HST: Chapter 191/192

Chapter 191: Ignorants

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.)

Chapter 192: We Are Constantly Developing!

A few days later, kings began to arrive in Dressrosa one after another, led by King Riku's good friend, Elizabello II.

As the king of Prodence, a true neighboring country of Dressrosa, he knew better than anyone the changes that Dressrosa had undergone since Caelan's arrival.

It was a bit embarrassing to say that he had not even noticed his good friend King Riku had been imprisoned by Doflamingo for many years.

It was only with Caelan's help that Dressrosa and King Riku were freed.

The guilt in his heart and the visible changes in Dressrosa made him praise it endlessly to the other kings who came to observe.

It was almost as if he had been hired by Caelan himself!

With Elizabello II's persuasion and King Riku's personal testimony, after inspecting Dressrosa firsthand, the kings decisively joined the Illuminati.

Including Elizabello II, a total of fifteen kings came. Together with Dressrosa and the Tontatta tribe, that made seventeen countries joining the Illuminati.

Compared to the more than 170 member states of the World Government, or even the 300-plus nations in the world, this was naturally a small number.

But it was an excellent beginning for Caelan's Illuminati.

This organization was growing!

"Lord Caelan, we entrust our country to you!"

Elizabello II and the group of kings stood before Caelan with smiles on their faces.

"Don't worry. When I return, I'll have the Neo Navy sweep out the pirates around your nations."

Caelan happily made this promise.

"Haha, then we are looking forward to Lord Caelan's great work!"

Hearing this, the kings smiled broadly.

Wasn't this exactly why they had come?

Everyone had witnessed the changes in Dressrosa. Pirates avoided it, and the country had become far safer.

On top of that, under Caelan's protection, they no longer needed to pay the Heavenly Tribute.

Congratulations, congratulations!

"Then, Lord Caelan, we won't stay longer."

The kings, having achieved their purpose, bid farewell to Caelan, leaving with joy on their faces.

When they left, each of them took a flag of the Illuminati with them.

At the center of the flag was a Sun Wheel Divine Spear, with golden divine light radiating outward like an umbrella.

This symbolized an umbrella of protection.

"Good, good. The Illuminati is thriving as well."

Caelan watched the kings leave and felt very pleased.

The participation of these countries not only strengthened the power of the Illuminati, but also brought great benefits.

Each country would pay a certain amount according to its national conditions as a membership fee and to fund the Neo Navy's military expenses.

Although the Neo Navy was still being established, Caelan was investing all the funds into its expansion, so he himself did not benefit directly.

But the strengthening of the Neo Navy's forces was already a huge benefit for him.

Once the Neo Navy expanded to a certain scale and stabilized, his true income in Berries would begin.

Based on the special calculations he had commissioned.

At the stage of initial stability, excluding the expenses of maintaining the Neo Navy, each country could provide him with an average annual income of 400 to 500 million Berries.

Seventeen countries meant 6 to 7 billion Berries per year.

If he controlled the entire world, he couldn't even imagine how much that would be.

He might be able to fill a template within a single year.

As for the absolute authority that would come with controlling the world, Caelan didn't care much.

After all, with his current strength, power itself was nothing but passing clouds.

After a while, Caelan stopped thinking about it. He turned and headed to the former Donquixote family residence, now the headquarters of the Neo Navy.

Although Caelan was nominally the Commander-in-Chief of the Neo Navy, he did not manage anything except for the finances.

The Neo Navy was completely managed and developed by Gion and Hina.

Gion was not only a former admiral candidate but also had a close, sister-like relationship with Vice Admiral Tsuru, Chief of the Navy General Staff. She was perfectly suited to manage the Neo Navy.

At this time, the two of them were still busy with the expansion of the Neo Navy and the establishment of various systems.

"Gion, Hina, I need to trouble you again."

"Fifteen countries have just joined the Illuminati, and we need the Neo Navy to eliminate the pirates in their surrounding waters."

Caelan said with a smile as he gave new instructions.

At her desk, Gion, who was writing rapidly, rolled her eyes and looked at Caelan with a hint of resentment.

"You're causing me trouble again!"

Gion gritted her teeth as she spoke with frustration.

She was so busy that she hardly had time to rest. Now she had to fight pirates again, like some sort of superhuman.

"I can't help it. There's no one else available. I can only trouble you, Admiral."

Caelan walked behind Gion and gently massaged her shoulders.

"Press harder!"

Gion accepted Caelan's service without hesitation and gave instructions.

She worked for Caelan during the day, and at night as well, so she deserved some enjoyment!

"Yes, Admiral Momousagi!"

Caelan obediently adjusted his position according to Gion's directions.

Hina next to them was jealous. She was working hard too, so why didn't he massage her?

"Hmph! Hina has been working nonstop. Hina wants to rest too!"

Hina put down the documents in her hands and snorted.

"Alright, alright. Let me give you one too!"

Caelan turned to Hina and began to massage her shoulders as well.

It was a small request, nothing wrong with fulfilling it.

"Ah?"

Hina felt the warmth of Caelan's hands on her shoulders, a little surprised.

She hadn't expected Caelan to actually massage her.

For a moment, she felt flattered.

Caelan's massage skills turned out to be excellent, and she quickly found herself feeling very comfortable.

Hina relaxed unconsciously and even started to enjoy it.

But when she turned around and saw Gion's half-smile, her face turned red.

It was indeed a bit inappropriate to let her friend's man give her a massage in front of her.

So, Hina blushed and whispered to Caelan: "You should go back to Gion and massage her. I'm good now."

Caelan shook his head, returned to Gion, and started massaging her temples.

Seeing Caelan's thoughtful expression, Gion's resentment almost completely disappeared, and she said weakly, "I'll lead our people to wipe out the pirates in those countries. However, we may not have enough manpower."

The Neo Navy had just been established, and its base force was still the 2,000-plus Marines from the G5 Branch. While there were many new recruits, they were still in training and could only maintain internal order for now.

To clear out the surrounding pirates, they could only rely on the 2,000 elite soldiers.

Although these 2,000 Marines were elite, and these nations were not very large, more than 2,000 soldiers to protect 17 countries was still a bit of a stretch.

"Don't worry. These countries are all near Dressrosa, not far away."

"And I will find extra help for you. Moria has a few former CP9 agents who are quite capable. I'll transfer them to you."

Caelan said reassuringly.

The former CP9 agents were, of course, Lucci and co.

After spending over a month cleaning toilets on Moria's ship and achieving the honor of scrubbing the toilets of a Yonko, they had completely joined Caelan's side.

These people were generally at the strength level of Marine captains, and the strongest, Lucci, was at the level of an elite vice admiral.

It was definitely a considerable boost for the newly formed Neo Navy.

"Then I'll gladly accept."

Gion smiled and felt much more relieved.

Then she recalled Caelan's previous boast and teased him: "My dear Commander, you once said you would bring Admiral Aokiji and Instructor Zephyr here. Why haven't I seen any sign of them?"

"Were you bragging?"

Gion teased him with a smile.

"Well, almost!"

Caelan touched his nose, feeling a bit embarrassed.

He had the idea and was ready to act on it.

But the World Government still hadn't made any moves.

There was no news of Akainu becoming Fleet Admiral, nor of Weevil joining the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

Caelan was growing concerned about the World Government.

(To be continued.)