The large group, having finished their meal, didn't even take a rest and proceeded towards the Royal Palace.
Sage casually picked one of his subordinates and was about to put him to sleep when he thought of something. He took out the cursed gold coin, "Do you recognize it?"
The cursed coin was right in front of Las, and his pupils dilated. Instinctively, he reached out his hand.
Sage allowed him to take the coin, and like he was caressing a rare treasure, Las' pupils gradually unfocused.
"Very familiar..."
Las murmured, "But I've never seen it, I..."
He looked up, pain surfacing on his face, and inexplicable tears fell from his eyes, which startled him. He wiped them with his sleeve, showing confusion again.
"It hurts, deeply, but... I've truly never seen it, nor do I recognize this coin."
Looking towards the Royal Palace, Las said, "But I know it's there."
"Well done."
Sage retrieved the coin, randomly picked another person, put him to sleep, and placed the coin on him. Before long, that person stood up like a puppet and headed towards the Royal Palace.
In the deep night, a troop of 500 followed the cursed individual under the starry sky.
The prospect of seizing gold kept the subordinates enthusiastic, not tired at all, while Renedia said, "I forgot to bring the motorbikes up; otherwise, we could move faster."
"Hmm? Have you built enough for people to drive?" Sage asked.
"No, I've only made nine. Lately, I'm out of materials," Renedia replied. "And here, it's all rock, not much good iron ore. I was actually planning to snatch some materials."
"No rush. Our ultimate destination is Water Seven, the Navy's exclusive shipyard. They've got all the materials you need."
Sage smiled, "Even the Treasure Tree Adam can be procured for you."
With Doflamingo's connections, you can get such precious materials at the cost of some money.
Renedia's eyes lit up, "That tree, said to be the strongest—if we get it, we can build the ship you've always wanted, Sage!"
The Treasure Tree Adam stands resilient, despite countless devastations and wars, renowned even among shipbuilders compared to the so-called 'Treasure Tree' from the East Sea that has taken decades to grow.
It's wasteful to use this wood for anything other than the keel.
But the keel is the most important part of a ship; you can't just replace it. Replacing the keel means building a new ship.
But Renedia didn't have such concerns, even if she was the one who built the ship. She felt nothing about it.
Even if it's a pity, or she can't let go, a ship... is meant for people to sail on!
A more convenient ship, a ship more suited for sailing, one that can brave any situation at sea without fear.
That's Renedia's dream!
She's already had the idea of rebuilding the ship.
The Death Star is always the Death Star, Sage's personal ride, only when he rides it does it become the Death Star, not named after a ship.
The current Black Ship isn't originally customized for Sage. While Renedia has built many ships, this is her first time building a custom battle ship.
There are many issues: too many cannons, too few personnel spaces, needing adjustments in many areas, including the keel. But the keel can't be changed; either make small modifications on it, or if replacing the keel, you may as well switch to a new ship.
"However, we can only make a few ships with this material. We still need to improve our technology; I have to compete with those in Water Seven!"
Renedia clenched her fist, "Using mass-produced common materials, I want to create a ship that allows everyone worldwide to sail safely over the seas!"
"Hahahaha, you'll achieve it. Once we find a territory, you can do whatever you want!"
Sage ruffled her head and laughed heartily.
The next morning, they arrived at the only mountain on the island.
The mountain stood like a spire, rising irregularly, appearing like a deliberately elongated cone from the island, with long stairways extending around its body, including something akin to an elevator.
According to Las, those elevators were reserved for nobles; ordinary people could only climb the stairs.
At the foot of the mountain lay a large town, without city walls. As a matter of fact, towns with city walls are rare, unless it's a country at war constantly; otherwise, walls aren't usually needed.
As the Royal City, the place was sizable and prosperous.
Not far outside the Royal City, Lily ascended with her Moon Step, observing the town's conditions from the high sky with a telescope, and started drawing a map once she landed.
Beside Sage, there was another person with golden wavy hair, Hawkins.
"Leading the team to raid would be troublesome. I took a look, plenty of guards, especially at the foot of the mountain, where many soldiers are stationed, totaling no less than three thousand, scattered all over."
Lily explained, "Robbing the town first would definitely draw the Navy's attention."
After all, their heist wasn't a conventional one. Sage's target was the gold in the Royal Palace. Letting the Navy know would be troublesome.
Moreover, if the gold in the Royal Palace somehow dissatisfied Sage, and they wanted to backtrack to rob White Harbor, it would be difficult.
This is why most pirates prefer raiding harbors; it's not because they can't rob the Royal Palace. It's mainly due to the convenience of escaping after the heist, which is very cost-effective.
Pirates that dive into the vast seas, making them untraceable, are truly bothersome.
Being confined to one place is always a matter of time for the Navy, especially since there is also a Navy Base here that can call for reinforcements anytime.
"We can synchronize."
Hawkins thought for a moment and said, "Captain Sage, we can go to the Royal Palace first. With fewer people, we won't get detected, and then signal for the others to act."
He started drawing Tarot Cards, pasting them on the straw extending from his body, "Everyone enters; the chance of being discovered and notifying the Navy is 98%. Entering in batches, our chance of reaching the Royal Palace approaches 100% to the greatest extent, and until then, the chance of being discovered and notifying the Navy is 50%."
A fifty-fifty chance.
There's no choice; even with Sage's Supreme King, he can't influence the entire city immediately.
"Let's go with this plan, Gin... you stay here and wait for Letty's cannon signal. Once it fires into the sky, you lead the team in to rob, but don't make any moves before then."
Sage pondered and said, "Lily, Marika, Letty, and Hawkins, you come with me..."
Whoosh!
Boom!!
He hadn't finished speaking when a ball of meteor-like fire ignited from the ground of the Royal City, exploding in the sky like red fireworks.
Renedia instantly raised her hand, "I didn't do that."
"I know!"
Gritting his teeth, listening to the sudden loud footsteps from the Royal City, Sage sneered, "We've been discovered, old Ho. Wasn't it supposed to be 50%?"
Hawkins: "..."
50% not discovered, 50% immediately discovered.
But it was too quick.
"Forget it. Discovered means discovered. Lily, notify the Death Star's guards, arriving at White Harbor in a day. Now..."
Sage looked ahead, a vicious expression on his face, "Time to loot!"