The Great Voyage Begins with the Celestial Dragons

With the backing of the Celestial Dragons, becoming famous won't do any harm; in fact, the more famous you are, the more talented people you can recruit.

Beside Count Red, Kong helplessly watched this scene.

Although his achievements will not change, the stage that should have been his was shifted because of the conversation between these two.

He could even imagine tomorrow's headlines:

"Red Earl Defeated by the Celestial Dragons", "The Legendary Pirates End, the God Who Rules the World Steps In", "The Celestial Dragons' Domineering Declaration: They Say Red Earl Has No Future Value"...etc.

Titles that are taken out of context are more attention-grabbing than his capture of the Red Earl.

But it didn't matter to him anymore.

Anyway, he's going to Mary Geoise to become the commander-in-chief of the entire army, and he might not even have the chance to fight anymore. Fighting and killing are not as interesting as having power.

The press conference at the Navy Headquarters also came to an end after the conversation between Red Earl and Luther.

News of the Red Earl's arrest also spread rapidly throughout the world.

First, Ohara was completely destroyed, and then a legendary pirate was captured.

Regardless of which side it was, they all began to take the name Don Quixote Luther Saint seriously and began to have greater fear of the Navy.

This is arguably the most powerful period for the Navy. Apart from the World Government above them, no one dares to provoke this tiger.

While the sea was in an uproar over this matter, Luther took Gion back to the Holy Land of Mary Geoise on the bubble cable car.

Standing on the moving walkway leading from the cable car station to the holy site, the road below moved forward automatically, and Luther, Gion, and the others didn't even need to move their feet.

"Is this the Holy Land, Mary Geoise?"

Gion expressed complex emotions.

The moving walkways they were walking on were not escalators built with technology, but rather channels that were driven by human power and would never stop.

My first visit to Gion, the holy city, was a truly eye-opening experience.

"You'll get used to it. The Holy Land is more like a supreme city forged from blood than a holy place."

Luther gazed at the distant buildings and said calmly:

"This world is so unfair; some are born to be kings, while others are born to be slaves."

"Your Highness, can this situation be changed?" Gion asked in a complicated tone.

Do you consider yourself the same as those ordinary people?

Luther did not answer Gion's question; instead, he asked her a question in return.

Gion paused for a moment, then finally shook her head.

She was born a monster who could become a strong person with just a little training.

Even if she hadn't joined the Navy, she was destined to become a strong person, just not as smoothly as she is now.

Despite possessing immense power, she simply cannot get along with ordinary people.

This does not stem from a difference in strength, but from a fundamental difference in values.

Their different environments made it impossible for them to understand each other.

"That's how the world is. There's only one way for everyone to understand each other: everyone's strength is about the same, and they all possess the weapon to kill each other."

Luther calmly recounted that he had no intention of becoming a savior, nor did he believe he could become one.

I'm so sorry to be born a Celestial Dragon...

Chapter 40 Saint Musegard

On the way to the holy site.

Having seen all sorts of slaves, Gion quickly became at ease.

She didn't force Luther to do anything, because it wouldn't make any sense.

The existence of slaves is the norm in this world, but seeing too many of them made her waver a little.

Ultimately, the justice that the Navy believes in has always coexisted with slavery.

Luther took in Gion's expression and stopped offering his words of advice.

He didn't want to have any disagreements with Gion over trivial matters.

If Gion didn't like it, he would even free the slaves under his command.

However, this kind of liberation of slaves is not about being a savior.

Most people simply can't stand the word "slave," which is dehumanizing. If it were phrased differently, most people would be able to accept it.

For example, his three mermaid slaves could be described as his three aquarium employees.

For example, the two slave captains he previously obtained from Impel Down could be described as gardeners for his palace.

As for their personal desires, there's nothing they can't do with power and influence.

They could offer the mermaids a continent to live on, or they could offer the two slave captains their freedom in exchange.

He was captured by the Navy and imprisoned in Impel Down, but in return, he only had to work for 20 years to gain his freedom—a very fair trade.

In the Holy Land, the average lifespan of a slave was no more than five years.

As for whether the two slave captains would be free, that was not Luther's concern; he could only hope they wouldn't die too soon.

Luther was indifferent to the existence of slaves.

He'll do anything as long as it brings him value, and he'll give them appropriate respect if they want it.

Employees, laborers, tenant farmers...

These seemingly different human rights are, in Luther’s view, not fundamentally different.

"Your Highness, I am not that fragile."

Gion learned to ignore everything in front of her; she knew this was a required course for her.

She was mentally prepared from the day she became the Celestial Dragons' exclusive CP0.

They even helped the Celestial Dragons do some shady things.

Luther never forced her to do anything, and she was always grateful for that.

Even things that Luther couldn't change, she would try to accept.

"Understand, but don't accept."

Luther shook his head and smiled, saying:

"Even among the Celestial Dragons, there are quite a few oddballs who dislike slaves and even want to liberate all slaves."

"Is that so? In comparison, Your Highness is quite the villain."

Hearing Luther's words of comfort, Gion put aside her chaotic thoughts and returned to her usual self, even teasing Luther in return.

"I am the head of the Donquixote Family! There are only 19 Celestial Dragons as wicked as me in the World Government!"

Luther smiled and raised an eyebrow, deliberately making a fierce expression:

"So, little Gion, you'd better watch out, or one day you'll have the mark of a dragon's hoof on your hand!"

"Hehehe, if Your Highness were to personally imprint it on me, that wouldn't be out of the question!"

Gion blinked her pomegranate-red eyes and gave Luther a provocative look.

“Ha, woman! You’d better remember what you did and said today, because there’s no going back!” Luther said, raising an eyebrow.

"I'll remember it all clearly! This is the first time I've accompanied Your Highness home!"

Gion replied with a smile, tilting her head slightly to look ahead.

A magnificent city perched high in the clouds came into view.

We've arrived at the Holy Land of Mary Geoise!

"In a strict sense, this really is my home..."

Luther gazed at the city before him with a complex expression.

To be honest, I have quite a few memories.

But what he remembers most vividly are the days after he left the holy land.

After all, the former only provides a fleeting glimpse into Luther's life, while the latter represents the time Luther personally experienced.

"Let's go, the New Year's bell of the year 1501 of the Haiyuan Calendar is about to ring. I wonder if we can get some good luck during the New Year."

As Luther spoke, he quickened his pace toward Don Quixote's Palace.

This time, he's not going home to enjoy himself.

Whether it's the capture of the Red Earl or the previous incident with Garp, he needs a formal explanation.

His expectations for a small Golden Crow fruit were far greater than that.

Gion smiled and nodded, taking long strides to catch up with Luther.

The two quickly returned to the Don Quixote Palace, a magnificent palace complex surrounded by Don Quixote family property.

Just walking on the white jade pavement and seeing the gold ornaments everywhere, Gion felt a sense of unreality.

"If you see something you like, don't hesitate to take it."

Luther's indifferent voice came through, but Gion shook her head heavily.

It wasn't that she had no desire for these mundane things, but rather that Luther had already given her enough.

As Luther's closest confidante, she has truly experienced the extravagance of the Celestial Dragons these past few days.

Although the Don Quixote family's share of the Celestial Dragons' annual share wasn't large, there were plenty of people willing to pay for them.

If Luther wanted anything, he only had to say so, and someone would bring it to his door.

Aside from the visual impact, what Gion saw before them meant nothing more.

"They seem to be having a lot of fun!"

Luther suddenly stopped and raised an eyebrow as he looked at the scene in the distance.