Following behind Tiger and Jinbe were several fish-men, key members of the Fish-Man District.
Calling them "key members" was just a polite way of putting it—in truth, they were merely underlings, just slightly larger underlings.
"Lord Brian!"
Tiger stood firm and spoke, his voice hoarse yet powerful, carrying the roughness and bloodiness of the Fish-Man District.
"My people tell me you've brought slaughter even bloodier than Daken's. Fish-Man Island does not need a new ruler, much less to be enslaved by human violence."
Jinbe also cupped his hands and spoke, his voice still very young.
"Yes, Mr. Brian. We thank you for eliminating Daken, but Fish-Man Island's autonomy is the bottom line of the Ryugu Palace. We will never submit to the rule of any Pirate Crew."
Brian chuckled softly, his fingers lightly tapping on the table.
"Autonomy? That's the funniest joke I've heard again."
"Your so-called autonomy is just watching scum like Daken wreak bloody havoc on Fish-Man Island? Have you tallied how many fish-men and mermaids have been trafficked to the outer seas during this time?"
"With people like you, how dare you talk to me about autonomy?!"
"Moreover, Daken is about to be publicly executed by me in the square, and you useless lot can only watch helplessly. If not for our Rocks Pirates, you wouldn't be able to change anything."
He pointed to the Beast Girls beside him. "What I bring to Fish-Man Island is order, is strength. Tiger, I understand the hatred you hold for humans in your heart."
"But you cannot deny that for Fish-Man Island to be truly safe, it must possess overwhelming force. And now, I am that force."
At that moment, a minor leader from the Fish-Man District standing behind Tiger was completely enraged by Brian and the Beast Girls' contemptuous attitude.
"Damn human! Stop spouting nonsense here!"
The fish-man roared wildly, drew the short knife at his waist, and charged toward Brian, clearly intending to defend the fish-men's dignity with a suicidal attack.
"How dare you disrespect Lord Brian!"
The Griffin Girl Griffin's eyes flashed coldly, her wings twitching slightly as she prepared to strike.
However, a figure faster than hers appeared.
Whoosh~
Whoosh~
The charging fish-man, before even covering half the distance, was struck by two flying arrows—one high, one low—hitting vital spots.
Thud—
The fish-man didn't even have time to let out a scream before he was sent flying backward by the force of the arrows, hanging limply against the wall, swaying back and forth like a cured sausage.
After struggling briefly, he died completely.
"A mere piece of trash, daring to disrespect Lord Brian—seeking death!"
The Centaur Girl Leona gently retrieved her longbow and placed it beside her, ignoring Tiger and Jinbe's instantly darkened expressions, casually remarking.
In her eyes, the fish-man who had just died was no different from a stone, not worth a second glance.
"This—"
"My apologies, Mr. Brian. I failed to discipline my subordinates properly."
Tiger stared intently at Leona's figure for a long moment, then let out a deep sigh and lowered his posture to apologize to Brian.
During those brief seconds of intense scrutiny, Tiger had realized with horror that he was no match for Leona.
And beside Brian, Leona was not the only formidable presence.
Weighing the pros and cons, especially considering the lives of the many brothers behind him, Tiger ultimately chose to bow his head.
As for what else might be going through his mind, that was irrelevant.
Brian watched this scene with interest, a glimmer of approval for Tiger flashing in his eyes. He had the makings of a leader, though his strength was somewhat lacking.
"Just a piece of trash, no need to be tense."
Brian clapped his hands, stood up, and his authoritative voice echoed through the hall.
"Tiger, Jinbe. Since you both acknowledge these rules, how do you think we should handle this?"
He pointed at Daken, who was tightly bound on the ground by Mia.
"Daken attempted to destroy Fish-Man Island. He is a traitor to Fish-Man Island and a criminal to all fish-men! He disrespected me, Brian, disrespected my Beasts Pirates, and disrespected the peace of all Fish-Man Island! His crimes are too numerous to list!"
Brian issued his final ultimatum to King Aegir and Prince Neptune: "King Aegir, Prince Neptune, this afternoon, in the square before Ryugu Palace, I will execute Daken in front of the entire island! To set an example and establish the new order!"
"This—"
King Aegir and Neptune's expressions changed drastically.
Publicly executing the current king's half-brother meant a complete break with the past and signaled that the Ryugu Kingdom would fully submit to Brian's authority.
"A public execution is the best warning. I agree."
Tiger said gravely. He knew Brian was asserting his authority and forcing them to face reality.
The other side's stance was so unyielding that opposition was no longer an option.
After feeling the terrifying pressure exerted on him by the two Mythical Zoan Beast Girls, Tiger instantly learned to bow his head once more.
It wasn't the first time he'd had to lower his head, after all. He was almost getting used to it—
That afternoon, the square before Ryugu Palace was packed with a massive crowd.
Nearly all the fish-men and merfolk on the island had been summoned. They watched the execution platform at the center of the square and Daken, bound in chains, with a mix of fear and grim satisfaction.
Brian stood on the high platform. Below him, half of the Beast Girl Legion stood in formation, led by Griffin and Leona.
The Beast Girls were lined up neatly, cold and beautiful, their combined pressure forming an invisible tidal wave that made the atmosphere in the square unbearably oppressive.
More than half of the merfolk and fish-men in the crowd repeatedly glanced over the ranks of Beast Girls, their eyes unable to conceal a mixture of awe and terror.
"This man is Daken. I believe everyone here is familiar with him!"
Brian's voice, amplified, reached every corner of the island.
"As a royal of Fish-Man Island, Daken, you betrayed Fish-Man Island, harmed your own people, and deserve death ten thousand times over!"
Daken screamed hysterically from the execution platform: "Brian! You demon! You're more of a pirate than I ever was!
Fish-Man Island will be destroyed by you sooner or later! The World Government won't let you get away with this!"
"The World Government?" Brian laughed disdainfully.
He looked to his side and gave the order to the Mythical Zoan Hellhound Girl, Berlos: "Berlos, carry out the execution!"
"As you command, Master!"
Berlos licked her lips, her eyes brimming with bloodthirsty excitement. Having been specially summoned by Brian from the port, she was here to put on a grand performance.
Hellfire ignited across her entire body, and a massive phantom of a Hellhound's head materialized in the air.
"Hell's Judgment!"
Boom!
Hellfire instantly engulfed Daken. The terrifying high temperature reduced him to ashes before he could even scream, leaving not even a trace of bone behind.
After killing Daken, the enormous Hellfire sphere in the shape of a Hellhound did not quickly extinguish. Instead, it burned even more fiercely, continuously raising the temperature of the entire square.
No, not just the square—at this moment, most of Fish-Man Island felt the temperature on the island rapidly soaring.
--Enjoying the story? Want more chapters? Check out my Patreon and support me for 40+ advance chapters.
Just search for "GoddessTL" on Patreon!"
Thanks!