Because she deduced that Luffy was very likely taken away by Dragon, Gion did not let the Marine soldiers do useless work. While ordering her adjutant to lead a squad of soldiers to the port to search the nearby sea, she also rushed back to the Goa Kingdom Palace with two soldiers at the fastest speed.
When she returned to the palace hall, Ian was already seated on the throne. Although Princess Saly had changed into a brand new long dress, her expression was very unnatural, and she had lost the temperament a princess should have, serving Ian alongside three other maids.
Gunko, as always, stood respectfully beside Ian. Wearing a newsboy cap and with bandages covering her nose and mouth, she only revealed half of her cheek and a pair of large eyes that looked exceptionally beautiful when quiet.
In the main hall, the King and Queen of the Goa Kingdom stood trembling in the first row, while other royal family members, nobles, and ministers also maintained a subservient posture, not daring to breathe.
After informing Ian of the failure to capture Luffy, Gion was also a bit uneasy, standing in the middle of the red carpet in a bowed posture, awaiting Ian's questioning.
"Luffy was moved in advance?"
After listening to Gion's report, Ian, surprisingly, did not fly into a rage, nor did he reprimand Gion. Instead, he leaned back against the throne, his eyes slightly narrowed, and spoke to himself, "I was wondering why the wind suddenly picked up and it started raining earlier. So, someone anticipated This Young Master's plan in advance and rushed over to move Luffy at the first opportunity!"
Before he finished speaking, Ian suddenly changed the subject, looking down at Gion, "Tell me your thoughts."
Unexpectedly, Ian did not fly into a rage. Gion secretly breathed a sigh of relief, then maintained her bowed posture and cautiously said, "It's highly probable that the revolutionary army leader Dragon personally went to Mt. Colubo to pick up Luffy!"
"Why do you say that?" Ian's lips curved into a sly smile. "Look up and speak. The Marine has maintained order in the sea for the World Government for eight hundred years. Even if there's no credit, there's hard work. In the future, you don't need to be subservient when you see This Young Master!"
"Yes, Saint Ian!"
Gion dared not neglect, immediately straightened her back and looked up at Ian, "The reason I deduced that Dragon himself went to Mt. Colubo is not to shirk responsibility, but there is some evidence. When we left the palace for Mt. Colubo, the sky was clear, but the weather quickly changed, causing Mt. Colubo to be covered in heavy rain. Dragon, who once served in Marineford, possessed an ability similar to summoning wind and rain! Furthermore, as the revolutionary army leader, Dragon might have moles planted not only within the Marine but also in the Holy Land. This means that from the moment Saint Ian left the Holy Land, they have been secretly monitoring your whereabouts!"
Upon hearing this, Ian nodded with satisfaction, "You truly did not disappoint This Young Master. Regardless of whether your analysis is correct or not, at least you did not hide anything from This Young Master due to your personal relationship with Garp!"
"Of course, your deduction is also correct!"
At this point, Ian suddenly stood up and walked down from the throne to stand in front of Gion, staring into Gion's eyes and stating with certainty, "It was Dragon who took Luffy! I'm giving you a chance to redeem yourself. Immediately, as a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral, order all Marine soldiers in the East Blue to blockade all shipping lanes and their respective territorial waters!"
Mobilize all Marine branches in the East Blue?
Gion's expression subtly changed. Although as a Vice Admiral she had this authority, such a large-scale mobilization of all East Blue branch Marines would require the approval of Fleet Admiral Sengoku! Because this was no longer as simple as capturing a few pirates, but an unprecedented act of war.
However, the one giving her orders now was Ian, the Young Master of the Nerona Family, whom even Sengoku would bow to. All she could do was accept the order and contact Sengoku immediately.
"Yes, this subordinate will go and order all East Blue branches to begin operations!"
After bowing and accepting the order, Gion dared not delay, turned around, and quickly walked out of the palace hall.
"Gunko, let's go too!"
Ian slightly turned his head to look at Gunko, who was still standing by the throne, then continued, "Tonight we'll spend the night in Foosha Village!"
"Yes, Young Master!"
Gunko quickly walked down from the throne to Ian's side, and the other three maids also hurriedly got up and ran over. Princess Saly, however, stood stunned, momentarily unsure whether to follow or stay.
"Saint Ian!"
Just as Saly was unsure how to choose, Stelly suddenly stepped forward to Ian, his face full of fawning smiles, and whispered, "Is Your Excellency satisfied with my fiancée? If you are, she can serve you these days you are staying in the Goa Kingdom! I don't mind."
"Hm?"
Ian's brows furrowed slightly, "You don't mind? Does This Young Master need you to mind or not?"
Before he finished speaking, Ian suddenly grinned, revealing an evil smile: "However, your fiancée is indeed—"
—"Very moist."
Upon hearing this, Stelly's eyes immediately lit up.
Saint Ian is very satisfied with my fiancée!
Excellent!
If Princess Saly can win Saint Ian's favor, then I won't have to take so many detours to become a Celestial Dragon!
Thinking of this, Stelly quickly said, "Since Your Excellency likes my fiancée, how about letting her stay by your side these next few days? Don't worry, I will make sure she serves Your Excellency well, guaranteeing that Your Excellency will be happy in body and mind during this time!"
"Are you telling This Young Master what to do?"
Ian's face instantly darkened, and a pure gold pistol quietly appeared in his hand.
Before Stelly could react, the muzzle was pressed directly into his mouth.
With a 'bang' of a gunshot, the back half of Stelly's head exploded like a watermelon on the spot.
After executing Stelly with one shot, Ian immediately turned to look at Princess Saly Nandcernet, who was sitting on the throne, her face pale with fright from the gunshot, "On the return journey, you will accompany This Young Master to the Holy Land!"
Upon hearing this, the King of the Goa Kingdom immediately changed from fear to excitement, wanting to express his gratitude, but fearing that Ian would find him bothersome and follow in Stelly's footsteps.
Princess Saly was also caught off guard, her beautiful eyes wide open as she stared blankly at Ian.
Although she had an engagement with Stelly, she did not like Stelly, even feeling a bit of dislike and repulsion.
It was precisely because of this that she had never had any physical contact with Stelly.
Of course, none of that was important.
What was important was that in terms of looks, status, and position, Stelly was not even a millionth of Ian.
Even if Ian could not make her the one and only woman, as long as she could attach herself to Ian, the Goa Kingdom would surely soar from then on, and for them, as royalty, becoming a new noble in the Holy Land would merely be a word from Ian.
—
To read more, please visit
patreon.com/Laktozlu