Arderay, with a population of two million, was the largest and most populous of the twelve nations that had once flown Alucard's flag. The nation was rich in resources and had paid the "Heavenly Tribute" to the Celestial Dragons.
Naturally, it was also the most protected of the twelve nations by the World Government. At this moment, Marine instructor Zephyr was sitting in a temporary Marine branch in the Arderay Kingdom. The voice of Fleet Admiral Kong came from the Den Den Mushi on the table in front of him.
"Zephyr, I know you have the reputation of 'No Killing.' Abandoning Laguna was a measure of last resort. You should know that the remaining countries have a combined population of over six million. You understand that sometimes we have to make sacrifices."
Zephyr was still against the plan they had discussed earlier, but he couldn't go to Laguna to help. Travel time was only part of the problem. More importantly, the time for the nations to pay the Celestial Dragons their Heavenly Tribute was due.
Zephyr was in charge of escorting Arderay's Heavenly Tribute back to Mariejois and had to defend against any attacks from Alucard during this time.
"You don't have to call every day, Kong."
Zephyr placed his hands on his knees and raised his head slightly. "I'm not a child. You don't have to give me a pep talk every day."
"But…"
Zephyr suddenly changed his tone and asked, "I have only one question. Are you prioritizing the protection of Arderay simply because it has the largest population of the twelve nations, and not because of its Heavenly Tribute?"
Kong was speechless for a moment. A few seconds later, he gave his two-word response. "I'm sorry."
"You did nothing wrong to me. You did something wrong to the five hundred thousand innocent people who died in Laguna!" Zephyr hung up the Den Den Mushi, falling into a silent contemplation.
"Zephyr-sensei, Vice Admiral Sakazuki has arrived and is on his way to meet with you," a Marine with arms three times longer than a normal person's came over to report.
"Hah… I know."
Zephyr stood up and walked out. Although he was a teacher, his students were supposed to come to him. There was no tradition of him personally going out to greet a student. But Zephyr was a Marine who kept his public and private life separate. On a mission, there was no teacher and student, only a superior and a subordinate.
"Instructor Zephyr!"
The two master and student figures met at the outskirts of the city of Arderay. Sakazuki was also a man who put duty before personal feelings, so he added Zephyr's rank to his name to show respect.
"Hmm, let's start formulating our strategy against Alucard right away." Zephyr nodded. Although he was very displeased with Sakazuki for abandoning Laguna, he perfectly concealed his thoughts.
....
Meanwhile.
The King of Arderay, Squall, did not relax his furrowed brow much, even after learning that the former Marine Admiral and the Admiral candidate had arrived. He paced anxiously in front of his throne.
"Your Majesty, we have the Heavenly Tribute, which the Celestial Dragons value greatly. The government will certainly protect us with all their might. Please don't overwork yourself," a minister below comforted him.
Squall shot him a look. "Is this amount of fighting power really comparable to the forces they sent to take down Alucard two months ago?"
After saying that, Squall continued to pace in front of his throne, muttering to himself. "The government guaranteed they would take care of Alucard during the operation, which is why I agreed to this plan. It was also me who leaked the information about him to the World Government. Most importantly, that devil knows this. He will never let me go. What do I do?
What do I do?"
"This is easy. Invite Zephyr and Sakazuki to live inside the royal palace; that way, they can protect you immediately."
Suddenly, a suggestion came to Squall's ears, filling him with joy. Then he felt that something was wrong. The voice... it seemed to have come from the throne behind him.
Squall noticed that the ministers on both sides of the red carpet were wide-eyed, looking at him, or rather, at what was behind him.
Squall turned around and saw the nightmare that had appeared countless times in his dreams over the past two months. He was sitting on Squall's throne, legs crossed, looking at him with a smirk.
"Squall, that intel you gave me was excellent," Alucard said with a laugh.
"I-I was forced by the government..." In his panic, Squall said the same thing as the previous kings Alucard had killed.
"Heh heh... Can't you people come up with some new excuses?" Alucard couldn't help but laugh. Blaming the government was what all the kings he had killed had said before dying.
Squall's old face was aghast. As he took a few steps back, he forgot about the stairs and fell to the floor. The other ministers rushed forward to help him.
Squall stopped them, enduring the sharp pain. "Go! Go and notify the Marines! Go!"
ROAR!
Suddenly, a roar erupted. The Black Dog Baskerville slowly descended the steps, looking at the King of Arderay and his ministers with bloodshot eyes.
GRAAAAFF!
"No... NOOOO!!!"
Squall screamed in terror as Baskerville opened its mouth. In the end, all he saw was the dog's esophagus.
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