NOVPUB
Chapter 288 - 288: The Celestial Dragon’s Bullet
"So what will happen next?" Mio asked with curiosity.
He was genuinely interested in Otohime's next move. Would she protect her fellow fishmen, or choose to appease the Celestial Dragons? Either decision would come at a great cost. Defending the people of Fishman Island would mean the collapse of her lifelong dream to raise their status through peace—especially now, with the relationship with the Celestial Dragons teetering on the brink. But if she protected the Celestial Dragons, Ryugu Castle would lose its standing and credibility among its own people.
Of course, regardless of her choice, both Otohime and Neptune were fated to die today.
That had already been arranged.
It had to be done.
Lilith handed Mio a bottle of whiskey and sat beside him as the two continued watching the projected feed from the Den Den Mushi.
Mio took a sip, savoring the burn, and watched patiently.
On the projection—
The people of Fishman Island were visibly enraged. A few had already begun rushing toward the luxurious ship where the Celestial Dragons stood, but they were held back by the guards of Ryugu Castle.
"Lady Otohime, let us through! That damn Celestial Dragon just murdered our own! Are we supposed to let him go unpunished?!"
"That's right! He must pay with his life!"
"Let us through!"
The furious cries echoed across the scene.
Neptune's expression darkened. He hesitated, uncertain.
His eyes moved toward Otohime.
She, too, was conflicted, her expression twisted in worry and struggle.
But the Celestial Dragon roared out, face twisted in disdain. "Filthy pariahs! King of Fishman Island! I command you to kill them all immediately! If you don't, I'll report your island to the World Government for defying the authority of the Celestial Dragons!"
At that moment, Otohime stepped forward, her voice firm. "These are our people. I will not carry out such a command. And I do not believe the World Government will support such actions either. Mr. Celestial Dragon, I suggest you leave Fishman Island immediately. If you stay, you may face a greater danger than you realize."
"You dare threaten me?!" the Celestial Dragon screamed, turning toward the CP agent at his side. "Kill her! I want to see who dares harm me! I'm a Celestial Dragon! If I die, the Navy's Admirals will descend upon this place!"
The CP agent winced, his expression twitching with frustration—but he didn't move.
His orders were to protect the Celestial Dragons, not to act as their executioners.
Thugs were for slaves—not elite intelligence officers.
And at a time like this, he couldn't risk leaving the Celestial Dragon's side.
"Interesting," Mio commented, stroking his chin with amusement. "Otohime is clever."
Lilith nodded in agreement. "She's playing her part well. She didn't show any submission just because he's a Celestial Dragon. That's going to resonate with the citizens. Even if she lets the Celestial Dragon leave in the end, she can explain her actions as a strategy to protect Fishman Island. She'll look like someone who prioritized the safety of her people, and that will strengthen her position."
"Of course, it'll worsen her relationship with the Celestial Dragons... but it's a smart move," she added.
"Indeed," Mio chuckled. "It'll make her people trust her more. But it ends here. Tell Renee to wrap it up."
"Understood." Lilith smiled and retrieved a Den Den Mushi.
Once the line connected, Renee's voice came through immediately. "I assume you're getting impatient, sir? I'm ready. Just give me a moment."
Without waiting for a reply, Renee ended the call.
Mio leaned back, eyes glinting with anticipation. He was eager to see how Renee would bring down the curtain on this drama. And to do that, Otohime and Neptune had to die. That was the whole point of this game: the removal of Fishman Island's rulers.
Soon, Mio had his answer.
On the video feed—
A brief flicker of dim light shimmered in the Celestial Dragon's eyes, then vanished.
Suddenly, the Celestial Dragon's rage doubled. With no hesitation, he raised his ornate revolver and pointed it straight at Otohime.
"You lowly worm! You dare defy me?! Then die!"
Bang!
The gun went off.
The CP agent moved instantly, his instincts firing—but before he could intercept the bullet, a faint trace of dark purple energy whipped out from the corner of the ship, coiling around his legs and dragging him back violently.
He couldn't advance.
He could only watch in horror.
"It's over," he whispered in despair.
He wasn't an idiot. He knew someone had orchestrated this. Someone with precise timing and the means to interfere with a CP agent's actions. Someone hiding among them, pulling strings.
He turned, eyes searching for the saboteur—but found nothing.
Still, he could feel the cold trace lingering around his ankle.
Then—Puff.
The bullet punched through Otohime's chest. Blood splattered.
As she collapsed, pale and breathless, the Celestial Dragon blinked in confusion. His rage had vanished.
"Why... why is she hurt?" he asked, dazed.
The CP agent didn't answer. He immediately went for his Den Den Mushi to report the unfolding crisis to the World Government. Reinforcements would be needed.
But before he could even dial—
A whip of condensed dark purple energy slashed out from the cabin, shattering the Den Den Mushi on contact.
The whip disappeared just as quickly.
From within the Celestial Dragons' ship, a woman with an illusionary form smiled faintly. She passed through the wall like a ghost and vanished.
Back on the Black Glory—
Mio raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Was the Celestial Dragon manipulated? Or simply influenced? That ability... that must have been Penny. I didn't expect her to be there personally. That makes things even more interesting."
He narrowed his eyes, a grin tugging at his lips.
"The riot is finally about to erupt."
On screen—
Otohime fell, lifeless, her expression frozen in shock.
Within mere moments, anguished screams shook the island.
The people of Fishman Island erupted in fury.
Guards from Ryugu Castle could no longer contain them. In a wave of raw emotion, dozens of fishmen surged forward, breaking through the defensive lines and charging toward the Celestial Dragons' ship, their eyes blazing with murder.
The storm had begun.
