The Great Voyage Begins with the Celestial Dragons

“Each member country pays 20 billion. If a member country fails to reach half of this amount for three consecutive years, it will be expelled. Together, the 180 member countries collect between 2000 billion and 3000 billion in celestial gold annually.”

After all, not every country can afford it, and world governments are relatively lenient in this regard.

Such a practice of draining the pond to catch all the fish cannot last for 800 years.

Of course, leniency is only possible if the facts are true; otherwise, one can expect to be destroyed for the crime of deception and conquest.

For a normal and stable republic, 20 billion peles is not an unattainable figure.

But if you add the exploitation by nobles, royalty, wealthy merchants, and underground organizations, most people would be lucky to avoid starvation.

"20 billion per country... totaling nearly 3000 billion..."

Even Gion felt a little suffocated upon hearing this number.

Keep in mind that even the Pirate King Roger's bounty was only 55 billion. Ignoring whether he could actually collect the bounty, just the Heavenly Gold from a year's earnings was roughly equivalent to 60 Rogers' heads.

But one Roger could easily wipe out an entire allied nation.

Luther turned his gaze to Olvia and smiled, saying:

"Have you found any problems?"

"I've discovered it... there are some things that don't make sense..."

Olvia gave a wry smile and shook her head, saying:

"More than 2000 billion a year, it's impossible for it to only flow in and not out. But judging from the annual spending of governments around the world, it shouldn't be that much."

Luther smiled slightly and explained:

"The annual military expenditure is approximately 500 billion Berries, which includes the salaries and equipment maintenance costs of the Navy, CP organization, and Impel Down, as well as the maintenance costs of various naval branches. Most of this money is earned by the member states, or spent on their territory, and then flows back to the member states."

"The cost of maintaining the world government is approximately 200 billion, which includes the expenses of world government officials, etc. In addition, 300 billion is allocated to deal with possible situations each year."

"So, Your Highness, you can receive 1000-2000 billion annually?"

When Olvia thought of this number, she couldn't help but gasp.

Whether it's 1000 billion or 2000 billion, it's an astronomical figure for her.

"That's right, the remaining money is divided equally among the 19 Celestial Dragon families. Initially, each family received 100 billion, but as the power of each family changed, the share of the Celestial Gold also changed."

To educate Olvia, Luther explained in great detail:

"The families of the Five Elders receive 300 billion each year, and the rest is divided equally among the other families. Ten years ago, the Don Quixote family received about 50 billion, but before the Buster Call in Ohara, it was reduced to 10 billion."

“10 billion...that’s far too little for Your Highness. But after this incident, the share of Heavenly Gold this year should increase, right?” Olvia guessed.

"60 billion!"

Luther smiled and announced a number:

“Each of the five elders’ families is willing to give up an extra 10 billion.”

"Compared to that enormous total, it's really a negligible number," Olvia remarked.

"After all, it has to be divided among so many families, and this amount of money is enough for me. Of course, I believe that Olvia will use this money to generate even greater benefits for me."

"Me? I've never managed this much money before, I might not be able to manage it well."

Olvia lowered her head. Although she was grateful for Luther's trust in her, she knew her own limitations.

“It’s because of your abilities that I believe in you. Do you know how many kinds of Devil Fruits are known?” Luther smiled.

"1325, that's the number from the Demon Encyclopedia: 29 Logia-type, 690 Paramecia-type, and 606 Zoan-type. Among the Zoan-type, there are 41 Mythical Zoan and 127 Ancient Zoan."

Without even thinking, Olvia rattled off a long string of numbers.

"This is your talent, Olvia!"

To be honest, even Luther didn't know if the numbers were correct, but just seeing Olvia so confident was enough for him.

Chapter 20 The Four Major Forces

"The wealth controlled by the Celestial Dragons will eventually flow back to various parts of the world at an extremely rapid pace, completing this continuous cycle that has lasted for 800 years. However, in this process, various rare items from around the world constantly flow back to the World Government. The slaves consumed by the Celestial Dragons alone are worth tens of billions every year, not to mention other rare items."

"In this process, the Celestial Dragons reaped the pleasure of being high above others, while people all over the world reaped the money paid by the Celestial Dragons, and the cycle continued."

"Money is just a number to me. Aside from the necessary amount, I'd rather exchange it for what I need: Logia-type Devil Fruits, Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruits, powerful Paramecia-type Devil Fruits, famous swords, rare ingredients, and rare collectibles..."

After listening to Luther's account, Olvia had a general idea of ​​what was going on.

Her job was to satisfy Luther's needs for those rare items.

To elaborate on her abilities, she relied on her understanding of history to find valuable things that had not been discovered by others, and then used Luther's money and connections with the World Government to seize those things in one fell swoop.

This was not an easy task, but she felt she could handle it.

"I understand, Your Highness. I will do my best to accomplish this!"

