When Lloyd and Saint Saturn returned from the Flower Room, the Celestial Dragons throughout Mary Geoise witnessed a scene they would never forget.
The remaining four Five Elders followed behind Lloyd with lowered heads, their attitudes resembling subordinates accompanying their superior.
The impact of this sight was so overwhelming that the surrounding Celestial Dragons failed to notice that one of the Five Elders was missing entirely.
After arriving at the council chamber within Pangaea Castle, the doors slowly closed.
Saint Saturn immediately stepped forward and bowed deeply toward Lloyd.
"From this day onward, the four of us shall obey all of Saint Lloyd's instructions."
The remaining three Elders lowered their heads as well.
Looking at the four Five Elders standing before him, Lloyd revealed a faint smile. He stepped forward and lightly patted Saint Saturn's shoulder.
"There is no need to be so formal. Compared to all of you, my seniority remains shallow. If anything occurs within Mary Geoise, I will still need everyone's opinions."
Although his words offered them dignity, the four Elders understood the truth.
Lloyd was merely extending courtesy.
None of them dared misunderstand his intentions.
At present, Lloyd possessed authority that surpassed all of them. Within Mary Geoise, he could decide the fate of anyone. Even taking the lives of the Four Elders would no longer be impossible.
Saint Saturn took a deep breath and looked at Lloyd's youthful face.
"Saint Lloyd is too humble. Individuals such as yourself do not need to concern themselves with seniority. Those are merely excuses used by ordinary people."
The moment Saint Saturn finished speaking, Saint Nusjuro, Saint Peter, and Saint Mars immediately echoed his words, offering one compliment after another.
Lloyd listened quietly.
He had heard countless praises throughout his life. Such words no longer stirred his emotions.
However, receiving praise from the Five Elders themselves carried a completely different meaning.
Within the entire world, aside from Imu, there was likely no one else capable of receiving such treatment.
Even so, Lloyd remained completely unmoved.
His gaze shifted toward the empty seat that once belonged to Saint Warcury.
"You may inform the Topman Family regarding Saint Warcury's death. Grant them an additional share of Heavenly Tribute as compensation. If anyone wishes to create trouble, you understand what must be done."
Saint Saturn immediately nodded.
"Please rest assured, Saint Lloyd. We will handle the matter appropriately."
Lloyd slightly inclined his head.
"Joy Boy's current location remains unknown, but his next target will most likely be the Red Line."
The expressions of the four Elders immediately changed.
Lloyd continued.
"I can tell you clearly that Joy Boy's will has fully awakened within Monkey D. Luffy. Zou is also under his control. That ancient elephant stands over ten thousand meters tall. If he directs Zou to strike the Red Line, all of you should understand the consequences."
The Four Elders were visibly shaken.
Imu had only spoken of Joy Boy's return and ordered them to obey Lloyd. She had never explained the actual situation.
After witnessing Saint Warcury's death, none of them had dared ask further questions.
Only now did they realize how dangerous the current circumstances truly were.
At the same time, they finally understood why Imu had suddenly granted Lloyd such authority.
They were all individuals who knew the true history.
Eight hundred years ago, the founders of the World Government had managed to overcome Joy Boy only because of the tremendous contribution of Saint Cassius, the first leader of the Figarland Family.
Had Saint Cassius not severely wounded Joy Boy during that ancient war, the Twenty Families would never have established their rule.
Although Saint Cassius perished in battle, the Figarland Family had remained the greatest military force of Mary Geoise for eight centuries.
As for Lloyd, his strength had already approached the level once possessed by Saint Cassius himself.
If Joy Boy truly returned to his peak state, Lloyd's importance would become unquestionable.
Even the Four Elders understood that if all of them fought together, their combined value would still fail to surpass Lloyd alone.
More importantly, Lloyd represented the entire Figarland Family, led by Saint Garling.
Thinking of this, the Four Elders instinctively lowered their heads even further.
Saint Nusjuro spoke respectfully.
"Saint Lloyd, please issue your orders. Whatever is required, we shall carry it out."
Lloyd slowly walked toward the sofa and sat down.
The Four Elders turned and faced him respectfully.
"During this period, I will mobilize forces from Marine Headquarters and station them beneath the Red Line. Mary Geoise must prepare sufficient supplies and properly receive the arriving Marine forces."
The Four Elders immediately nodded.
"Understood. Joy Boy possesses extraordinary charisma and influence. We do not know how many people he has already gathered to his side. The strength of the Marines will be essential."
Lloyd nodded.
"There is another matter."
"After the Marines arrive, several high-ranking officers will enter Mary Geoise. Inform every family to control their behavior. When facing Marine officers, they are not permitted to display their usual arrogance."
His eyes became colder.
"If anyone insults or deliberately humiliates the Marines, minor offenses will result in the suspension of their Heavenly Tribute for three years."
He paused briefly.
"Serious offenses will be punished by immediate execution at the hands of the God's Knights."
The Four Elders were startled.
Such a decree had never existed in the history of the Celestial Dragons.
Nevertheless, none of them dared object.
"Please rest assured, Saint Lloyd. We will strictly restrain the various families."
Lloyd listened silently and gave a slight nod.
The Celestial Dragons had been born at the summit of the world.
Their elevated status naturally bred arrogance and a sense of superiority toward ordinary people.
Such attitudes were inevitable.
However, the actions of most Celestial Dragons had long surpassed arrogance and entered the realm of absurdity.
Many of them were incompetent, ignorant, and utterly useless.
They consumed enormous resources while contributing nothing in return.
Worse still, they had tarnished the reputation and value of the Celestial Dragon bloodline itself.
The title of Celestial Dragon had become synonymous with corruption and cruelty throughout the world.
Only after Lloyd's rise had that image begun to change.
Now, Lloyd intended to personally purge this decaying group.
He would not show mercy simply because they shared the same bloodline.
In his eyes, only the Figarland Family and a handful of truly capable elites within Mary Geoise deserved the title of Celestial Dragon.
The rest were little more than worthless parasites.
The arrival of the Marines would become a test.
Those who understood restraint could continue enjoying their status.
Those who refused to change would be slaughtered without hesitation.
After years of indulgence, these bloated nobles had grown fat enough.
Removing even a few of them would provide enough resources to sustain military expenditures for years to come.
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