Just then.
Several luxurious ships sailed toward the harbor one after another.
Before long, the vessels docked and a group of nobly dressed men and women emerged from their cabins, marching grandly towards the pier.
The sudden arrival of the crowd instantly darkened Judge's expression.
Because those stepping out from the ships were none other than the kings of several World Government-affiliated nations in the North Blue.
Leading them was the crowned king draped in a regal cloak—the most renowned among the North Blue's affiliated kingdoms, the King of the Ferresca Kingdom.
From the other three ships descended the Kings of the Aurora Kingdom, the Sterland Kingdom, and the Frostgii Kingdom.
"Captain Dunn! How wonderful—I didn't expect to see you here!"
Before Judge could react, the King of Ferresca, who was walking at the front, quickened his pace upon seeing Dunn and said excitedly.
"Several months ago, thanks to you and the timely intervention of the Marines from Branch 135, countless civilians and nobles would have perished at the hands of those damned pirates if not for your swift arrival!"
"No need for thanks. Eradicating pirates is the duty and responsibility of the Marines!" Dunn waved his hand dismissively before asking curiously.
"What brings all of you here? Why the sudden appearance in Orenfence?"
"We're here to see Marshal Orion!" The King of Ferresca took a money pouch from his attendant and personally placed it in Dunn's hands.
"Earlier on the journey, I was wondering how to arrange an audience with Marshal Orion. Now that we've met you, I sincerely hope you can facilitate a meeting! Ever since the Holy Land's documents reached the North Blue, we've been eagerly awaiting the chance to meet Marshal Orion. After all, times have changed."
Dunn nodded, then deftly weighed the pouch in his hand before replying bluntly.
"Your Majesty, I'm merely a lowly branch captain. I can hardly guarantee you'll get to see Marshal Orion."
"I understand, I understand." The King of Ferresca took another pouch from his attendant and handed it to Dunn.
"Please, Captain, do your best to help with this."
"It's difficult," Dunn said, accepting the pouch and casually passing it to a nearby soldier.
He spoke calmly, "It's not that I don't want to help, but my rank is too insignificant. However, I can point you in the right direction. There's a close aide to the Marshal, a Captain named Morgans. He might be able to assist you."
"Really?" The King of Ferresca's eyes lit up.
He stepped forward and embraced Dunn, his mood greatly improved.
"Thank you, Captain Dunn! Once we meet Marshal Orion, let's find time to hangout. Come to the Ferresca Palace—drinks and beauties, all on me!"
With that, the King of Ferresca led his large entourage out in a hurry.
No sooner had the King of Ferresca left than three other kings immediately surrounded Dunn.
Like the King of Ferresca, each presented him with two pouches of gold coins and received the same answer: they should seek out Morgans.
Watching Dunn brazenly accept bribes, Judge who's standing nearby, twitched his facial muscles repeatedly.
Earlier, he had only suspected he was being played, but now he was certain Dunn had never intended to betray the Marines and declare himself king.
The reason Dunn hadn't acted out was simply to pocket those two pouches of gold.
Never imagining he'd one day be toyed with by a mere captain, Judge took a deep breath to steady himself.
Then, without hesitation, he gave Dunn a thumbs-up, his tone laced with lingering reluctance.
"Captain Dunn, aren't you afraid Marshal Orion will find out about you openly taking bribes?"
"Judge, we're both reasonable men. Let's leave it at that."
Dunn handed all the recently received bags of gold coins to the soldiers beside him, then stepped forward to stand before Judge, speaking in a deep voice.
"You don't even understand why we pledged our loyalty to the Fleet Admiral, yet you dare to imitate his methods in trying to turn the Marines against him? Yes, it's true that the Fleet Admiral was once generous, using underhanded means to amass wealth and aid tens of thousands of officers and soldiers. But mere treasures could never earn our loyalty!"
"Desire alone cannot make us offer our lives and loyalty, but a soldier's honor can."
With that, Dunn immediately turned his head toward the soldier holding the bags of gold coins and ordered.
"Go, take today's earnings to the warship. Once we return to base, hand them all over to the finance office!"
"Yes, sir!"
The soldier happily turned and ran toward the warship docked nearby.
Faintly, Judge could hear the soldier muttering the words "struck it rich" over and over, making the corner of his mouth twitch involuntarily.
Just then, the Den Den Mushi in Dunn's hand began to ring.
After the call ended, Dunn didn't hesitate for a second.
He turned decisively and said, "Judge, come with me. The Fleet Admiral has been waiting for you at the palace for quite some time."
*****
Meanwhile.
On the other side of the dock, Morgans stood dumbfounded, surrounded by the King of Ferresca and other monarchs.
When he saw the lavish "bribes" they had prepared for him, he nearly couldn't stop himself from raising his axe and cutting them all down.
What a joke!
He was the Fleet Admiral's personal guard—did they really think a couple of bags of gold coins would buy them a meeting with the Marshal?
In the end, Morgans strode towards the palace, axe in one hand and a bulging sack of gold coins in the other, leading four kings and dozens of attendants in his wake.
As he reached the palace gates, Dunn happened to arrive from another entrance with Judge and his daughter.
Seeing this, Morgans couldn't be bothered with the kings anymore.
Tossing out a casual "Just head into the palace," he hurried over to Dunn.
Dunn didn't proceed to escort Judge and his daughter inside either.
After letting them follow the other kings toward the palace, he turned to face Morgans, who had just reached him.
"Captain Dunn, you're a real one!"
Before Dunn could speak, Morgans' eyes gleamed as he exclaimed.
"These kings went all out to meet the Fleet Admiral. Guess how much I got? A full fifteen bags of gold coins! I stuffed them all into one sack—let me tell you, carrying it all together is no easy feat!"
With that, he casually tossed the sack onto the ground.
A delightful clinking of coins rang out, making his eyes widen with glee.
*****
On the palace steps.
Out of deference to Judge's formidable reputation as the King of Germa, the King of Ferresca and the others kept a cautious distance as they ascended, none daring to walk side by side with him.
Judge, of course, had no intention of mingling with these kings either.
Leading the way with his eldest daughter Reiju, he felt his nerves tighten as the palace gates loomed before him.
Even though there were no guards or Marine soldiers stationed at the entrance, an indescribable sense of pressure weighed on him.
Compared to the soon-to-be-met Fleet Admiral, his own fearsome reputation in the North Blue was nothing.
"Father?"
Noticing Judge had suddenly stopped, Reiju tilted her head slightly and asked softly.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Let's go."
Judge took a deep breath to himself, then straightened his back and strode proudly toward the palace gates.
"His Majesty, King of the Germa Kingdom, Vinsmoke Judge, has arrived!"
The moment Judge reached the palace gates, a booming voice suddenly echoed from within.
Hearing this, Judge—who had originally intended to tidy himself up before entering the grand hall—dared not delay any longer.
Steeling himself, he stepped through the gates.
The instant he entered the hall, the light dimmed before his eyes.
Then, several figures abruptly came into view.
Seated upon the throne, naturally, was Orion, draped in the Marine Fleet Admiral's coat.
Standing on either side of the throne were Rear Admiral Aramaki and Captain Hina.
On the red-carpeted steps below the throne, a figure clad in pink sat cross-legged—none other than Donquixote Doflamingo, the man who had once driven the Vinsmoke Family out of the North Blue.
"Fufufufu,"
Doflamingo, holding a glass of juice, tilted his head slightly and spoke with unmistakable malice.
"Well, well, look who it is! The King of Germa has arrived!"
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