Although, in the eyes of the Celestial Dragons, Tuli had always been nothing more than a useful dog a servant whose value existed only as long as he remained useful and obedient.
Tuli understood this better than anyone.
That was precisely why he had spent his entire life strengthening his position.
It was also why he had chosen to return to his homeland.
In order to secure a future for himself and his people, he deliberately sought employment under the World Nobles and eventually earned a place aboard Saint Rosward's vessel.
From that moment onward, his ambitions began to take shape.
To obtain the position of Mayor of Queen Town, Tuli leveraged his status as a servant of the Celestial Dragons and gradually built relationships with the descendants of former government officials and influential families.
Through patience, influence, and careful planning, he eventually rose to become the town's mayor.
His organization slowly expanded as well, recruiting mostly native residents of Queen Town and uniting them under his leadership.
The vast sea of flowers that now covered Queen Town had also been part of his design.
Not only did it improve the quality of life for the town's residents, but it also attracted more wealthy families, retired officials, and influential figures to settle there.
Yet that was merely the beginning.
Using the immense wealth generated by tourism and commerce, Tuli cooperated with numerous prominent families to establish advanced medical facilities and research institutions.
Renowned doctors from across the world were invited to work there.
Over time, the town gradually transformed into one of the most sought-after destinations for recuperation and medical treatment.
Today, the Spring Queen Town Saint Poplar had become famous throughout the world.
Tourists arrived in endless streams.
Merchants, nobles, and wealthy travelers spent money there without hesitation.
The town flourished beyond anything its founders could have imagined.
However, Tuli understood one fundamental truth.
No matter how prosperous Queen Town became, there was one authority he could never oppose.
The Celestial Dragons.
Everything he had built ultimately relied upon the protection and influence of the World Nobles.
Without them, everything could collapse overnight.
"The truth?"
Saint Roselith Seraphina was genuinely surprised.
She had never expected that such words would actually prove to be true.
…
Tuli stared at Seraphina in shock.
His eyes searched her expression, trying to discover what kind of person stood before him.
This young Marine officer had already overturned everything he thought he understood.
Yet after observing her for several moments, he could only arrive at one conclusion.
Good heavens…
This woman could somehow distinguish truth from lies.
"When I served the Celestial Dragons, I never once acted out of personal greed."
Tuli spoke honestly.
By now, he had realized that Seraphina possessed a unique sense of judgment.
It was as though an invisible scale existed within her heart, weighing every word and every deed.
If he wished to survive, there was no point in deception.
The only option left was to reveal the truth.
Perhaps then his crimes would be measured fairly.
"That statement is true as well?"
Seraphina's beautiful brows rose slightly.
She had expected excuses.
She had expected lies.
Instead, the man continued speaking honestly.
"But what difference does that make?"
Her voice remained cold.
"My Lady, isn't that enough?"
Tuli immediately seized the opportunity.
"Although I do not know your identity, even the Celestial Dragons treat you with extraordinary caution."
"That alone proves you are no ordinary Marine."
"I am willing to follow you."
"I am willing to obey every order you give."
"If you command me to sail east, I will never sail west."
Tuli understood the reality of his situation.
Saint Rosward would no longer protect him.
Although he still possessed connections among former officials and influential families, those connections had limits.
Queen Town existed directly beneath the authority of the World Government.
Only by remaining close to the World Nobles could the town continue to prosper.
For that reason, he was desperately searching for a new protector.
Seraphina fell silent.
She carefully considered his proposal.
"My Lady, you must understand something."
"In this world, ordinary people cannot survive without touching darkness."
"If they do not become pirates, they become bandits."
"If they do neither, they become prey."
Tuli's voice became increasingly solemn.
"At the very least, I have never betrayed my own conscience."
By now, he had gained a rough understanding of Seraphina's character.
Despite her status and power, she possessed a strong sense of justice that seemed almost naive.
Unlike the countless politicians, nobles, and government officials he had met throughout his life, she still viewed the world through the lens of right and wrong.
Perhaps that was why she stood where she did today.
