At this time, the member nations of the World Government also saw the news in the World Economy News.
Several kings from around Dressrosa gathered together to discuss.
"You don't need to pay the Heavenly Tribute, and you can gain the protection of a Yonko-level force. That sounds great!"
The kings looked at the newspaper, their expressions a mix of surprise and excitement.
"The burden of paying the Heavenly Tribute on us is really too heavy."
One king complained bitterly.
No matter which country it was, the enormous tribute demanded by the Celestial Dragons was always a crushing weight.
Even in a year of good harvest, after paying the Heavenly Tribute, the situation would deteriorate as if the country had suffered a disaster.
If a disaster already struck the land, paying the tribute could easily mean the collapse of the country and the fall of a king.
"And I am also very unhappy about handing over a large sum of our wealth to the Celestial Dragons. They are nothing more than pigs and dogs wearing masks. Why do they have the right to waste the money of our country as they please?"
Another king's voice was filled with dissatisfaction.
"Shh, you're risking your life speaking ill of the Celestial Dragons!"
A different king hurried to silence him.
The Celestial Dragons are the so-called nobles of the world, and the World Government does not permit anyone to insult them.
If such words were to spread, there was a high chance that the CP organization would come and kill him.
"What are you afraid of? Everyone here has their own share of dirty secrets. If any of what we say here leaks out, no one will be spared!"
"Besides, don't you think it's ridiculous that we pay the Celestial Dragons?"
Another king sneered.
The one who had just spoken stopped talking, but his heart was also filled with hatred for the Celestial Dragons.
If the Celestial Dragons behaved with even a shred of decency, people would not feel this much resentment. After all, they could understand that the descendants of the twenty kings who founded the World Government enjoyed privileges.
But these Celestial Dragons take their wealth and treat them as if they were pigs, dogs, or untouchables, even taking lives at will. That is infuriating.
"If I can avoid paying the Heavenly Tribute, even if the World Government threatens to destroy my country, I still won't pay!"
"And even if you pay it, it's useless. The pirates will come and rob us anyway!"
The kings were indignant.
Despite paying so much money, the World Government did nothing—at least nothing meaningful.
The amount of tribute remained the same year after year, yet the number of pirates never decreased.
It was as if their country was supporting the World Government with one hand and feeding the pirates with the other.
If you failed to pay the Heavenly Tribute, your country would be destroyed by the World Government.
These two giant leeches had been sucking their blood for eight hundred years. No country could endure this forever!
They had every reason to believe that this was a deliberate tactic by the World Government to control them.
By draining them of resources, they were left without the ability to resist.
"Caelan's Illuminati and Neo Navy look pretty good."
"They wiped out all the pirates around Dressrosa in just three days. That's far more efficient than the World Government."
"And I heard that you only need to pay a 50 percent tax every year, and you can offset it with other materials. It seems very fair."
"Caelan himself is a Yonko-level powerhouse. Pirates are terrified of him. He's a reliable protector."
The kings discussed the benefits of Caelan's forces, all of them clearly tempted.
Their countries were not far from Dressrosa, and over the past few days, they had indeed witnessed many defeated pirates.
Those who escaped didn't even dare linger nearby. They just stole a bit of food and fled as fast as possible.
It was the first time the kings had seen the usually arrogant pirates so terrified.
"How about we go take a look together to see if it's really as good as the rumors say?"
"Alright, let's go and take a look!"
The kings made their plan in just a few words and quickly set out.
This was only a small example. Many other countries were also eager to approach Caelan's Illuminati. However, they weren't fully convinced yet. They wanted to see the results from the countries ahead first. Once things were confirmed, they would follow.
At the same time, there were a few kings who had different ideas. They scoffed at Caelan's actions.
"The eight-hundred-year foundation of the World Government cannot be shaken by a single man."
These kings were arrogant and held absolute confidence in the World Government.
In their eyes, the World Government was invincible, and Caelan's actions were nothing more than a clown's performance.
Do not underestimate the Four Emperors of the New World. They were terrifying, their power and influence spreading across the seas, making countless people tremble in fear.
But the ones who ruled the world were still the World Government. That had been the case for eight hundred years.
The simultaneous existence of all four emperors had never once shaken the World Government's dominance.
How could someone like Caelan, who stood alone, possibly shake the World Government?
These kings thought so, and they even looked forward to Caelan's defeat.
"Once Caelan is defeated, all of you who defected to him will be punished by the World Government!"
These kings thought with twisted minds.
They were envious of the favorable conditions offered by Caelan, but they were bitter toward the countries that had already benefited by joining him.
Since they were all member nations, they believed everyone should be exploited equally. Why should others get an easier path?
"Hmph, the World Government will take care of these traitors!"
The twisted kings looked forward to it.
It was ridiculous. Even as they suffered under the World Government's oppression, they still hoped that those who resisted would fail.
It was as if only by seeing others fall could they feel proud of their own "wisdom" and mock the rebels.
"See, I told you the World Government is invincible!"
They were already imagining the day when the countries that joined Caelan's Illuminati would be punished by the World Government. On that day, they would bask in pride, congratulating themselves on their so-called wise choices.
After eight hundred years, the World Government had completely tamed these countries.
Even when they could barely afford the Heavenly Tribute, their people and royal families would tighten their belts to meet the demand.
Even if the World Government did nothing and pirates continued to rampage despite the tribute.
Even if the Celestial Dragons treated them as pigs and dogs and killed their people at will.
Even after enduring all of this unfairness, they still accepted it willingly.
It was as if they weren't livestock feeding the Celestial Dragons, but rather, the Celestial Dragons were noble beings who deserved to enjoy everything.
(To be continued.)
***
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