"An explanation? You want me to give you an explanation? Then regarding the previous matter, you should give me an answer as well.
Attacking my soldier without reason, are you declaring war on me, on the Ryugu Kingdom?"
"That was just a misunderstanding. Hardinge may have wanted to get to know that person, he was just a bit too extreme in his methods.
But issuing a bounty on citizens of other affiliated nations is itself a violation of the rules, and it has also damaged the reputation of the Deul Kingdom!"
Hearing the other party's unreasonable sophistry, Nereus didn't get angry. He merely let out a disdainful snort and then took out a shell.
"This is a Vision Dial from Sky Island. If your knowledge is sufficient, you should know what it does. So let's take a look at what exactly happened at the time."
Because of the unique properties of Sky Island dials, they had always been very effective tools. For the Fishman Island guards at the Sabaody Archipelago, this kind of Vision Dial functioned like a law enforcement recording camera.
Wobbegong had spent some time developing a new type of Vision Dial, about the size of a hairpin, yet capable of storing up to three days of audio and video.
Before coming to the meeting, Nereus had already brought this with him.
In the past, policies were mainly aimed at pirates and Underworld merchants, so being a bit harsh didn't matter. But affiliated nations were now the main body of the seas, and actions needed proper justification.
The Vision Dial not only clearly recorded what happened at the time, it even captured Hardinge's words.
[Heh, just a bunch of fish from the bottom of the sea. The fact that the World Government agreed to their demands is already a sign of incompetence. What right do they have to sit at the same table as us?]
[What's the big deal about capturing one person? Is he really going to come knocking on our door?]
Hardinge's words were clearly recorded within the dial, and now, like irrefutable evidence, they completely placed Chap on the fire.
"So, Chap, what do you have to say now? Were these Hardinge's personal thoughts, or were they instructed by you? Facing behavior tantamount to a declaration of war, the fact that I didn't go straight to the North Blue to find you is already restraint.
The Ryugu Kingdom does not seek war, but we do not fear it either. Admit your mistake now, there may still be time."
"Of course it wasn't my instruction, but Hardinge should have been judged by the Deul Kingdom, not illegally punished by you. The Deul Kingdom doesn't fear war either. If you have the guts, then come! We'll be waiting for you in the North Blue!"
"Alright."
That single word instantly silenced the kings who had been quietly discussing the matter. Many things were well understood by everyone, but once brought into the open, it was different.
What Hardinge had said was exactly that kind of thing, it not only questioned the World Government, but also brought discrimination into the open.
The Ryugu Kingdom had solid evidence, and in this world without Photoshop, without AI, and where Devil Fruit abilities were not common, the effect of recorded footage was practically absolute.
Even those who had previously encouraged Chap didn't speak up under these circumstances.
Chap stubbornly maintaining his stance for the sake of face wasn't unreasonable, but under normal circumstances, several other kings would step in as mediators, have the Deul Kingdom concede some benefits, and let the matter pass.
After all, Hardinge was already dead. This matter shouldn't continue.
Moreover, during the meeting over the past few days, Nereus had been playing it quite skillfully; he's been non-committal on many matters, acting like a wily old fox and taking his time negotiating with them.
They thought Nereus would follow this unspoken rule as well, but they didn't expect him to agree so readily this time.
"Ahem, shouldn't the two of you calm down a bit…?"
"I already gave him a chance, but since he so sincerely invited me to send troops, wouldn't it be inappropriate if I didn't satisfy him?"
[If you've got the guts, then come.]
That could indeed be taken as a remark made in anger, but it could also be interpreted as a declaration of war. If one side chose to take it seriously, that was perfectly valid.
The tension in the air prevented the other kings from speaking further. After all, this matter had nothing to do with them at its core, and the World Government did not support wars between affiliated nations.
In theory, once news of the meeting spread, they would also send people to mediate, so everyone simply moved on to discussing other topics.
After the meeting ended, the World Government did indeed send someone over, but they only summoned Nereus alone.
Before long, in the rebuilt office, Nereus met Saturn and Nusjuro. Everything seemed just like when Nereus had barged in before, only this time, there was no fighting.
"So, you've already decided to launch a war against the Deul Kingdom?"
Saturn asked this expressionlessly, as if he didn't care about the reasons at all.
"The conditions I agreed to with you were that I wouldn't cause a major disturbance in Mariejois, wouldn't take the initiative to attack the Marines, and that I myself would basically not make a move. I've fulfilled all of those.
But accordingly, my people cannot be harmed. His people struck first, and he even took the initiative to invite me, how could I go back on that?"
"By convention, the World Government would indeed stop you from going to war."
"But Hardinge's words damaged the World Government's image. His questioning of the World Government's decisions has now become widely known because of that Vision Dial."
Saturn had only spoken halfway when Nusjuro took over, clearly expressing dissatisfaction with the recorded footage.
Whether it was Hardinge calling them "fish" or later calling them incompetent, it was all the same.
Such words could be gossiped about behind closed doors, but once they reached the ears of those concerned, it became unacceptable.
"So you're not here to mediate?"
"Hmph. The World Government does not support wars between affiliated nations, but if advice is ignored, there's nothing we can do. Afterward, the government will report it as the Deul Kingdom refusing to heed advice and insisting on starting a war.
As for everything else, you may do as you please.
However, the order of the Deul Kingdom cannot collapse. Next year's Heavenly Tribute must still be paid on time."
In Nusjuro's words, the Deul Kingdom was like a commodity; its survival meant nothing.
Although Nereus's actions also slapped the World Government in the face, if someone wanted to continue existing after doing such a thing, they needed sufficient strength.
Nereus had that capability, while the Deul Kingdom did not.
Chap's insistence on the Hardinge matter had instead brought disaster upon himself.
"My, what a heartless government. Abandoned over just a single sentence?"
Nereus didn't feel any joy at the World Government's tacit approval; instead, he replied with a sarcastic question.
"Nereus, isn't that your own way of thinking as well? If you hadn't intended to make a move against them, and to do so as if it were only natural, would you have prepared so thoroughly?
Now you can barely be said to have just cause, since he provoked you first. We're also acquiescing to your actions. You and we both get what we want, what's the problem with that?"
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