Chapter 191

Chapter 191:

Carl smiled faintly and said,

"She is very special. So, you want to negotiate the terms with me again, right?"

Otohime no longer hesitated. She nodded firmly.

"Yes, Admiral Black Dragon. I do have a condition… but I wonder, can you truly represent the entire World Government?"

Her gaze sharpened as she spoke. While an admiral was undoubtedly a high-ranking figure, even they couldn't claim to represent the entire World Government. She needed to know if Carl was acting under the government's orders or if he had the personal authority to make such a decision.

Carl was momentarily taken aback by her words. Then, suddenly, he held his forehead and laughed heartily.

Otohime swallowed nervously. Had she been too direct? Had she provoked him?

As Carl's laughter echoed through the hall, unease gripped her heart. She wasn't sure if he was amused, enraged, or simply toying with them.

The power imbalance was suffocating. The weak had no choice but to anxiously await the will of the strong.

Finally, Carl's laughter subsided. He looked at Otohime and said,

"Is it enough that my last name is Figarland?"

The room fell silent.

Jinbe and the others didn't react much, but Neptune and Otohime were utterly shocked. Their eyes widened in disbelief. Otohime, who had barely managed to keep her composure, trembled as she spoke.

"Admiral Black Dragon… are you saying you belong to the Figarland family of Mary Geoise?"

Carl narrowed his eyes slightly.

"What? Have you ever heard of anyone else in the world who dares to carry that name?"

A weak voice spoke from his shoulder.

"Yes… his last name is indeed Figarland. In my vision, I saw him called Saint Carl…"

It was Shyarly.

Her confirmation sent chills down Otohime's spine. Shyarly's visions had never been wrong.

Otohime murmured,

"Figarland Carl… Someone from that family actually became an admiral of the navy?"

She looked at Carl's youthful face, then nodded stiffly to herself.

"Yes… if it's that family, it makes sense. Only they could carry such authority."

Neptune was both terrified and relieved. As king of an allied nation, he understood the weight of the name Figarland. Compared to that surname, the title of admiral seemed insignificant.

The fact that Carl hadn't executed him on the spot could almost be considered mercy.

Tiger, Jinbe, and the others looked between Neptune and Otohime, puzzled. Why did the name Figarland seem to carry such an overwhelming meaning?

In the heavy silence, Carl spoke again, his voice calm yet oppressive.

"Am I qualified now?"

His words thundered in Otohime's ears. She nodded vigorously.

"Yes, Saint Carl! You certainly have the authority!"

"Then tell me your terms."

Otohime lowered her gaze, her voice trembling yet resolute.

"I dare not call it a condition. Consider it my wish… I just hope that one day, the residents of Fish-Man Island can live on land, so that humans will see that fish-men and mermaids are not monsters—that we can coexist."

Carl studied Otohime carefully. In that moment, he seemed like an emperor, capable of determining fates with a single word.

Silence stretched across the hall.

Then, Carl spoke.

"Very well. When I meet your daughter, I will make your wish come true."

Otohime's breath hitched. A weight that had burdened her for years suddenly lifted. A mix of disbelief and joy flooded her expression.

Since childhood, she had worried about the fate of the fish-men and mermaids. She understood that humans were the dominant race. If they refused to accept her people, their future would remain bleak.

She had worked tirelessly to change this, but she knew that once prejudice was deeply rooted, it was nearly impossible to erase. Without the World Government's support, her efforts alone would likely fail.

But now… Carl's promise had ignited a sliver of hope.

Overwhelmed, Otohime rushed forward and grasped Carl's hands tightly, tears glistening in her eyes.

"Thank you, Saint Carl. If that day comes, you will be Fish-Man Island's savior!"

Carl raised an eyebrow, pulling his hands back slightly.

"I don't care for titles like that. Let's wait until your daughter is born."

"Yes, Saint Carl. I will give it my all!"

"Take it easy. Rushing won't help… it might even be harmful."

In truth, Carl wasn't particularly concerned about Otohime's well-being. But before Shirahoshi was born, Otohime still needed to give birth to her three other children. If she was too hasty, it could disrupt fate.

Otohime nodded, but Carl could already tell—once he left, she would begin her efforts immediately.

If her appearance had aligned with his preferences, perhaps he would have considered a different kind of deal. But now, there was no need.

If she had chosen a different path, the child she bore might not have even been Shirahoshi.