The natural system started off strong, but the navy finally reached its peak!

Neptune even hired the best journalists!

And this is the last thing you do to me? You betray your own husband, huh?

Despite Neptune's questioning gaze, Otohime merely glanced at her husband before continuing her tirade, her tone growing increasingly agitated.

"Therefore, I implore you, General Gern!"

Could you please... in your capacity as a naval admiral, act as my bodyguard?

I wish to travel alone to Mary Geoise, in the name of the Queen Consort of the Dragon Palace and the representative of the kings of the allied nations, to meet with the supreme leader.

Explain to them the desires of Fishman Island, and seek a true and lasting path to reconciliation and coexistence!

I believe that as long as we communicate sincerely, we will definitely be able to…

"Pfft—cough cough!" Neptune almost spat out the mouthful of tea he had just drunk.

He coughed violently, his enormous face filled with shock and disbelief.

"Otohime! You... what did you say?! You're going to Mary Geoise alone? To meet the Five Elders? Why were you never consulted with me about this?! I don't agree!!"

He could hardly believe his ears! What kind of place is Mary Geoise?

It is the core of the World Government's power and the settlement of the Celestial Dragons!

For the fish-men and mermaids, that place was not a holy land or a place of hope, but a den of demons filled with the darkest memories and dangers!

The wife's idea was simply outlandish, it could even be described as suicide!

Gurn was not surprised at all by Neptune's shock; he didn't even raise an eyebrow.

He slowly placed the teacup he had brought to his lips back on the table, making a soft, crisp sound.

The soft sound interrupted Neptune and Otohime's argument!

Gern raised his head and looked at Queen Otohime; the gentle smile that had been on his face was gone.

Instead, a chilling sarcasm ripped out his lips: "Ha."

A cold laugh, like ice water poured over her head, instantly cooled down Otohime's enthusiasm by more than half.

“Your Highness,” Gern’s voice was calm and even, yet carried a chilling penetrating power, “you seem to be… having some unrealistic illusions.”

He leaned forward slightly, his sharp gaze fixed on Otohime: "What do you think is the root of the current temporary peace on Fishman Island, and the slight goodwill some fishmen have towards humans? Is it the 'love and understanding' you keep preaching?"

"yes....."

“No,” Gern denied her firmly. “The root of the problem lies with me, Gern, standing right here.”

The root of the problem lies in my 'Skyquake' flag, which hangs in the harbor and can make countless pirates flee in terror.

The root cause lies in the World Government's fear of my power, which is why the Celestial Dragons and the auction houses in Sabaody Archipelago dare not auction off mermaids...

And for the time being, they still need me, this 'naval legend,' to maintain the balance of the seas!

"All the 'peace' and 'goodwill' you see are built upon my absolute military force; it is an extremely fragile and false balance!"

Gern's tone was merciless, tearing open the bloody reality: "What do you think the world government is? A charity?"

Do you think the Five Elders would sit in Pangaea, patiently listening to a mermaid queen's declaration of her ideals regarding 'racial equality'?

His sneer became even more pronounced: "Don't be naive, Your Highness."

In the World Government's rules, Fish-Man Island's value lies in its strategic geographical location and in the presence of the Sun Tree Eve.

Even mermaids and fish-men themselves can be sold as expensive 'commodities'!

They will never truly regard the merfolk as equal members of a constituent republic!

"You went to Mary Geoise alone?" Gurn shook his head, his eyes cold. "The best outcome is that they treat you as a harmless, naive joke and send you back unceremoniously."

(Just like how Future Princess Otohime saved a Celestial Dragon and then went to Mary Geoise)

"And a more likely outcome..." Gern's gaze swept over Otohime's beautiful face and her human torso and fish tail, the meaning of which was self-evident.

"You will become a new, one-of-a-kind royal mermaid 'treasure' in the collection room of a high-ranking Celestial Dragon family."

By then, your so-called 'way to reconcile' will nothing more than a tragic trap you've fallen into.

