Chapter 44: First, Eliminate Him as a Suspect
"The Marines?"
As Topman Warcury finished speaking, the remaining four Five Elders all froze for a moment. Then, one after another, they turned to him with expressions of disbelief—confused, skeptical, even stunned.
"What exactly are you implying?"
"That's impossible!"
"We're talking about the Celestial Dragons—the World Nobles!"
...
They couldn't believe the Marines would ever dare to make a move against a Celestial Dragon.
Not because they lacked the power—But because they wouldn't dare.
As the largest enforcement arm under the World Government, the Marines were fully dependent on government funding.
While the Marines had, since their inception, maintained a relatively independent command structure, the World Government still held considerable authority over them.
Beyond the political constraints and the doctrine of Celestial Dragon supremacy, the sheer control over military funding alone was enough to keep the Marines on a tight leash.
If there was anyone in this world least likely to strike at the Celestial Dragons...It was the Marines.
"Are you sure your suspicion is grounded? If this turns out to be true, it will change the nature of everything.
"This is an extremely sensitive issue."
The bald elder, who had remained silent while polishing his long sword, suddenly spoke in a raspy voice.
Clad in samurai garb and sitting cross-legged, he held a sheathed blade across his lap. The katana shimmered under the lamplight, its purple-black flame patterns gleaming with a sinister, chilling edge.
A peerless cursed sword.
As he spoke, he lifted his head.
His withered, veiny arms continued to clean the sword as his clouded eyes—hidden beneath rimless glasses—fixed directly on Topman Warcury, his old friend from childhood and fellow recipient of elite education.
"My fellow Elders, I understand your concerns," Topman Warcury said calmly.
Despite his short stature, he radiated a power that felt like a mountain rising from flat ground.
"On the surface, it seems impossible for the Marines to have done this. But it's not absolute."
He gave a cold smile.
"After all, there are plenty of fools in the Marines still clinging to their laughable sense of 'justice.'"
"And more importantly... our own kind has, at times, done things so despicable they defy reason."
"That is the basis of my suspicion."
At those words, the others turned toward him again, expressions shifting.
"Topman Warcury!! What are you saying?!"
"Don't forget—your current power and position were granted to you by the very bloodlines you're criticizing!"
"Mind your tone!!"
...
Topman Warcury met their anger with composure.
"I'm not insulting anyone. I'm simply stating facts."
"I come from the weakest and poorest of the 19 Celestial Dragon clans. I climbed to where I am today, and I understand our kind better than anyone."
"Tell me—am I wrong?"
Silence fell across the room.
They knew.
They knew all too well the corruption at the heart of the Celestial Dragons.
Born into boundless wealth, absolute power, and the highest status, these people stood at the top without lifting a finger.
Words like 'effort,' 'morality,' or 'struggle' never figured into their lives.
Their only goal—was to seek pleasure.
Each boundary crossed, each indulgence taken further—until it turned sick, twisted, and grotesque.
Even the Five Elders themselves often found the Celestial Dragons' behavior disgusting.
But bound by blood ties and the political weight of the Holy Land, they could only look away and keep silent.
"Topman... investigating the Marines isn't off the table."
"But it must be done with care,"
Ethanbaron, the Five Elders member dressed in samurai robes, slowly rested his hand on the hilt of his cursed sword and spoke with a rasp.
"...And it must have limits."
Seeing his old friend speak first, Topman Warcury smiled.
He understood the meaning behind Ethanbaron's words perfectly.
Two things:
First, the investigation can proceed—but discreetly, in secret.
Second, it must not go too far. Push too hard, and there will be consequences.
He spoke slowly.
"This is only natural. Sengoku's retreat has already left Kong quite displeased."
"If the Marines were to find out we're investigating them now, it would definitely spark a serious backlash."
"Of course, the investigation may amount to nothing. We're only entertaining a potential possibility—I won't insist on pursuing it if it leads nowhere."
The other three Five Elders exchanged glances.
"So… who should we choose? We can't use the CP department—it's far too conspicuous."
"Once the Cipher Pol gets involved, the Marines will become wary."
"It's better to find someone within the Marines… but who would be suitable?"
As they discussed, their eyes eventually fell on Saint Topman Warcury.
Within the elite ranks of the Celestial Dragons in the Holy Land, the name Topman Warcury was synonymous with "strategic brilliance."
It was precisely due to that reputation that they agreed to his proposal to investigate the Marines.
Sensing the room's focus shifting toward him, the newly appointed Supreme Authority of the World Government, Saint Topman Warcury, lifted his head proudly, a confident smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
"As for the candidate, there are several conditions that must be met."
He began analyzing clearly and methodically.
"First, the person must be intelligent, cautious, and capable. Only someone like that can carry out a covert investigation flawlessly."
The others nodded in agreement.
"Second, they must possess a strong desire for power… ideally someone from a lower background. That kind of person is easier to control."
The Five Elders nodded thoughtfully, some even chuckling in approval.
"Third, they must not reek of that nauseating sense of 'justice.'"
Saint Topman Warcury spoke with ease, his aged eyes gleaming with shrewdness.
"And most importantly—the ideal scenario—is that this person has an extremely bad public reputation, a foul name, and grovels before the World Nobles. That would immediately eliminate them as a suspect."
"In summary…"
With confidence radiating from his expression, he swiftly picked up a Marine officer's personnel file and flipped through it.
Then—
Smack!
He slammed his hand down on a page.
"He's the best candidate."
The other Five Elders leaned in. At first, they looked surprised, but smiles of satisfaction soon appeared on their faces.
"Hmph, as expected of Topman Warcury…"
"I approve."
"Seconded."
"Agreed."
On that page—
A striking Marine officer with short black hair and a cocky expression.
Name: Rogers Daren
Position: Admiral of the North Blue, Captain of Marine Headquarters
Evaluation: Extremely power-hungry, greedy, lecherous, exploits civilians, infamous reputation. Nickname: 'The Scum of the Marines'
...
As he listened to his peers' unanimous approval, Saint Topman Warcury grinned with pride.
He stared at the photo of the black-haired Marine. For some reason, he felt a strange sense of familiarity, as if fate had linked them somehow.
As he had once said, his own family was the weakest of the 19 Celestial Dragon lineages.
Even as a child, he had vowed to be different.
So he endured the finest education, survived the harshest trials, and even fought in brutal, unforgiving wars under false names, his body bearing more than a hundred wounds both large and small.
He had devoured strategy texts, sharpened his intellect, and used his unrivaled cunning and strength to claw his way up through one ruthless power struggle after another.
And now, he had reached the rank of one of the Five Elders.
He had to prove himself.
Prove that he was wiser, stronger, more capable, and more commanding than the others!
Only then, without the backing of the Council of Elders, could he secure his seat among the Five Elders, and eventually become the one who stands above them all!
For most, the Celestial Dragon incident was a disaster.
For him, it was an opportunity.
Gazing at the smiling photo of the black-haired Marine,
Saint Topman Warcury felt as if destiny itself was smiling back at him.
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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