Chapter 474: Resist Me!
Chapter 474: Resist Me!
The very essence of a strong man's spirit had completely collapsed, unable to even form other coherent thoughts. What kind of devastation had he endured?
Was this happening in this kingdom?
After dragging the woman out, the soldiers continued storming into other houses, yanking people into the rain-soaked streets.
Men and women alike.
But without exception, all were in their prime—no children or elders.
When they dragged out the tenth person, the soldiers finally stopped their forced entry, leading the ten captives away.
"Ten."
Dick said, "At regular intervals, they come to seize ten people to replenish the minefield workforce. Always ten—no more, no less. They never take children or the elderly. It's like periodically sprinkling terror across the population. This kingdom's ruler, King Krayen Oger, treats his people like toys to be played with. Unless he's defeated, this nation will never change. So please—"
"Your speech will finish just as they're taken away, won't it?"
Kuro suddenly waved his hand, his pupils turning crimson as he gazed out the window.
The storm turned blood-red, and an intense, nearly tangible killing intent surged toward the line of soldiers.
In an instant, the soldiers stiffened and collapsed into the rain-soaked ground.
"See? That's that."
Kuro exhaled a stream of smoke, bypassed Dick, and leaned out the window, shouting, "Hey, the guards are all unconscious. Aren't you going to leave? Be careful not to catch a chill in this rain."
The bound captives, hearing this, remained motionless, staring blankly at the fallen soldiers.
"Mother!"
From the house where the woman had been dragged out, a little boy burst forth. His cry finally stirred the first woman into action. She rushed forward, embraced her child tightly, and knelt sobbing silently.
"They won't leave."
Dick said bitterly, "This is how the kingdom works. The king's rule has numbed them. They've lost all will to resist. Even with these soldiers down, they'll just wait for the next patrol to come take them away. No one here can escape."
"Numbness, huh?"
Kuro frowned, glancing at the ten captives. "Where's the minefield?"
"In—"
"Forget it, I'll find it myself."
Whoosh!
The tavern door suddenly burst open, cold wind and rain rushing in, making Dick shiver involuntarily.
Before he could react, the man was already gone.
Without needing Dick's guidance, Kuro's Observation Haki easily located the strongest cluster of numb despair. That was all the direction he needed.
The kingdom's minefield lay in a vast clearing among mountainous terrain. As Kuro flew, he casually activated his wristwatch, making a call.
"Kuro, sir!"
The call connected instantly, Klah's voice already waiting on the other end.
"Krayen Kingdom. Check its New World location and situation. Then come pick me up."
"Krayen Kingdom? Got it! Confirming location—Krayen Kingdom! Hurry and verify its coordinates and background!" Klah barked orders in the background.
Soon, the Transponder Snail's image flickered from a bespectacled fool to a leering pervert.
"Oh~ Kuro, Krayen Kingdom? The old man knows about that."
"Huh? Gramps?"
Kuro blinked. "You're with my subordinates?"
"Of course! My cute subordinates got injured, so the old man naturally came to pick them up", the Transponder Snail chuckled.
"Ah, that's reassuring. What's the situation with Krayen Kingdom?" Kuro asked.
"Krayen... The old man's heard of it. That kingdom is a 'hunting ground.' It's been that way for ages, though it wasn't called that before. When the new king took power, the name gradually stuck. However, it's not a World Government member state, so our Navy has no jurisdiction there. It's located right in the center of the Four Emperors' influence zones."
"The reason it hasn't been destroyed yet is because it's a haven for many pirates. Plus, the surrounding sea area has some peculiarities, so no one bothers meddling. Their king has quite a reputation too. Be careful if you go there. The old man will come pick you up soon."
"A lawless zone, huh? Got it. Ending call."
Kuro terminated the connection and flew toward the cluster of despair.
The minefield lay in a vast open area beside a mountain on this large island.
It was an open-air minefield. Even under the torrential rain, the clinking of metal echoed endlessly.
Countless ragged figures swung hoes, methodically striking the mountainside. From the base to the mid-slope, viewed from above, they resembled an ant column marching in unison.
Their eyes were hollow, their movements mechanical under the downpour, as if this mindless labor defined their existence.
Crack!
A whip suddenly lashed across someone's back amidst the storm.
Among the workers, a tall, obese man wielding a whip moved with such speed that he seemed to leave afterimages in the rain. After striking one person, the whip flashed to another's back in an instant.
Crack! Crack! Crack!!
The whip's roar exploded across the field.
"Too slow, you worthless trash!!"
The fat man swung his whip, bellowing, "Faster! Even faster! How can you satisfy King Oger's demands like this?! He's waiting for the money you earn to fund his luxuries!"
Struck by the whip, the workers showed no reaction, continuing their mechanical labor.
Tsk!
The obese man spat contemptuously, his gaze settling on the smallest figure among them—a young man with black hair. Compared to others, this youth was thinner, his exposed skin crisscrossed with whip wounds. He seemed to bear the worst injuries.
Unlike the others, the young man glared defiantly at the whip-wielder.
"No."
Sag pressed his lips together, lowered his head, and swung his hoe with force at the stone fragments, as if striking the fat man himself.
Crack!
A whip lash mercilessly struck his back.
Sag grunted, halting mid-swing. Gripping the hoe tightly, he turned to face the obese man.
"Resist me, Sag!"
The fat man's eyes gleamed with perverse delight. "It's been so long since I saw that look in your eyes. So fascinating! Why don't you resist? Resist me!"
Licking his lips, he laughed, "It'll be so much fun when you do! Hehehehahaha!"
"I..."
Sag's knuckles whitened around the hoe. He inhaled deeply, then resumed digging.
"I won't resist you, Minister Barber."
At this, the fat man's face darkened. "If that's how it is, then—"
He raised his whip high.
Swish!
The descending whip suddenly halted mid-air.
A gust of wind blew.
The whip had been caught—by a hand.
"Hm?" Barber turned, seeing a man in a fur coat and wide-brimmed fur hat gripping his weapon.
"How rare."
Kuro glanced around. "Seems like you're the only one here. So many people, yet none resist?"
(End of Chapter)
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