Chapter 125: Vinsmoke Judge’s Visit
The World Conference will last seven days.
During this period, the fifty kings will discuss many important matters that are sufficient to affect the world. Well, although such discussions most of the time do not yield useful results, seven days seems long, but in reality, it is very easy to pass in quarrels.
After spending these seven days, they will have to wait another four years for such an opportunity.
During this period, the power of the world remains firmly grasped in the hands of the World Government and the Holy Land.
“The Holy Land perhaps also does not hope to see the World Conference have any effect.” Prince Elus sat on the single-person sofa, holding that brightly colored red wine and occasionally taking a sip. Just looking at this speed, perhaps he wouldn’t finish even one glass of red wine in a day.
Red wine is not a drink he likes.
However, he is not disgusted to the point of being unable to tolerate it. Accompanying his father and grandfather for a drink is within an acceptable range.
“Do not slander.”
Sokachio sat steadily in the armchair, his posture relaxed, and he lectured lightly. Then the old man chuckled, “However, El, your idea is not wrong. The Holy Land indeed does not think much of the World Conference thing. Unfortunately, the Celestial Dragons’ authority is bound together with the World Conference. I don’t know the specific details, but it is said that it has to do with an agreement from eight hundred years ago······”
“Therefore, the Holy Land actively supports the holding of the World Conference and carefully manipulates the selection of the fifty kings who participate in the conference each year.”
At this point, the old man lowered his voice. Even though Prince Elus had clearly indicated that there was no one around who could eavesdrop on their conversation without being detected by his perception, the habitually cautious old man did not abandon this good habit. “Over so many years, I have attended the conference six times. These years in the Holy Land, I have also studied the lists of participants each time. What do you think?”
“The fifty kings from various affiliated nations. According to common thinking, they would surely select those wise and capable kings to attend the conference. However, unfortunately······ based on my observations over so many years, the kings who participate in the conference each year are basically half kind and benevolent, half tyrannical and cruel······”
“Ah! No wonder, no wonder that villain Wapol also received an invitation······ So that’s how it is!”
Berville widened his eyes.
This was the first time he had heard such an explanation.
“Wapol, you mean that tyrant of the Drum Kingdom, right? He turned a good medical great power into that state······ Andel was good at everything, but he was too soft-hearted in educating his children. Both sons were raised by him into wastes.” Sokachio mocked his already deceased friend.
“Andel?”
Prince Elus looked over curiously.
“The previous king of the Drum Kingdom, a very capable guy, younger than me. Unfortunately, both sons were useless. It is said he was ultimately angered to death by his youngest son’s scoundrel behavior. Clearly, the Drum Kingdom was a renowned medical great power in the Grand Line, yet their king was short-lived.”
“It seems the Drum Kingdom is also on the invitation list for this conference?”
“Of course, isn’t that a matter of course? At the conference four years ago, that kid Wapol had just ascended the throne not long ago and was spotted by the big shots of the Holy Land, who specially invited him to participate. That kid did not disappoint the big shots’ expectations. On the first day of the conference, he clashed with the princess of the Alabasta Kingdom. Bullying a little girl of about ten years old, I even doubt whether that kid is really Andel’s child. I really can’t imagine Andel having such an offspring.”
Sokachio sighed twice in regret for his deceased friend and continued, “The last conference ended with nothing accomplished because Wapol confronted King Cobra on the conference floor. With such a useful shit-stirrer, how could the Holy Land bear not to invite him? They don’t even need to deliberately scheme; with a shit-stirrer like Wapol participating in the conference, I think this World Conference will probably be a scene of chaos, turmoil, and smoke again, ending in nothing achieved.”
“In that case, it’s a bit of a headache!”
Berville gave a wry smile.
The Eckmond Kingdom also participated in the last conference, and he had not forgotten the scene of Wapol sarcastically picking on King Cobra. He heard that the Alabasta Kingdom had not been very peaceful since last year, so perhaps this conference was destined to be full of gunpowder.
However, it was just a bit of trouble figuring out how to spend these seven days.
