"And what's the price?"
King Riku asked, somewhat hopefully.
"The price is that you'll need to provide me with military expenses and a portion of your membership dues," Caelan replied. After a brief pause, he added, "Each country's rate will be calculated based on its size, and the proportion won't exceed 50 percent of total tax revenue."
"Only 50%!?"
King Riku couldn't help but be surprised.
Military expenses and membership fees were reasonable costs. After all, no one worked for free.
To hear that the maximum would only be 50 percent shocked him.
You had to understand, most countries spent around 30 percent on military expenditures alone, and even then, it was barely enough to fend off large pirate groups.
Now, Caelan was offering full protection for just 50 percent. That was generous.
In comparison, the Heavenly Tribute was outright robbery.
"Up to 50 percent. And for countries that lack the financial means, they can provide labor or other resources in place of money."
Caelan stated his policy openly.
Everyone had value. With so many jobs available, there was always something that even beasts of burden could do.
"Lord Caelan is truly kind-hearted."
King Riku gave a thumbs-up and praised him sincerely.
The World Government demanded the Heavenly Tribute without exception.
As for using labor as payment? Not even worth thinking about.
For the World Government, those who couldn't pay the full amount were nothing but slaves. There was nothing left to pledge.
"No, no."
Caelan waved his hand modestly.
If this were his previous life, people would accuse him of military colonialism.
But in the world of pirates, this was nothing short of benevolent governance.
The pirate world had its own national conditions!
"Any other requirements?"
King Riku asked.
"Countries that join the Illuminati must abide by our organization's Basic Law. This law exists to ensure fundamental stability between nations. Member countries can also discuss and suggest revisions, additions, or removals."
Caelan stated plainly.
This was a foundational system to maintain order. He couldn't allow kings to act recklessly and end up disrupting tax collection.
As he spoke, he handed King Riku a draft of the Basic Law.
"No indiscriminate killing, no excessive taxation, no unprovoked aggression toward other countries, no greed beyond reason…"
"I understand. That makes sense."
After reading through it, King Riku nodded in approval.
These were indeed basic principles. Any reasonable king would instinctively follow them.
"So then... will Dressrosa join?"
Caelan asked with a smile.
He was confident that after this explanation, King Riku would make the right choice.
And if not, well, he wasn't coming back.
"Lord Caelan, on behalf of Dressrosa, I pledge to join your Illuminati!"
King Riku looked at Caelan and declared solemnly.
"Welcome aboard, and congratulations to Dressrosa for becoming the first member of the Illuminati."
Caelan grinned and shook hands with King Riku in a friendly gesture.
King Riku was equally pleased.
His daughter was with Caelan, and Dressrosa had become the Illuminati's first member state. It was a milestone.
As long as Caelan remained undefeated, Dressrosa would be nearly untouchable.
"By the way, Lord Caelan, what will you do about those countries that refuse to join the Illuminati?"
King Riku asked curiously.
After all, even though Caelan's terms were good, not everyone would accept them.
At the very least, some tyrants would never tolerate those Basic Laws.
"Countries that don't want to join?"
"If reason doesn't work, then I know a bit of boxing."
Caelan clenched his fist. He wasn't the kind to tolerate nonsense.
He wasn't here to play politics. He was here to become the King of the World.
If you won't cooperate, then he'd find someone who would.
"Ah, I see..."
King Riku broke into a cold sweat, thankful he had agreed quickly.
This man in front of him—while noble and heroic in reputation, and the savior of many people and nations—
His title, God Slayer, wasn't just for show.
He had killed countless pirates and hadn't hesitated to slay Celestial Dragons. He certainly wouldn't show mercy to lesser opponents.
"Alright, enough with the heavy talk. Let me introduce you to the advantages of joining the Illuminati."
"It is the beacon of the new era. It will become the supreme governing force in the world. With it, the world will prosper, stabilize, and flourish…"
Caelan began to speak to King Riku in a confident and persuasive tone.
"Hmm, hmm…"
King Riku listened intently, nodding along as he immersed himself in Caelan's vision.
"Heh."
A smile tugged at Caelan's lips.
What he was describing wasn't 100 percent truth—but it was at least 80 percent real.
The Illuminati's administration and the Neo Navy were two parallel branches. They wouldn't interfere with each other and would answer directly to Caelan.
The core principle: separation of military and politics.
Countries that joined the Illuminati only needed to pay Berries. They had the right to propose amendments to the Basic Laws passed by internal members, but no authority over the Neo Navy.
The Neo Navy, led solely by Caelan, would protect member nations.
As long as he remained at the top, the system wouldn't rot.
After all, he was an immortal Heroic Spirit with enough power to suppress all opposition and prevent anything like the Celestial Dragons from ever rising again.
At least, the system wouldn't fail until he failed.
So, would he fail?
Caelan asked himself this question—and the answer was no.
His core goal for the Illuminati was simple: Berries.
He needed a structure that could supply him with Berries in a steady and efficient way to feed the endless demands of the Heroic Spirit Synchronization System.
Alongside that was his goal to become King of the World and shape it into something more to his liking—something easier on the eyes.
As for his other ambitions, like enjoying life or building a harem—he could do those without the Illuminati or Neo Navy. Those wouldn't be corrupted.
He would become the ultimate producer of the entire pirate world, funneling all its wealth into his own pockets.
And when the only desire of the person holding all the world's power was just a pile of Berries, maybe—just maybe—the world would become a better place.
In that sense, the Illuminati really did have a bright future.
Right now, it had only one member nation, but it would grow.
"This won't take long."
Caelan told himself quietly.
This goal would be realized within two years.
(To be continued.)