"What!"
"Execute... all of them?"
Not only was Shamrock caught off guard, but Gunko was also startled by Orion's command.
Although both were shocked by Orion's sudden order, neither dared to make any dissent or voice opposition.
As Doflamingo had said, Orion now ruled over the Holy Land, and all they could do was obey his commands.
"Fufufu~"
Watching Shamrock reaction, Doflamingo let out a gleeful chuckle.
He could deeply relate to this scene.
However, compared to his own experience at Marineford, the pressure Shamrock was facing now was child's play.
He recalled how, brimming with the pride of the Heavenly Yaksha, he had entered Marineford, confident that even if Orion had decided to purge the Warlords at that time, he could have easily escaped.
Yet, he never expected Orion to unleash wave after wave of extreme pressure, shattering his pride and confidence to pieces.
What Shamrock was experiencing now wasn't even a fraction of what he had endured back then.
At the very least, Orion wasn't applying pressure on Shamrock; he was merely ordering him to carry out the execution for the day.
Of course, deep down, he hoped Shamrock would show some defiance.
That way, he could witness Shamrock experiencing the oppressive force of the Iron-blooded Fleet Admmiral firsthand.
...
...
Under Shamrock's supervision, over thirty Celestial Dragons were nailed to crosses amid their wails and cries.
As the news spread, the Celestial Dragons residing in the Holy Land fell into a terrified silence once more.
Each one acted as if doomsday had arrived, hiding in their homes and not daring to step outside again.
However, the reorganization and reformation targeting the Celestial Dragons of the Holy Land were not something they could avoid by staying indoors.
Because Orion had intervened in the matter, Doflamingo no longer treated lives as recklessly as before and officially began the Celestial Dragon reformation plan assigned to him by Orion.
As Doflamingo's reformation plan officially commenced, every Celestial Dragon living in the Holy Land received a book—more precisely, a reformation plan drafted by Orion, along with a set of rules that the Celestial Dragons must henceforth abide by.
The Celestial Dragons who received the book understood clearly that the privileges they had enjoyed for eight hundred years would cease to exist from this moment onward.
However, with the precedent of the thirty-plus Celestial Dragons crucified in the arena as a stark warning, none dared to cling to their self-proclaimed status as descendants of the creators.
Instead, they obediently participated in the various reformation activities.
While the Celestial Dragons of the Holy Land participated in the reformation movement, the Gorosei also lost their former leisure of drinking tea and reading newspapers in the Chamber of Authority.
Every day, they racked their brains just to please their young mistress Aqua.
....
As a new day dawned, the sun rose over the Holy Land as usual.
Orion, who had slept soundly in the Flower Chamber, had just opened his eyes when he heard Aqua's cheerful laughter outside.
Drawing the curtains and following the sound, even Orion couldn't help but freeze in astonishment.
Outside the window in the garden, Saturn was crawling forward skillfully like a giant spider, with Aqua riding on his back, giggling incessantly.
Luna, who was accompanying them, was terrified by the scene before her, trembling as she stood in place.
The idea of riding Saturn—one of the Gorosei, the highest authority of the World Government—like a horse, if this were to get out, she didn't know if the whole world would be shocked, but as the only one present witnessing this scene, she would most likely be silenced.
Fortunately, at that moment, Imu emerged from a villa across the way.
The moment she saw Imu, Luna hurried over as if grasping a lifeline, bowing respectfully and calling out.
"Lady Imu!"
Imu immediately noticed Luna's nervousness and speak in displeased.
"Is it just because you saw Saturn carrying the Princess playing? What are you so worried and afraid of? Aqua is my adopted daughter, the most noble Princess of the Holy Land. Having Saturn as one of her teachers is an honor for him. Do you understand?"
Luna nodded vigorously, not daring to utter a sound.
"It seems you still don't understand."
Seeing that Luna didn't even respond, Imu's gaze instantly turned icy.
"As punishment for your weakness and failure to recognize your current status and position, I now command you to go to Sharlia's house. She has been getting too close to Fleet Admiral Orion lately—slap her a few times to teach her a lesson!"
"Huh?"
Luna instinctively looked up, meeting Imu's bone-chilling gaze, and immediately felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar, unable to suppress a shiver.
However, although Imu's gaze was icy cold, Luna didn't feel fear but instead caught a hint of jealousy in it.
Upon realizing this, Luna was inexplicably horrified, exclaiming inwardly:
'What's going on?'
'Is Lady Imu... jealous?'
Thinking this to herself, Luna didn't dare show it on her face and bowed, saying.
"Luna will go at once!"
As soon as Luna turned around, she saw Orion approaching.
Seeing this, Luna quickly bowed in salute.
Orion smiled and waved his hand. "No need for formalities, and ignore Imu's command just now. Go accompany Aqua."
"Huh?"
Luna blinked, simultaneously glancing back at Imu.
One was the immensely powerful and decisive Fleet Admiral, the other was the shadow ruler of the World Government—both were figures far beyond her reach.
Caught between them, if she made the wrong choice, she would surely face eternal damnation.
Imu ignored Luna, displeasedly staring at Orion.
"You're actually protecting her now? She's nothing but the lowest-ranking Celestial Dragon in the Holy Land. It's an honor for her that I'm granting her a few slaps!"
Orion smiled and waved to Luna.
"Go accompany Aqua."
"Yes!"
Luna didn't dare stay any longer and quickly turned and ran out.
At this moment, she finally understood what it meant to walk with a tiger.
Although both Orion and Imu had granted her status and position, in the presence of these two most powerful figures in the world, such things were merely at the whim of their words.
As soon as Luna left, Orion stepped in front of Imu, gazing into those dark red eyes before chuckling lightly.
"There's no question of protection or not. If you're going to slap anyone who gets close to me, forget Marineford—you wouldn't even be able to handle all of Mary Geoise!"
"Orion, is it that you don't understand feelings, or that Imu doesn't know what emotions are?"
Imu did not avoid Orion's gaze, meeting it directly. "What intentions Sharlia has toward you, even Imu can see it clearly. Why can't you?"
"What intentions could she possibly have? Nothing more than wanting to secure my support!"
Orion shrugged nonchalantly. "In that regard, Sharlia is a clever woman. She understands that choices matter more than effort."
"You…"
Imu's lips twitched faintly beneath the veil, wanting to say something but realizing silence was best now.
Because it seemed Orion truly didn't understand Charuliah's intentions.
Excellent!
This was truly excellent!
The expression beneath Imu's veil gradually relaxed, eyes narrowing almost imperceptibly, a faint, elusive smile curling at the corners.
Then, turning away subtly, Imu changed the subject.
"Imu heard that Garp captured some people based on a list you provided, all of them children around ten years old."
"For you to take such an interest, these individuals on the list must be quite extraordinary. Could you share a few details with Imu?"
Orion didn't hold back, stating bluntly.
"The unawakened Nika and his future companions. To prevent any mishaps, I decided to round them all up at once!"
"What?!"
Imu whirled around, exclaiming in shock.
"Nika?!"
---------
Read 50 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.
patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator