Chapter 1119: They Are the Bottomless Abyss
Chapter 1119: They Are the Bottomless Abyss
A few hours later, beneath Doveridge Royal City's subway train station, the underground train came to a halt at its destination.
"We've arrived. This is the Royal City", York said, stepping forward as the train doors opened. He gave Kuro and the others a mock salute, grinning. "Our pleasant train journey has ended. Don’t forget this 'Stellar Sky,' as we now enter Dominica’s Royal City—the shining pearl of the entire land. I’ll be accompanying you all to the Palace."
Kuro ignored him, exiting the train first. York’s eyes gleamed as he moved to follow, but suddenly, a hand hooked around his shoulder.
"Comrade! Let’s explore Doveridge Royal City together!" Sazil slung an arm across York’s neck, laughing heartily.
York twitched his lips into a strained smile. "Indeed, comrade."
As the group emerged above ground, the cityscape unfolded. As expected, the Royal City’s territory was dominated by low, squat buildings stretching toward the city walls—except for the central district, where a towering, radiant White Inner Wall enclosed a palace constructed from nearly luminous, snow-white stone.
"That’s the Palace", Harvey murmured, bowing slightly as he walked beside Kuro. "Please follow me there carefully. The commoners here can be dangerous."
"Dangerous?" Kas frowned, eyeing the shadowy figures huddled in corners of the low houses. "Isn’t it your duty as rulers to eliminate these dangers and improve their lives? If their living conditions improved, wouldn’t the danger vanish?"
"Improve their lives…" Harvey repeated the phrase, shaking his head before continuing silently.
York, however, smirked. Breaking free from Sazil’s grasp, he strode ahead, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, improving their lives? Of course we’ve improved them! Look closely—these humble homes weren’t always like this. This area used to have far grander architecture, rivaling even the famed ‘Dressrosa’ of the New World in splendor."
He gestured at the shanties, their roofs marred by residual energy from recent demolitions, as if the taller buildings had been forcibly shorn down. "The people wanted better treatment, so our great King graciously obliged", he continued, his voice rising to a theatrical bellow. "Behold, my beloved subjects! Are you satisfied?!"
His laughter echoed as the crowd recoiled. Muffled sobs drifted from the shadows.
"Seems they are", York cooed, adjusting his glasses with a smirk. "See how happy they are with our governance? Tears of joy, of course!"
Wilbur snapped, "You wicked—"
"Close Your Mouth!" York’s face contorted into a snarl. "You’re mere Navy officers! You have no authority to question our kingdom’s internal policies. We’re an independent member state—our rights are ours alone!"
"York!" Harvey barked, his expression darkening.
York abruptly softened, his face smoothing into a genial smile. "Apologies for my outburst. I hope this petty display doesn’t tarnish your view of Dominica. I’m simply… temperamental. But our great King is truly benevolent, I assure you."
Kuro watched York’s theatrical shift with a blank stare. "How long has it been?"
Klah quickly answered, "Five hours and counting since we boarded the ship."
"Round up. Six hours, ninety million Beri. Round again—call it one hundred million. And we haven’t even reached the Palace yet. This sum could buy Kemorike’s people a proper graveyard, with enough left over to—"
He left the rest unsaid. The others exchanged glances. The city’s poverty was glaring. They understood his intent: help if you can.
"Conscience", Lida muttered.
York sneered. "Don’t waste your pity. They’re a bottomless abyss—never enough to satisfy."
He halted, turning toward the Palace. "Here we are."
The gates of the snow-white walls creaked open. Kuro scoffed at the towering structure and strode in.
As he entered, two guards sprang forth, crossing their halberds. "The King invites only Golden Lion Admiral. Others must wait."
Lida’s brow twitched in irritation, but Kuro waved him off. "Fine. Wait here. Let me see what games this fool wants to play."
The Vice Admirals remained unconcerned. Golden Lion Admiral’s reputation preceded him—no threat could touch him. Even a sneak attack from Kaido himself would fail.
"Here he comes", a middle-aged man with maroon hair and golden eyes murmured, swirling wine in a goblet atop the Palace. His gaze locked onto Kuro below, his lips curling into a smile tinged with curiosity and possessive audacity.
Kuro paused, tilting his head upward. Their eyes met—the same piercing stare he’d encountered when Kaido and Big Mom first tried recruiting him.
He raised a single finger. "One hundred million Beri."
The maroon-haired man chuckled, retreating inside. "Open the main hall. The Admiral is my guest today."
(End of Chapter)
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