Perhaps that was why she frightened him.
"Did you participate in human trafficking?"
Seraphina interrupted him.
Her tone had softened considerably compared to before.
In truth, she had already begun to sympathize with some of Queen Town's circumstances.
After all, the world was cruel.
Without strength, ordinary people had little chance of protecting themselves.
As a Marine, she wished she could help people like them.
She believed that protecting civilians was part of her duty.
Yet there were lines she could not ignore.
"…Yes."
Tuli closed his eyes and answered honestly.
He knew there was no point lying.
"As expected."
Seraphina's expression darkened.
"They deserve punishment."
Her voice carried unmistakable anger.
Human trafficking was a crime she could never forgive.
Whether one was the seller or the buyer, both contributed to the suffering of innocent people.
"Please wait!"
Tuli quickly raised his hands.
"We purchased people from slave traders!"
"Isn't that exactly the same thing?"
Seraphina immediately rebuked him.
Nevertheless, she allowed him to continue.
"My Lady, please listen."
"The population of Queen Town was far too small."
"We needed workers."
"We needed residents."
"We needed people capable of helping the town survive."
"Many of those sold into slavery had nowhere else to go."
"When we bought them, we did not treat them as slaves."
"We granted them homes."
"We gave them work."
"We eventually returned their freedom and accepted them as citizens of Queen Town."
"What we needed were not slaves."
"We needed people willing to become part of our community."
Tuli paused before continuing.
"And if we had not bought them, someone else would have."
"Many Celestial Dragons, nobles, pirates, and criminal organizations purchase slaves every day."
"If no one purchased them, many would simply die before reaching another buyer."
"It may not be justice."
"But it saved lives."
His words echoed through the room.
From the perspective of the pirate era, he genuinely believed his actions had been justified.
"Sophistry."
Seraphina immediately rejected the argument.
Yet her voice lacked the certainty it had possessed before.
Part of her wanted to argue that if there were no buyers, human trafficking would eventually disappear.
But she could not bring herself to say it.
Because she knew the truth.
The foundation of this world's slave trade did not rest upon ordinary citizens.
It rested upon power.
It rested upon the World Nobles.
Who were the largest purchasers of slaves in the world?
The Celestial Dragons.
And unlike Queen Town, they cared nothing for freedom or human dignity.
To them, slaves were merely possessions.
A source of entertainment.
A symbol of status.
Seraphina's expression gradually became more complicated.
"My Lady."
Tuli sighed.
"You are a Marine."
"You possess a righteous heart."
"It is natural that you cannot tolerate such things."
"But I no longer wish to argue."
"I do not believe there exists a single person in this world who can live without sin."
"Not in this era."
"Not under this system."
"I know punishment is coming."
"I accepted that long ago."
"I used the authority of the Celestial Dragons to oppress others."
"So it is only natural that one day someone with greater authority will oppress me."
A bitter smile appeared on his face.
"That is simply how this world works."
His gaze drifted toward the distance.
"But there is one thing I ask of you."
"If I am taken away…"
"Please protect Queen Town."
"Protect its residents."
"Regardless of their origins."
"Regardless of their status."
"Please protect them."
At that moment, Tuli appeared less like a politician and more like a man carrying the weight of an entire town upon his shoulders.
When he chose this path, he had already prepared himself for death.
At the very least, before the end arrived, he had encountered a Marine who genuinely believed in justice.
And judging from the treatment she received from the World Nobles, she was clearly someone of extraordinary standing.
That alone gave him hope.
Hope that Queen Town might survive.
Hope that his family might survive.
Hope that the residents he had spent decades protecting might continue living peacefully.
Human desire was endless.
Tuli understood that better than anyone.
He was not a saint.
He was not a hero of legend.
He had made mistakes.
He had committed sins.
Yet everything he had done was for the sake of protecting the people entrusted to him.
Seraphina looked at him silently.
Her silver eyes remained unwavering.
Finally, she spoke.
"You will see."
Her voice was calm.
Yet it carried a conviction powerful enough to shake hearts.
"One day, this world will change."