Abram had indeed been drawn into Ander and Sabo's conversation after hearing the mention of slavery, but he wasn't petty enough to get angry over it. Instead, his interest was piqued by the newspaper in Ander's hands.
After asking for permission and seeing no objection from Ander, Abram took the newspaper and began reading it attentively.
The issue of the Arlong Pirates forcing the villages they controlled to pay "life-buying fees" had already been reported in the newspapers of the Navia Kingdom. However, this time, the coverage was different. Due to the joint petition from Cocoyasi Village and Hoshia Town, the newspaper had shifted its focus to the relatively isolated Cocoyasi Village.
The article detailed the events of the Arlong Pirates' first day onshore, including the tragic story of a single mother, a former Marine, who was raising two adopted children. Unable to afford the fees due to her poverty, she was killed by the Arlong Pirates.
The journalist who wrote the piece had cleverly centered the story around this woman, using her experience to highlight the suffering of the villagers in Cocoyasi.
The fact that she was a former Marine added a sense of defiance against authority, further emphasizing the brutality of the Arlong Pirates. Additionally, labels such as "single mother," "adoptive parent," and "poverty-stricken" were used to evoke deep sympathy.
The woman, named Bell-mère, was portrayed as kind, strong, and compassionate. She had remained single for years to raise two orphans with no blood ties to her, living a life of hardship. Her death was deeply moving and difficult to ignore.
Abram's expression grew complicated as he read the article. For some reason, the story of this woman reminded him of his own mother.
The newspaper also included debates over whether to accept the petition from Cocoyasi Village and Hoshia Town. Abram skimmed through this part and then handed the newspaper back to Ander.
"If everyone stands by and does nothing, this chaotic world will never change," Abram said softly. "Why is such a simple truth so hard for some people to understand?"
Sabo chuckled at this. "People are just hesitant. After all, the Arlong Pirates are criminals from the Grand Line."
Abram sneered disdainfully at this. "The residents of Cocoyasi Village and Hoshia Town are voluntarily seeking to join the Navia Kingdom because they trust Lord William. What does this have to do with anyone else in this country? What right do they have to argue over whether to accept the petition? Does the Morgan Pirates have anything to do with them? Let's not forget, the only reason they haven't been conquered by the Arlong Pirates and forced to live like the people of Cocoyasi Village and Hoshia Town is because of Lord William's protection!"
"But in the end, they'll be joining the Navia Kingdom," Sabo replied calmly. "The headmaster is still just the governor, not a king. Even if he were king, he would still need to consider the opinions of the people. Otherwise, he'd be labeled a tyrant or a despot."
"I think Lord William should have become this country's monarch a long time ago," Abram said, pausing before continuing in a measured tone. "In these chaotic times, what's needed isn't incompetent fools but heroes like Lord William. With a higher position and greater authority, he could bring prosperity to even more places. If Norton I had abdicated earlier and stepped aside, maybe the Navia Kingdom would be in an even better state today."
Sabo and Ander remained silent. They both knew that people from Tequila Wolf, the Bridge Kingdom, were like this—fiercely loyal to William and his decisions.
These people had nothing, no one to rely on. They were the World Government's "slaves." Without William, they would never have gained their freedom. And even though the East Blue was vast, there was no place for them to settle, as every nation here was a member of the World Government and wouldn't dare to shelter so many former slave laborers.
Only William. He was the sole pillar of support for people like Abram. If they didn't support William, who else could they turn to?
"Just wait and see. Lord William will definitely agree to Cocoyasi Village and Hoshia Town's petition because he's a great man striving to change this chaotic world. He would never turn a blind eye to their plight," Abram said as he packed up his books. He then turned to Ander and politely added, "Thank you for the newspaper. I enjoyed our conversation."
With that, Abram left his seat. As he moved, several other students from Tequila Wolf also stood up and followed him out of the classroom.
"Who said we enjoyed the conversation?" Ander muttered, pouting after Abram left. "He just kept talking to himself. Who does he think he is, acting like he can predict the headmaster's decisions?"
Ander turned to his companion. "Right, Sabo?"
Sabo had already buried himself back in his books but took a moment to reply. "Actually, I agree with his perspective. In the end, the headmaster will definitely approve Cocoyasi Village and Hoshia Town's petition. And I also believe that, whether he agrees beforehand or not, the people of this country won't have much to complain about his decision."
"Why?" Ander asked.
This question made Sabo put down his pen. He exhaled, leaned back in his chair, and said, "Because he's Morgan William, the hero of this country."
Sabo's gaze fell on the newspaper lying on the desk. "Even if some people forget, the newspapers will remind them."
…
With the debates in the newspapers intensifying, and the publication of an exclusive interview with William in the East Blue News, which reviewed his accomplishments over the years, people suddenly realized just how much this country had changed under his governance.
The slums of Kalmar City, once infamous as the chaotic and impoverished counterpart to the Gray Terminal of the Goa Kingdom, had undergone a complete transformation.
The term "once" is used because the area had already changed dramatically. Unlike the Gray Terminal, which had been burned to the ground two years ago during the Celestial Dragons' visit and was only now beginning to recover, the former slums had been completely revitalized.
Now an industrial district, the area was lined with factories, primarily focused on textiles. The streets were no longer filled with lifeless, hopeless faces. Instead, uniformed workers bustled about, giving the impression of a thriving, prosperous community.
Among the workers on the street was Felisk, a sixteen-year-old boy. Due to malnutrition, he appeared much smaller and younger than his actual age.
In the old slums of Kalmar City, Felisk had been a thief and pickpocket. In the new industrial district, he was a young textile worker.
Felisk despised his former life. Naturally timid and weak, he was always hesitant when stealing, resulting in little success. Not only did he earn barely any money, but he was also frequently beaten by the gang leaders who controlled him. Yet, in the slums, he had no other opportunities. He had once dreamed of leaving it all behind for a free and carefree life, but he had a sister with a disability who couldn't live independently, and he had to take care of her.
It wasn't until William became governor that Felisk's bleak life began to change.
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