While the dawn was about to break through the night sky over the Volunt Icefield, Mary Geoise was still bathed in the afternoon sun.
The atmosphere in the massive conference room was heavy.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Vice Admiral Tsuru, Kizaru, and several World Government officials sat together, discussing the series of impacts caused by Hanafza's defeat.
The Shichibukai system was a crucial means for the World Government to maintain the balance of power in the sea, and now that Hanafza was defeated, this system was bound to be affected.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"
A high-ranking World Government official suddenly stood up, slamming his hands on the conference table, leaning forward, and roaring at Sengoku with wide, angry eyes, "Your Marine must bear the primary responsibility for this matter!
A Shichibukai openly attacked the king of an allied nation, and now a Marine Vice Admiral is even involved.
What are they trying to do?!
If this news spreads across the sea, do you know how much panic and chaos it will cause among the allied nations?"
"It's meaningless to pursue these matters now," Vice Admiral Tsuru said calmly and indifferently, speaking slowly, "Queen Ella has already stated her stance. They only have two hours until dawn, and we must come up with conditions that satisfy Queen Ella within these two hours, or the consequences will be unimaginable."
"So... what conditions did Queen Ella propose?" Kizaru leaned back in his chair, crossed his legs, holding a nail clipper, slowly filing his nails, and asked nonchalantly.
An official opened a document, cleared his throat, and said, "These are Queen Ella's conditions: exempt the Floran Kingdom from Celestial Dragons' tribute for 10 years, and additionally compensate the Floran Kingdom with 2 billion Berries!"
As soon as the official finished speaking, another official shot up with a 'clang,' slamming the table, his face flushed, and he roared at the top of his lungs, "She's practically asking for the moon! Does she think our World Government is a fool?"
"That is a bit much, isn't it~" Kizaru drew out his words, and said faintly, "2 billion Berries, how much overtime would I have to work to earn that?"
The official holding the document had a cold expression and an unperturbed tone: "Queen Ella said that this is her bottom line. If we don't agree, after dawn, she won't mind spreading this matter across the entire sea!"
"Bastard!" The official who had just slammed the table trembled with rage, veins bulging on his forehead, "She's taking advantage of the situation to threaten our World Government! We must never be threatened by her!"
"Let's reduce some of it," Fleet Admiral Sengoku's voice boomed like a bell, his authoritative voice echoing in the conference room, "Exempt them from Celestial Dragons' tribute for 7 years, and compensate them with 1.5 billion Berries. That's settled!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru and Kizaru naturally would not refute Fleet Admiral Sengoku's decision.
But the official who had just slammed the table still wanted to argue a few words, but his colleague next to him was quick-witted and quickly pulled him back.
Because at this moment, Fleet Admiral Sengoku was looking at him with cold, indifferent eyes, eyes that seemed to have a layer of frost, making one shudder.
"Then it's decided," Although the official was full of unwillingness, he could only sit down resentfully, and then said, "But what about the vacant Shichibukai position?"
Exempting them from Celestial Dragons' tribute for 7 years and compensating them with 1.5 billion Berries—all this money had to come from the World Government's pockets; the Celestial Dragons would absolutely not pay.
If the Celestial Dragons were willing to pay this money, they wouldn't have such a headache. This amount of money is not even a drop in the bucket for the Celestial Dragons.
"Red Hawk, how scary..." Kizaru's expression was very casual, "I didn't expect a young man who just came of age to defeat a Shichibukai with just his swordsmanship and physical techniques."
"Can we invite him to join the Shichibukai to fill Hanafza's position?" an official tentatively suggested.
"That's a viable option," Vice Admiral Tsuru nodded slightly in agreement, "Red Hawk already had a notorious reputation in the West Blue, and defeating Hanafza this time will certainly make his reputation on the sea even greater."
"We can try, and..." Fleet Admiral Sengoku's eyes were firm, and he made a final decision, "Raise his bounty to 500 million Berries!" With these words, the meeting concluded.
After the meeting, World Government officials first sent the World Government's final response to Queen Ella's dissatisfaction to the Floran Kingdom.
If Queen Ella did not accept these conditions, the World Government would take necessary measures to make the Floran Kingdom agree!
As for the matter of inviting Red Hawk to join the Shichibukai, it was not yet appropriate to make it public. Furthermore, the World Government would only send the invitation after newspapers published the news of Red Hawk defeating Hanafza.
----
Floran Kingdom.
Three busy ministers had already received the World Government's resolution.
"Everything is exactly as Queen Ella predicted, and the results are even better than we imagined!" Novan, who had just been promoted to Right Minister, despite his tired expression, had an uncontrollable excitement flickering in his eyes and a face full of smiles.
Their original psychological price was an exemption from 5 years of Celestial Dragons' tribute, plus 1 billion Berries in compensation. But what they truly received now far exceeded that expectation.
"Then, as Queen Ella commanded, let's not publicize this matter for now. However, in the future, we must guard against agents sent by the World Government!" The new Defense Minister, Theo, frowned deeply, his expression solemn.
"I will arrange this immediately!" The new Royal Guard Captain, Kamler, responded seriously and forcefully.
"Should this matter be reported to Queen Ella immediately?" Theo pondered for a moment and offered his suggestion.
Novan, however, slowly shook his head and said with a bitter smile, "Don't disturb Her Majesty for now; she's not in the mood for these things. At this moment, her temper is flaring..."
As soon as Novan finished speaking, Theo and Kamler shivered simultaneously as if a cold wind had blown over them.
Not long ago, Oro's piercing screams from the King's bedroom seemed to still echo in every corner of the palace, as clear as if they were right beside them.
The sound was filled with endless pain and despair, clearly heard by everyone in the palace.
They couldn't even imagine what kind of inhuman torture Oro had endured.
However, no one sympathized with him.
In everyone's eyes, Oro deserved what he got; those screams were more like the price he paid for his past actions.
----
The next morning.
Inside Ella's bedchamber, Andy slowly woke up in her bed.
Feeling the softness in his arms, he realized that the experience from a few hours ago was indeed not a dream.
He looked at the ice beauty in his arms; being with a queen for the first time seemed pretty good...
After their battle ended, Andy embraced Queen Ella and beheaded Oro right in front of him.
This time at the Volunt Icefield, he gained 1 billion bounty points and dropped Navy Six Styles. It was time to strengthen himself.
"System, consume 600 million bounty points to strengthen Swordsmanship Proficiency!"
"Ding~"
"Strengthening... 3... 2... 1... Strengthening successful!"
Swordsmanship Proficiency (Great Swordsman): 00/100 (Can be added!)
Great Swordsman, finally!
---------------------------
For Advanced chapters Visit :: patreon.com/Kaguyahime20