Meanwhile, Vice admiral key sat down in front of a Mapol, the king of Drum Kingdom.
What the hell was this man doing here? I though he was only here for the tributes. Even when he had invited him to a feast he had simply refused him with a cold shoulder.
But he was now barging into his castle uninvited. Why wouldn't he be angry?
He has never held the marines in high regards. They were always screaming about justice and the likes but they were no different from thugs collecting protection money.
With this tribute, it would take a few months before his Kingdom recuperate from the loss of supply.
Swallowing the dissatisfaction that he felt , he put on a small smile and asked.
"What can I do for you vice admiral? I believe my soldiers have already delivered the tributes to your ship? Or is there something else you need?"
Vice admiral key glanced at the king for a few seconds before looking away. No matter how hard Mapol tried to hide it, he could still hear the dissatisfaction in his voice. Truth be told, if it wasn't for the importance of this mission he wouldn't have bothered to ask for his assistance.
Because no matter how much they claimed to be loyal to the world government they were only doing it because they were afraid of losing the protection that they had and falling victim to pirates. If it wasn't for that they wouldn't have bothered.
Moreover. the fake smile on his face could use a little more work if he thought that he could fool him with him. But he didn't give any shit, whether he liked it or not he still has to do as he said.
"I need your assistance in catching some deadly criminals. My marines are already on the move but they wouldn't be able to search the whole island on time. So we need your soldiers "
"My soldiers?" A look of realization and disgust flashed across his face before quickly disappearing. However, key noticed it but he didn't say anything.
"I thought we were only supposed to deliver tributes to the world government not assist them"
Key frowned when he heard Mapol's retort. But he was already expected that, "As an country under the protection of the world government it would be seen as a huge contribution if you assist us in apprehending those pirates. The world government might even decide to exclude you from the next heavenly tributes"
"Is that so?"
Mapol and Key entered in a staring contest. Neither saying a word, just silently observing the other for what felt like hours.
Then suddenly with a flattering smile, Mapol said. " Sure, no problem. However, you have to ensure that nothing happens to my people"
"You have my words"
"I don't need your words. I just need you to know that it something happened to my people I will hold you responsible." Mapol said causing Key to frown slightly. He didn't wait for his reply before gesturing for one of the soldiers to come over. Mapol quickly told him to relay his orders to the rest of the soldiers that they were to assist the marines in apprehending this criminals.
The soldier gave a short bow to his king before leaving the room.
After the soldier left, Mapol returned his attention back to Key with that same smile on his face and asked, "Will that be all vice admiral? Or do you need something else?"
"That will be all" Key nodded and stood up from his seat, making his way towards the door. However before he stepped out of the door he said, "Also, try and work on that mask of yours. You are not fooling anyone with it."
With that said, he left the huge hall, leaving behind a somewhat surprised Mapol behind.
"He noticed huh?" Mapol chuckled as if he just heard something funny, not taking the Vice admiral's words seriously. To be honest he really never cared about what Key said, he was just helping the marines out of obligation not loyalty. If it wasn't for the love he has for his people, he never would have bothered paying the tribute.
The reason Key noticed his fake expression was because he wanted him to. He has always taken joy in messing with the marines since he knew they couldn't do anything against him as long as he doesn't step out of line.
However, something still bothered him. For some reasons he couldn't help but feel like things wouldn't be as easy as the rear admiral made it seem.
…..
Key's frowned slightly as he made his way out of the castle. He seemed to have something on his mind.
"Vice admiral" A marine that had been patiently waiting for his return outside the castle saluted. He subconscious glanced to the castle where key just came out of. He was wondering how the meeting with the king went, but he didn't dare voice it out for fear of angering his superior.
Frowning, key looked at the soldier and said "Tell the others to continue with their search. The king has been generous enough to offer up his assistance"
"Yes sir" The marine unaware of the rage currently boiling inside his vice admiral saluted again before running off to deliver his orders.
Key glanced at the castle one last time before turning around to leave.
What a bold guy.
….
"Is it really okay to speak to a rear admiral like that?" A man who had been standing quietly in the corner of the huge room throughout the meeting without altering a single word asked as he walked over to Mapol's side.
His name was Aron, Mapol's trusted advisor. He had been present at during Mapol's meeting with the rear admiral. He had only been quietly observing as it not a meeting he could just interfere in.
But still watching Mapol messing around with the a rear admiral hadn't sit well with him.
Seeing his trusted advisor's expression, Mapol said "You should relax, Aron. I never intended to refuse to begin with. A rear admiral might be powerful but even they can't harm a kingdom under the world government's protection. Much less it king" Mapol scoffed before his expression suddenly turned serious causing Aron's expression to turn solemn as well.
"However if the pirates are really as dangerous as the admiral said then we can't have them hiding here in our kingdom. Make sure you do all you can to get rid of them"
"Yes sir" Aron nodded before hurriedly leaving the room. He had also been worried when he first heard that there were dangerous pirates hiding somewhere on the island. If they were anything like those monsters in the new world then their people were in danger.
Mapol sighed after Aron left. He knew for certain that his kingdom was going to take considerable damage considering that the pirates wouldn't just lie down and let the marines capture them.
He could only hope that the marines would do their jobs properly and not let anything happen to his people or the marines won't hear enough from him.