After all, Sage is a pirate, without any legal protection.
But regardless of the person, if they owe a debt and don't repay it on time, they'll be pursued for it.
Lawless merchants have their homes ransacked and ships dismantled, rampant pirates have their heads taken for bounty, and for nobles and kings, it's even simpler; being local residents, debt collection just requires breaking in and plundering.
No money?
They can always squeeze some money out.
For those who borrow, it's normal for debt collectors to be harsh, but there are some things that should never be done. Once this boundary is crossed, Sage would gladly spend money to have others kill these people.
In the underworld, Sage's rules are also rules.
The Funk Brothers are particularly notorious — they love to beat people to a pulp or even to death, making their debt collection success rate the highest, which is often heard from Urouge's mouth.
"Leave it to us!"
Kelly boasted, "As long as we stand out at such a grand event, the Governor will notice us and give us a cadre position, just like you, Stansen!"
If they could get the Flame-Flame Fruit, they might even squeeze into the Seven Stars or even higher, the Three Phases position!
...
One hour later.
The Royal Palace of Dressrosa.
"Hmm? No orders and temporarily closed? Who told you that? Keep manufacturing, Doflamingo will foot the bill, just produce and we'll figure it out later."
"Crocodile? Doflamingo stopped and he's stepping up? Give a portion, I've said before, it's best not to rely on any channels right now; the rest will have Link figure it out."
"Parthia has started moving? It's been days, why are they just acting now? Send Jean Bart to help and give Reinaldo a lesson, he's too complacent!"
Slam.
After speaking, Lily hung up the small Radio Snail and continued to be guided by Monet.
"Lady Lily, as Vice Captain, working even on vacation, is truly admirable," Monet smiled.
"You're a secretary, you should know many tasks don't involve the boss; it's only carried out by the underlings. Besides, I'm not the Vice Captain. Sage won't share power with others, I'm just acting on his authority. If you join us in the future, you must remember this," Lily said calmly.
Monet paused, turned back, and said, "You still think the Young Master will lose?"
"Win or lose, it's his choice, but he will have to pay the price. We are short on manpower, especially administrative personnel. Monet, Sage likes you a lot, you better not disappoint him," Lily said, walking ahead a bit before suddenly stopping and looking into the depths of a side corridor.
Monet looked over and said, "Lady Lily, that's the secret area of our family."
A red dot flashed in Lily's eyes, "Little People, is it? Your factory smells of Little People, but you're still holding one here, Mansherry?"
"Lady Lily..."
Monet, with a bead of sweat, bowed slightly, "Please don't make it difficult for us."
Lily glanced over, "You don't have the authority to make me choose, release her. We have Little People loyal to us too, Sage is very interested in her abilities."
The Vice Island of the main city also employs Little People; from their mouths, Lily had already known about Mansherry's existence.
The power of the Heal-Heal Fruit is extremely useful.
"The Young Master..."
"He ruined our deal, do you know how many things I need to sort out because of a few days delay?"
Lily pointed to the Radio Snail still in her hand, "The first couple of days were forgivable, but it's been several days and Doflamingo hasn't resolved this. Our factory's production can't just account for the next half month."
"Other things are negotiable, but now the weapons and warships can't be sold, empty production with no trade, and a few days' time isn't enough for just that little compensation. Releasing a Mansherry as compensation is what Doflamingo should do."
"Lady Lily, isn't it necessary to consult Governor Sage and the Young Master about this matter, since they're partners..."
"With Sage absent, I have the authority to make any decision."
Lily's subordinate pressed down on the sword hilt, her sapphire-like eyes narrowed slightly, "Or does Doflamingo not even want to deal with Straw Hat and wants to oppose me directly?"
Just by pressing the sword hilt, Monet instinctively looked down, her body trembling uncontrollably.
No way around it, that killing intent... is terrifying!
"Lady Lily, I don't have the key..."
Lily stared at her for a moment, said nothing more, then turned towards the corridor until she reached the large iron door of the chapel at the end; as she stopped, the door emitted rays of light and was cut into pieces that fell down.
In a dim little room, a palm-sized person in a white long dress was leaning against a windowsill wall, covering her face and crying.
The Little Person had a head of golden curls, her hair almost merged with the same-colored tail behind her, making it look like her long hair reached down to her legs.
"I want to return to Greenbit, Leo..."
Mansherry was crying quietly when a flash of light appeared, instinctively looking up to see a person with even more dazzling golden hair striding in.
"Mansherry?"
"Yes, yes, that's me."
Lily glanced at the Little Person with fluttering big eyes, smirked slightly, and extended her hand to place her in her palm, "You're quite cute, just like Flapper described."
"Fl, Flapper? Is he here?" Mansherry curiously looked around.