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Chapter 673: Shiki's Inquiry about the Heavenly King
Paros Island, a Palace north of the Sky Arena.
The interior facilities were incredibly luxurious, showcasing opulence everywhere.
This wasn't even free; it required spending money.
Especially for Factions of hundreds or thousands of people, the daily expenses in such a luxurious place were enormous.
Only core members could receive such treatment.
Besides that, there were the participants of the Swordsmanship Tournament.
"Golden Lion" Shiki and Hades were facing each other.
Hades looked at Shiki with a smile in his eyes.
Shiki's gaze also fell upon Hades.
Every time he saw Hades, Shiki felt that Hades' strength was increasing, becoming even more unfathomable.
"Speak, Shiki, what do you want to ask?"
"I even temporarily postponed Newgate's invitation."
Hades chuckled casually, a little curious about what Shiki wanted to ask, and with a faint guess in his heart.
"Hades, I want to know your opinion on the World Government, and your attitude towards the war between the Flying Pirates and the World Government."
"Golden Lion" Shiki's gaze was sharp as he stared into Hades' eyes and said in a deep voice.
Although he already had some thoughts, Shiki still wanted to ask and hear Hades' answer personally.
Only the two of them were in the entire hall.
Shiki's voice echoed continuously within the hall.
"You should be aware of this, right? Shiki, Reinhardt by your side is even clearer."
"Could the Flying Pirates have achieved such rapid development without external help?"
Since Shiki had asked, Hades didn't need to deliberately conceal anything.
Instead, he smiled and asked in return.
Hearing this, Shiki's pupil contracted.
In truth, he had a faint feeling about this; the Flying Pirates' development had been too smooth.
After the Battle of God Valley, the Flying Pirates' development was as unimpeded as entering a highway.
However, at that time, Shiki actually didn't have any suspicions.
But after the Bloody Battle, the Flying Pirates' unusually rapid restoration speed attracted Shiki's attention.
It was as if an invisible large hand was behind them, promoting the Flying Pirates' growth.
Cheap armaments, the advantage in public opinion, the expansion of prestige, and the support of various strengths from the Underworld.
Through various means, the Flying Pirates steadily maintained their soaring prestige.
The Great Sea only knew about the Bloody Battle, only knew that "Golden Lion" Shiki led most of the Pirates from the New World to engage in a great battle with the World Government.
Even many Top-tier Great Pirates were willing to be commanded by "Golden Lion" Shiki.
A lot of information was deliberately concealed and not reported.
Instead, it attracted more Pirates to join the Flying Pirates.
This matter was beneficial to the Flying Pirates, but Shiki still wanted to know clearly.
Because the Pluto Pirates also possessed extraordinary influence in the Underworld.
"Sea Transportation King" Umit and "Weapons King" Victor, two undisputed Dark Kings of the Underworld, both had faint connections with Hades.
Now, having received Hades' answer, Shiki already had the answer he sought in his heart.
It even made him think of the Rocks Era; the Rocks Pirates at that time were also soaring like the sun, and it seemed there was also a strength promoting them from behind.
During the war, there was also a large amount of support from behind: supplies and money.
He himself, and the Flying Pirates, seemed to have become someone else's chess pieces, which made Shiki feel a slight displeasure in his heart.
However, he quickly discarded this emotion.
Because, to be precise, this was beneficial to him, and there was no so-called malice involved.
The only target was for the Flying Pirates to oppose the World Government.
And this was his target in the first place.
It wasn't really being used; it was more like a mutually willing arrangement.
In essence, Shiki had even profited from it.
And Shiki's heart also breathed a sigh of relief.
He had thought a lot, and at the same time, he had gotten the answer he wanted.
Hades was indeed in a hostile relationship with the World Government, and that was enough.
"You should know my target. I need your help, Hades."
Shiki didn't conceal anything either and directly stated his purpose.
He had already witnessed the World Government's strength, and they even had quite a bit of strength hidden in the dark.
Even if all the Pirates in the New World united, it would be difficult to put up resistance.
Besides the Ancient Weapon, he couldn't think of any other way.
Having suffered heavy losses, the Great Pirates of the New World didn't know if they would accompany him in starting a war with the World Government.
He needed to strengthen his own strength as much as possible.
To get more information from Hades.
"As long as it doesn't involve directly deploying combatant strength, I don't mind helping you, Shiki. What do you want to know?"
Hades straightened up and asked solemnly, now that things were discussed openly.
"On the day of the Battle of God Valley, what was that weapon?"
Shiki voiced what he had always speculated about and wanted to know.
"The Ancient Weapon, Heavenly King!"
"That is the national treasure of the World Government since its establishment. It can be used twice consecutively, and afterwards requires over ten years of recharge time."
Hades answered with a smile, "It's at a high altitude of hundreds of thousands of meters, but its exact location is unknown. It might be above Mary Geoise, or it might move along a certain track."
"If you look for it, with good luck, you might find it, but you can't control it; you can only destroy it."
"Golden Lion" Shiki's heart couldn't remain peaceful.
Even though this was his speculation, the legendary Ancient Weapon was indeed under the World Government's control.
This was also the true foundation that allowed the World Government to rule the Great Sea for eight hundred years.
If Rocks hadn't covered their retreat during the Battle of God Valley, allowing them to evacuate early, perhaps the entire Rocks Pirates, including himself, would have met their downfall at God Valley.
Even if they had survived, there wouldn't have been many people left.
Pirates who had experienced the Battle of God Valley couldn't help but feel respect for Rocks, and Shiki was no exception.
