Zzzzt~
Dier's pupils contracted as electricity crackled around his right fist, which he swung toward the soldier's groin.
Though unclear about the specifics, he knew striking first was crucial!
The soldier remained immobile, making no attempt to defend. The Den Den Mushi cradled in his hands emitted that hoarse voice again:
"Dier, don't move."
Zzzzt~
Though the electricity still crackled, cold sweat trickled down Dier's forehead.
His body... wouldn't obey.
Twenty-Wheel Flower Bloom!
Petals scattered as Robin crossed her arms over her chest, urgently activating her Devil Fruit Ability.
Ten pairs of slender arms sprouted from each soldier's shoulders, fingers curved like tiger claws thrusting toward their eyes.
Her strength was still limited—joint locks couldn't subdue grown men.
Under Dier's guidance, she'd learned to target an enemy's weakest points.
Normally, people would panic at her Devil Fruit Ability, but this time was different...
The soldiers showed no alarm, uniformly raising their left arms to block the attacks with small round shields.
Thud!
Fingers struck shield with a dull impact.
Gritting her teeth against the searing pain, Robin didn't hesitate.
When eye attacks failed, she shifted focus to the leader's Den Den Mushi.
That device's voice had frozen Dier in place!
"Cease resistance!"
The soldier's command halted Robin's movements and stopped Hina, who'd just begun activating her own ability.
A spear now hovered before Dier's forehead, poised to pierce his skull.
"Soldier, report the situation."
"At your command, Your Majesty." Even addressing a Den Den Mushi, the soldier maintained reverence: "The primary suspect has frozen as ordered, though his electrified right fist grows brighter—likely preparing a ranged attack."
"Of the two female accomplices, one possesses a Devil Fruit Ability. Both have now ceased resistance."
"Praise Your Majesty, whose leadership brings us yet another victory."
The king ignored the flattery, intrigued by Dier instead:
"How amusing~ Still electrifying his fist. This Dier is truly special."
"Dier! Shout 'I'm a bastard' three times!"
The command sparked frantic calculations in Dier's mind before he forced out through clenched teeth:
"I... refuse!"
Silence hung for two seconds before laughter erupted from the Den Den Mushi:
"Kehahaha~ 'I refuse'~ How many years since I've heard those words?"
"Soldier, bring him to me. His companions too."
The gamble paid off!
Relief flashed in Dier's eyes.
A king always had sycophants—defiance like his was rare.
Though now helpless as fish on a chopping block, all three still lived. While breathing...
There remained hope to turn the tables.
The immobilization order still held, leaving Dier frozen mid-lunge.
Two soldiers hoisted him overhead for transport.
Others bound Hina and Robin in chains, marching them toward the castle.
Townsfolk lined the streets like spectators at a zoo, whispering:
"Are those the legendary criminals?"
"Mom, that pink-haired sister is so pretty!"
"That's just a criminal's disguise. Underneath that skin is definitely a monster covered in fangs!"
Whispers reached Hina's ears, and she couldn't help but lower her head, gritting her teeth:
"Hina is humiliated!"
Just two days ago, she was still the daughter of a wealthy merchant. Now, she was a prisoner, paraded through the streets for public spectacle.
In contrast, Robin remained completely calm.
Having been the Devil Child for over two years, she had long grown immune to such idle gossip.
"Hey, Robin, what do we do now?"
"Wait."
"Wait for what?"
"Wait for Dier to rescue us, wait for the right moment to escape with Dier, or wait to die."
Robin turned her head and whispered earnestly:
"If they decide to kill us later, remember to surrender first. You might still have a chance to live."
"What about you?"
"Me? I'll stay with Dier."
Hina: "..."
She sighed and closed her eyes in resignation:
"Surrendering is out of the question. If it weren't for you two, I would've died on that passenger ship. I've already lived two extra days."
"Hina considers this a win."
"Besides, who knows? Maybe we'll make it out alive."
The two fell into silence.
Three prisoners against an entire nation's military—no matter how you looked at it, the odds weren't good.
Time passed slowly, and the three arrived at the castle.
Since there were no prison cells, Robin and Hina were placed in a guest room.
The soldiers brought in a half-meter-tall wooden barrel filled with water and forced Robin inside.
As long as most of her body was submerged, an Ability User would lose their strength.
Hina hadn't yet displayed her Devil Fruit Ability, so she was merely tied up.
Two soldiers stood like puppets in the room, watching them closely, eliminating any chance of her using her ability to escape.
Meanwhile, Dier was taken to a vast surveillance room.
A massive hundred-inch screen hung on the wall, still dark, surrounded by thousands of smaller screens arranged densely around it.
Dozens of staff members worked meticulously, carefully monitoring the screens for any abnormalities.
At the center of the room stood a golden throne upholstered in luxurious leather, where a man with closed eyes lounged leisurely.
The king? No, he looked far too young.
Dier was surprised—the man on the throne appeared to be only seventeen or eighteen.
"Oh~ the guest has arrived."
The man curled his lips into a faint smirk and spoke in a hoarse voice:
"Dier, sit in the water barrel in front of me. Submerge everything below your head and remain still. Keep your head free."
Once again, Dier's body moved against his will, obeying the man's command as he stepped into the barrel.
There was even a chair inside—how considerate.
Did they really need to be this cautious?!
Dier couldn't help but complain inwardly.
The man clearly assumed he was an Ability User.
Even though he was already under control, the man still added an extra layer of security by using water to restrict his abilities.
But this was also an opportunity!
Dier thought to himself—he wasn't a Devil Fruit user. Seawater couldn't weaken him.
Though his body could be controlled at any moment, his Hypnosis only required eye contact to activate.
Pretending to be weakened, he half-closed his eyes like a true Ability User, waiting for the right moment to strike.
"I fear death, so I prefer to be cautious."
The king sat up straight—but still didn't open his eyes.
"Let me introduce myself. This old man is called Dier."
"I'm the Controller who ate the Control Fruit."
"Control what? Control Dier?"
"Hehaha~"
The king nodded and chuckled lightly:
"Exactly, controlling Dier!"
"I ate the Control Fruit when I was very young. The moment I gained the ability, I thought of controlling Dier, and from then on, I could only control Dier."
"Back then, I thought if I could control myself, maybe I could become smarter and more handsome, so I could pursue the prettiest girl in the village, Nori."
"Eh, such pure love. You didn't even think about controlling Nori."
Dier responded weakly:
"So, did you ever succeed in pursuing Nori?"
This time, the king shook his head, speaking with a hint of regret:
"The control doesn't work on the Ability User themselves. At that time, I just became a landlubber."
"Until one day many years later, I met a Dier. Can you understand that feeling?!"
The regret on his face turned into delight, and even his voice trembled slightly:
"That feeling of controlling everything!!!"
"His life!"
Boom!
A staff member monitoring the screens suddenly exploded into pieces, splattering blood across the displays.
"His soul!"
Thud!
Another person collapsed, a glowing orb floating out of their body before dissipating into the air.
"His self-perception!"
Woof woof woof!!!
One person dropped to all fours, barking like a dog as they trotted over to the throne.
The king reached out to pat their head, then casually crushed their skull.
"I don't actually like dogs that much."
Dier's lips twitched. If you don't like them, why turn someone into a dog? Just to show off by killing a few people?
He took a deep breath, staring straight ahead as he asked:
"Since you already have such power, why bother capturing an insignificant Dier like me?"
"Because I'm lonely, Dier~"