Two hours later, Dier finally finished eating.
"As expected of the Flame Devourer whose core revolves around consumption."
Looking at his completely unharmed left hand, he nodded in satisfaction.
Bandages in the Pirate world worked wonders—no matter how severe the injury, wrapping it would ensure healing.
However, this healing always required time, whether long or short.
All he needed was sufficient food to rapidly heal his wounds.
He wasn't stopping now because he couldn't eat anymore, but because it was time to return and sleep.
Robin's face showed slight exhaustion, while Perona had already fallen asleep in Hina's arms.
"You three, stop fighting. Someone go settle the bill—we're heading back."
Boren, his face plastered with paper slips, stood up and went to pay first.
Dier picked up the sleeping Perona and led the others out of the private room.
The next few days would be dedicated to serious business.
...
The next day.
Dier took control of a squad leader from the Kappa Army.
On the third day.
He controlled three Kappa squad leaders and one member of the Bloodline Army.
On the fourth day.
He took command of a Kappa Army battalion leader and two Bloodline Army squad leaders.
...
Dawn of the tenth day.
Vlad took a deep breath, steadying his nervous emotions.
He stepped out of the inn's door, removed his mask to reveal his true face, and silently walked toward the palace.
A thin mist shrouded the streets, making them appear unusually desolate.
The rhythmic thud of footsteps grew from faint to thunderous.
Approximately eight hundred Kappa Army soldiers marched from the port, falling in behind Vlad.
They carried guns, had machetes slung at their waists, and even lugged artillery shells on their backs.
At the rear of the procession, three cannons advanced with the rumble of wooden wheels grinding against the road.
"Count Tia murdered the former King and attempted to assassinate the current Prince!"
Someone roared, declaring the purpose of their march,
"Join us in storming the palace to help Prince Vlad reclaim his rightful throne!!"
The furious shouts echoed through the streets, scattering the morning mist.
Civilians reacted with shock, though some shrewd observers wore expressions of vindication.
"Isn't that the Prince leading them?"
"Count Tia turned out to be this kind of person—and here I thought he'd make a decent King!"
"I knew it all along—there's no way Prince Vlad would just disappear without a word for so many days."
"A war's coming—we should leave quickly."
More travelers chose this moment to depart, boarding ships to leave the island.
With battle imminent, none wanted to be caught in the crossfire.
Naturally, some lackeys ran straight to the palace, intending to report these developments to Tia.
Robin, blending into the crowd, couldn't help but feel puzzled. She leaned toward Dier and whispered:
"Why make such a public spectacle?"
Logically, secretly assembling troops and launching a nighttime assault on the palace to eliminate Tia would be most efficient.
This approach only gave Tia time to prepare.
Dier whispered back into Robin's ear:
"To build some confidence in that Prince. After all these days, he's still acting like a spineless coward."
This move also aimed to establish Vlad's prestige, making it easier for him to govern the country later.
Just like when they'd stirred up chaos while leaving Colon Island to install Colleen as mayor and transform the Blackfire gang into the Public Safety Department.
As for victory or defeat—he wasn't worried.
Under his command, nearly half of the Bloodline Army was dispatched to the other side of the island last night for a so-called confidential mission.
Currently, only about a thousand soldiers from the Bloodline Squad remain in the castle.
Though the Kappa Army numbers only eight hundred, they have superior weapons.
Not to mention, they also have Perona—a devastating force.
"I can't walk anymore."
Perona, wearing a mask, yawned and stretched out her hands.
Dier skillfully bent slightly and carried her on his back.
"Um, I have a request."
Meeting Dier's questioning gaze, Hina pursed her lips and whispered:
"Could you leave one soldier behind? I want to try fighting an adult."
Hina felt insecure.
Among the four of them, she believed herself to be the least useful.
Dier was naturally exceptional, Perona had Negative Hollows, and Robin was not only well-traveled but also provided great support with her Flower-Flower Fruit abilities.
But as for herself—
Her combat strength was the weakest among the group. At a distance, even Robin could defeat her.
So she had been working hard to improve.
"Of course."
Dier didn't refuse, only offering a reminder:
"But there's no need to rush. All of you will grow much stronger in the future."
All four wore masks as they silently followed behind the Kappa Army.
There were many others like them—even zombie constables arrived armed to join the fray, turning the rear of the procession into a chaotic spectacle.
Vlad indeed held a high status among ordinary citizens.
Given his frequent travels overseas, this reputation was likely inherited from his father, the former King.
As more and more people joined, the crowd grew bloated and noisy, their incessant chatter making the procession resemble a swarm of bees charging forward.
Most of them probably wouldn't engage in combat, merely gathering outside to voice their support. But the sheer numbers amplified the sense of intimidation.
When Tia saw the overwhelming crowd through his telescope, a cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
Dressed in black-and-red formal attire, he had styled himself as a vampire—yet possessed none of their elegance.
"Where are they?! Where are they?!"
Inside the lavish palace, Tia paced like an ant on a hot pan, roaring in frustration:
"Did the Zombie Army and Kappa Army headquarters really not respond?!"
"Well... they hung up as soon as they heard it was us calling."
Two others were in the room—one clad in blood-red armor with a cape, his expression grim:
"They probably don't want to get involved in this mess. They'll side with whoever wins in the end."
Only a portion of the Kappa Army was advancing with Vlad; nearly two thousand remained stationed at the port.
Tia had hoped they would come to his aid, but they showed him no respect.
Even the lowly Zombie Army gave no response.
"Leave it to me."
The other man in the room, Mr.1, said coldly:
"The target has appeared. I can execute a decapitation strike."
"No!!"
Tia immediately rejected the proposal, exclaiming urgently:
"Your mission is to stay here and protect me!"
Mr.1 was speechless. He was eleven, a rookie assassin—not a bodyguard.
Tia wasn't paying much, nor had he provided sufficient intel—not even the target's exact location.
Veterans in the industry looked down on such missions, leaving only this rookie who came here hoping to make a name for himself.
Now that the target had appeared, he was forced to switch roles and become a bodyguard instead.
Though frustrated, what could he do? Tia was the employer after all.
Mr.1 no longer mentioned the decapitation plan and simply suggested quietly:
"If we can find that Phantom woman in the graveyard, she might be of help in the battle."
"Shut up. My men have practically dug up the entire cemetery and found no trace of any Phantom woman."
Tia waved her hand dismissively and commanded the Bloodline Army:
"March out of the city and win this war. Everything I promised you shall be fulfilled—
Including that barrel of ink in the secret chamber, the power that transforms men into monsters!"
Meanwhile, outside the royal city.
Vlad raised his hand and shouted:
"Fire!!"
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