In the following days, unlike the chaotic Solbe Kingdom outside, the church where Ji Ge lived remained calm, as if nothing had happened.
The only change was Ivan, who used to go out daily to vent his anger. Now, he stayed in the church, helping Xiong occasionally treat the elderly who came for healing.
No one brought up that night's events, and their relationships stayed the same.
That was until a Marine warship arrived at the port.
A large group of Marine soldiers disembarked, followed by a Marine officer with the rank of Rear Admiral.
The nobles and ministers of Solbe Kingdom had been waiting there for a long time. As soon as they saw the Rear Admiral, they rushed forward to greet him.
One minister stepped up eagerly.
"You must be Rear Admiral Babs of Marine Headquarters! We've been waiting for you!"
Rear Admiral Babs nodded and saluted but didn't waste another glance at the minister. Instead, he turned his gaze back toward the warship.
Following Babs' line of sight, a man with slicked-back hair, wearing a black-and-gray striped coat, strode down the gangway with arrogant steps. Two men in black suits followed him closely.
The Marines on both sides shifted uncomfortably, bowing their heads. It was clear they didn't like this man's presence.
A flash of disgust crossed Babs' eyes, but he quickly suppressed it, straightened up, and greeted the man with forced respect:
"Mr. Spandine, we've arrived at the Kingdom of Solbe."
Spandine ignored him completely. With a glance at one of his suited subordinates, he signaled for a cigar. The man lit it for him with practiced precision.
Spandine took a deep drag, exhaled a thick cloud of smoke, and sneered at the ministers before him, then glanced at the town in the distance.
"So this is Solbe Kingdom? Hah, you dare call this a country? No wonder you send so little tribute to the Celestial Dragons each year. Tch!"
He spat phlegm onto the collar of a nearby noble. The man didn't even flinch—he didn't dare.
The nobles weren't stupid. From Spandine's arrogance and words, they quickly realized who he was: a World Government agent.
The minister who had flattered Babs immediately switched targets, bowing so low he was nearly bent in half.
"Forgive me for asking, my lord… may I know your name?"
Spandine kept his nose in the air. His bodyguard stepped forward and barked,
"How dare you approach the master? You're not worthy of knowing his identity. Stand aside!"
The minister paled and backed off quickly.
"A-apologies, sir! I meant no offense!"
With a wave of his hand, Spandine dismissed him.
"Enough. I heard your king disappeared? Let Babs handle your trivial affairs. I'm here for something far more important."
The minister bowed repeatedly, then turned to Babs.
"Tell me the situation," Babs said. "Any clues about King Beckley's disappearance?"
The minister straightened nervously. "Your Excellency, the king was fine during the day but vanished overnight. We believe this was the work of Ji Ge. Though young, he possesses strange powers and is extremely dangerous!"
"Strange powers… a Devil Fruit user?" Babs thought. That explained a lot. Devil Fruits were rare in such a remote land, and anyone with such abilities could easily overpower common soldiers.
Before Babs could question further, Spandine's expression shifted dramatically. His cigar slipped from his mouth. He lunged forward, shoving past his guards, and seized the minister by the collar.
"What did you just say?! Say his name again!"
The terrified minister stammered,
"J-Ji Ge… We believe King Beckley was taken by him!"
Smack!
Spandine's slap sent the minister sprawling, only stopped from rolling further by Babs' leg.
Babs scowled.
"Mr. Spandine, even as a World Government official, isn't this a bit much? Solbe is a member nation. You can't just strike a minister without reason."
Spandine's breath came heavy and ragged, his face twisted in fury. He jabbed a finger at the cowering minister.
"How dare you address that name so casually! You filth!"
He yanked a pistol from his coat and aimed it at the minister's head.
"I should kill you right here!"
One of his bodyguards quickly intervened.
"Sir! Don't kill him yet. We need him to tell us where… that person is."
Spandine froze for a moment, then reluctantly lowered the pistol. His men dragged the minister away like a ragdoll.
Babs said nothing. This situation was far more serious than he'd thought.
Not long ago, he'd been assigned by Admiral Sengoku himself to investigate the missing king. Just as he was preparing to depart, Spandine suddenly arrived with an official World Government warrant, demanding to accompany him.
Even if Babs wanted to inform Sengoku, the paperwork gave Spandine full authority. Babs had no choice but to bring him aboard.
Until now, Babs assumed their missions were separate. But clearly, both tasks centered on the same person: Ji Ge.