Chapter 27: The World Nobles — A Celestial Dragon Gets Beaten
"Crazy? You want to have a heart-to-heart with the Celestial Dragons?"
Vivian was stunned.
The Celestial Dragons are World Nobles, the elite. They are the descendants of the twenty kings who founded the World Government eight hundred years ago. Styling themselves "descendants of the Creator," they deem themselves too noble to breathe the same air as commoners and wear bubble hoods. They treat other peoples as slaves and enjoy every privilege. If they are offended, Marine Headquarters admirals or CP0 must mobilize all force to protect them. The Celestial Dragons are arrogant and unreasonable—yet Satan wanted to talk with them. It was madness. Still, on Satan's face Vivian saw only seriousness. He was not joking.
"If you're afraid, you can run."
Satan looked ahead, sensing the commotion. The Celestial Dragons were coming.
"Run?"
Vivian faltered. She could run. But when she looked at Satan's back, she remembered the moment he had saved her.
"If you won't go, I won't go either."
Her gaze was firm. Abandon the benefactor who saved her and flee? She could not.
"Hahaha, you passed the test.
"From now on, you're my handmaiden."
Satan laughed. He could see it—because he had saved her in despair, the woman now revered him. She was the best vessel for Piety. The power of the Ten Commandments and their laws is faith. The deeper the conviction, the stronger the Commandment. With someone who reveres him from the heart, wouldn't miracles follow one day?
Thud, thud, thud.
Heavy footsteps shook the street.
"The Celestial Dragons are here."
All along the street, people dropped to their knees, trembling. The very name of the Celestial Dragons snuffed out any thought of resistance.
Satan looked ahead and saw a giant crawling on his knees. On the giant's back sat a bloated man with snot dripping beneath a transparent hood. It was Saint Charlos of the Celestial Dragons.
"Impudent wretch, you see a Celestial Dragon and do not kneel."
On either side of him stood four men in black suits. They looked ordinary, but they were all agents of the World Government's intelligence arm, responsible for the Celestial Dragon's safety.
"We're finished. He's courting death."
"He beat the Celestial Dragon's attendants and now refuses to kneel."
"He'll get us all killed."
"Damn it, kneel."
The people around them muttered in fearful whispers. Disrespect toward the Celestial Dragons was a great crime.
"Saint Charlos, this cur has insulted a Celestial Dragon.
"He struck your attendants. You must avenge us."
The suited men whom Satan had cowed cried to Saint Charlos from the ground.
But Satan kept strolling forward, as if even the Celestial Dragons were ants in his eyes. His unhurried, airy poise was arrogance at its peak.
"Impudent cur, you dare rush Saint Charlos."
The bodyguards at Charlos's side were about to move.
Just then the man on the giant's back spoke.
"Why don't you kneel to me?
"Why do you not kneel?"
Satan drew closer step by step.
"I order you to kneel. Prostrate yourself before me."
Saint Charlos roared.
"And if I don't?
"Snot-nosed worm."
Satan's tone was light.
The suited men's faces hardened. Satan was far too close.
"He insulted a Celestial Dragon?"
"Is he insane? He wants a Celestial Dragon to kneel down."
"Damn him, don't drag us to our deaths."
Fear rippled through the crowd.
Charlos's face twisted with rage.
"Die."
Without hesitation he fired.
Bang.
The bullet shrieked forth, and Satan casually lifted his fingers. In the next instant he caught the bullet between them.
"He… caught a bullet with his bare hand?
"Impossible."
Saint Charlos gasped.
"Men, get him."
The suited guards charged. Protecting the Celestial Dragon was their duty.
But in the next moment a wave of Conqueror's Haki burst from Satan. The suited men felt an overwhelming pressure slam into them and collapsed unconscious before they could react.
"M-monster.
"What… what are you doing?"
Saint Charlos stammered in terror, demanding an answer.
Satan stamped his foot and leapt. In the next heartbeat he appeared beside the Celestial Dragon and lashed out with a kick.
With a heavy thud, the Celestial Dragon tumbled off the giant's back.
"I don't like looking up when I speak to others.
"I prefer to look down."
Satan spoke calmly.
As his words fell, the street plunged into eerie silence. Those kneeling rubbed their eyes in disbelief.
"T-the Celestial Dragon was struck?"
At last someone whispered.
"The Celestial Dragon was struck."
In the next instant, panic descended.
A World Noble, a Celestial Dragon, had been hit.
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