Chapter 76: Subduing
Hearing Hades's words, Karsus grinned and laughed silently in excitement.
After a long while, Karsus slowly knelt before Hades, lowering his head.
Grabbing Hades's palm with one hand, he placed the Bible onto Hades's palm.
"My His Highness, one day my life will reach its end, and you shall surely be crowned King!"
Although Hades said so, it was also a fact that he was not yet a King.
Whether in strength or influence.
He ultimately hadn't grown up yet.
The Expectation of his Family and Kingdom gave him endless motivation, but he still needed time.
Regardless, Hades's goal was achieved.
Karsus submitted, becoming the first subordinate Hades had subdued after arriving in Hachinosu.
Hades also gained an Admiral under his command.
Unbeknownst to them, three figures appeared outside the Church at some point; they were precisely Ba'er, Calloway, and Edge.
They had been following news of Hades, and upon learning he was heading towards the Church, they understood his purpose.
They witnessed the scene of Karsus submitting to Hades with their own eyes.
Their hearts were filled with countless thoughts; their calm inner selves stirred with countless waves, and the passion that had been dormant for many years began to boil.
They quietly departed.
Karsus had already submitted, so were they far behind?
Sensing the figures of the three leaving, Hades revealed a confident smile.
He knew it was settled.
The emotional changes in the three's hearts could not be hidden from him.
Things were going even smoother than he had expected.
"Congratulations, His Highness. Would you like me to persuade them to join you? There shouldn't be any accidents."
Karsus stood up.
Having known them for many years, he was very familiar with the aura of Ba'er and the other two.
As a Sound-Wave Fruit user, he was like a human radar.
He detected the three as soon as they approached.
Karsus had great confidence in persuading the three.
"No need, it's too early now. When I truly reach that level, I will personally defeat them."
"For now, having just you is enough. Let them help me recruit subordinates with potential."
Hades shook his head, refusing Karsus's suggestion.
He preferred to rely on himself, truly defeat them, and then subdue them.
Expanding his Faction too quickly was not a good thing for him.
He wanted to develop steadily for a few years.
With his current strength and influence, he was simply insufficient to possess such a powerful Faction, and it was very likely to attract targeting from others.
Moreover, Ba'er and their Faction's expansion was equivalent to his own strength's expansion; they would ultimately return under his command.
The three were Admirals under his father, "Death God" Ye Ge, and possessed extraordinary influence among Yager's Old Crew.
As long as they were willing, they could gather the vast majority of the Old Faction.
Furthermore, as members who joined the Rocks Pirates earlier, their influence was greater than that of the newcomer Shiki.
"Yes, His Highness."
This is truly a King!
Karsus sighed inwardly.
At the same time, he also knew what he needed to do next; communicating with Ba'er and the others was certain.
Since His Highness wanted to lie low, then they would develop the Faction.
"Temporarily help me guard the Exchange."
"Yes."
Hades left and returned to his Villa.
He looked up at the bright moon in the sky.
Things had gone much smoother than he had anticipated.
He didn't know if he had underestimated his father's prestige or underestimated himself, perhaps it was a combination of both.
The only thing that might have been unexpected for him was Karsus changing from the identity of a Bard to a Priest.
Regardless, he was now truly established in the Rocks Pirates, possessing his own Faction.
Even with just Karsus, it surpassed many ambitious Pirates.
Little did they know that the strongest subordinate of "Lion Ghost" Shiki was merely a Pirate with a Bounty close to 200 million Beli.
At this moment, Titan was training, wearing Weight Training gear, gripping two chains connected to Marine Warships, pulling two Warships forward.
He had thought it would be easier after leaving Rusukaina Island, but he hadn't expected this to be an even more terrifying monster concentration camp.
This brought considerable pressure to Titan's heart, especially from Rocks D.
Xebec.
Before him, Titan only felt like a small boat in a storm, as if he could be capsized at any moment.
Hades also joined in, since they had captured a sufficient number of Marine Warships anyway.
Get stronger, keep getting stronger.
The news of Karsus being stationed at the Exchange spread inadvertently.
Lower-level Pirates might not know what was happening, only guessing that the person behind the Exchange could be said to have connections reaching the heavens.
Some sighed in admiration, that even a Great Pirate like "Death Singer" Karsus could be persuaded.
This also made the Exchange's position in Hachinosu more stable.
If people kept causing trouble, the Exchange couldn't continue operating on this Island.
The original guard of the Exchange was an Underworld Guard sent by the Kronos Kingdom.
Their strength was considerable, but they lacked sufficient prestige and couldn't deter the numerous Great Pirates on the Island.
One should know that the wealth possessed by the Exchange was enormous.
In just a few days, the amount of Beli that flowed out had already exceeded ten billion Beli.
What astonishing wealth this was.
Enough to be coveted by many Pirates.
What they didn't know was that the actual amount of Beli that flowed out of the Exchange exceeded thirty billion.
It was hard to imagine how much treasure was gathered in Hachinosu.
With the stronger Karsus guarding it, coupled with his influence and connections with many powerful Great Pirates, the Exchange's position became stable.
Being able to produce so much Beli, the implied powerful background also made people dare not easily offend them.
For the few Great Pirates who knew the inside story, this represented one thing.
Hades had already subdued "Death Singer" Karsus.
In just one week since he joined the Rocks Pirates.
Such efficiency was truly astonishing.
Karsus was no minor character.
As a core figure of Yager's Old Crew, although Karsus had been relatively low-key in recent years, his influence had never weakened.
Hades gaining Karsus's recognition meant that Yager's Old Crew would naturally lean towards Hades.
Over the years, it wasn't that no one had wanted to subdue Yager's Old Crew, but unfortunately, they were unable to do it.
Currently, no one in the Rocks Pirates except Rocks himself could.
The next few days were very peaceful.
Every day was spent either training or sparring and fighting with Newgate, Charlotte Linlin, and others, honing his strength.
He also became more familiar with these future "Great Figures" and got to know quite a few people.
(end of chapter)