Bege piloted the small ship away from the Germa Kingdom at lightning speed. He glanced back once at the massive Germa fleet, a faint smile touching his lips.
On the surface, Judge had submitted, but Bege knew it was merely a reluctant compromise born of necessity; deep down, the man had no desire to serve under him. Bege didn't particularly care. As long as Judge provided what was required, whether his allegiance was genuine or feigned was irrelevant.
Of course, if Judge ever dared to betray him, Bege wouldn't hesitate to annihilate the Germa Kingdom.
Another major reason for forcibly subjugating Judge was the need to find Trafalgar Law. His Op-Op Fruit held immense significance; Law's importance potentially outweighed that of the entire Germa Kingdom.
"Prepare to head to the New World," Bege instructed the crewman aboard the vessel.
The crewman immediately activated the ship's flight system. Wings extended from its sides, and panels opened on the underside of the hull. Breath Dials instantly expelled powerful currents of air, propelling the small ship skyward, ascending higher and higher as it set course directly for the New World.
This journey into the New World was undertaken without fanfare. His purpose this time wasn't territorial conquest, so the lower the profile, the better.
The ship soared through the clouds, crossing over the towering Red Line that pierced the heavens, and entered the tumultuous waters of the New World.
His objective on this trip was to locate Merveille Island. He sought a specific plant found there, one containing the "IQ" component.
This plant was known to make animals significantly more ferocious and savage. Bege recalled that in the original timeline, researchers under Golden Lion Shiki had modified the IQ plant's genes, creating a terrifying variant that caused animals to grow gigantic while amplifying their savagery.
Since Bege practiced the Fierce Beast Sword Style, which prioritized brutality and ferocity, he planned to utilize this IQ plant similarly – to cultivate larger, more savage beasts that could aid him in his own training. Furthermore, if he could create large numbers of these brutal behemoths, they could serve not only as combat assets but also as formidable training partners for his crew.
However, Bege didn't know the exact location of Merveille Island. He would have to rely on the extensive network of the Shipping King to search the New World.
Beyond that, Bege had also reached out to the largest underground intelligence agency in the New World: the Theta Intelligence Organization.
Theta was reputed to be the most extensive intelligence network operating in these waters. It was said that as long as one could pay the price, there was nothing they wouldn't dare investigate.
On a bustling commercial island somewhere in the New World, Bege swaggered towards an inconspicuous tavern near the port. Inside, only two or three patrons were eating; business didn't seem particularly brisk.
As soon as Bege entered, a young man dressed as a waiter approached him. "What can I get for you, sir?" he inquired.
"I need a private room," Bege stated, giving the waiter a quick once-over.
The waiter's eyes lit up with understanding. Bowing respectfully, he invited, "This way, sir, please follow me."
The waiter led Bege towards the back of the tavern, which opened into a small courtyard. Bege casually scanned the surroundings, noticing figures concealed in the shadows around the courtyard's perimeter – guards, judging by their auras, and not weak ones either.
This was clearly a branch office of the Theta Intelligence Organization.
After guiding Bege into the courtyard, the waiter yielded to an attractive woman dressed in a smart office lady suit who approached them.
"Sir, I will guide you from here. Please follow me," the woman said with a professional smile, gesturing for Bege to proceed. The young waiter quickly retreated from the courtyard.
Puffing on his cigar, Bege followed the woman into a building. Inside was a fairly large office space where numerous men and women were busy working.
Just as Bege stepped inside, a wave of captivating fragrance washed over him. He looked up to see a woman approaching – her features were perhaps only above average, but she possessed an absolutely stunning charisma and commanding presence, the very definition of a sophisticated yùjiě. She wore a black, shoulder-baring cheongsam with a daringly high slit, flawlessly showcasing her perfect figure. Her skin seemed as white as snow under the soft lighting, like a blooming white lotus. The visual impact was intense, heating the air to an almost suffocating degree.
The male staff members in the office stole scorching glances but seemed too intimidated by her to look openly. Even Bege, usually unflappable, found himself momentarily distracted.
"This little woman, Taylor Warren, greets Lord Demon Dragon," the charismatic woman said, her face wreathed in smiles as she offered a slight bow. If not for his considerable self-control, Bege might have been embarrassed.
"Demon Dragon?! The great pirate with the 850 million bounty, Captain Capone Bege of the Fire Tank Pirates?!" someone in the office exclaimed aloud. Several staff members stood up, looking towards Bege with a mixture of excitement and awe.
Taylor Warren's elegant brow furrowed slightly. She glanced back at the staff members, who immediately scurried back to their seats like mice spotting a cat, turning away and falling silent.
Bege chuckled softly. "Miss Taylor certainly knows how to manage her subordinates."
Taylor Warren smiled and shook her head. "My apologies, Lord Demon Dragon. This is likely the first time my staff have seen a great pirate of your stature up close. Please forgive their lack of decorum."
Bege waved a hand dismissively, indicating he didn't mind.
"Lord Demon Dragon, please come this way," Taylor Warren invited, leading Bege towards a luxurious private office. Inside, a powerfully built man, almost a small giant in stature, was seated on a sofa. The moment Bege entered, the man shot to his feet, bowing his head respectfully.
"Please, sit, Lord Demon Dragon," Taylor Warren said, busying herself with pouring tea for Bege.
"It seems a waste for a woman as stunning as Miss Taylor to be working in intelligence," Bege remarked with a playful grin. "Have you ever considered joining my pirate crew?" Taylor Warren was, by far, the woman with the most striking presence Bege had ever encountered. Such women were undeniably captivating, stirring a desire to conquer within him.
Taylor Warren paused, momentarily stunned. Then, a radiant smile bloomed on her face, as dazzling as a hundred flowers opening at once. "Thank you for your generous offer, Lord Demon Dragon. I can sense your sincerity," she replied smoothly. "However, I also sense you harbor many… improper thoughts at the moment."
Bege's eyes flashed, his gaze sharpening as he studied Taylor Warren.
She met his look with an enigmatic smile of her own.
Bege chuckled, letting it slide. "The reason I came to the Theta Intelligence Organization today is to commission your help in finding an island named Merveille."
Taylor Warren's brow furrowed delicately. "Lord Demon Dragon, the islands in the New World are countless. Finding one based solely on a name can be quite difficult. Does this island possess any distinguishing characteristics?"
"The animals on the island are exceptionally ferocious. That's all I know," Bege said with a shrug.
Taylor Warren pondered this for a few seconds. "I see. Very well, we accept your commission, Lord Demon Dragon. The fee for this task will be fifty million Belli, with a deposit of twenty million Belli required upfront. Do you have any objections?"
"Just finding an island costs fifty million? This intel business really is cutthroat," Bege grumbled internally.
Taylor offered a faint smile, seemingly perceiving his thoughts. "Lord Demon Dragon, the island you seek is likely quite small and rarely visited. Locating it will require significant time and effort. Fifty million Belli is not an exorbitant fee for such a task."
Bege raised an eyebrow, studying Taylor Warren intently. "You can read my thoughts?"