Chapter 545: Demon Monitor
Most of the surveillance personnel belonged to a secretive department of the World Government known as the Anti-Demon Monitors.
Many of its members were former World Government agents.
The Anti-Demon Monitors originated from the early concerns of the Five Elders regarding demon scribes.
As more magic pattern users emerged and grew in the world, the Five Elders deemed it necessary to establish a department to monitor them.
The reason was their fear that the rise of demon patterns was a demonic conspiracy that would eventually threaten their authority.
However, with the rise of major transcendent forces and the formation of the Hunter Association, the need for the Anti-Demon Monitors seemed to diminish.
Yet, the World Government did not abandon the initiative.
Instead, they created the Magic Pattern Association.
The Anti-Demon Monitors evolved accordingly, incorporating external members alongside the original government agents.
Their purpose was noble: to ensure human order, safety, and peace by countering the demon clan's influence.
Though many viewed the World Government's use of such a purpose as somewhat shameless, people still joined.
The main reason was that the World Government was no longer as tyrannical as before.
In the past, no one questioned the World Government's actions.
Now, the Marine's King could suppress the World Government by mere presence, and the Kingdom of Miracles kept a close watch on them.
Whenever possible, the Kingdom of Miracles criticized the World Government.
Notably, the World Government lost its Berry printing rights.
The Kingdom of Miracles had publicly highlighted the World Government's flaws, arguing that their control over Berry's printing was irresponsible and harmful to global economic development.
This move seized the moral high ground, paving the way for the Kingdom of Miracles to gain benefits.
Other major forces, seeing the opportunity, joined in, voicing their agreement.
Under this pressure, the World Government's Berry printing rights were redistributed.
This and other losses left the World Government bitter and unable to fully assert itself.
As a result, their reputation improved slightly.
The Anti-Demon Monitors developed strong intelligence capabilities.
All members were non-magic pattern users, tasked with monitoring threatening magic pattern users, magic pattern guilds, and the demon clan's movements.
Many members came from the Iron Sun of the Hunter Association, which facilitated their entry to Mythical Beast Island this time.
"The demon apostles have left. Phew! That was terrifying!" one monitor said, exhaling in relief while peering through binoculars from the red attic.
They were only monitoring the demon apostles.
The demon clan had three world-disaster-level apostles, and even the untitled apostles were formidable.
Observers generally considered all apostles to have comparable combat strength, differing only in abilities.
Monitoring such fearsome demons naturally brought immense pressure.
It wasn't uncommon for personnel to be lost in the process.
"Relax, isn't Lord Aizen here?" another monitor said.
"Lord Aizen was dazzling at the Mythical Beast Conference, defeating so many powerful enemies."
"He even obtained the Purple Smoke Bead, a God Killer Equipment."
"The demon apostles are no match for Lord Aizen! I admire him so much!"
Seeing their enthusiastic companion, the others also relaxed.
Aizen had displayed overwhelming strength at the Mythical Beast Conference.
His already significant popularity soared, earning him even more admiration.
For Iron Sun members, Aizen's power meant that the three major hunting groups, Holy Wings, Crown, and Undertide, could no longer underestimate them.
This filled them with pride.
"Let's go! Hurry and greet Lord Aizen."
As they moved to meet Aizen, other forces began gathering and preparing to return to their ships.
Morgans' one-hour deadline was approaching, and being thrown into the sea would be unpleasant.
They hadn't forgotten the monstrous beasts beneath Mythical Beast Island.
If they were cast into the sea, they risked being devoured by waiting Sea Kings.
Rattle…
At the canyon's edge, Smoothie, once part of the Big Mom Pirates, was bidding farewell to Katakuri.
"Brother Katakuri, I'm doing well in the Realm of Chaos. Don't worry." Smoothie said.
"I'll find time to visit Cake Island and see our brothers, sisters, and mama."
Seeing Smoothie's newfound maturity, Katakuri nodded silently.
His current strength couldn't change much.
Smoothie was now aligned with the Death Tide Princess.
The Death Tide Princess's power was evident in the earlier death tide.
Katakuri's acceleration ability was ineffective against such an opponent.
Fortunately, Smoothie and the others seemed to be faring well.
"This time, I gained so little. I don't know how angry mama will be when I return." one of Katakuri's brothers sighed nearby.
Katakuri remained silent.
He extended his fist and slowly opened it.
A black stone came into view.
Its faint black aura drew the attention of the nearby Big Mom Pirates members.
"With that appearance, is that a Mythical beast contract stone?"
"Brother Katakuri, how did you get it? Could it be…"
Whoosh!
Katakuri turned, his clothes rustling.
"Let's go! Before leaving Mythical Beast Island…"
On the other side, Smoothie rejoined the Death Tide Princess Saijō's team.
Earlier, Smoothie had visited Katakuri, citing his injury.
Saijō had agreed, as she wasn't heartless enough to deny family visits.
As for the Mythical beast contract stone Smoothie gave Katakuri during this exchange, Saijō paid it no mind.
Smoothie had obtained the stone herself and was free to use it as she wished.
Saijō had no intention of confiscating her subordinate's spoils.
She was more intrigued by the beasts, especially those customizable ones gifted by the goddess.
That was how the Black Death Dragon King came to be.
Mythical beasts didn't spark much interest in Saijō.
(End of this chapter)