Once inside Alubarna, Michael quickly gathered detailed intel on the current situation.
After the Great Kingdom exterminated the Nefertari family... all of Alabasta became directly governed territory of the Great Kingdom.
It wasn't that they treated the locals as completely inhuman...
But the ordinary people of Alabasta had drawn the shortest straw in history.
Not only were they burdened with backbreaking labor and exorbitant taxes, but they were also constantly selected as slaves to be sent to various places.
Broken homes, separated families—this had become the norm here.
Most of those still living in Alabasta wore expressions of numb resignation.
For them, living...
Was simply waiting for death to arrive.
After all, in Alabasta, even the Nefertari family had been completely wiped out—what hope did they have?
Watching scene after scene unfold before him, Joy Boy had long clenched his fists, itching to charge out and perish together with the dark forces of the Great Kingdom, led by the Lunarian Race!
"Enough, Joy Boy. Can you calm down for a moment?" Michael patted his shoulder, then pointed to Lily beside them.
"Look, even Lily—a true Alabastan—isn't as worked up as you."
"Is she not worked up?" Joy Boy rolled his eyes. "She's just reached the point of absolute hatred... Anger can no longer bring her any relief. Only burning the Great Kingdom to ashes will finally free her... I've never agreed with your teaching methods. Even now, she's still just a child."
Michael looked at Joy Boy, a faint, helpless smile tugging at his lips.
Of course he knew this kind of upbringing would twist Lily into someone so extreme...
But there was no other way. Once she bore this hatred, she was doomed to live in its warping shadow until her vengeance was fulfilled.
Hatred was never a good thing.
But as a daughter, as a granddaughter, as a member of her family... she was destined to carry this burden.
And Michael would never tell her to "lay down the sword" or spout platitudes like "an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind."
Retributive justice was the fairest, most righteous path in this world.
At most, Michael would ensure Lily didn't lose herself entirely to the abyss of hatred on her journey of vengeance.
"I understand Lily's state very well," Toki said, tilting her head. "So I'll stand by her side—always. Together, we'll sink this Great Kingdom that took our families from us."
As she spoke, the hand that had been resting on her swords, Kogarashi and Sakurajū, moved to cover Lily's.
Joy Boy sighed.
"Two perfectly good girls, turned into ruthless killers by your hands... Michael, you really deserve a thousand deaths!"
"You'll get used to it. That's just how I am." Michael didn't elaborate further. "Once everyone has gathered, we'll infiltrate Alubarna and establish our positions. When the new garrison arrives to take over, we'll seize the city."
At this, he glanced at the expressionless Lily beside him.
"And then, the Nefertari Queen of Alabasta will return to her loyal capital."
...
The next night, the Great Kingdom's garrison arrived near Alubarna for the shift change.
Alongside a contingent of Great Kingdom soldiers, five members of the Lunarian Race had come as well.
And these five were no ordinary Lunarians—each held considerable power within their race.At the same time, their strength far surpassed that of the Lunarian Race who had become the guards of the Great Kingdom.
These individuals had not come to Alabasta for its slaves or land, but for a very specific objective.
They had expended considerable effort to obtain this information while avoiding the notice of other races.
The so-called "rotation of guards" was nothing more than an excuse.
But sometimes, even excuses require proper appearances.
The captain of Alabasta's garrison saluted the envoys from God's Nation and said:
"Honored guests! Here is all the information regarding Alabasta's garrison!"
"We leave the rest to your care!"
Only when the Lunarians nodded did they finally exhale in relief, then began making their way toward the distant port...
At last, they could return home.
As they boarded the departing ship, new garrison forces prepared to enter Alubarna.
At that very moment, the previously silent Alubarna erupted in flames.
An army several times larger than the new garrison emerged from all directions of the city.
Despite being vastly outnumbered, the Lunarian warriors showed no concern, their lips curling in disdainful smiles.
"It seems the rebel forces haven't been completely wiped out."
"But why would you think numbers alone could defeat us?"
"We... are the gods who stand above all!"
The Lunarians held nothing but contempt for other races.
This arrogance stemmed from their overwhelming superiority in power.
In a way, it was simply confidence in their strength.
However...
"You weaklings always cling to that 'god' title..."
"What, can't speak without mentioning it?"
A man with six pristine white wings descended from the sky, his gentle Holy Light illuminating the entire surrounding land.
The eldest-appearing Lunarian stepped forward, his black wings carrying him into the air to face Michael.
"You must be the legendary one... the End?"
"The Archangel of the End—that's what some affectionately call me. My name is Michael. Angel D. Michael."
"I am the head of the Black Family of the Lunarian Race... Black D. Boulder."
"So even Lunarians have 'D's... how unsurprising."
Michael smirked.
It seemed any family connected to the initial "D" had once belonged to the Great Kingdom.
Though not all—Nerona Imu's name, for instance, bore no "D."
"The Maria Family... I've never heard of them." The elderly Boulder studied Michael with puzzlement.
"But if we're both Ds from the Great Kingdom... why oppose us?"
"First, my 'D' likely has nothing to do with yours." Michael's smile widened. "Second, I simply enjoy dragging you self-proclaimed gods from your thrones and stomping your heads into toilets."
"How vulgar..."Bordor spoke as he drew his longsword.
The eternal flames burning behind his head seemed to grow even more violent and turbulent.
"Is this rude?"
Michael pointed "Morning Star" directly at Bordor.
"I can be much ruder."