Chapter 89

Dragon Palace.

"Minister of the Left, what is the situation?"

The elder, wearing a top hat, a monocle over his left eye, and holding a horn-handled cane in his right hand, nodded slightly and then said.

"Your Majesty, according to the news from our subordinates, these Navy members seem to be here for sightseeing and tourism; they haven't done anything out of line."

"Moreover, we have asked some residents, and they haven't heard anything about the purpose of this trip from the Navy either."

King Neptune stroked his beard, and Shyarly’s prophecy couldn't help but cross his mind. He wondered if she had prophesied incorrectly!

After all, the ones who came were Navy, not pirates. No matter how reckless the Navy might be, they couldn't just start a massacre for no reason, right?

"Since that’s the case... let’s observe for a few days! Maybe they’ll leave in a few days?"

"As you command, Your Majesty."

Noah, built and placed in Fish-Man District by the residents of Fish-Man Island hundreds of years ago, bears the titles of "Ship of Promise" and "Ship of Unfulfilled Mission."

Because it had been abandoned for too long, it had long since become the base for the thugs of Fish-Man District.

After the assassination of Queen Otohime, Hody Jones, who had left the Neptune Army, holed up here.

"Boss, there’s news!"

A tall, fierce-looking fish-man opened his terrifying eyes, revealing a mouthful of sharp teeth: "Oh, really? Let’s hear it."

"It’s the Navy. A group of Navy landed on Fish-Man Island today. Their purpose is unclear; they look Move Move Like they’re here for tourism. Aside from sightseeing, they haven't done anything."

Hody Jones snorted coldly: "How bold! Those inferior humans actually dare to enter Fish-Man Island so brazenly."

"What is the attitude of the merchants?"

"Uh, it’s unclear. They seem quite happy, because since Queen Otohime died, there haven't been this many tourists for a long time."

"Tsk~ a bunch of groveling wretches, they really have forgotten the pain once the wound healed! It seems the death of that woman Otohime didn't teach them a lesson."

Hody Jones stood up from his seat, dissatisfied. He was serious about his hatred for humans, even though he had never been directly persecuted by them.

"Daruma!"

A short, red fish-man popped out from the ground with a swoosh and said arrogantly: "Boss, should I bite their flesh to pieces and eat it? Kaka!"

"Jahahaha~ No! I want to ruin the Navy’s reputation! Go and injure a few guys living above, then frame the Navy! Understand?"

"Leave it to me, kaka!"

Daruma burrowed into the ground with a swoosh and vanished without a trace in an instant.

The next morning.

Karl walked out of the inn and stretched, only to find that the looks the residents of Fish-Man Island were giving him seemed a bit different.

Yesterday, although they weren't very enthusiastic, it was at least normal. Why did their attitude take such a direct turn today?

Karl’s expression changed. Oh no, something must have happened last night!

Subsequently, Ain also came out. Seeing the looks from the fish-men, she immediately felt that something was wrong and quickly walked to Karl’s side: "What happened?"

Karl shook his head silently: "I don't know!"

Last night, Smoker had gathered the soldiers to return to the warship to rest and guard the ship, while he and Ain had found an inn to rest. Of course, they stayed in separate rooms.

He and Ain definitely hadn't done anything wrong. If anyone had made a mistake, it might have been Smoker, as his temper was a bit impulsive.

"It was you guys who injured my husband!"

"That’s right, I saw it clearly last night; it was these Navy in white uniforms who did it!"

"Humans really are no good; get out of Fish-Man Island!"

"That’s right! Get out of Fish-Man Island!!!"

Gradually, the residents surrounded Karl and Ain, denouncing them loudly.

Karl instantly realized something was wrong. This tactic was familiar; he often used this trick himself! What was it called? Framing!

"Residents of Fish-Man Island, we were resting at this inn last night and never left from start to finish, so I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Please calm down. I am Rear Admiral Karl of the Navy. Once I investigate clearly, I guarantee I will give you a satisfactory answer!"

The raven on Karl’s shoulder transformed into a long sword, landing steadily in his palm, shimmering faintly with a cold light. He looked at the residents of Fish-Man Island with a sincere gaze.

Suddenly, the fish-men surrounding them fell silent. Karl couldn't help but sigh that the folk customs of Fish-Man Island were indeed simple and honest; they were so understanding.

"Ain, let’s go!"

Soon, Karl and Ain arrived at the warship, only to find it already surrounded by angry residents of Fish-Man Island. Smoker was sweating profusely, trying to explain to the residents.

"Everyone, I swear, no Navy left the warship last night at all. How could we have injured the citizens?"

"What’s the use of swearing? Do you still believe the lies of humans?"

Hearing this inflammatory remark, the residents of Fish-Man Island became extremely angry: "That’s right! Haven't your humans done enough bad things?"

"Get out of Fish-Man Island!" "Get out of Fish-Man Island!"

Smoker clenched his fists and stood there at a loss. Seeing Karl and Ain, he immediately breathed a sigh of relief; he really couldn't handle this kind of situation.

"You came just in time!"

Karl patted Smoker on the shoulder, signaling him to calm down: "What happened? Tell me!"

"It’s Move Move Like this..."

It turned out that as soon as Smoker woke up this morning, he found the warship surrounded by fish-men, who pointed at several injured fish-men on the ground and insisted that the Navy had beaten them, demanding an explanation.

Smoker naturally wouldn't admit it! Last night, all the Navy soldiers were on the warship, and no one was allowed to leave the ship at will. Besides, why would they beat people for no reason?

But these fish-men wouldn't accept it, insisting on how humans were this or that! It gave Smoker a headache.

"No need to say more, I understand. Someone is targeting us!"

Smoker nodded quickly: "Exactly, exactly. Every time I finally manage to calm them down, someone immediately points the conflict toward racial relations."

Karl rubbed his brow. In his heart, he had basically confirmed that this was Hody Jones’s work; he probably did the same thing when Queen Otohime was assassinated.

It’s just that before, he blamed pirates, and now he’s blaming the Navy.

This Hody Jones really is an extreme racist!

Looking at the agitated residents of Fish-Man Island below, Karl also had a headache. It was impossible to use force; once they used force, they would have to take the blame whether they did it or not. The most important thing now was to clear the Navy’s name.

"Everyone, calm down! Calm down! I am the commander of this warship. If you have any complaints, you can tell me!"

"Please give me some time to investigate and find out the truth, okay?"

Then, without waiting for the residents of Fish-Man Island to react, Karl quickly walked to the side of the injured fish-men and asked.

"Last night, what time were you attacked?"