One Piece: Tainted Throne

Amidst the cheers of the people, Queen Audrey paraded through the entire capital before returning to the royal palace, where a grand banquet was set to take place. However, Romantis chose not to attend.

In the entire Heim Kingdom, the only person worthy of Romantis's attention was Queen Audrey herself. The others weren't even worth remembering.

Even before the coronation ceremony had concluded, the news of Romantis crowning Queen Audrey had already spread across the world.

..........

"Ahahaha! Looks like you're making your move, huh, Romantis? I can't wait to see what you'll do next. With your status, you'll definitely give me plenty of big stories!"

Inside his office at the World Economy News Agency, Morgans, the president of the largest news network in the world, laughed heartily as he read the latest edition of his newspaper.

The front page headline boldly proclaimed:

[A Nation Blessed by the Gods: The Holy Light of St. Romantis Crowns Queen Audrey!]

Two images accompanied the article—one capturing Romantis's divine descent upon the capital, and another showing him placing the crown upon Audrey's head.

The entire article was filled with nothing but praise and admiration for Romantis.

"Well done. Tell the press team to print at full capacity. I want this paper to reach every corner of the world as quickly as possible."

"Yes, President!"

"And what about the articles I had you write?"

"They're all ready, sir."

"Good. Publish those under different news outlets."

"President, those articles criticize the Celestial Dragons. If the World Government finds out, they'll hunt us down!"

Morgans' subordinate hesitated, knowing that the alternate articles subtly undermined Romantis's authority by questioning his growing influence.

"That's exactly why we're using other newspapers to publish them." Morgans chuckled.

"Our World Economy News Agency is merely printing what Romantis wanted us to print. Whatever other newspapers publish is none of our business."

"Ahahaha!"

As the most powerful figure in the news industry, Morgans had perfected the art of manipulating public opinion—spreading rumors, stirring chaos, and making himself indispensable to all sides.

Of course, Romantis understood the power of media. Long before the coronation, he had already made arrangements with Morgans to ensure the news was framed exactly as he wanted.

At first, Morgans had refused. After all, he was used to bending the truth, and even the World Government struggled to control him.

The Five Elders often found him to be an irritating nuisance, as he frequently published classified government information without consequence.

However, after a 'friendly' face-to-face conversation with Romantis, Morgans had come to understand the situation quite clearly—and had obediently followed instructions ever since.

If not for the fact that Morgans controlled the News Coo network, Romantis might have erased him altogether.

Romantis wasn't like the Five Elders, who turned a blind eye to unregulated media. He would never tolerate anything beyond his control.

..........

Meanwhile, in the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, the Five Elders had gathered, their expressions grim as they reviewed the latest reports.

"This Romantis... Just what does he think he's doing?" The bald, mustached Elder, Saint Warcury, scowled. "Is he truly trying to establish himself as a god?"

Clearly, they were displeased with Romantis's actions.

Celestial Dragons had long proclaimed themselves as the descendants of the creators of the world—gods—but that was merely a symbolic title, not something they openly enforced.

"And he's making his ambitions so obvious already." Saint Peter sneered. "I thought he would be more patient, but he's not even trying to hide it."

"Perhaps we should never have given him any political influence in the first place." Saint Saturn murmured.

Silence fell over the room.

Although all Celestial Dragons were technically of noble blood, the power struggle among them was intense.

As the Five Elders, they held absolute authority over the world, but they were not irreplaceable. Their positions had been granted to them by Imu, the true ruler of the world.

And just as Imu had once chosen them, Imu could just as easily discard them.

Each of them had been selected from different generations of Celestial Dragons, and they knew full well what happened to those who were replaced.

To secure their positions, it was in their best interest to suppress the rise of any powerful Celestial Dragon who could threaten them.

They felt far more comfortable with weak, incompetent nobles.

"This is all to maintain balance in the world," Saint Nusjuro stated firmly, gripping the hilt of his First Generation Kitetsu.

"The Revolutionary Army is growing too bold. We need someone to counter them. Romantis is our best option."

Saint Mars nodded in agreement. "The world is becoming increasingly unstable. The Navy is already struggling to handle the pirates.

We can't afford to divide our forces against the Revolutionary Army. Romantis can handle that burden."

"But can he really stand against Dragon?"

"Romantis is still young, but he's strong—and he possesses a Mythical Zoan Fruit. Even if he can't defeat Dragon outright, he can at least suppress the Revolutionary Army's growth.

Once we establish the Seven Warlords of the Sea, we'll have more resources to deal with them properly."

"Damn that Roger. He's the one who threw the world into chaos."

The conversation then shifted.

"By the way, Romantis's Devil Fruit—it's a newly discovered Mythical Zoan, correct?"

"Yes. According to our records, the 'Angel Fruit' has never appeared before."

"A previously unknown Mythical Zoan…" Saint Warcury tapped his fingers against the table, lost in thought. "From what we've observed, its abilities resemble Kizaru's Pika Pika no Mi. Both involve the manipulation of light."

"Indeed. We need to keep a close eye on him."

"And yet, even with all of Romantis's potential, Figarland Garling is the greater threat," Saint Mars interjected.

At the mention of Figarland Garling, the other four nodded in agreement.

Of all the Celestial Dragons, Garling, the Supreme Commander of the God's Knights, was the most dangerous.

A warrior whose strength rivaled even the Four Emperors, Garling was the true king among the Celestial Dragons. If anyone had the power to challenge the authority of the Five Elders, it was him.

More importantly, he was aging.

If he did not obtain the secret of eternal life from Imu soon, he would wither away like all mortals. That meant he had every reason to eliminate the Five Elders and take their place before time ran out.

Compared to Garling, Romantis was a distant problem—one that could be managed.

For now, the Five Elders saw value in supporting him. Not only could he be used to weaken the Revolutionary Army, but more importantly—

They could not allow Garling to claim him first.

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