With such a grave accusation pressed onto him, Otto Luke the Third froze in place, trembling violently. The arrogance he had displayed moments ago vanished without a trace. It was a clear reminder that cruel people often feared those even more ruthless than themselves.
Spandine no longer spared him a glance. He turned swiftly, his expression transforming into one of eager submission as he faced Lloyd.
"Black Dragon Admiral, how should we deal with this fellow?"
Spandine's timing and tone were impeccable. With nothing more than a glance from Lloyd, he could immediately grasp the intent behind it. He never overstepped, never tried to steal attention, and always treated Lloyd's will as absolute.
Compared to him, Otto Luke was utterly outclassed.
Lloyd appeared satisfied. He lifted his hand and gave Spandine's shoulder a light pat, offering a faint, approving smile.
That simple gesture filled Spandine with overwhelming gratification. If bootlicking were an art, he had long since mastered it.
Nearby, the middle-aged couple stood frozen in shock. The purple-haired girl remained in her mother's arms, her curious gaze fixed on Lloyd.
She had only been playing hide-and-seek with other children, acting as the seeker. When she finished counting, it coincided exactly with Lloyd's group entering the street.
The other children had already been dragged away by their parents. With her eyes covered, she had no idea what was happening outside. Hearing only footsteps and sensing the sudden silence, she had run forward and unknowingly blocked Lloyd's path.
She understood she had caused trouble. Offending nobles often led to severe punishment, especially with the King present.
Just moments ago, she had believed she would be arrested and thrown into prison.
Then Spandine stepped forward.
That sharp slap echoed in her mind, leaving a deep impression on her young heart.
Those nobles who usually lorded over everyone were struck down in the street, forced to lie on the ground like broken dogs. Even more shocking was the way the man who delivered the blow behaved before Lloyd. Even the King, whom she had always believed to be the most noble person alive, acted no differently.
Was there really someone above the King in this world?
The girl stared blankly at Lloyd.
Lloyd noticed her gaze. He stepped forward, and the royalty and nobles instinctively parted to make way.
The irony was striking. Their behavior now was no different from the commoners who had lined the streets earlier.
As Lloyd approached, the guards immediately retreated, standing rigid with their eyes forward, not daring to look at him.
The natural authority of the Figarland bloodline was fully evident. Even restrained, the pressure Lloyd exuded was overwhelming to ordinary people. This was not something bravery alone could resist.
The girl's father felt his legs go weak.
Fortunately, Lloyd harbored no hostile intent.
He stopped in front of the girl, slowly crouched down, and smiled faintly at her as she clung to her mother.
"You were frightened just now," he said calmly. "It's over. Go home with your parents."
The girl pursed her lips. A trace of worry appeared in her eyes, as though something weighed heavily on her mind.
Noticing this, Lloyd asked with mild curiosity,
"What's wrong? Are you afraid your parents will scold you when you get back?"
Her face flushed red. She shook her head quickly and spoke in a small, muffled voice,
"Big Brother, I'm scared that after you leave, that noble will take revenge on us."
Before she could finish, her mother hurriedly covered her mouth, panic flooding her voice.
"Don't say things like that."
In truth, she shared the same fear. But as an adult, she knew such thoughts should never be spoken aloud.
If left unsaid, the nobles might forget them entirely. Once voiced, especially in front of so many people, it could invite lasting resentment.
No matter how respected Lloyd was, someone like him could not remain here forever.
She did not dare hope that such a figure would go out of his way to protect ordinary people like them.
Under her anxious gaze, a hint of interest surfaced in Lloyd's eyes. He gently moved her hand aside and looked directly at the girl.
"How old are you?"
"Eight," the girl replied obediently.
Lloyd chuckled softly. For a child raised safely under her parents' care to think this far ahead at such an age was rare.
He reached out and lightly patted her head.
"What's your name?"
"Belo Betty."
Hearing the name, the smile on Lloyd's face deepened.
He turned his head slightly, casting a meaningful glance toward Dragon, who stood silently among the crowd.
According to the future, this girl would become one of Dragon's most important subordinates, the commander of the Revolutionary Army's East Army. Her Encourage Devil Fruit would later serve as a decisive force on the battlefield, a power valuable on a strategic level.
Although she had not yet obtained that ability, Lloyd knew it was only a matter of time, provided no one interfered.
Now that he had found this future cornerstone, there was no reason to let her slip away.
A subtle, dangerous smile curved at the corner of Lloyd's mouth.
To Betty, however, the big brother before her simply seemed gentle and strikingly handsome, especially when he smiled.
Lloyd straightened up and turned his back to the gathered royalty and officials. His voice was calm, yet carried unquestionable authority.
"From this moment onward, no one is permitted to interfere with Betty's family."
He paused briefly.
"Those who do… will die."
As the final word fell, Lloyd raised his hand.
A surge of terrifying power erupted, infused with overwhelming Haki. A brilliant silver light shot from his fingertip and pierced the distance.
Under countless horrified gazes, a faraway mountaintop exploded with a thunderous roar, collapsing entirely as debris scattered into the sky.
The Goa Kingdom was nothing more than a small nation in the East Blue. Such a scene was beyond anything they had ever witnessed.
After the shock passed, nobles, royalty, and commoners alike dropped to their knees, bodies shaking uncontrollably.
Even Spandine wiped cold sweat from his forehead. He knew Lloyd was powerful, but he had never truly understood the extent of that power.
On the ship earlier, he had only seen a flash of red light before Dragon was sent flying. That was nothing compared to watching a mountain erased in an instant.
Lloyd lowered his hand and slipped it casually into his pocket.
"Spandine."
Spandine immediately understood. He turned toward the nobles with a chilling smile.
"The words of Admiral Lloyd represent the will of the World Government. Did you all hear him clearly?"
As he spoke, his gaze landed on Otto Luke the Third.
Otto Luke slammed his forehead into the ground repeatedly.
"Heard clearly. Heard clearly!"