That night, Rosse held Otohime in his arms, just lying there quietly, doing nothing.
He had always treated his women equally. Today was Otohime's time, so he would stay with her. Even though Otohime was inconvenienced by the child in her belly, he wouldn't push her.
"Master, Sister Stella has something urgent to report to you," Nia pushed open the palace doors, lowered her head, and softly whispered in Rosse's ear.
Although this was Otohime's palace, Stella was someone who could barge in if she wanted. Usually, though, she doesn't. She would rather have Nia or the others report first.
Compared to women like Moa and Robin, who had their own little schemes, both Otohime and Nia were, in Stella's eyes, people she could consider her own. The two sides had a good relationship.
"Let her in," Rosse's hand, which had been stroking Otohime's smooth belly, paused slightly, and a trace of interest flickered in his eyes.
Normally, Stella wouldn't come to him at this hour for business.
If she had now, that could only mean the matter was somewhat serious.
"Mm, should I step aside?"
Otohime lazily yawned. Because of her pregnancy, she was sleepier than before and more attached to Rosse than ever.
It was a strange feeling.
She had also borne children with Neptune, but that was more like the external spawning of fish. She would release a few bubbles, and Neptune would inject the tadpoles, there was never any physical intimacy.
With their difference in size, intimacy was impossible anyway. Neptune's palm was larger than her whole body.
Rosse, on the other hand, had given her the feeling of true union between flesh and spirit, and, for the first time, the real sensation of being a mother.
It was a wonderful feeling, so good that she couldn't describe it with words.
"No need to step aside. There's nothing you can't hear."
Rosse patted Otohime's raised fish tail, motioning for her to lie still.
At present, among those he trusted, aside from Gion, Sora, Stella, and Zannie, Otohime came next.
If her ideology didn't still differ from his in some ways, he would trust her even more.
But he didn't expect everyone to think the same way. It was fine that Otohime had her own beliefs, it didn't conflict with him.
"Alright."
Otohime shifted into a more comfortable position, nestled against Rosse's chest, and gently closed her eyes.
She wasn't particularly interested in what Stella had to say.
In fact, she roughly knew about some of the things Rosse was secretly doing.
But if Rosse didn't tell her, she wouldn't ask. That was their mutual understanding.
Her wish was for equality among all races, that no species should look down upon another. That was all.
Yet as the mermaid queen, she already stood above the ordinary merfolk. Where could there be true equality? She understood this, and was gradually accepting it.
Put plainly, she was slowly coming to terms with reality and with herself, and inching closer toward Rosse's way of thinking.
"Master!"
Stella entered the palace, head lowered, not daring to look at the bed. She stopped about five meters from Rosse and quietly reported, "Moa has lost control. Dragon has contacted some people from the Revolutionary Army, they plan to make a move tonight against one of the allied nations."
"Oh? You're certain it's Dragon, not Figarland?", Rosse narrowed his eyes slightly.
"It can't be confirmed from Moa's side. Moa advocated temporary restraint, and since she never appeared in person, many new members of the Revolutionary Army now lean toward Dragon. Add to that Ivankov, who's also Dragon's man, so she only received the intel on the day of the operation," Stella explained.
"Dragon's secrecy is impressive... but this has Figarland's fingerprints all over it," Rosse chuckled lightly, giving a short comment before continuing, "They're acting today? Which unlucky allied nation is it this time?"
Just by looking at Stella's expression, he could roughly guess the scope.
If it were one of the nations under his direct influence, she'd look much more anxious.
From her demeanor, it was probably a normal allied nation. At most, one with some minor ties to him.
"The Drum Kingdom. By the current time, they should have already begun. Their goal is to overthrow the royal government, to let doctors freely treat patients and research medicine without restriction," Stella said.
"Heh! Sounds noble, but I bet the Revolutionary Army and NEO Marine are short on doctors right now, they're just raiding Drum Kingdom for supplies."
Rosse sneered, instantly seeing through their motives.
Drum Kingdom was one of the nations participating in the World Conference.
Its king was attending here. Meanwhile, his country was being overthrown by the Revolutionaries.
That wasn't just a slap in Drum Kingdom's face, it was a slap to both Rosse and the World Government.
Not long ago, Rosse had stayed in Drum Kingdom and had been warmly welcomed. Sora and Stella had even learned medicine there.
Though the Drum Kingdom wasn't under his rule, there was at least some goodwill between them.
Dragon and Figarland's intentions were clear, not only would they be able to provide doctors for the rebels, but they'd also deal a blow to Rosse's reputation. Two birds with one stone.
And if the people Rosse sent to counter them weren't strong enough, they might even end up being devoured instead.
Given Rosse's own balancing measures, Dragon had no shortage of top-tier fighters at his disposal.
"Master, Drum Kingdom is quite close to Arabasta. Should I have Zannie go?", Stella asked softly.
"If she goes, she'll just get herself killed. Let them cause chaos in Drum Kingdom. Once the news spreads tomorrow from the World Conference, I'll personally lead a team there," Rosse said calmly. Since someone was looking for death, they might as well pay the proper price for it.
There was plenty of time ahead. He had all the time in the world to play with them slowly.
"Understood."
Stella finished her report and slipped away silently.
But upon realizing Rosse would be leaving soon, Otohime's heart was reluctant. Moved by emotion, her tail flicked softly, and her body slid downward.
Even if that place wasn't an option right now, she still had other ways to please him.
———
The third day of the World Conference.
Originally, Rosse wasn't supposed to attend the meeting today.
But he came anyway, and even brought Vanessa and the entire Order of the God's Knights.
Most of the God's Knights had calm expressions. Only Shamrock, limping along, looked utterly disgruntled.
Thanks to a Healing Fruit user, his body had recovered quickly, but the pain still lingered.
And the last person he wanted to see right now was Rosse. But since attending the Conference was Vanessa's order, he couldn't disobey.
"Saint Rosse, this... what's the meaning of this?"
Seeing the entire Order of God's Knights show up, Ramen's scalp tingled as he stood up cautiously and asked.
This was the God's Knights Order, any single one of them could wipe out his nation. Forget all of them showing up together.
Rosse didn't waste words. He directly delivered the news, "Yesterday, we received word that the Drum Kingdom was attacked by the Revolutionary Army. The royal family and nobles were almost entirely slaughtered. Most of the doctors and equipment were seized. The country is nearly in ruins."
As soon as he said that, the entire hall erupted in shock.
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