The Eckmond Kingdom has no demands for the World Conference. Berville is not a wise king like Cobra who loves his people as his own children. Compared to Sokachio and the even earlier ancestors who blazed trails and opened up living space for the Eckmond Kingdom, the kingdom now is no longer in the stormy environment of its establishment. The pattern of the Four Emperors dividing the New World also restricts the kingdom’s development······
His ideal is to pass the throne to Prince Elus as soon as possible. That way, he can step back and do the things he likes, instead of being confined in the royal palace without freedom. He cannot emulate Wapol’s willful and reckless behavior that turns the country into chaos and turmoil.
“El, why did you come to attend the World Conference this time?”
After talking about World Conference matters for a while, Sokachio became concerned about the purpose of Prince Elus’s trip this time. This eldest grandson of his is restless, with ambitions that even make him somewhat alarmed. He believes Prince Elus came to the Holy Land with a definite purpose.
“I made an appointment with the king of the Jermma Kingdom to meet in the Holy Land.”
Prince Elus casually stated his purpose.
“That’s it?”
“That’s it.”
Sokachio pondered for a few seconds, his gaze shifting away from Prince Elus’s face. He was unsure whether Prince Elus was telling the truth or lying. In the past, he believed his eyes, which had seen through countless people, could discern truth from lies. Unfortunately, now Prince Elus, with his increasing power, has also reached a new height in control over himself.
He no longer dared to be certain of his observations.
Since Prince Elus said so, whether true or false, he could only take it as true.
Anyway, he had no way to restrain this grandson.
“Jermma Kingdom······ I remember it’s a great power in the North Blue. Ah! Right, that mobile kingdom without fixed territory, right? How did you get in contact with the Jermma Kingdom?” Sokachio asked.
“It wasn’t me contacting them; they came to me.”
Prince Elus took another sip of the alcohol, just enough to moisten his lips.
“The Jermma Kingdom happens to have something I want. Going to the North Blue would be too troublesome. With the World Conference happening, meeting in the Holy Land saves a lot of time. If nothing unexpected, they should be arriving soon.” His gaze swept toward the window. Through the huge floor-to-ceiling window, he could see the endless clear sky stretching to the horizon.
The Holy Land is perched high at the top of the Red Line.
The harsh weather on the Grand Line cannot affect this place, and despite being at such a high altitude, there is no altitude sickness. The Celestial Dragons’ bubble helmets are to distinguish themselves from ordinary people, not some breathing aid······
If one ignores the despairing resentment and deep deathly aura underground, the Holy Land is indeed a sunny, eternally spring-like good place.
“Knock knock!”
A knock sounded at the door.
“What is it?” Sokachio asked displeasedly. Times like this when the three generations of grandfather, father, and son gather to talk are so rare. He cherishes such time very much, so naturally, he was unhappy to have his mood interrupted suddenly.
“Old master, guests have come to visit the eldest prince.”
The old servant outside the door replied unhurriedly.
“Visiting me?”
Prince Elus blinked, the corners of his mouth curving up slightly.
“Who is it?”
Prince Elus stood up, placed the wine glass on the table, bid farewell to his grandfather and father respectively, then walked to the door, opened it, and went out.
“There are three guests, two men and one woman. They did not state their identities, and their attitude was not very good. However, it is clear they are not weak in strength, and they are accompanied by Holy Land guards, so they are likely royal family members from some kingdom. Thus, no overly harsh measures were taken······”
“Bang!”
Accompanied by the resounding of the door.
The voice outside the door diminished at a cliff-like speed, soon becoming inaudible.
In the room, the former king and the current king sat quietly.
“When do you plan to abdicate?” Sokachio broke the silence.
“Anytime! The problem now is that El is not prepared to succeed me.” Berville frowned in great distress. “I’ve talked to him several times, but that kid seems not to have had enough fun yet. I might have to continue sitting on the throne for another three, four, or five years.”
As he spoke, he sighed again, his face full of depression.
“Four or five years? That’s not very long. Bear with it a bit more.” Sokachio comforted his son.
This is thanks to the Sokachio Family’s good family tradition. It must be said that the Sokachio Family’s founding ancestor was a very capable and impressive figure. The good family tradition he established has cultivated generation after generation of kings who are not obsessed with power. For this supreme throne within the country, they do not cling to it reluctantly but see it as trouble.
