Chapter 758: Sword, Shield, Spear
Chapter 758: Sword, Shield, Spear
Their own countrymen...were killed by their own King's hand?!
David's logical and evidence-based speech left Raya Kingdom's army paralyzed. Their expressions turned rigid, and confusion clouded their minds.
"Why..."
Yef suddenly burst into tears. "We did resist! We were resisting properly! Even against Dressrosa, we wanted an upright battle! If we won, we'd be defending our homeland. If we lost, we wouldn't hold any resentment because we acted honorably! So why do this?!"
As Kingdom soldiers, they hadn't become collaborators the moment the King's army arrived. They remained loyal to their duties. The moment Dressrosa landed, they engaged in combat.
At that time, when they were driven back by Dressrosa and suffered casualties, they felt no resentment at all.
Because it was an honorable battle. They accepted their defeat without shame.
Yef swore they hadn't shown the slightest negligence. On the battlefield, they fought with complete seriousness. They simply lost because the enemy was stronger.
Yet why resort to such despicable methods? Those people were his own subjects!
Watching Yef cry bitterly, David said indifferently, "I won't try to justify anything because I admit I'm invading. I must take Raya Island - it's the final step of Dressrosa's first strategic plan. I'll seize it no matter what sacrifice it costs. If you've lost your fighting spirit, then live peacefully as subjects. As for your King, I'll execute him myself as a conqueror."
Saying this, he ignored the confused Raya soldiers and waved his hand forward. "Advance!"
The Dressrosa forces at the rear moved forward without hesitation. This time, the Raya soldiers didn't try to stop them, allowing the enemy to pass freely.
After finishing this, David turned to Kas. "Once I deal with that King and conquer this place, we can catch up properly."
With that, he followed Dressrosa's army toward the Raya Kingdom town 'Fruit Domain.'
At the same time, the remaining Dressrosa forces landing on shore also marched toward Fruit Domain.
Watching the massive army advance steadily, Donald asked, "Commander Kas, should we stop them?"
"No." Kas's expression turned serious. "He hasn't harmed civilians yet, so this is just a regular war - an internal matter for the Kingdoms. We Navy have no right to interfere."
Besides
This man's attitude toward Mr. Kuro seems to align with ours.
As Wilbur said, that 'swear' makes him a good person!
...
Fruit Domain.
Canopy Palace.
Randolph sat on a throne woven from tree roots. His tapping feet and fingers drumming on the armrest betrayed his nervousness.
"Your Majesty."
A tall, thin black man approached from behind, speaking softly. "Everything is ready."
Randolph nodded, snorting coldly. "I can't trust the Navy. Those surrender-minded fools aren't trustworthy either. If I hadn't burned their villages first, they couldn't have resisted this long."
"Indeed, Your Majesty. Your wisdom runs as deep as the Grand Line." The man bowed respectfully.
Randolph smiled briefly before his expression turned grim. Gripping the armrest tightly, blue veins bulged on the back of his hand.
"I am the true King of Raya Kingdom! This has been our dynasty for generations! Damned David Pancha, why must he come here? Does he want my throne? Then I'll leave him nothing! Not my people, not my wealth! This money will let me live comfortably anywhere!"
Resisting Dressrosa?
He'd had that intention before. After all, as the rightful King, he had natural authority. That 'Mad King' David was the invader!
For this reason, he'd rather burn villages and slaughter soldiers' families to fuel their hatred and resistance.
But now, after all this fighting, he'd lost all hope.
So he'd made preparations for the worst.
If he couldn't hold his ground, he'd leave David nothing!
Burn every village, take all the wealth, leave him a barren wasteland!
"Dressrosa! It's Dressrosa's army! We've lost! We've lost!!"
As Randolph silently vowed revenge, shouts mixed with chaotic footsteps suddenly echoed from outside.
Hmph!
Randolph shot to his feet, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Impossible! The battlefield should be at the mid-position! And the Navy already arrived! Why did everything collapse so quickly?!"
Suddenly remembering something, he hurriedly stepped back. "Quickly, organize our forces! We must depart immediately!"
Bang!
At that moment, the grand doors exploded inward with tremendous force. The two wooden panels flew violently, creating a powerful air pressure that sent Randolph staggering to his knees.
One of the flying door panels slammed straight into the tall black man like a cannonball. The impact drove both door and man into the palace's wooden wall, pinning them there with a sickening crunch. Blood poured from the cracks, and it was clear he wouldn't survive.
David, clad in Wolf Knight armor, strode in holding his great sword. He looked down at the kneeling Randolph and said coldly, "Depart? If you'd left cleanly when I first attacked, I might have spared you."
"David Pancha!" Randolph's pupils contracted to pinpricks as he gritted his teeth. "You madman! I've never wronged you! Why attack my nation?!"
"Because... you're close to 'lord,' and you're blocking my dream."
Without another word, David's body blurred into a jet-black afterimage, instantly appearing before Randolph. His great sword slashed forward, and the King's head flew skyward.
No need for excessive words when taking a life.
At that moment, Kas and Wilbur had just arrived at the palace, witnessing Randolph's head flying through the air.
David slammed his great sword into the ground, turned to face them, and smiled. "I haven't properly introduced myself yet. I'm David Pancha, the man sworn to become 'lord's' sword - no, the sword of Lucius Kro!"
This statement stunned Kas momentarily before joy overtook him, and he shouted, "I am Dougleg Kas, the man sworn to become Mr. Kuro's shield!"
Wilbur took a deep breath and called out, "I am Wilbur, the man sworn to become Mr. Kuro's spear!"
After speaking, the three looked at each other, then burst into hearty laughter.
Their understanding was mutual!
They were kindred spirits!
Men devoted their lives to Mr. Kuro's vision of justice!
In this moment, Kas held no more doubts.
A man with such great aspirations must be good-hearted, must embody justice.
It was unfortunate he wasn't Navy, but that hardly mattered. Mr. Kuro's concept of justice wasn't limited to the Navy alone.
If they confined this sense of justice only within Navy ranks, that would be a poor reflection on its importance. Kas wanted the entire world to know about this justice.
(End of Chapter)
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