"Sir, we can testify that Velen is the 'knowledgeable person in history,' and we've known each other since we were children."
"Yes, yes, I can prove it too!"
"Sir, this matter has nothing to do with us. Can we leave?"
"Yeah, I didn't know Velen had infiltrated the group. He was even wearing a mask before, otherwise I would have definitely reported him. He's been wronged!"
"..."
The civilians nearby, who overheard the conversation, immediately began to identify Velen.
They didn't want to be implicated; they were just ordinary people who wanted to live a good life.
"Shut them up and drag them aside."
Ross waved his hand, and the Marines beside him immediately sprang into action, driving the civilians away to a distance, leaving only Ross and his group, along with Doyle's family, on this side.
After clearing the area, Ross looked at Velen with a half-smile:
"That's why you turned yourself in, isn't it?"
"I'm a history student, and most ordinary people are just a mob."
Velen nodded helplessly and said bitterly, "I can fool the Marines, but I can't fool these fellow countrymen. They really know my identity."
"That's true."
Ross nodded slightly in agreement.
In times of crisis, even parents and siblings cannot be relied upon, let alone a group of fellow villagers.
Velen could still impersonate a distant relative of the Doyle family, but he had to remove his disguise before boarding the refugee ship, otherwise he would be exposed if his fellow countrymen reported him.
There's no need to gamble on this kind of thing.
In order to survive, a normal person would choose to report it; otherwise, if they were found out, everyone on the ship might die.
"Then why did you try in the first place? I remember you were on the run before, right? If you hadn't come back, it would have been possible to escape," Ross pressed.
"I'm a history student, and those who abandoned their families in history never had a good ending."
Velen smiled and looked back at his family, the people he could never bear to part with.
He knew very well that his family couldn't possibly survive while he was wanted by the police.
Even if they survive, they'll become bait to lure him in. If he doesn't show up soon, their whole family will die.
For this reason alone, he had to come back.
It wasn't to protect the Poneglyphs of Ohara, but to protect his family.
"If you're a man, aren't you afraid of being implicated and punished along with everyone else?" Ross asked with a smile.
"Although I'm a history student, it would be self-deception to say I'm not afraid. Of course I'm afraid! I'm even more afraid when I hear His Highness's name!"
Velen laughed heartily, his words conveying fear, but without a trace of cowardice.
"You really aren't afraid of death," Ross laughed.
This 'insider of history' is indeed quite interesting, and very much to his liking.
"Your Highness, only if I die can my family live."
With a smile on his lips, Velen gazed tenderly at his worried family members.
From the moment he began studying the historical texts, he knew this day would come.
However, he ultimately couldn't resist his curiosity, which led to the harm done to his family.
Therefore, he could only atone for his sins with his own life.
"Are all historians like you?"
Ross saw Velen's determination to die and looked at him with a hint of respect.
A man who would die for his family is a true man.
"I'm a history student, and history has taught me to be reasonable. Unfortunately, because of this damned curiosity, I still made a mistake," Velen solemnly replied.
"I'll give you a chance," Ross said, pulling out a platinum pistol from his back pocket and handing it to Velen.
"Kill those civilians, or kill one of your family members, and everyone else, including you, will live. And I promise you that in the future you will be able to study the Poneglyphs and satisfy your curiosity."
Ross enjoyed watching people struggle and also liked to give others a chance.
This time, he didn't swear an oath in the name of his family.
If Velen killed civilians, he would let Velen live, but there would be no opportunity to study the Poneglyphs in the future.
If Velen killed his family, he would not only refuse to let him study the Poneglyphs, but would also turn him into a slave and throw him into the Celestial Dragons' cricket farm.
If Velen refused, he would be happy to keep his promise.
"Can I exchange another promise from Your Highness?"
Velen picked up the gun and suddenly looked up.
"Are you really not afraid of death?" Ross retorted.
"I studied history, so I know Your Highness won't make things difficult for me," Velen said with a smile.
"Tell me, are you worth this price?"
Ross sighed. From the moment Velen picked up the gun and asked a question, he knew what the other man was going to do.
"Please promise me, Your Highness, that you will treat my family well!"
Velen stared intently at Ross, knowing the meaning behind every choice Ross made.
But he studied history and had his own pride.
"Granted!"
Ross sighed softly and nodded solemnly to Velen.
Immediately, he turned around and walked out step by step.
Bang!!!
A gunshot rang out behind him.
Immediately following was a burst of panicked crying and shouting:
"Dad!!!"
"Velen!"
"Velen!!!"
