"No. Doing that would only alert the enemy."
Neptune scratched his head helplessly.
If they could already find Vander Decken, would they really need Rear Admiral Karl's help in the first place?
Ain poked Karl in the waist and whispered,
"You're the one with all the crafty ideas. Stop holding back. I don't want little Shirahoshi to get stalked by that pervert again."
Karl widened his eyes.
What do you mean I have the most sneaky ideas?!
Don't slander innocent people like that!
He had always acted strictly according to regulations, thank you very much.
"Cough, cough. King Neptune, I do have a plan. It should work."
Karl's strategy was simple—a two-pronged approach.
If they wanted Vander Decken to show himself, they needed to give him motivation.
First, that lunatic had been obsessed with Shirahoshi for over a year. Even if the mark had disappeared, his first thought would definitely be to find another chance to mark her again.
Second, the Marines had just wiped out Hody Jones and his gang on Fish-Man Island. As long as Vander Decken wasn't completely brain-dead, he would never walk into Fish-Man Island while the Marines were still present.
So—
If the Marines pretended to leave, Vander Decken's urge to enter the island would grow dramatically.
After listening to Karl's plan, Neptune nodded repeatedly.
However, when it came to the part about publicly announcing a suitor for Shirahoshi, he hesitated.
"This… Shirahoshi is still very young. Isn't this a bit inappropriate?"
Karl waved it off casually.
"It's not real anyway. We'll just explain it afterward."
"But Shirahoshi is a girl. Wouldn't this damage her reputation?"
At this moment, Fukaboshi spoke up firmly,
"Father, this is for Shirahoshi's healthy future. This small sacrifice is worth it. Our people will understand your good intentions."
Neptune didn't get angry. After careful consideration, he finally nodded decisively.
"Very well. Rear Admiral Karl—we'll do it your way."
"Good," Karl said.
"I'll go make the preparations. As for what to say during Hody Jones's public execution tomorrow—that part will be up to you."
"Of course. Rear Admiral Karl, you must attend tomorrow."
After returning, Ain explained the entire plan to all the Marines on Karl's behalf.
It was straightforward.
After Hody Jones's public execution, the Marines would pretend to leave Fish-Man Island.
In reality, they would simply circle around and then use a concealed route to return to Ryugu Palace, lying in wait.
Once everything was ready, all that remained was for Vander Decken to walk straight into the trap.
The Next Day
Gyoncorde Plaza
Since Queen Otohime's death, Fish-Man Island residents had rarely gathered here.
But today—
The plaza was packed to the brim.
"I never imagined it… the real culprit behind Lady Otohime's assassination was that bastard Hody Jones!"
"She was so gentle! How could he bring himself to do it?! He's worse than an animal!"
"Shh! Stop talking—the Sea King Army is here!"
Several giant flounders carrying massive bubble capsules descended from the sky, slowly landing around the execution platform at the center of the plaza.
King Neptune, Jinbe, the three princes, Karl, Ain, and Smoker disembarked from the flounders and walked together to the center of the platform.
"My people," Neptune declared loudly,
"I am King Neptune. Two days ago, Hody Jones—leader of the Fish-Man Street thugs—ordered his men to frame the Marines. The scheme was exposed, and the criminal group was captured by the Marines."
"But beyond framing the Marines, Hody Jones committed an even greater crime!"
The crowd held its breath.
They had heard rumors—but nothing compared to hearing the truth spoken directly by their king.
"Two years ago, when Queen Otohime was assassinated by so-called human pirates—
that incident was, in fact, a meticulously planned assassination orchestrated by Hody Jones!"
"His goal was to sabotage relations between humans and fish-men and incite racial hatred!"
"And the one who truly killed Queen Otohime was not a pirate—
it was Hody Jones himself!"
The plaza instantly erupted.
"Silence!"
"Bring the criminal Hody Jones forward!!!"
Under the furious gazes of the crowd, Hody Jones—his face wrapped in bandages—was dragged onto the execution platform by two members of the Sea King Army and forced to kneel.
"Kill him! Avenge Lady Otohime!!!"
"Die, Hody Jones, you bastard!"
"**** you, Hody Jones!!!"
Several red-eyed fish-man brutes even tried to rush the platform to beat him senseless, only to be stopped by the Sea King Army.
Even Smoker felt a chill down his spine.
Thankfully, he had held back when the Marines were framed.
Otherwise, not only would he have met a grim end—Karl might have been dragged down with him.
"Hody Jones," Neptune asked coldly,
"do you acknowledge your crimes?"
Hody raised his head arrogantly, looking down on the enraged crowd with utter contempt.
"GYAHAHAHA~ Crimes? What crimes did I commit?"
"Humans are inferior, evil creatures! That idiot woman actually lowered herself to beg the Celestial Dragons for peace—utterly laughable!"
"Fish-men are the supreme race! You cowards feel gratitude just because humans throw you a few scraps!"
"Where is your pride as fish-men?!"
Neptune shook his head slowly.
This man was beyond redemption.
"Hody Jones—
for assassinating Queen Otohime, inciting racial hatred, and framing the Marines—
your crimes are unforgivable."
"As King of Fish-Man Island, I hereby sentence Hody Jones… to death!"
The crowd erupted into cheers.
"Execute him!"
"GYAHAHAHA! Come on!" Hody screamed madly.
"Even if I die, my will shall live on! My will shall achieve immortality!!!"
Slash—
Thud.
The fish-man's head hit the ground.
Another scourge had vanished from this world.
"Well done!"
"He died too easily—he got off cheap!"
After the crowd gradually calmed down, Neptune turned toward Karl and spoke loudly,
"My people, please listen. The capture of Hody Jones was only possible thanks to Rear Admiral Karl. It was he who—"
What followed was a long series of praises for the Marines and Karl in particular, sending public approval soaring through the roof.
"Now then—would Rear Admiral Karl like to say a few words?"
"Yes!"
"Long live Rear Admiral Karl!"
"Rear Admiral Karl, I want to have your baby fish!!!"
Karl did not lose himself in the praise.
Compliments or insults—both were fleeting clouds to him. After all, anyone could talk.
"My fellow residents of Fish-Man Island," Karl said calmly,
"I deeply regret the passing of Queen Otohime. But what's done cannot be undone."
"We cannot remain trapped in the past. We must look to the future."
"We must not let Queen Otohime's efforts go to waste!"
"There is no inherent superiority or inferiority between fish-men and humans. In any race, there are good people—and bad people."
"Do not blindly believe all humans are good.
But do not condemn all humans as evil either."
"Maintain goodwill. Maintain vigilance."
"Coexist peacefully—and together, create a better future."
"Thank you all."
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read 60 chapter ahead on P@treon if you're interested: patreon.com/SwipeSage