(end of chapter)
Paros Island, a Palace north of the Sky Arena.
The interior facilities were incredibly luxurious, showcasing opulence everywhere.
This wasn't even free; it required spending money.
Especially for Factions of hundreds or thousands of people, the daily expenses in such a luxurious place were enormous.
Only core members could receive such treatment.
Besides that, there were the participants of the Swordsmanship Tournament.
"Golden Lion" Shiki and Hades were facing each other.
Hades looked at Shiki with a smile in his eyes.
Shiki's gaze also fell upon Hades.
Every time he saw Hades, Shiki felt that Hades' strength was increasing, becoming even more unfathomable.
"Speak, Shiki, what do you want to ask?"
"I even temporarily postponed Newgate's invitation."
Hades chuckled casually, a little curious about what Shiki wanted to ask, and with a faint guess in his heart.
"Hades, I want to know your opinion on the World Government, and your attitude towards the war between the Flying Pirates and the World Government."
"Golden Lion" Shiki's gaze was sharp as he stared into Hades' eyes and said in a deep voice.
Although he already had some thoughts, Shiki still wanted to ask and hear Hades' answer personally.
Only the two of them were in the entire hall.
Shiki's voice echoed continuously within the hall.
"You should be aware of this, right? Shiki, Reinhardt by your side is even clearer."
"Could the Flying Pirates have achieved such rapid development without external help?"
Since Shiki had asked, Hades didn't need to deliberately conceal anything.
Instead, he smiled and asked in return.
Hearing this, Shiki's pupil contracted.
In truth, he had a faint feeling about this; the Flying Pirates' development had been too smooth.
After the Battle of God Valley, the Flying Pirates' development was as unimpeded as entering a highway.
However, at that time, Shiki actually didn't have any suspicions.
But after the Bloody Battle, the Flying Pirates' unusually rapid restoration speed attracted Shiki's attention.
It was as if an invisible large hand was behind them, promoting the Flying Pirates' growth.
Cheap armaments, the advantage in public opinion, the expansion of prestige, and the support of various strengths from the Underworld.
Through various means, the Flying Pirates steadily maintained their soaring prestige.
The Great Sea only knew about the Bloody Battle, only knew that "Golden Lion" Shiki led most of the Pirates from the New World to engage in a great battle with the World Government.
Even many Top-tier Great Pirates were willing to be commanded by "Golden Lion" Shiki.
A lot of information was deliberately concealed and not reported.
Instead, it attracted more Pirates to join the Flying Pirates.
This matter was beneficial to the Flying Pirates, but Shiki still wanted to know clearly.
Because the Pluto Pirates also possessed extraordinary influence in the Underworld.
"Sea Transportation King" Umit and "Weapons King" Victor, two undisputed Dark Kings of the Underworld, both had faint connections with Hades.
Now, having received Hades' answer, Shiki already had the answer he sought in his heart.
It even made him think of the Rocks Era; the Rocks Pirates at that time were also soaring like the sun, and it seemed there was also a strength promoting them from behind.
During the war, there was also a large amount of support from behind: supplies and money.
He himself, and the Flying Pirates, seemed to have become someone else's chess pieces, which made Shiki feel a slight displeasure in his heart.
However, he quickly discarded this emotion.
Because, to be precise, this was beneficial to him, and there was no so-called malice involved.
The only target was for the Flying Pirates to oppose the World Government.
And this was his target in the first place.
It wasn't really being used; it was more like a mutually willing arrangement.
In essence, Shiki had even profited from it.
And Shiki's heart also breathed a sigh of relief.
He had thought a lot, and at the same time, he had gotten the answer he wanted.
Hades was indeed in a hostile relationship with the World Government, and that was enough.
"You should know my target. I need your help, Hades."
Shiki didn't conceal anything either and directly stated his purpose.
He had already witnessed the World Government's strength, and they even had quite a bit of strength hidden in the dark.
Even if all the Pirates in the New World united, it would be difficult to put up resistance.
Besides the Ancient Weapon, he couldn't think of any other way.
Having suffered heavy losses, the Great Pirates of the New World didn't know if they would accompany him in starting a war with the World Government.
He needed to strengthen his own strength as much as possible.
To get more information from Hades.
"As long as it doesn't involve directly deploying combatant strength, I don't mind helping you, Shiki. What do you want to know?"
Hades straightened up and asked solemnly, now that things were discussed openly.
"On the day of the Battle of God Valley, what was that weapon?"
Shiki voiced what he had always speculated about and wanted to know.
"The Ancient Weapon, Heavenly King!"
"That is the national treasure of the World Government since its establishment. It can be used twice consecutively, and afterwards requires over ten years of recharge time."
Hades answered with a smile, "It's at a high altitude of hundreds of thousands of meters, but its exact location is unknown. It might be above Mary Geoise, or it might move along a certain track."
"If you look for it, with good luck, you might find it, but you can't control it; you can only destroy it."
"Golden Lion" Shiki's heart couldn't remain peaceful.
Even though this was his speculation, the legendary Ancient Weapon was indeed under the World Government's control.
This was also the true foundation that allowed the World Government to rule the Great Sea for eight hundred years.
If Rocks hadn't covered their retreat during the Battle of God Valley, allowing them to evacuate early, perhaps the entire Rocks Pirates, including himself, would have met their downfall at God Valley.
Even if they had survived, there wouldn't have been many people left.
Pirates who had experienced the Battle of God Valley couldn't help but feel respect for Rocks, and Shiki was no exception.
(end of chapter)