King Wang Shi drew his saber with a ‘clang’.
As the blade touched the prison bars, they strangely vanished.
This gave Aramaki an initial understanding of the King of Exile’s abilities.
King Wang Shi’s emperor’s saber rested on Aramaki’s shoulder, his expression solemn and grave.
“The path to promotion for my meritorious Hereditary Titles is very clear.”
“As long as your strength is recognized by me, you only need to defeat a pirate with a bounty of ten million Beli to be granted the title of Imperial Baron!”
“Similarly, defeat a pirate with a bounty of 100 million Beli to be promoted to Imperial Viscount.”
“300 million for Earl, 500 million for Marquis, 1 billion for Duke!”
“If you possess Admiral-level strength, the title of Royal Prince of the Goa Empire will be yours.”
King Wang Shi calmly outlined the power blueprint of the Goa Empire to Aramaki.
“I know your strength.”
“Now, I give you two choices.”
“One is for me to directly grant you the title of Duke, but as you are currently unknown, you might face criticism, enduring some discussions and insults.”
“The second is to grant you the title of Baron, allowing you to advance step by step, using your martial prowess to show the world your formidable strength and renown!”
King Wang Shi’s saber rested on Aramaki’s shoulder as he presented Aramaki with two choices.
‘Directly Duke?’
Aramaki’s eyes widened, filled with shock; King Wang Shi actually valued him so much.
This was the position of a Duke!
One must know that Harada Duke was the Duke of Taya Kingdom.
Shinagawa was the daughter of a Duke.
They firmly controlled Aramaki’s path to promotion in the Royal Guard.
They could even imprison him for a mere ‘offense’.
Now, King Wang Shi could actually give him the position of a Duke, directly placing him on par with Harada Duke.
No, a Duke of the Goa Empire was even more distinguished than a Duke of Taya Kingdom!
If he became a Duke of the Goa Empire, he could not only disregard Shinagawa, the Duke’s daughter, and Harada Duke, but he could even disdain Prince Qizhi!
This thought alone was thrilling and insane!!
And Eric, Van Auger, Zoro, and Saka, upon hearing that King Wang Shi intended to give Aramaki the position of a Duke, their eyes widened in astonishment.
Was this Aramaki really that strong?!
Didn't this mean that Aramaki at least possessed the strength of a Three Disasters, Four General Stars, or an Admiral candidate?
Such a powerful person was actually imprisoned in this jail?
Hearing the choices offered by King Wang Shi, even Aramaki, who possessed Admiral-level strength, found his heart in turmoil.
After all, he was currently just a prisoner, and even before the incident, he was merely a high-ranking police officer in Taya Kingdom.
Now, he had the chance to soar to the position of an Empire Duke in one go.
It was difficult for this unknown nobody who had never left the South Sea not to be flustered.
After a long silence.
Even the prison guards and accompanying Taya officials behind him were breaking out in cold sweat.
They had not expected King Wang Shi to value Aramaki so highly, which meant they had offended an Empire Duke, didn't it?
“Your Majesty, granting me the title of Imperial Baron of the Goa Empire will suffice; I will advance step by step on my own!”
Aramaki revealed a confident smile; as long as there was a path to climb, it was fine.
What he feared most was not seeing a path to promotion.
The path to ennoblement was firmly controlled by the great nobles, who toyed with ambitious individuals like him at will.
Otherwise, with his military achievements, he could have at least become a Baron or Viscount, or even an Earl, in Taya Kingdom.
From today onwards, he would follow King Wang Shi, this domineering emperor, and embark on his path to rise.
100 million for Viscount, 300 million for Earl, 500 million for Marquis; he wanted to achieve these promotions within a year!
Then, he planned to be promoted to a 1 billion Duke within two years!
Currently, he did not have a clear understanding of his own strength and needed to ascertain his true capabilities.
It seemed King Wang Shi understood him better than he understood himself.
Moreover, becoming a Duke within two years was already more hopeful than the decade-plus he had spent in the Taya Kingdom’s Royal Guard.
