Prince Ilia’s words were sincere, almost tearful. His pale face was filled with pain and determination.
Adilla watched Ilia’s narration with an impassive expression, listening intently without interruption.
“That’s the full story,” Ilia concluded, taking out a white silk handkerchief to wipe the tears from the corners of his eyes. He then looked at Adilla.
“In fact, before your arrival, I had already reported the entire incident to the government liaison officer for allied nations.”
Adilla’s eyes flickered as he looked at the now-calm Prince Ilia.
“The World Government strongly condemned the matter of Dragon forcing our Prinz Kingdom to sell food. I’ve heard they’re sending a Navy Admiral to hunt down the wicked criminal Dragon. Do you know where the Admiral is? If they visit our Prinz Kingdom, I will ensure my father gives them a royal welcome.”
Ilia smiled expectantly.
“That’s classified information, and you’re not authorized to ask,” Rear Admiral Adilla responded coldly.
Ilia didn’t seem embarrassed and nodded gently, gesturing with his right hand.
“Then, Rear Admiral Adilla, the banquet in the palace is ready. Why don’t we discuss matters over dinner? My father is eager to meet you, and my younger brother Glus has always admired the Navy. Meeting someone of your stature would be a dream come true for him.”
“No need, I have other matters to attend to,” Adilla replied, shaking his head and turning to leave.
Ilia quickly caught up, smiling, “Rear Admiral, what could be so urgent that you don’t even have time for a meal? To be honest, we’ve prepared a fund to support the construction of the 177th Branch. We wish to contribute to the strength of justice. If you’re not busy…”
Adilla halted his steps.
Ilia’s face lit up slightly.
Before he could speak, Adilla turned back with a stern look. “Prince Ilia, I can understand if the Prinz Kingdom couldn’t resist the Revolutionary Army, but what’s the deal with the Giant Bug Pirates? I’ve heard you’re collaborating with the ruthless pirate Mig Jones?”
Ilia’s smile froze but quickly returned.
“Rear Admiral, Captain Mig is a trusted officer under Warlord of the Sea Gecko Moria. Although he’s a pirate, he’s recognized by the World Government and has the right to plunder the seas legally.”
“They just happened to come to the Prinz Kingdom. According to the Warlord regulations, the Warlords, allied nations, and the Navy are supposed to be in an alliance. Normal commercial cooperation is allowed…”
“Enough. You’d better watch yourself,” Adilla snapped, losing patience as he coldly walked away from the palace.
“Take care, Rear Admiral! I will ensure the funds for the 177th Branch are sent over soon,” Ilia called after him, smiling as he stood at the palace gate for a long time.
Half an hour later, his smile faded, replaced by a blank expression.
Clapping came from behind him, and a few figures emerged from the back of the hall, walking up to Ilia with grins.
These people exuded a fierce aura, armed with gleaming weapons. They showed no regard for being in the royal palace of Prinz Kingdom, each wearing exaggerated smiles.
“Brilliant! That was a fantastic performance. Prince Ilia, working with a talent like you will certainly help the Giant Bug Pirates grow stronger,” said the leader, a man over four meters tall, with a broad and burly build, a face full of scars, an eyepatch over his left eye, and a tricorn hat on his head. His left hand had a triple-bladed hook.
He looked every bit the part of a pirate.
“Captain Mig, you’re too kind. I hope the hospitality met your expectations?” Ilia asked humbly.
“Very much so! The noble ladies of Prinz Kingdom are quite charming. I almost didn’t want to leave,” Mig Jones said, his thick hand leaving a greasy print on Ilia’s shoulder.
Ilia ignored it, maintaining his composed demeanor.
“That’s good to hear. So, Captain Mig, are you ready to proceed with our plan?”
Mig Jones took a swig from his flask, pacing a few steps before Ilia, his tone displeased.
“Ilia, you’re talented but too cautious. It’s just a small kingdom’s throne. Do you really need to be this careful?”
“Why bother slowly taking over military forces, replacing them with my men, and tiptoeing around the Navy to avoid giving them an excuse to intervene in the final power shift?”
He let out a heavy snort. “Too slow! Too cumbersome! I say, just get rid of your sickly old father or capture your mud-playing brother. Make yourself the sole heir.”
“Once the old king is dead, who else but you can inherit the throne?”
“With my help, who in the North Blue could stop you from becoming Prinz VIII?”
“Yet you insist on all these twists and turns!”
Mig Jones’s tone was heavy, almost scolding.
Ilia sighed, his smile fading. “After all, I am the Crown Prince of Prinz Kingdom. My father has been kind to me in the past. If it’s not absolutely necessary, I don’t want to go too far. Captain Mig, the agreed payment will not be short, and I’ll add another 200 million Berries as a gift.”
Mig Jones’s displeasure vanished at the mention of 200 million Berries, and he slapped Ilia on the shoulder. “Mi-hahaha! I do admire your loyalty. Then the Giant Bug Pirates will stay in the Prinz Kingdom and witness your coronation, King Ilia.”
Laughing, Mig Jones and his men left.
After they departed, another figure emerged silently from the hall.
Ilia was unfazed.
“Greedy, lowly pirates with no professional conduct,” the newcomer muttered, then looked at Ilia.
“Your conversation with Adilla was impressive. What’s your plan? He is, after all, a powerful Rear Admiral of the Naval Headquarters, a symbol of justice.”
Ilia slowly removed his soiled clothes, tossing them aside.
“Justice? Heh.”
He chuckled, a playful look on his face.
“Perhaps Adilla genuinely upholds justice and is a good person in many ways. But if those in power are corrupt, what can the Navy’s justice achieve?”
“No matter how pretty their words, they can’t escape one truth…”
“The Navy’s justice is just a tool of the World Government.”
“In this era, justice is limited as long as they are the enforcers of order.”
The shadowy figure clapped in admiration.
“Impressive, Ilia. No wonder the Young Master values you. Let’s see how things unfold, shall we? Heh heh heh.”
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