### **Chapter 119**
An Admiral with a youthful face—Olivia immediately recognized the man standing before her.
She looked solemn and spoke in a deep voice, **"You are the Admiral of the Navy… Black Dragon."**
As soon as the words left her mouth, **everyone** on the ship froze, as if petrified.
Carl, hands casually in his pockets, smiled. **"Seems like I'm quite famous."**
Hearing the confirmation, Olivia's hand trembled, and the gun she had been holding slipped from her grasp, clattering onto the deck.
As a scholar with vast knowledge, she understood the weight of the title **Admiral of the Navy.**
Before them stood one of the highest combat forces of the Marines—one of the **strongest men in the world.**
It was said that an Admiral could **single-handedly** wipe an entire country off the map. Even if every scholar on board opened fire, their bullets wouldn't even **scratch** Carl.
Swallowing her fear, Olivia forced a smile. **"The stories of Admiral Black Dragon have spread far and wide. Your photo has appeared in newspapers many times, so naturally, we recognize you."**
**"Oh? Is that so…"** Carl tilted his head, amused. He took a slow step forward.
Instinctively, Olivia and the scholars **stepped back.**
Then, in the blink of an eye, Carl **disappeared.**
Before Olivia could react, he was **right in front of her.**
Her breath hitched. She stumbled backward, fear tightening around her chest.
**Buzz!**
A wave of invisible force—**gravity**—emanated from Carl, pulling Olivia forward. Her body **lurched** against her will, slamming into his chest.
The urn she had been holding **slipped from her hands.**
It hit the deck with a dull sound, its fragile lid breaking off. The ashes inside scattered into the air, carried away by the sea breeze.
For a moment, the entire ship fell **silent.**
Then, Olivia let out a **heart-wrenching scream.**
**"No!!!"**
She **lunged** toward the edge of the ship, as if trying to chase after what was already lost.
Her body trembled violently, ready to **throw herself overboard.**
Carl, frowning, **lifted his hand.**
**Gravity pulled her back.**
Her back pressed against his palm as she struggled, her cries desperate. **"Let me go! I need to bring him back!"**
Carl turned her around effortlessly, forcing her to **face him.**
His dark, piercing eyes locked onto hers. Though her body continued trembling, his **gaze** alone seemed to quiet her hysteria.
**"The dead are gone,"** Carl said coldly. **"It's the living you should cherish."**
He pushed her back slightly. She nearly fell but caught herself.
His gaze swept across the ship. The crew members, feeling the **crushing** weight of his presence, lowered their heads in fear. Even without trying, Carl's aura overwhelmed them.
He began counting aloud. **"Thirty-three in total, including Olivia. Yes, that's all."**
The scholars **shivered.**
His voice sounded **calm.**
But to them, it felt like he was reading out their **death sentences.**
Still wiping her tears, Olivia spoke carefully, her voice unsteady. **"Admiral Black Dragon… I lost my composure earlier. I didn't get a chance to ask—did you come here specifically for us?"**
Carl nodded slightly.
Her heart **sank.**
But she held onto one final hope.
**"Admiral Black Dragon, we're only here to conduct research. As for the historical texts you overheard… I think maybe you—"**
**"Are you saying I heard wrong?"** Carl interrupted, his tone mocking.
He leaned closer, his lips near her ear. **"Olivia, tell me… what do you think could make a Navy Admiral come here personally?"**
His voice was like a **devil's whisper.**
Olivia's body trembled **uncontrollably.**
Her fists clenched as she suddenly **shouted,**
**"It was all my idea! It has nothing to do with them or Ohara! Arrest me!"**
She knew what the World Government thought of their work.
If the government deemed them criminals, **Ohara would be erased.**
She couldn't let that happen.
The other scholars exchanged **worried glances.** Some stepped forward, ready to take responsibility alongside her.
But Carl's expression suddenly turned **puzzled.**
**"Your idea?"** he repeated. **"Did you do something so extraordinary that a Navy Admiral needs to catch you?"**
Olivia **froze.**
**"But… the history—"**
Realization **dawned** on her.
She quickly fell **silent.**
Carl smirked. **"Aren't scholars like you supposed to study history? That's normal, isn't it? I'm not interested in your work."**
He stretched lazily. **"I just overheard something and got curious. But you all seem so… nervous."**
**"Did you do something wrong?"**
One of the scholars **immediately** shouted, **"No! No! We were just nervous meeting an Admiral for the first time! Please don't misunderstand, Admiral Black Dragon!"**
Olivia quickly echoed, **"Yes! We were too nervous!"**
Carl **nodded,** as if considering their words. **"I see… perhaps I overthought it."**
The scholars **exhaled in relief.**
But before they could fully relax, Carl's **smile** widened.
**"Just remember…"**
His voice was gentle, almost **friendly.**
**"Don't do anything bad."**
He **grinned.**
**"Or I'll be very, very angry."**
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