppress the Revolutionary Army, the dust had now settled. They had made their counter-moves, and Dragon had made his responses. In the end, it came down to skill, and the fact that Dragon secured a share of the interests was a testament to his and the Revolutionary Army's own capability.
Ultimately, they were not enemies. The Navy could not monopolize the fruits of victory; that would go against the laws of social development, the Navy's own position, and the so-called "Justice."
What? The Navy takes down Imu, drives out one dictator, only to turn around and establish a new military dictatorship? That would be going too far. Even if people were forced to accept it due to the Navy's overwhelming strength, the Navy's image would become dark and ignoble. That was not what the Navy wanted.
At this point, both the Navy and the Revolutionary Army wanted to end this shadow-play with dignity.
The elevator doors opened again. Dragon pushed himself off the wall and made a "please" gesture. Diarmuid smiled and walked in, followed by the others.
In this moment, the Navy and the Revolutionary Army had reached a complete "reconciliation." The struggle was over.
"What are your thoughts on the future development and global structure?" Diarmuid asked.
Since everyone in the elevator was "one of their own," Dragon had no intention of hiding his thoughts. After a moment, he said, "Power cannot be too centralized. As you once said, absolute power brings absolute corruption. The previous situation in Mariejois happened precisely because their power was too absolute."
"And so?" Diarmuid pressed.
"According to the book Balance and Redistribution of Power… by the way, have you read it? If not, I highly recommend it. It is a book that transcends the boundaries of its era. The ideas and theories within can truly be used to pioneer a new age..." Dragon said excitedly. He seemed to have much to say about this book, and his words were filled with immense respect for the author.
No one knew who had written it.
"I haven't read it, but I've met the author," Diarmuid said.
"Really?" Dragon was shocked.
Beside him, Kuzan and Borsalino both nodded. "It's true. Not just Diarmuid, we've all met the author."
"The Navy really is something else. I've mobilized so many resources to find this author, yet I never could. I thought they were some ancient sage long since passed. They're still alive? Who is it? Can you introduce us? I would love to have a deep conversation about these advanced ideologies..." Dragon said, full of fervor.
"They're alive, yes, but forget the introduction. As for having a 'deep conversation,' that's even more impossible," Diarmuid said after thinking it over.
"Why? Do they dislike me that much?" Dragon asked hesitantly.
"Yes. In fact, they quite despise you, the 'rebel leader,'" Diarmuid said seriously.
"But I've gone legit now!" Dragon grumbled, then asked, "Who is it? Just tell me. If I have to, I'll go find them myself..."
"Imulia," Diarmuid said softly.
"Imulia? Is she a philosopher? I've never heard that name. When did you meet her? Where?" Dragon asked.
"Three days ago, in the Domain of the Gods," Borsalino said with a smile, his tone teasing.
Dragon: "???" Imulia? Three days ago? Domain of the Gods?
Then, Dragon's expression froze. "You don't mean to tell me... that this book of profound, advanced philosophical concepts... was written by Imu?"
"You actually guessed right," Kuzan added with a grin.
"Damn it!" Dragon cursed, suddenly losing interest.
The elevator doors opened directly onto the conference room. Inside, it was already packed with people. As Diarmuid stepped off the elevator and looked at the crowd, a strange feeling welled up in his heart.
An old era had ended. An eight-hundred-year-old era. And a new era was about to begin right here. How long would this one last?
"Interesting..." Diarmuid whispered.
Then, the four of them walked into the conference room together.