"Uncle Velen!!!"
"..."
Interspersed among the sounds were Robin's shouts and her cries.
Velen was also a very good person to her, but unexpectedly, he chose to commit suicide for the sake of his family.
At that moment, Robin thought of herself again.
For her mother's sake, she chose to give up Saul.
The difference was that she chose to kill others, while Velen chose neither to kill others nor his family, but to take his own life.
Perhaps, she should have committed suicide back then... Robin was filled with regret.
Velen's suicide had a huge impact on her.
So, Ross's choice could be made in this way...
Ross chose not to join the commotion, but instead walked forward at a very slow pace.
A few seconds later, Gion appeared beside him and respectfully handed the platinum pistol back.
Seeing Ross take the pistol, Gion asked, pursing her lips:
"Does Velen have to die?"
"There is never an inevitable death; he knows how to live." Ross glanced at Gion and said unhurriedly, "It's just that for some people, some things are more important than life itself."
"Is it more important than life...?"
Gion's eyes flickered, a hint of melancholy appearing in them.
"Alright, you'll have plenty of time to think about it when you get back. Now it's time to go see the other scholars and see if they have the backbone."
Ross gently placed the swollen-faced Robin on his shoulder and strode forward.
"Saint Ross, what should be done with the Doyle family?"
As they walked along the road, the Marine Rear Admiral beside them, though frightened, still stepped forward to ask what was wrong.
Even though Ross made a promise, it was still necessary to ask clearly, just in case Ross went back on his word.
"Let them board my warship, then arrange for them to move to the Marine family quarters. As for Velen's health... ask his family and do as they wish," Ross said calmly.
"Yes, sir!"
Upon receiving the order, the Rear Admiral immediately left.
Upon hearing Ross's instructions, Zephyr and Gion's gazes towards Ross changed considerably.
They could accept Ross's evil, but they also admired his heroic act of protecting his family.
Ross's willingness to give the deceased dignity already surpassed that of most Celestial Dragons and nobles.
...
"Don't move!"
Beneath the Tree of Knowledge, Spandine led a group of CP9 members, and all the historians gathered together.
Most historians were trembling with fear, crouching on the ground with their heads in their hands, too afraid to move.
It's not that they lacked courage, but that those with courage had already fallen in pools of blood.
Seeing the scholars lying on the ground not far away, the remaining historians trembled even more violently.
Of course, not everyone is like these scholars.
Dr. Clover stood in front of the scholars, her gaze fixed on Spandine. Beside her, Olvia stood with her lips pursed, glaring angrily at CP9.
If looks could kill, Spandine would probably have been killed tens of thousands of times over.
Unfortunately, a gaze can't kill; they were just a group of powerless scholars.
"Don't look at me like that. Ha, if it weren't for His Highness's orders, I would have killed you a bunch of villains long ago."
Spandine glanced around the room dismissively, not taking the group seriously at all.
They have absolutely no power, yet they keep clamoring to study lost history. Where do they get the nerve?
"You are the villains! What's wrong with us researching that period of history? History belongs to everyone, and telling the whole truth is the expectation of everyone in the world," Olvia retorted passionately.
"Huh? The whole world is hoping for this?"
Spandine looked at Olvia as if she were an idiot. "Have you gone mad from studying history? Who cares about the expectations of the whole world? I don't have any expectations, and besides, the World Government has explicitly prohibited it. That's what the whole world expects."
"This is wrong! The World Government... I need to speak with the Five Elders," Dr. Clover said in a deep voice.
"You think you're worthy?"
Spandine said dismissively, "If it weren't for Saint Ross ordering me to spare their lives, I would have killed them long ago."
"Sir, a powerful figure is approaching. Judging from their aura alone, we estimate they are no match for us."
The CP9 member in black ran up to Spandine and whispered a suggestion in his ear.
"It's not an enemy; it must be His Highness arriving. We're preparing to welcome him."
Upon hearing the words of the black-clad CP9, Spandine knew that Saint Ross was coming. The moment he turned his head, his expression immediately changed.
He watched excitedly as the black dots approached, and shouted excitedly:
"CP9 Commander Spandine, along with the members of CP9, respectfully welcomes Saint Ross!"
The moment his voice rang out, all the CP9 members, as if they had rehearsed, knelt down in the direction of Saint Ross.
CP9's actions left Olvia and Dr. Clover completely dumbfounded.
The name of the saint.
It could only mean that a Celestial Dragon had descended.
Unexpectedly, the Buster Call of Ohara could actually attract a Celestial Dragon.