[[Three days ago, the Royal Merchant Ship of the World Government–affiliated nation "Nismail Kingdom" received a threatening letter while returning from the Sabaody Archipelago. The letter indicated that pirates had already set their sights on them.]
[Therefore, they chose to dock near Marine G-51 Branch at the kingdom's Master Port and requested escort support from a Marine battleship.]
[Shortly after arriving at G-51 Branch, they successfully captured a pirate attempting to infiltrate the branch's premises. Preliminary investigation confirmed that he was the one who sent the threat letter.]
"Interesting."
Lying on a sun lounger on the battleship deck, Roy took a sip of his iced cola and read the detailed mission information.
"Senior official? What's interesting?" Hans, who was at the helm, asked curiously.
Other marines from the Headquarters Detention Unit gathered around as well, equally curious.
"The criminal we're escorting this time is quite interesting. Another cup."
Roy casually handed his empty ice cup to Fal as he spoke.
"There is no bounty, no name. That means he's a complete nobody."
He pointed to the intel in his hand.
"But this nobody actually dared to attack a Royal Merchant Ship belonging to a World Government–affiliated nation and even had the guts to send a pirate threat letter in advance."
Saying this, Roy rubbed his chin with interest.
"When you put it that way, sir, it's pretty rare." Fal nodded as he handed over a fresh iced cola. "But the fact that he was caught so easily... I figure he's probably a rookie pirate who just set out to sea and thinks he can do anything."
"Maybe." Roy nodded, then sat up from the sun lounger and took off his sunglasses. "Oh, we've arrived."
In the distance, an island of considerable size gradually unfolded before their eyes. The first thing that came into view was a massive white structure near the shoreline.
The enormous Marine emblem gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight. The black letters G-51, along with the seagull-and-scales flag, were clearly visible at the most prominent part of the towering building.
This was the Marine Grand Line Branch G-51, their destination.
As the battleship drew closer, the branch building and the silhouette of the city on the island became clearer.
It was a bustling port city.
The vast harbor was filled with ships of all kinds, with large merchant vessels and small boats constantly moving in and out.
"Quite lively," Hans remarked with some amazement.
"Well, it is the Master Port, after all, one of the major ports of the Nismail Kingdom, a nation affiliated with the World Government." Fal replied as though it were only natural.
As previously mentioned, the Nismail Kingdom was one of more than 170 allied kingdoms under the World Government, enjoying direct protection from the World Government and the Marines.
This Master Port was no exception; a Marine branch had been built directly within the city itself.
Because of that, most pirates didn't even consider attacking this place.
And most merchant ships were willing to dock here.
Even though the berthing fees were expensive, it was far better than being plundered by pirates.
"Indeed, it is quite prosperous...but." Roy nodded, though his gaze shifted toward the other side of the harbor.
There was a small town there.
Compared to the bustling, lively port, the town looked quiet... almost desolate. The buildings were short, and at first glance, they could even be called run-down.
It wasn't hard to guess that this was where the island's native residents lived.
As in most countries, the prosperity of a port and the wealth of a nation had little real connection to the lives of its citizens.
"Let's go. Head to the branch's port."
Roy didn't intend to keep looking. He ordered the battleship to sail toward the Marine branch's private harbor.
But when they arrived, Roy was momentarily surprised.
Because inside the Marine G-51 branch's berthing zone, aside from the branch's own battleships, there was unmistakably a merchant vessel docked there.
It was far larger and more luxurious than average merchant ships in Master Port. Its golden hull and enormous figurehead radiated nobility.
The Royal Crown Flag hanging from its mast identified it clearly.
"That must be the Royal Merchant Ship that received the threat letter." Roy chuckled. "To think they docked directly at the branch harbor. It seems the colonel of this branch gets along quite well with the Nismail Kingdom."
As he said this, the battleship pulled into the harbor.
"Headquarters' Marine Detention Unit!" The Marine overseeing the port called out.
After confirming Roy's identity, he saluted. "The criminal transfer is ready. Colonel Aster is waiting for you in the office!"
"Got it." Roy nodded, but his eyes swept around the area. "Where is everyone else?"
He had already noticed that something was off. For a port of this size, there were clearly too few wardens. Most of the Marine sentry posts along the berths were empty, with only a few Marines scattered about.
