Caelan followed Violet to the palace where King Riku worked.

Having just dealt with Doflamingo, Dressrosa was still in a state of disarray, leaving King Riku buried under a mountain of affairs.

At the moment, King Riku was hunched over his desk, working through a pile of documents.

When he saw Caelan and Violet enter, King Riku immediately put down his pen.

Just by glancing at their appearance, he could tell what had happened between them.

Violet had been taken by Caelan.

King Riku sighed quietly.

He understood that Violet had likely made some kind of deal with Caelan.

As her father, the decision made him feel guilty.

If it weren't for the burden he carried and the state of the country, Violet might have had other options.

However, she looked genuinely happy now.

That thought brought him some relief. Then, straightening his expression, King Riku addressed Caelan in a gentle voice, "Lord Caelan, what brings you here?"

"That's right." Caelan nodded, smiling. "King Riku, have you considered Dressrosa's future?"

"Dressrosa's... future?"

King Riku was taken aback. He hadn't thought that far ahead yet.

After pondering for a moment, he replied, "Perhaps we should continue paying the Heavenly Tribute as before and remain a member of the World Government."

That was his honest thought. He didn't see any alternative.

"You still want to stay with the World Government? Are you hoping for another Doflamingo?"

Caelan asked.

"I... I don't quite follow."

King Riku looked at him, confused.

"Doflamingo invaded your country. The World Government knew about it but did nothing. In fact, they let him continue being a Warlord of the Sea," Caelan said. "So what happens if another Warlord comes? Or someone even worse?"

King Riku was stunned. He had never considered that possibility.

But now that the question was posed so directly, he was forced to think about it.

The World Government knew Doflamingo's crimes yet turned a blind eye. So what was the point of continuing to pay tribute?

If another Doflamingo appeared in the future, what would it cost to ask Caelan for help again?

Taking on someone like a Yonko wasn't something he could afford.

He only had one daughter, Violet. It was already a miracle that he had Caelan's help once. Asking again was unrealistic.

No, he had a granddaughter too.

King Riku thought of Rebecca and Cyrus, whom he had just reunited with, but quickly shook the thought away.

That idea was far too outrageous.

"Lord Caelan, if you have something in mind, please share it."

King Riku decided not to overthink. Since Caelan had brought it up, he must have a plan. Better to hear it first.

"My idea is for you to leave the World Government and join me."

"I'm about to establish a global alliance called the Illuminati. All nations that join will be protected by the Neo Navy."

Caelan said with a smile.

"Lord Caelan, are you planning to create a second World Government?"

King Riku stared at him, shocked by his words.

The Illuminati? Protection for member nations? Wasn't that the exact structure of the current World Government?

And this so-called Neo Navy was clearly modeled after the Marines.

An organization like that would surely come into conflict with the World Government, which had ruled for over 800 years.

In other words, the goal was to overthrow the World Government and replace it.

King Riku was stunned by Caelan's audacity.

The last person to pursue such a dream was Rocks, more than 20 years ago.

That infamous pirate, the one who tried to topple the World Government and crown himself King of the World... now, not even his ashes remained.

And now Caelan wanted to attempt the same thing?

King Riku knew all too well how terrifying the World Government was. The Marines were just one branch. There were also the Cipher Pol organizations on the same level, not to mention the countless hidden forces working in the shadows.

In such a system, even the Four Emperors only ruled their territories and dared not strike directly.

Caelan... do you really have that kind of power?

Even as the God Slayer, did he really stand a chance against an 800-year-old regime?

King Riku was deeply worried. His daughter had just found this man—he couldn't let him die chasing an impossible dream.

"Lord Caelan, perhaps you should reconsider."

"You don't believe in my power?"

"If you doubt me, I can show you how I destroy an island with a single strike."

Caelan smiled calmly.

He wasn't the kind to build up strength first and then challenge the world.

He already possessed the power to flip the table. That was precisely why he was building up his forces—to claim the world's wealth for himself.

It was like a country in the past having unlimited access to intercontinental nuclear missiles during an era of flintlock rifles. He could obliterate every nation in an instant but chose instead to advance step by step, extracting maximum resources.

Either way, the ending was certain.

And now, his first client was none other than his future father-in-law. Caelan didn't mind using the God-Slaying Spear to let King Riku witness the true wonder of the pirate world.

"No demonstration necessary, I believe you!"

King Riku broke into a cold sweat.

What Caelan had just said was terrifying.

"Destroy an island just to prove a point"? Who even says that?

Dressrosa was an island. If he really wanted to demonstrate, they'd be wiped out on the spot!

As for whether Caelan had the ability to destroy an island, King Riku believed it.

After all, he'd seen the aftermath of Elegia in the East Blue. The entire island had a bottomless crater at its center, and the sea still hadn't filled it in.

Still, the World Government also had the ability to destroy islands.

King Riku wasn't fully convinced Caelan could defeat them, but he wisely kept that thought to himself.

"Then, please consider whether Dressrosa will join my Illuminati."

"If you join, you'll have my protection. You won't need to pay the Heavenly Tribute, and you won't have to worry about pirate invasions."

Caelan calmly listed the benefits.

"That good?"

King Riku was visibly tempted.

Caelan was essentially on par with the Four Emperors, and his subordinates were all elite fighters.

He had wiped out the entire Donquixote Family in just over ten minutes.

With Caelan's protection, no one would dare invade Dressrosa.

And not having to pay the Heavenly Tribute?

The Heavenly Tribute was the greatest burden for World Government member nations.

Calling it a bloodletting would be too kind. It was more like marrow extraction.

Often, a country's annual tax revenue wasn't even enough to cover the tribute, so they would raise taxes on their citizens.

Some countries, in desperation, even sold land to pirates just to scrape together the money, completely abandoning the original purpose of joining the World Government.

And those who still couldn't pay? Some rulers were executed. Some were turned into slaves. The World Government's methods were more brutal than any pirate crew.

When King Riku heard that joining Caelan meant no more tribute and full protection, he was truly moved.

Even if Caelan couldn't defeat the World Government, sheltering a few nations should be no problem at all.

(To be continued.)

***

For every 200 PS = 1 extra chapter. Support me on P/treon to read 30+ advanced chapters: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves

(Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)