One Piece: Mandala Swordsman

Chapter 157 The weaker party needs to show sincerity first.

Dragon Palace, located on the sunlit top floor of Fishman Island, is a grand and luxurious palace built from large coral reefs, seashells, and other building materials. It is also the residence of a giant dragon and the royal family of Fishman Island.

Currently, there are five members of the royal family of the Merfolk.

The Mermaid King Neptune, Queen Otohime, Crown Prince Shark Star, Second Prince Emperor Star, and Third Prince Cart Star.

Of course, Roman did not overlook the life inside Otohime's belly, the future Sea King—the mermaid princess Shirahoshi.

As one of the three great weapons that could destroy the world, Shirahoshi possesses the power to control Sea Kings. Once she fully masters it, it wouldn't be a joke for the Merfolk to rise to power.

Unfortunately, Shirahoshi's personality was too cowardly.

Neptune had already learned of Roman and his party's entry into the palace at Otohime's invitation from the Right Minister, but he did not interfere with Otohime's actions.

He was fully aware of Otohime's abilities as her husband, and he believed in what Otohime believed in.

However, the Right Minister was clearly not so at ease. As a key minister, he was very principled and dared to speak frankly, so he expressed his concerns about humans entering the Imperial City and emphasized that Queen Otohime was pregnant.

“Once Otohime makes a decision, no one can persuade her to change her mind. Besides, she has always wanted to find a way for merfolk and humans to coexist harmoniously. Now that she has finally gained human guests, she will not give up easily.” Neptune knew that the best thing he could do was to trust Otohime.

Of course, compared to Neptune's composure, the arrival of Roman and his party caused quite a stir in the palace.

"Humans, humans have entered."

"They look a little different from us."

"I've heard it's a cunning and ferocious creature, but it doesn't seem like one."

"Isn't Queen Otohime afraid? It's dangerous to be so close to humans."

Roman finally experienced what it meant to be treated like a "giant panda" among the merfolk.

Pointing and whispering, their eyes darting around—these people were filled with a mix of fear, curiosity, disgust, trepidation, and longing.

Roman was still able to adapt, but the other four were starting to feel uncomfortable.

"If the officer hadn't told me beforehand, I would have gouged out their eyes by now."

"If you do that, you'll get beaten to death by your superior. Although I don't mind, the buildings here look very valuable."

"The mermaids here are very beautiful; they truly are a mysterious race."

"They are ultimately lowly and insignificant, and the weak can only cower and stay on the sidelines when they see us."

Sly and Patch felt more dislike than goodwill towards this race they knew little about, but Gran and Raven were full of curiosity about the merfolk.

Roman knew that he could only change things slowly.

Fear and rejection largely stem from the unknown.

People often try to escape the unknown by staying away to avoid harm, but for her, the important thing is to keep moving towards the unknown in order to achieve her goal.

……

"May I call you Miss Roman?" Otohime smiled gently.

At this moment, they are tiring in Otohime's room.

After all, this wasn't a formal meeting, so a place like a reception room was definitely not suitable. Besides, it would be too conspicuous for them, as humans, to wander around the palace full of fishmen and mermaids. It would be better to choose a private space, especially a room that other fishmen wouldn't dare to enter easily.

“I am glad that Your Highness can remember my name. I have heard of Your Highness’s abilities, so I came here with sincerity. I believe you can also feel that I have no ill intentions.”

“Yes.” Otohime nodded. She didn’t sense any malice from the girl in front of her, but the person behind her seemed to still have some resentment towards the fish-men, though the malice was still within an acceptable range.

Mermaids reject humans, and humans reject mermaids in return, but it is precisely because of this that what I am about to do has meaning.

I want to create a better future for my child and all the children of the merfolk.

Thinking of this, Otohime touched her belly.

I wish you could live on land with your brothers and bask in the sun.

"As you know, there's a divide between merfolk and humans, but we don't actually have any deep-seated hatred for each other. This can be resolved if there's a way. If merfolk can utilize their value on land, ordinary humans are more accepting of them. Therefore, I want to recruit some merfolk or fish-people to serve as part of the navy's fighting force..."

Before she could even finish speaking, and before Otohime could respond, the four people behind her started shouting.

"Hey, sir, you must be joking!"

"So sudden?"

"You always have such imaginative ideas!"

"Fish don't have much fighting ability, do they?"

However, ignoring his subordinates' thoughts, Roman still smiled broadly and looked at the silent Princess Otohime with great interest.

Meanwhile, Otohime was also weighing her options.

Secretly, she really wanted to say yes.

Roman's meaning was clear: if humans wanted to accept mermaids, they had to offer enough incentives. The reason why his side needed to offer incentives first was also very practical: the mermaid race was not as strong as the humans.

Even though ordinary fish-men are dozens of times stronger than humans, she could sense that the child in front of her was very strong, strong enough to easily destroy this palace.

But even with such power, she still chooses a gentler way to talk to me, so I can trust her.

However, what troubled Otohime was that if it were simply a political bargaining chip, she could discuss it with Neptune and give it up as long as it could achieve the goal. But Roman wanted their people.

This is not something that Princess Otohime can just take out casually; it requires the consent of the people, who have long harbored resentment towards humanity.

In terms of combat strength, fishmen are generally stronger than merfolk, but fishmen harbor more resentment towards humans than merfolk.

Moreover, the girl in front of them was far too young.

To accomplish something like this, political standing is essential.

No, no, if she were a Marine, even at this age, with such strength, she should rightfully possess a certain amount of power. Even if she doesn't, there are certainly people who admire her…

Just as Otohime was still pondering, there was a commotion outside her door.

"Please wait a moment, Jinbe, the Queen is entertaining guests."

"It's too dangerous to leave the princess with humans. I must go in no matter what."

Next, Otohime's door was opened again.