Wakanogres, a standard volcanic island, is not large, nor is it a member of the World Government. It isn't even considered a country, as the population is sparse, with only a town near the landing point and a few scattered villages.
According to Andre, he wasn't sure how many villages there are, but the town has about ten thousand people.
Boom!
Boom!
A fierce storm rages on the vast ocean, with flashes of thunder mixed in, crashing down into the sea.
In this perilous sea where any ship's journey would be swallowed by the dangerous weather, a Black Ship advances with the monstrous waves, unaffected, moving in parallel with the waves.
Steady as a rock.
Boom!
A thunderbolt crashed next to Death Star's window, startling Andre, who paused before continuing, "The one who rules there is our mayor, and also the owner of that island, ruling there for generations. Of course, if it's you, Master Sage, there's nothing to fear."
Challenging a family that has ruled for generations, Andre doesn't have the guts for that. It has nothing to do with strength; even if he has subordinates, from the bottom of his heart, he wouldn't challenge authority.
He's just a businessman.
And this time, he was able to come to Gares because of the mayor's orders, and it's been like this for a long time. Because it's close to Gares, he often ships food there for sale, and then brings some goods back.
But in the midst of this, he doesn't earn much. Though he is a businessman, better off than the commoners living on the island and eligible to trade elsewhere, regardless of where they are, the status of businessmen is just like that.
They merely serve the nobles.
But if they're all serving, why not choose to serve someone who's good to them?
He himself might not have the courage, but that doesn't mean Sage doesn't.
This one is a catastrophe, daring to kill even the Heavenly Celestial Dragons, fearing nothing!
Ambition that grows daily but hesitates to act meets a bold and reckless fellow who's good to them, of course, triggering a strong chemical reaction.
After listening to Andre's introduction, Sage settled into a more comfortable position on the throne in the banquet hall, resting one foot on the armrest, and nodded:
"Very well, once I conquer that place, I'll leave its management to you. Since you want to set up a food factory, go ahead and set it up on that island."
"My only requirement for you is to pay what wages should be paid, understand? As for profits, I only collect taxes; how much you can earn beyond that is your own ability."
"Yes, Master Sage! I will not disappoint you!" Andre's eyes sparkled.
He knew very well that the ruler is Sage, and he only serves Sage. The people on the occupied land naturally also belong to Sage, even he himself works for Sage.
But there's one thing, he can make money!
Apart from costs and taxes, everything else is his!
Besides setting up a food factory on the island, he has confirmed thrice that he indeed has the right to freely set up factories on the territory owned by Master Disaster!
That means more money!
On this vast ocean, if you only have money without status, problems will arise.
Having a powerful figure as protection means you can make even more money...
This is something he wouldn't even dare dream of.
"Where are we now?"
Sage no longer looked at Andre, turning to ask Lily.
At this moment, Lily looking at the Eternal Pose for Wakanogres in her hand, thought for a moment, and said:
"If it's at the pace of an ordinary ship's day's journey, we are about two hours away. As for direction... it's directly east of Gares."
But actually, it isn't.
The Grand Line shouldn't be viewed this way. If viewed with the sun as an anchor point, the entire Grand Line and the Red Earth Continent intersect like an 'X', with the first half of the Grand Line going southeast, and the latter half northwest.
But Lily explained to Sage this way using a cross, not for any reason, just so even the illiterate could understand.
"That's quite fast, we can settle it by dusk. Marika, make something simple, once I take over that place, we will have dinner there." Sage said.
"Understood."
Marika smiled and then looked at Sayou, who was still a bit timid in the banquet hall, "Is dessert okay, Sayou?"
"Yes, yes, thank you, Lady Marika." Sayou nodded.
This little girl also came along.
Originally, Sage didn't plan to come; it's just a small island with insufficient personnel, just one mayor, no need for him to take action, just sending a cadre would suffice, or send a high-ranking officer to be safe, to be certain.
But this should be considered his first affiliated territory, and also a grain-producing land, so face must be given.
There's another matter, which is about the Rainbow Gem materials.
The materials for Sayou's Rainbow Gem are quite complex. She counts as a fairly good scientist, and most materials can be procured within the Gares Kingdom, but there's one volcanic rock that is lacking.
Just right, that place is a volcanic island, she wanted to check if it's suitable.
So Sage decided to go personally, as Moriah sits within the Gares Kingdom, the situation is not severe, and he is not worried about encountering any ambush.
As for the people to bring along, only three came, the most crucial members on the ship.
Lily is the Navigator, cannot do without.
Lady is the Boatman, also capable of taking over the ship when necessary, equally important.