Of course, good family tradition is one aspect. Additionally, the retired kings still enjoy living conditions no less than when they were in power. The kingdom’s good finances guarantee this. Plus, in the New World with its always harsh living environment, the reigning king bears enormous pressure.
Under the combined effect of multiple factors, the Sokachio Family has peacefully continued to this day. In its more than two hundred years of history, no bloody tragedies or tragedies have occurred.
······
This is the residence provided by the Holy Land for the kings of various countries: a villa with a three-story main building, complete with a garden, swimming pool, and a not-small lawn, fully considering that the kings would not come alone but would bring their children and a large number of attendants.
The reception room on the first floor.
King Judge was sitting on a sofa made from the tanned hide of some unknown large sea beast. He did not look at the steaming red tea on the coffee table. His gaze was fixed on the reception room door, his ears perked up, constantly paying attention to the commotion outside the door. Although the floor here was covered with thick carpets, with the help of special technology equipment, he could still hear those faint sounds.
Unfortunately, the listening range of this equipment is limited, only barely extending one or two meters beyond this reception room. Honestly, he also did not dare to eavesdrop on the Black Prince’s secrets. A monster of this level cannot be gauged by common sense.
Faint, extremely weak breathing sounds came from outside the door.
He immediately straightened his demeanor, bracing himself.
The door was pushed open silently.
Prince Elus strode in.
“Hello, everyone! Your Excellency should be King Judge, right? Nice to meet you. I am Sokachio Elus.” He walked over, shook hands with King Judge who had stood up, across the long mahogany coffee table.
“Prince Elus, it is an honor to meet Your Excellency.”
King Judge was very polite.
The two exchanged pleasantries for a couple of sentences. Prince Elus sat down in the empty main seat, waved away the maid who brought tea, and once the door was closed again, he smiled and spoke, “King Judge.” But before he could finish, King Judge interjected:
“No need to be so polite. You can just call me by my name.”
King Judge’s attitude was quite good.
Not a bit of arrogance.
It was completely unrecognizable that this was the supreme leader of the evil army that made many North Blue countries tremble in fear.
Prince Elus went along with it, “Then, Mister Judge, is this alright?” He smiled and raised his eyebrows.
“Prince Elus, feel free!”
You?
Such a respectful attitude,
Made Prince Elus narrow his eyes. This King Judge’s attitude was really very good! Surprisingly, unbelievably good, almost feeling······ humble?
Little did he know, while Prince Elus felt puzzled, King Judge at this moment had his nerves tensed to the extreme. As the saying goes, the older one gets, the more afraid of death. The more one knows, the more one understands awe. Unlike his children, he is a pure human, having undergone no scientific technology modifications.
His emotions are complete. The emotion of fear rarely appears, but it exists nonetheless.
Coupled with his vast knowledge and profound learning, he deeply understands how terrifying the Pirate Emperors are. The seemingly powerful Jermma Kingdom is no harder before such horrifying monsters than an egg facing a stone.
Facing Prince Elus, this monster who at a young age can keep pace with the Pirate Emperors,
He was very nervous.
Honestly, if he had known from the start that the artificial dragon was related to the Black Prince, no matter how much he coveted this technology, he would not have dared to reach out. However, in ignorance, he contacted the Black Prince through the Revolutionary Army. By now, it was too late to regret. After learning the secret connection between the artificial dragon and Prince Elus, he knew he had no room to refuse Prince Elus’s invitation to meet in the Holy Land.
With ambitions unfulfilled, King Judge had to proactively participate in this conference, steeling himself to come to the Holy Land, delivering himself to the door before Prince Elus could seek him out.
Because of fear, fear of the Black Prince’s power, fear of the Black Prince’s rumored cruelty and madness, his attitude was naturally extremely good, lest he anger Prince Elus and bring unbearable consequences to the Jermma Kingdom······ In the original course, when forming an alliance by marriage with BIG·MOM, his attitude toward BIG·MOM was similarly obedient······
“Enough with the small talk. Let’s discuss some serious matters! In the previous Den Den Mushi conversations, some things were not explained in detail. Some words are indeed better exchanged in person.” Prince Elus had a smile on his lips.
When in the same room, it’s easier to apply pressure, after all!