“In a few days, I will send you and Dark to do a mission. You can bring Robin with you,” Luther said.

"Your Highness, what is it?"

Luther glanced approvingly at Olvia, thinking how effortless it was to communicate with intelligent people.

"Go to the ancient town and bring back a fruit. Once you see the fruit, you'll know that it's in an ancient ruin. You'll need your knowledge to find it. I'll have Dark give you the relevant information."

"understand!"

Olvia nodded in agreement, then hesitated for a moment before saying:

“Your Highness, I can manage on my own. Robin can stay by your side.”

"Mom, I'm a PhD now! I can help you and that bad uncle!"

Robin interrupted Olvia, clenching her little fists with a determined look on her face.

Luther smiled slightly and said nothing.

Whether Robin goes or not is none of his business, but he's a boss with a warm heart.

He sent Robin with Olvia because he didn't want to separate the mother and daughter again in such a short time, since they hadn't seen each other for a long time.

Seeing this, Olvia guessed what Luther was thinking, gave him a grateful look, and said nothing more.

The reason for not letting Robin go was to avoid putting her in danger.

Deep down, she still preferred Robin to stay with her.

It was at this moment that a desire for power welled up in Olvia's heart.

If she had Gion's strength, she could protect Robin on her own.

Little did they know that Gion, who had been standing to the side, was also extremely envious of Olvia's abilities.

This kind of work that relies on wisdom is something she has always wanted to do, but has never been able to find the direction for.

This is also why she learns geisha-related skills at the elite training camp; she admires people like Luther, who can win battles from afar, more than swordsmen.

However, after actually getting to know Luther up close, she lost her enthusiasm for strategy.

She was willing to do this kind of mentally taxing work, but felt powerless to do it.

Gion found it very difficult just to listen to Olvia and Luther talk.

"Gion?"

Hearing Luther's call, Gion subconsciously reacted and responded:

"exist!"

Seeing Gion looking completely lost in thought, Luther smiled and didn't pay it any mind.

His view of Gion was that she was a combatant, so he didn't need to understand what he had said before.

"Now that we've finished talking about the Heavenly Gold, let's continue with our previous question. The Four Seas are the territory of the member states, while the other three regions are different."

"The seas converge at Reverse Mountain, and the waterway where they flow down is called the Grand Line. The first part of the Grand Line is the second region, which is called Paradise."

"The front of the Grand Line is different from the peaceful seas. The climate here is unpredictable and changeable, but most of the weather patterns are predictable. The member states that live here generally possess considerable military strength. It is also the place where pirates undergo their first transformation. The Navy headquarters, Impel Down, and Enies Lobby are also located in this area."

The women nodded subconsciously as they listened; they were all fairly familiar with this basic information.

The Grand Line is almost entirely dominated by the Navy, which reigns supreme over the entire sea area.

"After that comes the third region, the Red Earth Continent."

Luther paused, then continued:

"The Red Line divides the Grand Line in two. Only by crossing the Red Line can one reach the second half of the Grand Line. The Red Line is the largest landmass in the world and is also the location of the World Government, as well as Mary Geoise, the holy land where the Celestial Dragons reside. Fish-Man Island is located 10,000 meters below the Red Line."

"Fishman Island is the only route for pirates to reach the second half of the Grand Line, and it is also the fourth region of this world, the New World."

"If the Four Seas belong to the member states, the first half of the Grand Line belongs to the Navy, and the Red Line belongs to the World Government, then the New World is the territory of the pirates."

"This region has an extremely harsh environment, and it experiences sudden weather changes every day. The further away from the Red Earth Continent, the harsher the climate and environment become. In addition, due to the barren land, the fierce local customs, and the sparse population, the government mostly ignores this region and allows pirates to fight among themselves."

After listening to Luther's story, Gion and Olvia both nodded slightly.

They only had a vague understanding of these things before; this was the first time they had such a systematic understanding of the world situation.

"The World Government on the Red Line is high and mighty, controlling the navy and member states, while the New World is a meat grinder left to its own devices by the government, gathering a group of ambitious individuals," Olvia concluded.

“That’s right.” Luther nodded in agreement.

"Your Highness, how does one become known as a strong person in this world?"

Gion asked her question, as she was extremely interested in it, being a gifted near-monster.

"There are only 3 positions for admirals, and you must meet certain performance requirements to be promoted. There are no restrictions on promotion for vice admirals; you can achieve it not only through ability but also by accumulating seniority."

Instead of speaking directly, Luther suddenly said the following.

But Gion understood the meaning behind those words.

"So, only those at the level of a general can be called strong..." Gion murmured to herself.

Only admirals are required to have strength, which suggests that vice admirals are not necessarily that important in the eyes of the World Government or the Navy.

"The difference is really huge..."

Olvia gave a bitter laugh as she recalled how her hometown had been so easily destroyed by a few lieutenant generals.

He couldn't imagine what kind of monsters the real generals were.