Chapter 257: Tea Party Intrigue on Cake Island

He spoke cautiously. “So, about this banquet…”

Before he could finish, Carven Hendy cut him off. “Of course we’re going. Opportunities like this don’t come around often.”

“If we can form an alliance by marriage, it could protect both our lives.”

“Bring your eldest daughter. You and I will attend together.”

“With a banquet this grand, we don’t need to worry about the Rox Family pulling any tricks.”

Carven Hendy was resolute. He suspected the Rox Family was hosting the tea party to hide something, but that didn’t change his decision. Marrying into the Rox Family could break the current deadlock in the Empire.

With absolute power suppressing them, there would be no fighting between him and his brother, and the Red Blossom Empire wouldn’t fall into chaos.

“Alright, I’ll go fetch my daughter.” Lex gently set down the invitation, already thinking about how to break the news to his daughter as he lifted his skirt and headed outside.

Since they’d decided to go, he figured it best to give his daughter a little warning first. Royal daughters had little choice in these matters, but she was still his precious child.

Carven Hendy hummed a tune as he walked into an inner room where a huge sand table stood. The miniature on top was Harth Island, the seat of the Red Blossom Empire.

Red, yellow and green flags dotted the sandbox, representing himself, the second prince and the third prince.

There were just over a dozen red flags, but dozens of yellow and green ones—each more than double his own.

In the center of the sand table stood a lone white flag symbolizing the old king. He reached out, plucked it, and clenched it in his hand. “When I return, this country will be mine and mine alone.”

Cake Island!

The first to arrive, as everyone expected, were Kano and Leo, setting out from Fishman Island. From their ship, they spotted Krell waiting at the harbor. Before the boat even docked, they leapt ashore and rushed over to greet him.

Naturally, the meeting sparked a flurry of greetings. “Krell! It’s been ages!”

“How have you been? By the way, I sent a team to give your old house back home a full makeover.”

“Hahaha, it’s really been years, Krell!”

Krell stepped forward and pulled them into a tight hug. When he heard about his house, he bowed. “Brother Kano, I owe you one.”

“Has everything been calm on Fishman Island these years?”

His tone brimmed with concern. Even though Krell had no family left there, the old hometown would always have a place in anyone’s heart.

He’d grown up on that island after all, with memories buried deep in its sands.

“Haha, don’t worry Krell. Life on Fishman Island is as simple as always.”

“Ever since the Rox Pirates hoisted their flag, troublemakers rarely show their faces around here.”

“Even if some pirates get cocky, our Fishman brothers quickly take care of them.”

“Fishman Island’s changed so much these days, you might not even recognize it.”

“Alright, I’ll definitely visit when I have time.”

“Still, it feels a bit unfair to leave Alo stationed there all alone.”

They exchanged glances and broke into laughter. Krell patted them on the shoulders. “You two really got here early.”

“There are still a few days left before the tea party. Let me show you to your rooms.”

“Oh right, how’s Halil doing?”

“Not so great. He’s still unconscious, but at least his life isn’t in danger.”

“…”

To make sure the early arrivals wouldn’t be left without a place to stay, the open area by the Cake Island harbor held rows of guesthouses built in advance.

They could house nearly a thousand guests, and if more people showed up, a construction team could put up even more rooms in just a few hours.

After settling them in, Krell headed back toward the shore. Some important figures were bound to arrive soon, and he was the perfect host for the occasion. In fact, their arrival seemed to spark a wave—soon, ships big and small started appearing on the horizon as factions from every corner made their entrance.

As the sun slipped below the horizon, bright lights flickered on all over Cake Island, turning it into a glowing beacon.

Beyond the guesthouses stood a huge semicircular mall—one of four surrounding Cake Castle at the center.

Inside, you could find anything imaginable and plenty you couldn’t: Chinese food, Western food, milk tea shops, arcades, amusement parks, clothing stores, escape rooms, even a mahjong parlor—endless entertainment options.

In one corner, Morgans gathered his reporters. “I smell big news in the air. Spread out across the island and keep your eyes open. Anything worth reporting, get word to me first.”

True to his title as the newsmaker, Morgans had already sniffed out traces of the World Government among certain suspicious followers. It was the classic cat-and-mouse sixth sense.

When a pirate-hosted gathering turned up a few World Government agents, there was bound to be an explosive story. What, were they here for tea and cake too?

The team of reporters all nodded—they trusted Morgans’ gut more than anyone’s—and scattered across the island, ready to record any major event as it happened.

“Are you sure you saw right?”

“Relax, sir, you didn’t mistake it. The way they slink around—they’re definitely from the World Government.”

“What normal person would snoop around the labs like that?”

“Alright, keep watch here. I’m going to report up.”

A few voices whispered from the shadows of a dark alley before fading away completely.

If you happened into that alley, you’d find it empty with no place to hide. The truth was, they were hidden in tunnels underground.

After last time’s incident, they’d learned there were gaps in the island’s defenses. So, after some quick discussions between Krell, Perospero and a few others, they dug a network of tunnels beneath the island—an underground maze.

Anyone who wandered inside would be lost in seconds, and the tunnels even led straight to the Fishmen’s territory—a handy escape route.

Soon, a Fishman hurried through the tunnels and delivered the news to Katakuri on his patrol.

After a brief discussion, Katakuri grabbed his trident and followed the Fishman.

“Plenty of rats skittering in the dark.”

“Ma ma ma ma!”

“No matter how many rats there are, they can’t topple an elephant.”

“Hahaha, Linlin’s right. This isn’t your ordinary world.”

“Let them add a bit of flavor to this otherwise dull tea party.”

As the first wave arrived on the island, Karl and Charlotte Linlin were already sitting atop Cake Castle, snacking on sunflower seeds and desserts.

Karl had covered the entire island in Observation Haki since morning and hadn’t withdrawn it even once. The moment the World Government’s CP0 made their move, he’d instantly spotted their so-called lackeys.

But those lackeys were too weak for Karl to bother with. Might as well leave them for Katakuri and the others to practice on.