Chapter 1065: Accidentally Entered the White Tiger Hall?
Chapter 1065: Accidentally Entered the White Tiger Hall?
Mariejois, the Holy Land—residence of the world nobles and the core of the World Government.
Gaining entry to Mariejois requires explicit permission from above. No exceptions, not even for kings of member states across the world. Everyone must ascend the colossal staircase leading to its gates.
Yet recently, some intruders had brazenly forced their way in. Though crushed, the incident spurred heightened security. The gate guards doubled from two soldiers to two full squads, with even more stationed inside.
Suddenly, a wisp-like figure descended from the sky at Mariejois’s main entrance.
“Who’s there?!”
The guards instinctively gripped their long spears. One soldier reached for his Transponder Snail to call for backup.
But their hands froze when they recognized the intruder—a man clad in Navy uniform.
Flying?
The soldier hesitated, then lowered the receiver.
“Don’t hang up. Report.”
Kuro’s voice cut through. “I’m Navy Vice Admiral ‘Golden Lion.’ I need to see the Five Elders. Alert them.”
From the New Marine Headquarters to Mariejois wasn’t a long distance, especially flying straight. He’d come directly here rather than landing at Pangu Palace, fearing complaints about the spectacle.
“Golden Lion Vice Admiral?!”
The soldiers knew him instantly. His reputation loomed large—his recent display at the World Meeting had stunned all. Charloss the Holy himself had declared this Golden Lion a close friend, dismissing the fact that Kuro was mortal and even tolerating his disrespectful remarks.
To these Mariejois guards, Kuro bordered on myth. A world noble—a god. Earthly kings ruled the ground, but even they bowed to celestial divinities. If a Navy officer could count gods among his friends, what opportunities might mere soldiers seize?
Just a sliver of favor from a world noble could grant them untold power and wealth.
Many guards nursed such thoughts. Others admired how Kuro had once halted Charloss’s attack on Princess Shirahoshi—a Navy officer with both courage and restraint.
“Hurry up. You deaf or something?” Kuro growled, snapping them back. “What’s with the hesitation? Did the Revolutionary Army knock your brains out? Or have the world nobles sapped your spines? Move it!”
“R-right away!” The soldier clutched the Transponder Snail, redialing a new number.
Kuro rolled his eyes, lighting a steam-powered cigar. He exhaled smoke, waiting as the chain of command crawled upward—report up, report up, report up… until someone finally answered.
The Snail buzzed. The soldier lifted the receiver. A stern, deep voice crackled through: “Is the Golden Lion here?”
“Present,” Kuro muttered, blowing another smoke ring. “And smoking, if you care.”
A pause. Then dryly: “Enter.”
The call ended. The Snail dimmed.
Creak.
The gates opened. A soldier stepped forward. “Vice Admiral, this way—”
“Save it. I’m in a hurry.” Kuro waved him off. “Just got clearance. Who was that on the Snail? Recognize the voice?”
The soldier shook his head. “High rank. Big shot.”
“Hmph.” Kuro strode through, bypassing the automatic walkway. No time for formalities. He soared skyward as soon as he passed the gates, cutting straight to Pangu Palace.
No winding corridors, no detours—just a direct flight to the palace’s entrance.
A CP officer in black dress uniform awaited him there.
“Follow me, Golden Lion Vice Admiral,” the man bowed.
“To where?” Kuro frowned.
“You know why you’re here,” the CP officer smirked, turning. “Or do you?”
Yi Xiao—a subtle, mocking laugh. Kuro stiffened. Was that voice on the Snail the Five Elders themselves? He’d never met them. Rumors said they did nothing but pose like statues, avoiding all real matters. Finally, a chance to see them.
The CP officer halted at a grand double door. “This is it. I’ll leave you to it.” He departed.
Kuro eyed the closed doors, unease creeping in. What if he stepped in to find no one—just stacks of documents, then CP officers swarming to arrest him for espionage? The Five Elders would appear, smugly announcing he’d broken the law, claiming they never summoned him.
White Tiger Hall, he mused. A trap straight from legend.
“Nah. They’re old, not crazy.” Kuro chuckled, pushing the doors open.
No traps. No documents. Just a pristine chamber. A circle of sofas surrounded an empty center—except for five old men lounging in the middle.
“Been waiting a while,” one muttered. The central figure, a curly-haired elder, slouched forward, elbows on knees, chin resting on clasped hands. He lifted his gaze to Kuro.
“Lucius Kro.”
(End of Chapter)
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