https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1037-The-Path-Is-Forged-by-Those-Who-Walk-It/13540768/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1039-Kuro-s-Ambition-a-Dream-Even-One-Piece-Can-t-Compare-To/13540779/
Chapter 1038: I Will Protect You Until You Become Masters!
Chapter 1038: I Will Protect You Until You Become Masters!
Kuro's words left Joshua momentarily stunned. Under his piercing gaze, even Joshua's drunken haze began to clear.
"The path is forged by those who walk it."
He muttered this line, staring at the ground for a while before suddenly revealing a bitter smile. "It's different for me. I can't be the first. I'm an 'emperor,' but I'm a fake one. I don't possess any noble bloodline - I'm just a commoner."
There was no 'emperor' position in Astartes, or rather, in the entire Grand Line. The title of 'emperor' was more commonly used for pirates or individuals with overwhelming dominance. It was a title, not part of the nobility class system where the highest rank was 'King.'
So while Joshua calling himself 'emperor' didn't draw much opposition, he knew deep down that he was an impostor without any inherent legitimacy or natural authority to rule others.
Kuro pointed at Joshua and said, "Don't get it twisted. If you're going to claim the title of 'emperor,' then you need to do things that benefit people. What you've been doing isn't what an emperor should do. A true emperor serves as a role model, inspiring people to move forward. Whether it's a pirate emperor or any other kind of emperor, they lead by example. How can you expect people to follow you if you don't set the standard yourself?"
"All those things you did before were great - whether it was being a mediator or simply demonstrating good character, you did them well. So why can't you do it now?"
Kuro's words struck at the heart of Joshua's insecurities.
This man, while doing everything well on the surface, still harbored deep-seated class distinctions. Despite calling himself 'emperor,' he was only advising commoners. When it came to taking real action against the upper echelons, aside from issuing those practically useless decrees, he was powerless because he lacked the courage to implement real change.
And this was precisely why Kuro didn't mind lending him a hand.
"If Faya Principality falls as you say, then it's essentially gone. With two nations attacking together, if the high nobility doesn't resist, Faya will easily be swallowed by the other two nations. And then what? Then it would be Saima Principality and Feldan Principality turning their weapons on each other until a new nation emerges to unify Astartes under its banner. But with the Four Emperors backing this conflict, the casualties will all be your people. Don't think pirates will fight for you. In the end, it will be the citizens of Astartes who suffer. Is that what you want?" Kuro said slowly.
Joshua slowly raised his head, the drunken flush fading from his face as his expression grew serious. "I don't want that!"
"Then you know better than anyone what needs to be done", Kuro said, exhaling a cloud of smoke with a smile.
Joshua picked up the newspaper, stared at Kuro for a moment, and finally turned to leave.
Stepping out of the grand theater, Joshua stood at the entrance, watching the people in the street still mourning. His gaze shifted from confusion to determination.
He flipped to the back page of the newspaper, where a small headline caught his eye - ["Faritear·Joshua", Criminal of the Realm!]
A minor headline taking up just a small portion of the newspaper denounced a man named Faritear·Joshua who claimed to be Astartes' 'emperor.' It stated that while he had previously been tolerated for his supposed care for the people, he had conspired with external forces to become the true ruler of Faya Principality. His involvement in the king's death was suspected. Now, he was no longer considered a citizen of Faya Principality and had been placed under a bounty of 100,000,000 Beri, dead or alive.
He had been publicly branded a criminal by the nobility of Faya Principality and stripped of his citizenship. It was precisely because of this newspaper article that he had wanted to appeal to the Navy, though he knew in his heart that this was just drunken rambling. He understood clearly that the Navy would never get involved in internal kingdom affairs, no matter how powerful they were.
He just wanted to try - just in case.
But that conversation with the Navy officer had sobered him up.
Yes.
An emperor was someone who led by example. If he couldn't take action himself, what qualification did he have to claim the title of emperor? What right did he have to demand anything from others?
He had to set the example first!
Joshua took a deep breath and suddenly drew the pistol at his waist, firing a shot into the air.
Bang!
The sudden gunshot silenced the wailing of the crowd on the street.
Joshua swept his gaze over the people and shouted, "My subjects!"
The sound of his voice drew everyone's attention. When they saw it was Joshua, their initial panic and surprise at the gunshot vanished as they simply stood watching him.
He raised the newspaper and showed them that section of the paper. "The emperor of Astartes, your guardian, Faritear·Joshua, has been declared a criminal by Faya Principality!"
This proclamation sent shockwaves through the crowd as people quickly flipped to the back page of their newspapers to see the small headline.
This news instantly overshadowed their grief over the king's death.
"No way! How could Joshua possibly conspire with outside forces?!"
"Outside forces? You mean the Navy? That's impossible! The Navy came here to make Faya Principality a member state, and we don't believe Joshua would assassinate the king!"
"The nobles are just spewing nonsense! We won't listen to them. Joshua, it's going to be alright - we won't turn you in!"
The citizens shouted back in response.
Joshua simply shook his head and shouted over them:
"That's not what I'm trying to say! What I want to point out is that those nobles don't care about our lives at all! They only care about their own interests! They don't give a damn what happens to Faya Principality or whether we live or die! All they care about is protecting their own territories, even if it means sacrificing the entire nation! How can such people possibly achieve the unification of Astartes? They're using our lives for their selfish desires, and I say enough!"
"My subjects! My loyal subjects! As the emperor of Astartes, I now declare this city - my most loyal city - independent! We will reject any and all commands and resist any aggression! Starting with me, I will protect you, and I will fight for you!"
"Let me lead the way, and you must decide - do you want to be free individuals who control their own destiny in Astartes, or will you remain the nobles' sacrificial lambs?"
Joshua's voice echoed through the entire street, reverberating through the air, reaching Kuro's ears as he watched from above.
"Wanted?"
Kuro flipped open the newspaper, saw the small headline, and chuckled.
"Actually quite clever. He understands the power of a popular figure's influence. Pity he did it the wrong way."
When a person's popularity can influence an entire city, the proper approach would be to maintain stability, not to take this kind of provocative action. Even without Kuro's advice, he would have made the same decision.
(End of Chapter)
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