Chapter 132: A Royal Visit (Patreon)

Chapter 132: A Royal Visit

Mermaid Cove.

The water shimmered with rippling light as Bahr rode—no, was carried—on Yixili's knifejaw fish tail, letting her guide him through the coral reefs.

Nearby, Kailen and Melo raced each other, their silver-bell laughter startling a school of colorful tropical fish into scattering.

"Head further east! There's a glowing jellyfish swarm over there!" Bahr patted Yixili's waist, prompting her caudal fin to flick and send them darting forward like an arrow. The splash soaked Kailen's curly hair as she tried to catch up.

"Slow down, Yixili!" Kailen called, speeding up with her vibrant orange tail cutting bright arcs through the water.

Amid the fun, a mermaid suddenly pointed toward the distant horizon and shouted, "A ship is coming!"

The merfolk paused, following her gaze to see an ornately decorated vessel cutting through the waves. The sails bore the emblem of the Fish-man Kingdom, and the hull was adorned with pearls and coral—clearly a ship of importance.

"It's the royal ship!" Melo gasped, her voice rising. "Look! That's King Neptune!"

Bahr squinted. At the bow stood a massive Fishman, crowned with a pearl-studded diadem, his upper body clad in golden armor and his lower half a powerful shark tail. The distinctive gill slits on his cheeks confirmed his identity—Neptune, King of Fish-Man Island.

Behind him stood his three sons, the princes: Fukaboshi, with his jagged shark fin and towering build; Ryuboshi, whose forehead bore a diamond-shaped scale and whose expression was steady; and Manboshi, round and plump, always wearing a good-natured smile. All three wore the armor of the Kingdom Guard, longswords at their waists.

And beside Neptune stood Jimbei.

Bahr's gaze flickered slightly—it seemed an answer had arrived.

The grand ship docked at the cove's private pier. Neptune leaped from the deck first, his massive tail supporting his weight as his footsteps thudded against the sand. The three princes followed, with Jimbei a step behind, his expression solemn.

"Your Majesty!"

"Prince Ryuboshi!"

The merfolk bowed in unison, the lively cove falling silent save for the lapping waves.

"You must be Mr. Bahr! I've heard of how you rescued those enslaved Fishmen in Sabaody Archipelago. Fish-Man Island remembers this kindness."

Neptune strode straight to Bahr, his enormous frame inclining slightly. His tone carried royal courtesy yet undeniable authority as he nodded solemnly. "On behalf of my people, I thank you."

Bahr hadn't expected this. He waved it off. "It was nothing, Your Majesty. No need for formalities."

Neptune's eyes gleamed with approval before shifting gears. "Jimbei has told me of your proposal. Given Fish-Man Island's current predicament—with Newgate gone and countless forces eyeing these waters—this old man can no longer protect his people alone."

He paused, meeting Bahr's gaze. "You offered to lend us the Cross Guild's flag... Aside from Jimbei joining your ranks, what else would you ask in return?"

Bahr had anticipated this question and replied frankly, "I have no other demands. Jimbei joins the Cross Guild, and we help each other.

You need a flag to deter pirates, and I need manpower to strengthen the guild. That's all."

He deliberately emphasized his words, "The Cross Guild values equality. There’s no subordination, and Fish-Man Island won’t be targeted by the World Government because of me. The flag is borrowed, not a sign of dependence. You can rest assured of that, Your Majesty."

Jimbei added from the side, "What Mr. Bahr means is that the Sun Pirates will join the guild as an independent entity, without interfering with Fish-Man Island’s royal system."

Neptune fell silent for a moment, his shark tail lightly sweeping the sand. Having lived most of his life, he had seen too many pirates’ ambitions, yet in Bahr’s eyes, he detected not a trace of greed—only sincerity.

Besides, he knew well that the World Government was unreliable, and the protection of the Four Emperors came with shackles. This path before him might truly be the best choice for Fish-Man Island at the moment.

"Very well," Neptune finally nodded, his tone solemn. "I trust Jimbei’s judgment, and I believe Mr. Bahr is a man of his word. We’ll proceed as you’ve suggested."

