The next day.
In the dirty, dark royal prison.
Another prisoner had turned into a dried corpse, adding a terrifying ghost legend to the entire prison, making even the wardens and jailers fear their own territory.
Some older jailers even bullied the new jailers into delivering meals to the prisoners.
Some wardens with connections even directly used their influence to transfer out of this eerie prison.
In a cell deep within the prison.
“Damn it, why couldn’t I resist executing him early!”
Aramaki complained to himself with a hint of annoyance; he had only secretly decided yesterday to ‘eat’ one prisoner every three days.
But early this morning, a bored Aramaki couldn’t help but drain his next target.
It felt somewhat addictive.
If he executed one prisoner a day, over a hundred and eighty people would die in half a year.
Aramaki couldn't help but worry about the future sustainability of ‘eating people’.
“What’s going on outside? Why hasn’t anyone come to visit and tell me what’s happening?”
Aramaki grew increasingly displeased with his drinking buddies and superiors; not a single person had come to visit him for such a long time.
What Aramaki didn't know was that his colleagues and superiors, knowing that Aramaki had offended the Duke's daughter and Prince Qizhi, immediately severed all ties with Aramaki, fearing they would be implicated.
Some even kicked him when he was down, providing ‘evidence’ of Aramaki’s ‘violent assault’ and ‘harassment of respectable women’ to Prince Qizhi.
Aramaki still hoped these people would save him, which was somewhat naive and self-deceiving.
Just as Aramaki was secretly warning himself to control his ‘people-eating finger’, a noisy sound came from outside the prison.
“That’s quite an impressive aura. When did Taya Kingdom get such a strong person?”
Aramaki’s Observation Haki sensed the auras outside the prison, which were much stronger than the pirates and criminals he had defeated in the past.
‘Thump, thump, thump, thump...’
A series of steady, powerful footsteps approached, getting closer and closer, causing Aramaki to stand up.
Could someone be coming to rescue him?
Under Aramaki’s gaze, four men in majestic military uniforms walked in, their Baron Hereditary Titles on their chests gleaming with golden light.
‘Such handsome military uniforms!’
‘Noble generals?’
The next moment, Aramaki felt an even stronger aura.
A man in a platinum military uniform, protected by the four Baron generals, walked step by step to Aramaki’s cell.
Aramaki’s gaze instantly met that of the domineering young man, who exuded an air of nobility.
This was definitely a man more powerful and distinguished than Harada Duke and the Royal Guard Captain.
“Officer Aramaki, standing before you is the East Blue Overlord, the Goa Emperor, King Wang Shi, whom the world calls the King of Exile.”
Eric puffed out his chest and proudly introduced their esteemed Majesty.
Meanwhile, Van Auger, Zoro, and Saka were all observing this top-tier powerhouse who could wipe out their entire group.
Such a powerful person had actually been reduced to a mere prisoner.
This was somewhat unbelievable.
In any case, if it were Van Auger and Zoro, if they lost the freedom to pursue their dreams, they would rather become pirates than willingly be bound as prisoners.
“Wang Shi? You’re that Goa Emperor from the East Blue who continuously attacked six nations?”
Aramaki’s eyes lit up; he had seen reports about this man in newspapers before.
“Isn’t the North Sea Overlord, Germa 66, going to the East Blue to cause trouble for you?”
“Did you defeat Germa?”
Aramaki looked at the people who had appeared; they didn't look like they had been defeated and were seeking support; each of them had a very strong aura.
“The mere strongest modified warriors of Germa have already been casually exiled by our King Wang Shi.
Even the Germa Kingdom has become our Goa Empire’s army, and the Germa Princess has become our Imperial Consort.”
Eric continued to answer proudly, his admiration and loyalty almost reaching their peak.
“You really defeated the North Sea Overlord? Amazing!”
Aramaki’s eyes were filled with longing; how he wished Taya Kingdom also had such glorious achievements.
But Taya Kingdom was too peaceful; he had no opportunity to display his strength.
Otherwise, he would at least be like these four men in military uniforms, becoming an Imperial Hereditary Title.
“Aramaki, I have heard of your deeds and greatly admire you.”
“I have already clarified your crimes. You offended the Duke’s daughter, and Prince Qizhi and a host of ducal and marquis sons are deeply infatuated with this Duke’s daughter.”
“Therefore, you have been sentenced to life imprisonment by Prince Qizhi, and all nobles and Royal Guard generals have tacitly agreed to keep you imprisoned until death!”
Under the flattery of the sensible Eric, Wang Shi’s prestige in Aramaki’s heart rose by a dimension, which greatly pleased Wang Shi.
“What?!”
“I only accidentally hugged her waist to save her!”
“How could Miss Shinagawa treat me like this?!”
Aramaki spoke with a hint of exasperation; he had thought that after some time, Miss Shinagawa would forgive him.
After all, Harada Duke had praised him before.
“It’s not about what that Shinagawa did, but that you touched Prince Qizhi’s forbidden woman. That Prince considers this Duke’s daughter his candidate for Crown Princess.”
Wang Shi spoke indifferently, his gaze fixed on the hint of panic and anger on Aramaki’s face.
“How could this be?!”
“I knew there was a reason why no one came to see me; so this is it...”
Aramaki clenched his fists, his eyes filled with immense struggle.
If he was truly sentenced to life imprisonment, what meaning would his waiting and endurance have?
Did he really have to forcibly escape prison and become a pirate at sea?
No, he still had hope.
This Goa Emperor in front of him had specifically come to find him.
A thought instantly flashed through Aramaki’s mind.
His heart began to pound violently.
“Officer Aramaki, I have redeemed you from King Qizhi for one billion Berries.”
“Now you can choose to refuse to leave Taya Kingdom and remain in prison, or choose to pledge allegiance to me, and I will bestow upon you a noble title, making you a Hereditary Title of the Goa Empire.”
Wang Shi told Aramaki the news of his redemption directly, without waiting for Aramaki to ask for help.
“One billion Berries? A noble title?”
Aramaki’s eyes widened; at this moment, he truly felt Wang Shi’s regard.
For a moment, a feeling called gratitude lingered in his heart.
He had been struggling in Taya Kingdom for over a decade and had never had the chance to be granted a noble title.
Yet this Goa Emperor directly redeemed him for one billion Berries and was even going to give him a prestigious title.
How could an Emperor who valued him so much not move his heart?
“I, Aramaki, am willing to become King Wang Shi’s sharpest sword, pledging my loyalty to Your Majesty until death!”
Aramaki only pondered for a moment before kneeling on one knee before Wang Shi in the cell.
Those Royal Guard generals and nobles who were opportunists often ‘borrowed’ his military achievements, and now not a single one had come to save him, which made his heart grow cold.
His patriotic feelings quietly dissipated.
The inactive royalty of Taya Kingdom did not deserve to be the rulers he served.
Especially that Prince Qizhi, who had heavily sentenced him for the sake of a woman!
“Welcome to the Goa Empire...”
...