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Chapter 12
Just as dawn broke…
The golden-armored guards escorted Vice Admiral Momousagi up the sole golden staircase leading to Celestial Palace City.
Upon arriving, Momousagi was immediately struck by the sight of the grand palaces—each one resplendent in gold and jewels.
Especially the central main hall, towering as if it held up the heavens themselves.
Her heart pounded with shock.
My god… What kind of place is this?! Is this… the legendary paradise?
Even Holy Land Mary Geoise— Where the so-called World Nobles, the Celestial Dragons, proclaim themselves descendants of the Creator, living as gods— Paled in comparison.
The architecture here radiated a far more divine, sacred aura than anything in Mary Geoise.
Standing in its presence, even someone as proud as Momousagi felt small, overwhelmed by the urge to kneel and worship.
Snapping out of her daze, Momousagi's curiosity toward the man who owned all of this—Tian Chen the Great Emperor—grew even stronger.
What kind of being was he? Could he… actually be a true god?!
"Lady Momousagi, the Great Emperor summons you."
"Thank you."
Just as her thoughts wandered, a guard approached and led her into the grand hall.
...
After a night of passionate "spring rain and thunder," Tian Chen was in an excellent mood.
He was already planning to return quickly to the inner chambers and continue his "in-depth exchange" with Esdeath.
Allowing Momousagi to come here was merely him giving her a small step down— A tiny bit of face.
And honestly… It had nothing to do with her figure and beauty. But… what if she ended up becoming one of his women too?!
"You're Vice Admiral Momousagi from Marine Headquarters, correct?"
Tian Chen lounged casually on the magnificent golden throne, speaking indifferently.
"Yes!" "Momousagi pays respects to Tian Chen the Great Emperor!"
Momousagi forced herself to suppress her inner tension, appearing respectful and cautious.
She couldn't explain why… But facing the man seated high above her, she felt strangely unable to relax. As if she truly was insignificant before him.
"Hm. Though you're only a Vice Admiral, your figure is quite impressive."
Tian Chen made the casual, offhand remark before getting to the point.
"Now—speak. Why have you come to see this Emperor?"
Momousagi's mind was sharp. She immediately dissected his first sentence.
"Your figure is quite impressive"? Why say that? What did he mean?
As she pondered with an open mind… Her eyes suddenly brightened. She felt she understood the implication.
It seemed… If negotiations failed, she could use her body as a bargaining chip.
This realization gave her much more confidence.
After all, Fleet Admiral Sengoku had suddenly placed the lives of over a million people on her shoulders. The pressure was suffocating. She had been terrified of failing.
"Reporting to Tian Chen the Great Emperor—" "I come on behalf of Marine Headquarters to discuss terms." "But before that… our Fleet Admiral hopes to speak with you directly over the Den Den Mushi. May we have the opportunity?"
After observing Tian Chen's expression, Momousagi carefully produced a yellow Den Den Mushi from her person.
"Very well."
Tian Chen nodded.
There was no need to burn bridges completely. Who knows? In the future, these people might all become subjects of his Giant Empire— And serve him loyally!
Momousagi dialed the connection to Sengoku's Den Den Mushi.
With a thought, Tian Chen commanded the omnipresent Supreme King's Power. He raised a hand—
And the Den Den Mushi flew straight from Momousagi's grasp into his own.
This little snail-like creature had never seen such a casual telekinetic grab before. Its eyes bulged wide in terror.
This guy is a BIG SHOT! Better serve him properly—or I'm gonna get smashed!
Instantly, the lazy-looking Den Den Mushi straightened up, full of energy, beaming with a professional smile.
"Speak. What do you wish to discuss with this Emperor?"
Tian Chen took the initiative.
"Tian Chen the Great Emperor—this matter now concerns the life and death of everyone on Sabaody Archipelago—over a million souls."
Sengoku's voice on the other end was forceful and grave.
"And?"
Tian Chen replied calmly—completely unfazed.
In his mind, none of this mattered.
What Sengoku was trying to say was obvious: The World Government was about to personally intervene! And at worst… They would erase the entire archipelago—along with everyone on it!
Perhaps very soon… Sabaody would be hit by a descending force of annihilation— A dimensional strike from above.
But did he need to worry?
With the Supreme King's Power, he possessed an invincible, undefeatable domain.
He wasn't boasting— Even if bald-headed Saitama showed up and threw a Serious Punch… It still wouldn't break the barrier he created.
Unless Tian Chen himself left Sabaody Archipelago, Left the territory of the Giant Empire— Only then would the barrier become vulnerable.
And as expected… Sengoku soon made the threat explicit.
Tian Chen listened, then let out a cold laugh.
"This Emperor established the Giant Empire on Sabaody—do you think I care if the World Government intervenes?" "The World Government merely controls a power capable of instantly destroying a country. That's all."
"What?! How… how do you know about the World Government's specific nation-destroying weapon?!"
Sengoku was utterly shocked on the other end.
Tian Chen the Great Emperor— A man who looked barely twenty— Somehow knew the exact nature of the WG's ultimate weapon.
Though he couldn't understand how Tian Chen knew… Sengoku still believed the young man was underestimating the threat.
"Tian Chen the Great Emperor—this Fleet Admiral admits your barrier is incredibly strong." "But you should understand just how terrifying the World Government's instant nation-destroying power truly is!" "Let me advise you sincerely: don't be young and reckless, thinking a shield can forever block a spear." "Right now, if you lower the barrier, we can settle this like true men—face to face." "This Fleet Admiral can guarantee the World Government will not lightly use that power."
"Hmph!" "You old fool!"
"This Emperor's actions—do not require your consideration!"
With that, Tian Chen disdainfully ended the call.
Momousagi watched this unfold and knew immediately: This kind of talk would achieve nothing. It would only deepen the conflict.
In the end… She would have to rely on a woman's methods.
The pressure and tension weighed heavily on her.
"Do you have anything else?"
Tian Chen suddenly looked at Momousagi in the hall with confusion.
He noticed something off about the way she was looking at him now. Her eyes were soft, almost seductive—hesitant, as if she wanted to say something shameful.
Tian Chen frowned.
Well, well… Could Momousagi be planning to use beauty to seduce him?
He had heard… That Momousagi's specialty was luring enemies deeper with her charms.
...
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