It was more than ten minutes before Gernica returned to the palace.
"Ross Saint, it's done! Your new furniture will be delivered within an hour."
"Very good." Ross leaned back on the sofa and asked casually, "What major events have happened in the Great Sea recently?"
Having just transmigrated to the world of Pirate King, he needed to understand the current situation.
There was no information about the Great Sea in his memory, only scenes of him fighting crickets with other Celestial Dragons, and he wasn't very interested in those aspects.
Playing with other Celestial Dragons too much would truly make one useless.
If there were no survival pressure, Ross wouldn't mind playing until he died of old age.
But if he did nothing, he would surely be eliminated 20 years later, which was troublesome!
Moreover, this wasn't something that could be solved by just killing Luffy; who knew what the situation with Joy Boy and Nika was, what if they appeared randomly and awakened at a certain time.
To be on the safe side, Ross had to take precautions to avoid his enjoyment ending after only a few years.
Besides, if he really wanted to enjoy himself, what other Celestial Dragons played, Ross truly looked down on.
Since he was a Celestial Dragon, hunting the strongest slaves and tasting the fiercest women, that was true enjoyment.
What was the point of bullying ordinary people, it wouldn't even generate many rewards.
"Ross Saint, since Pirate King Roger's execution, no major events have occurred recently; everything is under the World Government's control," Gernica replied respectfully.
"That's it?"
Hearing this answer, Ross frowned slightly.
His first reaction was that he thought Gernica was hiding something.
The Great Pirate Era had been in full swing for two years, how could there be no news at all?
Considering the other Celestial Dragons' situation, like being raised in captivity, it wasn't strange for him to have such a thought.
But when he saw Gernica's matter-of-fact expression, he somewhat understood.
From the perspective of ordinary pirates and even the Marine, the Great Pirate Era seemed to usher in a new era.
But in the eyes of the World Government, in the eyes of the Celestial Dragons' strongest shield, CP0, the Great Pirate Era might just be a minor affair.
If Gernica wasn't so arrogant, he wouldn't have sought death by getting involved in Kaido's battle.
"Which great pirates are currently on the sea?" Ross changed his question.
"'Solitary Red' Patrick Redfield, 'Whitebeard' Edward Newgate, 'Pluton' Silvers Rayleigh, 'Hundred Beasts' Kaido, 'Big Mom' Charlotte Linlin."
"Ross Saint, great pirates all possess Conqueror's Haki, making it difficult to capture them as slaves," Gernica added.
"Hmm?"
Ross glanced at Gernica; had he said anything about capturing them as slaves?
"My lord, I deserve to die! Please punish me, Your Highness!"
Gernica trembled all over, then slapped himself hard, his clown-like face quickly swelling red, making him look even more comical.
How dared he presume to guess the Celestial Dragon's intentions...
【C-rank defeat completed!】
【Strength +10,000】
【Special Reward: C-rank Physical Skill】
This counts as a defeat?
Even a downgraded C-rank reward was too luxurious.
【Host: Ross】
【Strength: 10163 / 30000 (D-rank, Officer-level strength)】
【Skills: E-rank Gun Skill, C-rank Physical Skill】
Feeling the abundant power within his body, Ross's eyes lit up.
In just a few hours, he had gained officer-level strength; the future was promising.
"Don't let it happen again."
Ross waved his hand casually; since Gernica was so sensible, he certainly wouldn't blame him further.
Is this the taste of power?
It truly makes one want to fall into depravity...
Getting back to business, through Gernica's narration, Ross had a pretty clear understanding of the situation on the sea.
It was currently sea calendar 1500; Patrick Redfield hadn't yet fought Fleet Admiral Kong, Golden Lion was in Impel Down, Roger was already dead, Whitebeard was at his peak, and Kaido and Linlin were beginning to emerge.
This was the beginning of the Great Pirate Era, the most chaotic time in nearly a century; the future New World Four Emperors' structure had not yet been established, and the world was full of pirates seeking Roger's treasure.
"It truly is a good era."
So many pirates, he couldn't even kill them all, enough for him to grow rapidly.
Ross's lips curved slightly upwards as he slowly walked towards the huge fish tank, where his mermaid slaves, purchased from Sabaody Archipelago, swam leisurely.
As soon as he approached the fish tank, the previously tranquil underwater world instantly came alive; the mermaids seemed to sense his arrival and swam forward, dancing gracefully like water spirits.
Ross knew in his heart that the mermaids weren't dancing of their own free will; they were simply too well-trained.
But, these were four mermaids with colorful hair, captivating beauty, and unique charming figures, and they were dancing for him at this moment.
This scene was truly pleasing to the eye.
At the same time, as he admired the swimming fish, Gernica, behind him, knelt on the ground like a loyal servant, his face showing respect without any hint of abnormality.
Gernica's body wasn't tall and robust, but Ross had no doubt that he could easily wipe out a non-Allied Nations.
What Lucci of CP9 could once do, all CP0 could do.
And such a strong person could only kneel before a Celestial Dragon, slap himself for a verbal slip, and consider himself inferior to him.
Unfortunately, these were all privileges brought by his status; his own strength couldn't be neglected, otherwise, in the future, facing higher-ranking Celestial Dragons, Ross would be no different from Gernica.
"Gernica!"
"Ross Saint! Please instruct me!"
"My previous slaves died, and I need a new batch of people. I want a list of Marine headquarters personnel, and a list of Impel Down prisoners."
Ross commanded calmly; to achieve his ultimate vision of enjoyment, he needed more helpers.
"As you command!" Gernica accepted the order.
"When can you give them to me?"
"Your Highness, the task will be completed within an hour!"
After receiving the order and confirming that Ross had no additional commands, Gernica's figure instantly vanished.
The palace returned to silence with his departure, leaving only the sound of water made by the swimming mermaids.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Ross tapped the fish tank, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned.
The mermaids finished their dance and timidly stood in a line, showing a very deliberate fawning smile.
The previous Ross had gone too far with his cricket fighting, killing most of his slaves.
The four mermaids he was admiring were his only remaining 'pets'.
Ross had raised fish before, but raising mermaids was a first, and it seemed exceptionally surprising.
Compared to fish, which are completely brainless creatures, mermaids were much more obedient and intelligent.
In his previous life, he always said he had a few fish at home that could do backflips.
Today, it actually came true.
Watching the four ornamental fish perform synchronized backflips, Ross showed a satisfied smile and pressed the green button below the fish tank.
A bag of feed poured down from the top of the fish tank, and countless small, pearl-like pellets scattered throughout the tank.
The mermaids were overjoyed at the sight, happily rushing to the feed and opening their mouths to bite the small pearls one by one.
"It really does feel like raising fish." Ross was even more satisfied.
His feed was not cheap; the price of just this one bag was more expensive than all the food an ordinary mermaid would eat in her lifetime.
Expensive had its benefits; this special mermaid feed produced in Mary Geoise could make mermaids fair and lustrous, further improving their appearance and figure, and also had anti-aging properties.
Besides cricket fighting, beauty pageants were also one of the daily activities of Celestial Dragons.
However, Ross was a selfish person and didn't really like to share.