Arceus's Pirate Journey

Chapter 618: Chapter 617: Beta Testers and the Scramble for ”Open Beta” Slots

Part of the Hundred Beasts left Ghost Island with Tesoro like a tour group. The Grand Tesoro hasn’t officially opened yet, so these people can be considered beta testers.

”By the way, everyone, at this stage you can play freely, but when the official opening day arrives, please hold back for a while. You might see some annoying people.”

”Annoying people?”

”Yes, the Heavenly Celestial Dragons. They will also participate in the first day’s events. They are indeed annoying, but they are useful to us now. I will send them away as soon as possible; it will probably take just a little over ten minutes.”

The Heavenly Celestial Dragons are quite a contradictory species. They love to join in the fun, yet disdain sharing the same air with ordinary people. So, Tesoro specially crafted a space high up for the Heavenly Celestial Dragons, isolating them from the outside with glass.

This way, they are out of sight and out of mind, no longer a bother, reducing risks, and allowing Tesoro to collect a ’stupidity tax’ from them.

This space was said to be filled with imported compressed air from Mary Geoise, perfectly catering to the Heavenly Celestial Dragons’ needs. Naturally, such a setting required exorbitant fees.

To keep things simple, the fees could just be deducted directly from the Heavenly Tribute. Tesoro was thus earning his money back through this method.

What made Mary Geoise air different from air elsewhere, Tesoro did not know; he only understood that this face-saving project could profit from the Heavenly Celestial Dragons, as they believed in this setup.

He even specifically prepared a few employees whose task was to carry unknown machines to Mary Geoise to collect air.

There were numerous accompanying personnel besides the various exotic species with Tesoro, Cyclizar’s partners, families of the High-Level Officials such as Zeraora’s two children, Bepo and Perona who helped care for the kids, and Kuma who accompanied Perona.

Kozuki Hiyori’s attendants and household staff experienced good accommodations in the palaces of the Flower Capital, but such confined living would drive anyone insane over time. No matter how grand, a prison remains a prison.

Kozuki Hiyori was thrilled to be able to leave the Flower Capital, and his attendants, although somewhat worried, couldn’t interfere with their lord’s decision.

As the beta testers headed for the Grand Tesoro, others began booking ”open testing” tickets. Some nobles, wealthy merchants from all over, and ordinary residents of the Red Earth Continent, all interested in setting up shop and doing business on the Grand Tesoro, took action.

However, the biggest flow of people came from the Underworld.

”President Morgans, do you really need to personally lead such a small thing? And is it necessary to bring so many people?”

A journalist questioned upon seeing dozens of people behind Morgans, essentially the entire main force of the World Economic News Agency, all trusted aides in various departments.

”What nonsense are you talking? This gathering will have many big figures; someone is bound to take interest in these events, and you may never get a chance to visit such a place for free in your lifetime. I’m securing benefits for you here.”

As journalists, they had certain privileges like entering luxury venues. Morgans took the opportunity to conduct a team-building event for the World Economic News Agency.

”You have all worked for me for several years now. I want to caution you that you might see many things, remember not to take pictures recklessly; if you offend someone you shouldn’t, I won’t be able to save you.”

After the caution, the journalists embarked on their team-building journey, while other ”kings” of the Dark World also began to act. Stussy was one of them, even carrying some secret orders from the World Government.

Du Feld, Umit, and Jibson received invitations, motivated by the desire to expand their business networks, they set off. However, the Big Hand Funeral Director, Dorag Piekro, wasn’t invited due to being too ominous.

Having an undertaker at the opening ceremony was not a good omen. Even the BIG MOM Pirates sent a few high-level officials to the Grand Tesoro, seizing the opportunity for Underground World leaders to meet, as they also had many business matters to discuss.

Although the Grand Tesoro was vast in size, its capacity was limited. Those on the invited list could board, while others needed a ticket.

For ordinary people, it was just the opening of a large amusement park, whether to go or not wasn’t crucial; but for some, like Doflamingo, it was different.

At this moment, he and the family’s high-level officials had barged into a wealthy merchant’s house on the island.

”Sir, could you please hand over your ticket?”

Tesoro’s promotional campaign was very successful, with Grand Tesoro tickets sold out. To acquire one, Doflamingo resorted to force.

Previously, he successfully became a distributor for one of the Hundred Beasts’ regions, but for the Hundred Beasts, a distributor was just a matter of a word; if he didn’t, others would readily take over. Currently, Doflamingo didn’t even have an invitation.

But he had to go; he had sensed how many people this gathering would attract, a chance to integrate into the New World circle, which was extremely beneficial for his plans.

Taking the ticket from the trembling hand of the other, Doflamingo left directly, not feeling the need to silence them considering the other’s cooperation.

”Doffy, are you really going alone?”

”Fufufufufufu, of course. No need to worry; that Heavenly Celestial Dragon letter isn’t fake. With their acknowledgement, the World Government and the Navy won’t act there, and pirates won’t tempt fate at such a time.

Even if some reckless people try, they can’t cause storms on the ship, or the Hundred Beasts would lose considerable face.”

Doflamingo guessed correctly, this was also why the Hundred Beasts sent several high-level officials on the trip. If that ship were attacked by pirates, it would be an insult to the Hundred Beasts.

The Heavenly Celestial Dragons had a dedicated escort, with a team of Navy and CP following them to the Grand Tesoro, though mixed in were some unusual individuals, including the current CP5 chief, Spandam.

His presence on the team was due to efforts by Spandine, with some World Government officials treating this mission as a funded vacation.

Additionally, there were some World Nobility gathered there. Spandine had Spandam accompany him to build connections with others, paving the way for Spandam’s future, even arranging to bring in some new CP9 members.