Gurn's words were like the sharpest knife, cutting through the cruel reality beneath Otohime's idealistic exterior.

And he was right; if he hadn't saved a Celestial Dragon—something that made the World Nobles unwilling to owe favors to commoners—then...

With Otohime going to Mary Geoise with such naivety, and being tricked into going deep into the region, even Gern himself might not be able to rescue her!

Neptune turned pale upon hearing this, filled with lingering fear, and gripped his wife's hand tightly.

Queen Otohime's face instantly turned deathly pale, and her body trembled slightly.

She opened her mouth, wanting to refute, but found that any words seemed so pale and powerless in the face of the bloody reality described by Guern.

"Some ideals can only remain ideals..."

"Tiger has already understood, but Queen Otohime has not."

Chapter 292 is the formal declaration, which also completes the cause and effect of that year.

Gern's cold and realistic words struck Princess Otohime's heart like a heavy hammer.

Her face was pale, and her blue eyes shone with pain and struggle. Her slender fingers gripped the hem of her clothes tightly.

Making her give up her dream of leading her people to the sunlight and living in peace with humans is more painful than killing her.

“But… General Gern, if we don’t even try, then what hope is…” Otohime wanted to make one last effort.

"Otohime!" Neptune suddenly raised his voice, interrupting her.

He gripped his wife's hand firmly yet gently, his eyes stern yet filled with worry as he looked at her.

"Enough! That's enough for today's topic!"

He couldn't let his wife continue. Guern's attitude was very clear; any further discussion would not only be pointless but could also anger this de facto protector, which would be disastrous for Fishman Island.

Neptune knew all too well that when dealing with someone like Guern, ideals and sentiments had to give way to reality and interests.

“You’re tired, go back and rest.” Neptune’s tone left no room for argument, and he gave the servant at the door a wink.

Two mermaid maids immediately stepped forward and respectfully asked Queen Otohime to leave.

Otohime glanced at her husband's resolute eyes, then at the expressionless Gren, and finally bit her lip.

With tears in her eyes, she left the banquet hall dejectedly, supported by her maid.

Only after Otohime's figure completely disappeared did Neptune seem to have a huge weight lifted off his shoulders and let out a long sigh of relief.

His expression gradually changed, shifting from worry and tension to the composure and shrewdness befitting a king.

He then waved his hand, dismissing all the servants and closing the banquet hall doors.

At this moment, only he and Gern remained in the hall.

Neptune sat up straight again, looking at Guern with an open and honest gaze, no longer any hint of probing or pretense: "General Guern, I apologize for the embarrassing situation."

Princess Otohime... always harbored beautiful wishes, but sometimes she was indeed too idealistic.

Guern smiled noncommittally, picked up the slightly chilled seaweed tea again, took a small sip, and waited for Neptune to continue.

He knew that the real conversation was only just beginning.

Neptune took a deep breath and stated his well-considered decision: "General Gern, after what just happened, I think you understand that Fishman Island needs stable and realistic protection, not a vague fantasy."

Therefore, I hereby formally make this request to you…” He paused, his tone solemn: “I hope that during your stay, you can formally issue a public declaration on Fishman Island.”

To all pirates and forces passing through this area, I hereby declare that Fishman Island is under the protection of you, 'Skyquake' Gern!

This will completely extinguish any侥幸心理 (侥幸心理 refers to a mentality of taking chances or relying on luck) of those petty thieves and bring longer-lasting peace to Fishman Island.

This is tantamount to formally bringing Fishman Island into Gern's sphere of influence.

Although nominally it remains a member state of the World Government and protected by the Guern flag (to some extent).

But Gern's public declaration will give it a stronger sense of actual control.

Guern didn't speak, but simply tapped his fingers lightly on the table, signaling Neptune to continue.

He knew that Neptune was a competent king who would never make a request without paying a price.

Sure enough, Neptune immediately followed up with his offer: "Of course, we will not let you pay for nothing."