"They're all inside the branch preparing for tonight's banquet!" The branch marine replied.
"A banquet?"
"Yes. Since the pirate was captured, Chief Steward Mantall of the Nismail Kingdom's merchant ship has organized a banquet and invited all the branch brothers to attend. I heard that Chief Steward Mantall prepared gifts for every Marine as a thank you."
At this point, the Marine looked excited.
No one would complain about extra perks.
"So generous!" Roy grinned. "You're going later, right? Then who's guarding the harbor?"
"Senior official, you don't need to worry." The branch marine answered confidently. "This is a port of a World Government–affiliated nation. Normally, no pirate would dare attack this place."
"Besides, we have them here." As he said this, he pointed off into the distance.
Roy turned his head and saw several guards in ornate palace-style uniforms walking about near the berth where the Royal Merchant Ship was docked.
"Who are they?" Before Roy could ask, Hans blurted out the question out of curiosity.
"Oh, they're the Royal Guards of the Nismail Kingdom."
After hearing the branch marine's explanation, Hans continued asking questions.
"They're not attending tonight's banquet?"
"Of course not. They have to guard the cargo on the ship."
Once he understood the situation, Roy didn't ask any further questions.
He simply turned to Hans. "Hans, go back to the ship with Fal and clean up the temporary holding cell. I'm going to meet Colonel Aster for the handover."
"Yes, sir!"
Once Hans received the order and returned to the battleship, Roy declined the marine's offer to guide him and walked toward the G-51 branch building on his own.
As he walked, however, his eyes inevitably drifted toward the Royal Merchant Ship. The vessel was simply too large and eye-catching.
Now that he was closer, Roy began to notice many strange details.
For example, he could clearly see numerous sharp iron spikes on the ship's hull.
The entire ship seemed unnaturally sealed up. Only the cannon ports provided a glimpse into the interior, where faint outlines resembling cages could be seen.
"This ship..." Roy frowned, muttering inwardly.
Just then...
"Kori! Kori!"
He heard a chaotic shout.
When he turned his head, he saw a man forcing his way out of one of the ship's cannon ports.
It was an old man.
His body was hunched, and his clothes and skin were covered in blood. His eyes were sunken deep into their sockets, and his gray hair was matted into clumps.
A rope hung around his neck and shackles were on his feet.
"Kori… Kori…"
He waved his hand feebly and mumbled, seemingly clutching something in his grip.
Thanks to his sharp eyesight, Roy could vaguely make out what it was, a piece of cloth.
By this time, the ship's guards had also noticed him.
"That crazy old man again! Get him back inside! How did he get over there?! Where's the guard on the cargo hold?!"
Through the narrow opening of the cannon port, Roy saw a hand reach out and grab the old man's hair, yanking him back violently.
"... "
Roy watched in silence.
But...
[Bunny-Bunny Fruit · Snow Rabbit Form LV1 — Loaded — Grants partial traits of a snow rabbit; full-body enhancement; additional boosts to hearing and speed.]
His enhanced hearing allowed him to hear the sounds coming from inside the ship, blows and curses mixed with the old man's delirious muttering.
"Kori… Kori…"
"Your daughter's already been sold! Useless old bastard, one worthless piece of merchandise, and you still cause trouble! If the superintendent hadn't said your organs are still valuable and told us to find another buyer, I would have killed you long ago."
At that moment, Roy understood everything.
"The spikes...those cage-like structures...so that's how it is."
"A slave transport ship."
He whispered the obvious conclusion.
Slave trade.
One of the festering evils of this world, although the World Government publicly forbids the buying and selling of human slaves.
In reality, however, because of the Tenryubito, the slave trade exists in a gray zone. The World Government refuses to intervene and it even protects and shelters it.
Just like right now.
The Nismail Kingdom, a World Government-affiliated nation, was clearly engaging in slave trading.
Their methods of transporting slaves were not subtle at all.
At the very least, Roy was certain that the higher-ups in the G-51 Branch definitely knew.
Yet, they were still escorting a slave transport ship on its return journey.
"Justice, huh…" Roy clicked his tongue.
This was the very reason he scoffed at the Marines' so-called justice. A tree already rotting at the roots leaves no place for justice to dwell.
(End of Chapter)
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