Chapter 223: The Final Tragedy
Chapter 223: The Final Tragedy
The tens of thousands were surely gone, but hundreds had likely been absorbed into him.
Kuro raised Autumn Water, preparing to flood the last palace with seawater using his ability. Suddenly, a gust of wind blew, flipping open the cover of the book in his hands.
He glanced at it, his movements pausing slightly. Then, he opened the book and began turning pages one by one, stopping at the final page before falling silent.
After a moment, Kuro sighed, “Forget it, forget it.”
He dove down through the void.
This vast palace resembled a grand cathedral—prayer chairs lined both sides, while the center featured a wide aisle. The floor was paved with an unknown stone that gleamed even in the darkness.
Ahead loomed a massive cross radiating a silvery moonlight hue. The glow reflecting off the floor originated from this cross.
Kuro tightened his grip on Autumn Water, gazing at the darkness beside the cross as he murmured,
“In truth, this world is what it is. I won’t judge your actions—good or evil are for others to debate. We’re not so different, really. Maybe I’m just luckier, a bit more worldly-wise. That’s all.”
From the shadows, a towering figure emerged—five meters tall, its skin dark, spine serpentine, yet humanoid with limbs and facial features resembling Lais’s original face.
“Nilo! Kill Nilo!”
It roared, crouching on all fours before lunging forward.
“Slash Wave!”
A wispgolden slash struck its massive body, sending it reeling backward and crashing into the glowing cross behind it, toppling it. A deep gash tore across its form.
Its body was naturally resilient, but even after absorbing hundreds of lives and that fly-like creature, it was still insufficient.
The time granted by those hundreds of souls, judging by the rate its life aura dissipated, would last no more than ten minutes before vanishing completely.
“Come on, as a man, face me in battle.”
Kuro tossed the book beside it. “You’ve lived such a pathetic life. In a novel, you’d be a pile of trash. But even a terrible book deserves an ending, doesn’t it? Is this your end—transformed into a monster, consumed by hatred, dying pathetically in a cathedral you despise?!”
“Write your ending! Even without a pen, carve it into existence with your final act!”
The monster’s eyes lowered, spotting the book beside it. Its murky gaze flickered with a sliver of clarity.
Slowly, it rose, no longer crawling but standing upright like a human.
Whoosh!
A wing unfurled from its back—half black, half white—a broken angel torn between corruption and redemption.
The monster gripped the glowing cross in one hand, wrenching it free. Flame erupted from its arm, surging into the cross, transforming it into a colossal flame-covered cross-sword.
Then, it grasped it with both hands, adopting a clumsy two-handed stance, blade raised before its body.
Its sword posture was clearly that of a novice.
Yet, at this moment, it seemed more human than ever.
“That’s it! As a warrior, I’ll show you my utmost respect by using my strongest technique.”
Kuro swiped Autumn Water with two fingers, his voice heavy: “Shinmeiryu Style.”
Boom!
The sky thundered. The night grew darker, thick clouds swallowing the stars.
“Roar!”
The monster—no, Lais—charged forward, flame sword raised, cleaving downward at Kuro. Firelight illuminated the vast cathedral.
“Ultimate Mystic Art.”
Kuro neither dodged nor retreated. The blade blazed golden as he swung upward to meet Lais’s strike.
A blinding light erupted in the heavens. A golden dragon surged from Kuro’s slash, tearing through the palace’s ceiling, crashing down upon Lais.
Hiss!!!
Lais’s flame cross-sword halted at Kuro’s shoulder, its flames scorching his clothes, leaving a residual energy burn on his shoulder.
But Lais himself split in two diagonally from the shoulder down, his halves crashing heavily to the ground.
Kuro slowly sheathed his blade, walked to Lais’s severed head, and sat beside it, murmuring, “Feel better?”
The bisected body suddenly chuckled, “Not bad. This fighting thing… it’s nothing like I imagined.”
Though split, Lais’s vitality lingered—faint, but present.
“Forget it. Our experience gap’s just too wide.”
Kuro approached, pulling out a cigar. “Premium stuff. Want one?”
“Pass. Lisa’ll scold me.”
Lais chuckled again, “Though she probably never wants to see me again… I did kill so many. Speaking of which, as a Navy, don’t you hate me?”
“The Navy’s duty is to hunt pirates. You’re not a pirate, so I’m not here as a Navy—just as someone who couldn’t stand idly by.”
Kuro exhaled smoke. “Besides, once you’re dead, nothing matters. Even if I scattered your ashes across the Grand Line, it wouldn’t change a thing.”
“What a strange man.”
Lais sighed. “But… I wish I could be like you.”
“Nope. You’re not as handsome as me.” Kuro said bluntly.
“Still no pity, huh?”
He smiled, paused, then asked, “Hey, what title do you think fits this chapter?”
Kuro pondered, gesturing to his burned shoulder, “Think about it—me, an Admiral Candidate, actually wounded by you. A tragic hero, consumed by revenge, confronted by a wicked Navy. He fights fearlessly, dies, yet remains undiminished.”
“How about The Final Tragedy?”
“What a terrible chapter title.” Lais chuckled. “No one’d like it—since you’re the one representing Justice.”
“Have confidence! A dark hero is still a hero. Integrity and purpose transcend alignment. The Navy has trash, pirates have good men.”
Kuro’s expression turned solemn. “As long as this is the story you want to write, I, Lucius Kro, will hold this book high and declare to the world: I acknowledge it!”
“Is that so?”
Lais smiled, gazing at the shattered dome above. The night was fading, giving way to dawn.
Suddenly, he muttered, “I ate the Scribble-Scribble Devil Fruit—the Write-Write Fruit. It lets me make written things real, but only if someone reads them. If few see it, my power’s weak, and it can’t affect those with strong wills.”
“Gurgas, Hugo, and the Kingdom's strongmen? Sipatia helped me eliminate them. Kuro, beware that woman. Her mind… it’s not like ordinary people’s.”
A ray of sunlight pierced the dome, illuminating his face. The monstrousness softened, his features gradually returning to normal.
“I guess… I was never meant to wield a sword. A pen suits me better. Lisa, if you hate me, come find me. Scold me all you want then.”
“Oh, and thanks… Evil Navy.”
Lais smiled, closing his eyes.
His body crumbled to ash, scattering like embers, spiraling upward through the hole in the dome.
Kuro sat silently for a while, then picked up the book, placing it solemnly where Lais had lain. He turned and walked away.
The wind stirred the pages, settling on the first one.
“Prologue: I wish to be someone who records the tales of the Grand Line. PS: More than anything, I want Lisa by my side.”
The wind carried it to the end.
“Epilogue: Those who repent and embrace kindness shall find Lisa’s protection—immune to all ailments.”
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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