Bahr smiled. "Your Majesty is wise."

"Since the matter is settled, why not accompany me to the Dragon Palace, Mr. Bahr?" Neptune gestured invitingly. "Allow me to fulfill my duties as host and treat you to Fish-Man Island’s finest banquet."

"Hmm... alright." Bahr didn’t stand on ceremony. He turned and waved to the mermaids in the bay. "I’ll be back soon. Wait for me—we’ll keep playing when I return."

"Come back soon, Mr. Bahr!" Kailen immediately called out, her caudal fin splashing a spray of water.

"I’ll have the Sea Grapes chilled for you!" Yixili waved with a smile.

The mermaids chimed in one after another, their warm farewells overlapping.

Bahr followed Neptune toward the docks, flanked respectfully by the three princes, with Jimbei walking beside him.

"Thank you for leaving Fish-Man Island room to maneuver," Jimbei murmured.

"I told you—mutual help. Besides..." Bahr glanced at the distant, frolicking mermaids, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "I’ve grown quite fond of this place."

Jimbei paused, then, seeing the genuine warmth in Bahr’s eyes, couldn’t help but chuckle—a laugh tinged with relief.

The smoke at the harbor hadn’t yet dissipated. The wreckage of several pirate ships floated crookedly on the water, their Jolly Rogers scorched black by lightning.

Enel retracted the electricity crackling around him, the last sparks at his fingertips popping with a sharp "snap." He glanced disdainfully at the pirates floundering in the water. "These trash are truly pathetic. They couldn’t even last three moves against this god."

"It’s not them—it’s you who’s too strong," Miss. Valentine said, kicking aside a sword hilt and smoothing her wind-tousled curls. "There aren’t many pirates who can withstand your lightning."

Enel arched a brow at that, his lips curling into a haughty smirk. "At least you have some sense."

Miss. Valentine didn’t respond, merely propping her green parasol as she stood on the reef, gazing at the shimmering sea in the distance. Her tone was teasing. "Honestly, the boss left us here to clean up this mess while he’s off enjoying himself. How inconsiderate."

Sadi giggled as she dragged unconscious pirates ashore with her whip, her crimson nails tracing the lash.

Her voice carried a coquettish lilt: "Hmm, Master seems to be having too much fun in Mermaid Cove to remember us guarding the port."

The surrounding crew members eyed her with strange expressions—who would've thought this woman, originally imprisoned by their boss, could be tamed into such obedience.

"Let him do as he pleases." Enel sneered, his toes lightly tapping the ground as his body levitated, crackling electricity swirling around him. "Anyone dares cause trouble, this god will strike them down before they can regret it."

No sooner had he spoken than several silver-armored Mermaid guards rushed over. The lead Fishman clutched a conch insignia, panting as he called out, "Excuse me... are you companions of Mr. Bahr?"

Enel arched an eyebrow, electricity crackling at his fingertips: "What do you want?"

"Mr. Bahr has been invited by King Neptune to a banquet at Ryugu Castle!" The guard straightened respectfully. "His Majesty sent us to escort you all there if convenient."

"Ryugu Castle?" Miss. Valentine folded her green parasol, raising a surprised eyebrow. "How did the boss end up there?"

Sadi paused dragging a pirate, scratching her chin with crimson nails: "Hmm? Master got invited by the king?"

"Seems the bastard's doing well for himself." Enel spun midair, glancing at the guard before surveying the port's wreckage. "Shura, you handle cleanup here."

Shura immediately took charge of the aftermath. Enel then jerked his chin at Miss. Valentine and Sadi: "Let's see what this Dragon Palace is about."

As they followed the guards, steady footsteps echoed from the port entrance. A tall crimson figure approached, stopping meters away. His gaze swept over the floating pirate ship debris before settling on the hovering Enel, his voice rough yet magnetic: "You're from Cross Guild?"

Enel narrowed his eyes into perfect dead-fish stare, electricity snapping violently around him: "The hell are you?"