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Chapter 1001: Knight's Humiliation
Chapter 1001: Knight's Humiliation
On the island, Herbert flashed David a malevolent grin before charging down the hillside like a storm. His spinning Chakram whirled with such speed that it left behind a wispy afterimage. Like a tiger lunging into a flock of sheep, he barreled into the remaining pirates. The Chakram slashed through his path like a scythe, cleaving pirates in two and showering the air with blood. In moments, he reached David.
David swung his greatsword in a single motion.
The tremendous impact and rushing air current blew against Herbert's afterimage-like figure, causing it to stagger and halt.
Hsssh!
The greatsword swung again, its blade slicing toward Herbert. He leapt backward, pivoting his body with a spin and flipping midair to land gracefully on his feet.
"Not bad, King Conqueror", Herbert sneered, licking his lips. "Your strength is truly impressive. Even a casual swing makes me want to retreat... Almost makes me want to kill you!"
"Three-blade Chakram, high-speed mobility, agile strikes", David muttered, his gaze sweeping over Herbert before settling on the Azure Falcon Flower emblem on his chest. "The Koboli Kingdom's 'Blade Knight Corps'?"
Herbert froze, then laughed. "Surprised you know of our knightly order, you upstart new king without a drop of royal blood."
David replied, "I’ve heard rumors. The beautiful, romantic Koboli Kingdom, safeguarded by a bloodthirsty knight corps? But wasn’t your nation destroyed two decades ago? Are there still survivors?"
"Ah, you actually know that much", Herbert grinned. "Yes, the nation and our order were both annihilated!"
"Yet you seem proud despite losing your homeland and liege?" David shook his head. "Pathetic."
"What would a new king understand?" Herbert sneered. "This is freedom! The ultimate freedom I’ve ever known! Let me share a secret—I once served the Kingdom’s princess, its heir apparent. But on the day our nation fell, I personally killed her. Oh, not betrayal! As a knight, I upheld my sacred oath. A knight’s honor comes from their master’s will. I saw her suffering, so I relieved her of life’s burden. I took her death upon myself—what loyalty!"
Before he finished, a thunderous boom erupted. A heavy aura surged as David lunged like a panther, raising his greatsword high and slamming it down with earth-shaking force.
Boom!!
The ground beneath exploded into a crater, sending rubble and dust flying.
"Why so angry?" Herbert’s voice floated mockingly from the smoke. As it cleared, he stood unscathed behind David. "Because you, as a ruler, resent being slain by a subordinate?"
"No." David’s voice echoed from his helm. "As a knight, I cannot forgive you. You broke your vow to your master. No matter the knightly order, an oath remains the same. You claimed to understand her heart? I recall the Koboli princess once declared her wish was eternal happiness. A knight’s duty is to fulfill that wish. Yet you did nothing but guess her thoughts. Did your mistress ever say, even once, that her life was a burden?"
Herbert’s face darkened. The woman he once swore to protect had never uttered such words.
"So what if she didn’t?" he spat. "The Kingdom crumbled. The King was too ill to rule. The nobles refused orders. The nation weakened, losing its romantic charm. Dressrosa seized that title, becoming the ‘Land of Love, Passion, and Toys.’ The princess never found happiness. She suffered. I couldn’t bear it—I killed her. What’s wrong with that?"
"Utterly wrong!" David roared. "You forsook your knightly promise! When you became a knight, didn’t they teach you? A master’s wish is a knight’s mission, no matter how absurd! Her wish was happiness—your mission was to grant it! The nation weakened? That’s not your burden! You served the princess, not the realm! If her unhappiness stemmed from a failing kingdom, you strengthened it. If it came from the King’s illness, you sought a cure. If the nobles defied her, you replaced them! Did you do any of that? No! You wallowed in sorrow, complained, and guessed her thoughts. You’re unworthy of the knight’s name!"
Herbert recoiled, his face paling.
"Your shame is a stain on knighthood itself!" David thundered. "A true knight is their master’s sword, shield, and will made flesh. To guess is human—but you never even asked! I am ashamed to call you brother in arms!"
David never presumed Kurolord’s intent without first asking, "What is your wish?" When the answer came—world peace—he built his path upon that foundation. Herbert, however, had failed the simplest duty of a knight.
"You are a disgrace. A humiliation—knight’s humiliation!"
David tightened his grip on his greatsword. "I’ll kill you myself. Then, in the underworld, you’ll answer to your master!"
...
Far above the Grand Line, a frozen ice sculpture of a pirate ship jutted from the sea, its surrounding waters frozen into a glacial island. Nearby, Baka Uncle pedaled lazily on a bicycle, his tiny sunglasses gleaming, a satchel slung over his shoulder, and a penguin waddling beside him.
"Ah, pirates again. These New World types have gotten rowdy lately. Kuro’s been busy—maybe the Navy will act?"
He glanced at the ice sculpture, sighed, and resumed pedaling.
(End of Chapter)
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