In fact, the feeling of climbing up step by step was also very satisfying.
He had climbed from a probationary police officer to the position of a senior police officer step by step.
Each promotion brought him physical and mental pleasure.
He enjoyed this feeling of leveling up; he wanted to reach the very top, trampling those of lower status beneath his feet.
“Then I, the Emperor, officially grant you the title of Imperial Baron of the Goa Empire!”
King Wang Shi placed his saber on Aramaki’s shoulder and announced loudly.
“Thank you, Your Majesty, Aramaki will forever be loyal to Your Majesty!”
Aramaki shouted excitedly; he had become an Imperial Baron! He had become a noble!
“Let’s go, go out, bathe and change, put on your Baron’s military uniform, and I will personally bestow upon you the Baron’s medal!”
King Wang Shi sheathed his saber, helped Aramaki up, and spoke with a smile.
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Aramaki stood up, feeling as if his soul and entire future had also stood up.
He no longer needed to curry favor with the officers and nobles of Taya Kingdom.
He only needed to be loyal to King Wang Shi alone.
He was an Imperial Baron in King Wang Shi’s eyes, with the ‘potential of a Duke’!
Looking at the excited Aramaki, King Wang Shi was also smiling inwardly.
Finally...
He had brought an Admiral-level subordinate under his command.
From now on, he could stand even straighter!
The emperors of the underground dark world and the intermediaries sent by the Big Mom Pirates had recently shown a hint of domineering intent to forcibly buy Germa technology.
King Wang Shi had not directly responded to them.
But now, he dared to slap them back, not fearing their retaliation at all.
If Big Mom Charlotte Linlin dared to personally leave the New World, King Wang Shi would directly apply to the World Government and Marineford for escort.
If they only sent some General Stars-level powerhouses, King Wang Shi would ensure they never returned!
Dare to forcibly buy my things? No way.
And Doflamingo, who acted as an intermediary, if he dared to utter a single complaint, King Wang Shi would still slap him.
When interests are involved, it doesn’t matter if you are an ally; no face will be given.
King Wang Shi led Aramaki and his subordinates out of the Royal City Prison.
Leaving behind the sweating prison officials and guards, they had previously received orders from Prince Qizhi to prohibit giving food to Aramaki.
They wondered if this new Baron of the Goa Empire would hold a grudge against them.
Inside the Royal Hotel.
Aramaki, bathed, changed, and fully dressed.
Under the gaze of two Imperial Concubines, four Barons, and a host of Marines and Royal Guard.
King Wang Shi personally pinned a golden Imperial Baron medal on Aramaki’s chest.
This made Aramaki feel immensely pleased.
This imperial military uniform was truly handsome and imposing, more comfortable than the Taya Kingdom’s Royal Guard uniform.
King Wang Shi then showered Aramaki with warm greetings and even inquired about his family.
It turned out that Aramaki, much like Kaido of the Beasts, had lost his parents at a young age, joined the Royal Guard reserves for survival, and climbed his way up step by step.
That was even better; being without family ties, he could directly follow King Wang Shi and change his nationality to the Goa Empire.
On the other side, perhaps having learned that King Wang Shi was recruiting Aramaki.
Shinagawa, the Duke’s daughter, and Prince Qizhi, terrified, hid themselves under the instruction of King Qizhi VI, traveling overnight to a neighboring country for an official visit.
They feared that an encounter between the two of them and Aramaki might lead to unexpected situations.
Shinagawa, the Duke’s daughter, never imagined that her dream of becoming an Imperial Concubine would be brutally cut short by Aramaki, that scoundrel police officer.
She didn't even have the chance to use her beauty to conquer King Wang Shi.
This was truly a cruel twist of fate!
She vented her resentment on Prince Qizhi, who had ‘arbitrarily’ severely punished Aramaki.
It was all Prince Qizhi’s fault; she had never intended to ‘kill’ Aramaki.
Otherwise, she might have even been able to connect with King Wang Shi, the Goa Emperor, through Aramaki and become an Imperial Concubine.