In return for the protection, I will, in the name of the King, immediately and fully implement the 'Fishman Island Crossing Fee' system!

All pirate ships attempting to enter the New World through Fishman Island must pay a hefty 'passage fee'!

This is the price they have to pay for using the Fishman Island passage!

And this revenue will be split 70/30—you take 70%, and Fishman Island keeps only 30%, how about that?

This is an extremely tempting offer.

Fishman Island is the safest and most important passage to the New World, with thousands of pirate ships passing through it every year.

Once this border crossing fee is levied, it will become a stable source of astronomical revenue!

Neptune's move was not only to seek a more secure protection for Fishman Island, but also to completely tie Guern's interests to the safety of Fishman Island.

Since Gern took the lion's share, he would naturally be more diligent in maintaining the safety and stability of this passage.

Anyone who dares to cause trouble on Fishman Island will directly infringe upon Gern's core interests.

Guern looked at Neptune, and a genuine smile of pleasure finally appeared on his face.

This is the mindset of a competent politician he is familiar with: recognizing reality, utilizing all available resources, and maximizing the interests of one's own country.

“A very fair deal, Your Majesty Neptune.” Gern put down his teacup, leaned back, and said in a relaxed and satisfied tone, “I accept your terms.”

The declaration can be made shortly, since I won't be staying long. As for the border crossing fee, please arrange it as soon as possible.

My adjutant, Tezzolo, is a shrewd financial manager; he will contact you by phone to discuss the specifics later.

“Of course! Of course!” Neptune was relieved to see that Guern had agreed, and a smile appeared on his face.

Although it involved huge financial costs, it resulted in a public endorsement from a naval admiral and a long-term bond of shared interests.

This is undoubtedly an extremely worthwhile deal.

Fishman Island's future, at least in the foreseeable future, will be more secure.

..........

Historical moments often occur on a carefully orchestrated stage.

Fishman Island, Kuala Lumpur Korta Square.

The square was packed with people, including countless residents of Fishman Island, curious mermaids, and news bird reporters who were "allowed" to enter.

Sunlight filtered through the roots and double-layered bubble membrane of the sun tree Eve, casting dappled patterns of light, as if a natural spotlight had been placed over the ceremony.

On the high platform in the center of the square, Gern, wearing the righteous coat of a naval admiral, stood tall and straight as a mountain.

He didn't deliberately exude an aura, but the invisible pressure that had been tempered by countless fires and reached the pinnacle of the world naturally enveloped the entire area, making the noisy square fall silent.

Soon, Gern's voice, transmitted clearly through a megaphone Den Den Mushi, resounded throughout every corner of the square, steady and filled with undeniable power:

"From this day forward, Fishman Island and all its people are officially under my protection, 'Skyquake' Gern!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a huge cheer erupted from the crowd, especially from the residents who had suffered at the hands of those opportunistic pirates.

Gern raised his hand, pressed it down slightly to signal for silence, and continued his announcement:

"Anyone who attempts to commit crimes, cause trouble, or create disturbances here, regardless of whether they come from the four seas or the new world..."

All of these actions will be seen as a provocation against my "natural disaster" banner, and they will inevitably bear the corresponding consequences!

His gaze sharpened, and his tone grew even colder:

"Furthermore, if I discover any merfolk or mermaid people being illegally trafficked or enslaved, I, Gern Reginald Sigmar, will not stand idly by!"

This declaration is not only a promise to Fishman Island, but also a stern warning to all the dark corners of the sea.

Finally, amidst countless gazes and the flashing of newsbird cameras and Den Den Mushi (snail-shaped glass bead), Guern and King Neptune stepped forward simultaneously.

Gern reached out and clasped Neptune’s huge hand tightly.

Click! Click! Click!

This scene—the historic handshake between the admiral and the king of Fishman Island, symbolizing an alliance of force and governance—was precisely captured by the camera Den Den Mushi.