The Celestial Dragons, World Nobles who reside in Mariejois, descendants of the twenty kings who established the World Government 800 years ago.
These Celestial Dragons consider themselves 'descendants of the Creators,' and thus are arrogant and overbearing. They deem themselves too noble to breathe the same air as commoners, wearing bubble helmets on their heads. They treat people of other races as slaves and enjoy every conceivable privilege.
Male Celestial Dragons add the suffix 'sei' to their names, while female Celestial Dragons add 'gu' to theirs, to signify their exalted status.
All member nations of the World Government must annually pay a portion of their treasures to the Celestial Dragons; otherwise, their status as member nations will be revoked, and they will no longer receive protection from the World Government and the Marines.
Most critically, if a Celestial Dragon is offended, an Admiral from Marine Headquarters must be dispatched for their protection.
Over time, this uncontrolled power, stemming from its abuse, has made the Celestial Dragons' conduct atrocious and tyrannical, to the point of being utterly unrestrained.
Zephyr understood that the Celestial Dragons were the actual rulers of the Sabaody Archipelago. Therefore, when Cross and the others went out for their holiday, he sternly warned them not to intervene, no matter what terrible things they witnessed the Celestial Dragons doing.
Offending a Celestial Dragon was taboo!
Perhaps this went against justice, but reality was harsh; there was never absolute justice, nor absolute fairness!
At this point, Cross pondered for a few seconds, then said, "Alright, you all leave first. I'll go to Grove 30 alone to check things out. If it's pirates causing trouble, I'll handle it. If it's Celestial Dragons… I'll be quick!"
"I'll go with you!" Smoker said in a low voice. "If we encounter a strong pirate, we can watch each other's backs!"
Cross looked at Smoker's serious expression and nodded. "Then let's go together!" With that, the two dismounted from the bubble car's driver seat and headed toward Grove 30.
"???" Hina, Gasparde, Masterson, and the others looked utterly bewildered.
What the hell!
At least ask for our opinion!
The next second, everyone roared in unison, "You two bastards, don't make decisions on your own!"
"Relax! Relax!" Cross waved a hand without looking back, then elegantly strode onto the bridge with Smoker, quickly disappearing from their sight. Though frustrated, Hina, Gasparde, Masterson, and the others ultimately accepted Cross's proposal.
The Celestial Dragons, as 'World Nobles,' were clearly a thorny problem.
If they did something terrible, and their group of Marines witnessed it, there was a risk that someone, acting on impulse and unable to tolerate the Celestial Dragons' actions, might offend them.
That would undoubtedly ruin their entire life. Therefore, it was better for these Marine recruits not to approach the Celestial Dragons out of curiosity, lest they stir up serious trouble.
Conversely, if it wasn't a Celestial Dragon but pirates, with Cross and Smoker's strength, ordinary pirates wouldn't be a match for them, so there was no need to worry about their safety.
On the shopping street of Grove 30, hundreds, even thousands, of civilians on both sides of the street knelt with their heads bowed.
Even as gunshots echoed in their ears, they only showed expressions of unbearable sorrow, yet dared not move a muscle.
Along the entire street, only a handful of people stood, including a large dog.
"Bastards!"
"Inferior beings!"
"Mere humans!"
"It's an honor to be my slave, and you dare to run?!"
"..."
A green-haired Celestial Dragon, wearing a bubble helmet and extravagant, astronaut-like attire, glared furiously at a man and a woman lying on the ground, covered in blood. He cursed loudly while kicking both of them.
Beside this Celestial Dragon, a white dog sat obediently on the ground, also wearing a bubble helmet. Behind him stood over a dozen knights in full plate armor, holding knight lances. Furthermore, many Marine soldiers were hidden nearby, ready to swarm anyone who dared to offend a Celestial Dragon.
Cross and Smoker hid in the corner of a nearby alley, their faces grim as they watched the Celestial Dragon.
"Damn it… those two clearly can't move anymore!" Smoker gritted his teeth, clenching his fists tightly, wisps of white smoke uncontrollably rising from his body.
"Calm down!" Cross pressed Smoker's shoulder, his voice cold. "Both of them have been shot several times. If you charge in now, you won't save anyone, and you'll just get yourself caught!"
At that moment, a man in a black suit jogged through the crowd, respectfully approached the Celestial Dragon, and softly inquired, "Mjosgard-sei, the Human Auction House is about to begin. Would you like to attend?"
"Oh~" Saint Mjosgard paused his actions, turning his head curiously to ask, "Are there any interesting slaves or items-eh?"
"I hear they've caught some strong Fish-Men!"
"Strong Fish-Men!" Saint Mjosgard's eyes lit up. He quickly said, "Excellent! I'm in need of some interesting collectibles. I'll make that strong Fish-Man my slave-eh!"
With that, Saint Mjosgard raised his hand, gripping an ivory-handled pistol inlaid with sapphires. He aimed at the man and woman on the ground and pulled the trigger, but it only made a click-click-click sound.
"Out of bullets!" Saint Mjosgard was annoyed. He said to the man in front of him, "Give me your gun! I'm going to blow these inferior beings' heads off!"
"It's my honor!" The man quickly pulled out his own flintlock pistol from his coat and respectfully handed it to the Celestial Dragon. Saint Mjosgard looked at the pistol with a hint of disdain, but took it nonetheless.
Meanwhile, Smoker could no longer contain himself. He angrily whispered, "Let me go! I'm going to save them!"
"You'll only die if you charge in!" Cross said, his face cold, his voice deep. "Leave it to me!"
No sooner had he spoken than Saint Mjosgard on the street had already aimed the gun at the two people on the ground, his index finger touching the trigger. Just before Saint Mjosgard pulled the trigger…
WOOSH—
Cross's eyes widened. A terrifying aura erupted from his body, causing the air to vibrate as if coloring the world in shades of gray and even conjuring a violent gale out of nowhere.
In an instant, the fierce wind swept outwards. Everyone on the street, whether common civilians, Marine soldiers, or soldiers of the Holy Land Guard Corps, fell like dominoes, their eyes rolling back as they collapsed unconscious with a series of thuds.
This included the esteemed Celestial Dragon, Saint Mjosgard, who, despite his status as a 'descendant of the Creators,' was no different. He too immediately fell unconscious, crashing heavily to the ground.
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