The sudden purge of Orenfence's royalty and nobility caught every citizen in the capital off guard.
Yet by the time they realized what was happening, the once-untouchable nobles—who had roamed the city unchecked, treating commoners as filth—had already been exterminated.
At first, the citizens within the royal capital were utterly shocked.
However, as the purge continued into the second day, panic began to spread among all the people.
Many grew increasingly worried that once all the royal family and nobles were eliminated, the marines soldiers would turn their guns toward them next.
However, their worries were futile, as the entire territory of the Orenfence Kingdom had already been sealed off by a massive birdcage.
Not a single living soul—not even a bird—could leave Orenfence.
Over these two days, the Marine soldiers' daily task remained the same: search for every royal and noble within the kingdom and execute them on the spot.
Finally, with the last royal family member executed, the dynasty that had ruled the Orenfence Kingdom for centuries vanished completely from these lands.
Just as the people of Orenfence thought the purge had ended, the Marines immediately launched a full-scale search, dragging out human trafficking syndicates one after another from their hiding places.
Unlike the executions of royals and nobles, every captured trafficker was beheaded.
As their heads were displayed across the city, a new law targeting human trafficking was posted on public notice boards everywhere.
The law was simple: anyone involved in human trafficking—whether royal, noble, or commoner—would be punished by decapitation.
Then came news that shocked the people of Orenfence even more.
Not only would the kingdom no longer have a ruling monarchy, but it would also be reorganized as a city from this day forward, placed under the direct jurisdiction of Marine Headquarters.
The first mayor of Orenfence City would be Marine Rear Admiral Fujitora, serving concurrently.
The news sent not only Orenfence into an uproar but also the other North Blue nations affiliated with the World Government, who erupted in chaos upon hearing it.
******
In the castle hall of the Germa Kingdom,
Judge Vinsmoke sat at the head of the room, gripping a Den Den Mushi as he listened to the relentless stream of reports.
Unable to stay seated, he paced back and forth before his throne.
"How could this happen? How?!"
"What is the Fleet Admiral trying to do? Just because of an orphan of his former comrade, he wipes out an entire nation? Does he not fear disrupting the world order with such actions?!"
Over the past two days, Judge had gathered information from various sources about why the Fleet Admiral had personally come to the North Blue.
When he learned that Orion had arrived because of a letter from an orphan of his comrade who had died six years ago, he naively assumed Orion would simply retrieve the child and return to Marine Headquarters.
But in the following days, the Marines had purged every royal and noble in Orenfence with ruthless efficiency.
Their brutality surpassed even the most bloodthirsty pirates who pillaged the seas—let alone the former rulers of the North Blue, the infamous assassin clan.
But none of that mattered.
What shocked Judge most was that Orion had outright erased the Orenfence Kingdom, placing it under Marine jurisdiction.
This mean Orenfence would no longer belong to the World Government but would instead answer directly to the Marines.
Under normal circumstances, the Holy Land would have intervened when the Marines made such a drastic move—abolishing and seizing a World Government-affiliated nation.
Yet, shockingly, the Holy Land turned a blind eye, even tacitly approving everything Orion had done to Orenfence.
"Father, is there any new information from the Kingdom of Orenfence?"
At that moment, Reiju, the eldest daughter of the Vinsmoke Family, walked in.
Now over eighteen years old, Reiju wore a light pink short-sleeved dress with a butterfly-wing-shaped cape draped over her shoulders.
Every movement she made exuded a natural charm.
"There is no Kingdom of Orenfence in the North Blue anymore!" Judge set down the Den Den Mushi and returned to his throne, his brows tightly furrowed.
"The Marines not only executed all the royal and noble families of Orenfence but also turned the country into a city under Marine jurisdiction, just like Wano Country in the New World!"
"So, what is troubling you, Father?"
Reiju walked over to stand opposite Judge and asked, "Is the mayor of Orenfence City Doflamingo?"
Judge waved his hand dismissively. "The mayor isn't Doflamingo. It's some unremarkable newly promoted Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral named Fujitora Issho."
Hearing this, Reiju frowned slightly, puzzled.
"With the Reverie approaching, why would the Fleet Admiral go to such lengths against Orenfence at this time and appoint a Marine Rear Admiral as mayor?"
"Apparently, it's for the sake of an orphaned child left behind by one of his comrades from his rookie days," Judge replied, also frowning.
Reiju didn't dwell on it further and said bluntly, "Father, instead of speculating here, why not take the initiative? We're already in Orenfence' waters. This might be the perfect opportunity to meet this Fleet Admiral."
Judge instinctively waved his hand in refusal.
"No. My gut tells me he's about to launch a major crackdown on the North Blue's affiliated nations. Landing in Orenfence now would be like walking into a trap."
As he spoke, Judge suddenly stood up, visibly agitated.
"Is this Fleet Admiral targeting the Germa Kingdom? I was just about to arrange a marriage alliance with the Charlotte Family when Charlotte Linlin was killed, and the remaining members all surrendered to the Marines. Now, not long after I returned to the North Blue, he shows up here and causes such a stir. It's infuriating."
"Ah—"
Suddenly, as the topic of marriage alliances came up, Judge's eyes lit up, and his gaze turned to his eldest daughter.
With a serious expression, he asked.
"Reiju, how much do you know about this Fleet Admiral?"
Seeing Judge's reaction, Reiju shook her head with a faint smile, somewhat resigned.
"Father, are you thinking of arranging a marriage between me and Fleet Admiral Orion?"
Judge nodded. "According to my intel, Orion has remained single to this day, with no prior marriage engagements. If the Vinsmoke Family can form an alliance with him through marriage, our dominance over the North Blue would be within reach."
Reiju replied calmly, "If marrying Fleet Admiral Orion can help the Vinsmoke Family reclaim the North Blue, I'm willing. But the core of a marriage alliance is mutual benefit. The Vinsmoke Family needs the Marines' strength—or rather, the authority Orion wields. But what can we offer the Marines? Technology? They don't lack it. Combat power? They have even more to spare!"
"Back when Father met with Charlotte Linlin and reached a verbal marriage alliance agreement, the core issue was that the Charlotte Family needed the technological power of the Vinsmoke Family, while the Vinsmokes required the Charlotte Family's support! Both sides had their needs, so the marriage alliance naturally fell into place."
"Father, please don't say things like Marshal Orion being single and lacking a woman by his side."
"As the youngest Marshal in Marine history, and the most powerful one ever, if he were willing, the gates of Marine Headquarters would have long been trampled flat by princesses from various kingdoms and wealthy heiresses!"
Looking at his daughter, Judge replied impatiently.
"How would we know without trying? This matter is settled. Tomorrow, you'll accompany me to Orenfence capital."
"Whether the Vinsmoke Family can restore its former glory depends entirely on this move."
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