Chapter 214: Dead Men Don't Get Nights Anymore
Chapter 214: Dead Men Don’t Get Nights Anymore
Absolon was quickly dragged in, bound not only by the Seastone Handcuffs but also by thick iron chains.
Though the Seastone suppressed his ability to use Devil Fruit powers and drained his physical strength, Kuro still wasn’t taking chances. After all, even without his Devil Fruit, Absolon’s raw physical strength might still let him overpower ordinary Navy soldiers. Escaping was unthinkable.
“Move!”
The Lieutenant shoved Absolon forward, knocking him to the floor, then drew his weapon and kept it trained on him.
Absolon grunted, his head snapping up as he glared at the group in the office.
“Talk,” Kuro exhaled a plume of smoke. “What’s the situation with the Tada Kingdom?”
Absolon scoffed, “You’re joking, right? Navy? You think I’d actually tell you?”
The smoke drifted from Kuro’s mouth, curling through the air as if with a mind of its own. It reached Absolon, curling into his nostrils and mouth, creeping inside.
“Ugh! Cough! Cough cough!”
Absolon’s eyes widened. He hacked violently, but no matter how hard he coughed, the smoke clung stubbornly to his airways, refusing to leave.
The suffocating sensation was unbearable.
Blood vessels burst in his eyes as he clenched his teeth, growling, “Don’t… underestimate pirates!”
The smoke re-emerged from his mouth and nose, dissipating into the air.
Kuro sighed. He’d just been experimenting—what if this guy turned out to be a coward?
But clearly, high-ranking pirates had their own brand of resilience.
Seeing Kuro’s apparent disinterest, Absolon smirked. “What? Scared I’ll die? No use. The moment I was captured, I was ready to die. No matter what tortures you use, I’ll never talk. Pirates have their own integrity.”
“Interrogation?”
Hugo perked up. “Leave it to me!”
He strode up to Absolon, licking his lips. “I haven’t seen a pirate in ages. Don’t worry, I’ll treat you well! I used to love discussing pirates’ life stories—why they sailed the seas, what epic adventures they had. Every pirate has a tale to tell. Even though pirates are enemies, it’s precisely because they’re enemies that they deserve respect.”
Crouching down, he reached his hand toward Absolon’s face, eyes gleaming. “You’re an old-era pirate, aren’t you? You must know so many secrets—the stories of pirate adventures, your own story… Oh gods, I’m already dying to listen carefully! No rush, take your time. I’ve got all day.”
Absolon’s eyes bulged as he watched the fat hand approach. “It’s the ability! I’ll talk, just get this fat pig away from me!”
“Huh?”
Kuro tilted his head, then nodded slowly. Makes sense.
Who could withstand this kind of relentless chatter? Especially when the chatterer also insisted on getting handsy?
Hugo’s face darkened. “Fat pig? This is a symbol of peace, you know! Peaceful environments make you eat more, and eating more makes you fat! You can’t just call me fat.”
“Hugo Commander,” Kuro cut in, “focus on the intel first.”
Hugo pouted but stood. “You’re a pirate, so you wouldn’t understand peace. I’ll let it slide. But once you start telling your story, you’ll see…”
“Just keep him away from me.”
Absolon growled, “Or I’ll die without saying a word.”
Kuro suppressed a smirk. “Hugo Commander, step back a bit.”
As Hugo retreated, Absolon finally exhaled in relief.
“I gave you a chance to keep your dignity,” Kuro said, chewing on his cigar. “Don’t make me regret it.”
“Let me up first.” Absolon muttered. “I won’t talk to anyone while groveling on the ground.”
Kuro nodded to the Lieutenant, who yanked Absolon upright by his chains.
“Hmph. Actually, there’s nothing to hide.” Absolon chuckled darkly. “You can’t stop it anyway.”
He turned to Kuro. “With your Observation Haki piercing through abilities, you must’ve seen it at the port—the signboard that looks like a law, but is actually a story.”
“That one? It’s the ability,” Kuro said. “Have you heard of The Witch’s Vengeance?”
“Ahh!” Lida suddenly gasped, clutching her hands together. “Yes! That’s the title! I’ve read it!”
“Lida?” Kuro turned to her.
Lida frowned. “I saw that story when I visited here years ago.”
“The Witch’s Vengeance?” Hugo frowned. “Isn’t that a banned book?”
“What? Aren’t you mistaken? It was a bestseller when I was here,” Lida replied, confused.
Absolon’s malicious grin widened at their confusion.
“That’s the ability. The story in that book is real. The town’s residents transform into monsters craving blood at night, just like the tale.”
“The person giving us hints earlier?” Kuro narrowed his eyes. “Who’s he? What ability? What’s your connection?”
“Ah, him? He calls himself ‘Bluebeard.’”
“As for what he looks like? Not sure. Male or female? No idea. He approached me as soon as I arrived. We were just partners. His book only works when someone reads it, but the Kingdom banned it long ago.”
“But that doesn’t matter. Someone always reads it. It was just too slow. Until I arrived. With my ability, I could create illusions. You thought that signboard was the Tada Kingdom’s law, but in reality, the moment you saw it, you were already infected.”
“But some of you have strong wills. The ability doesn’t work on you. That’s where Sipatia comes in. It’s too late now. Only a few days have passed, but the work is done. Hahaha!”
Absolon laughed wildly. "There’s no place left in the Tada Kingdom that’s still awake. And this Tada Town will be the final harvest. Tonight, you’ll witness true despair. You’ll regret it—regret ever staying awake!"
“You—!”
Kuro suddenly sensed something and moved to stand, but Absolon slammed backward, driving the Lieutenant’s blade through his own heart.
“You bastard… You thought I’d let you live? You think a Navy like you is that simple?” Absolon gasped, his voice weakening.
His life aura was fading.
“Ahhh?! How dare you die like this?! I was going to chat with you all night!” Hugo stared, eyes wide.
“Shut up, fat pig!”
Absolon glared one last time, then laughed. “Night? You won’t live to see nightfall. Dead men don’t get nights anymore.”
His head tilted sideways, eyes still open, his aura extinguished.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
