BOOM!!
A cannonball struck the palace gates, blasting a massive breach as smoke and shattered stone fragments erupted outward.
The Kappa Army discarded their back-mounted shells and charged through the gaping hole into the royal palace.
BANG!
A gunshot rang out, and a defending Bloodline Army soldier collapsed, blood spurting from the bullet hole in his forehead.
Gunfire erupted continuously, bullets whizzing past, claiming life after life.
The distance between the Kappa Army and Bloodline Army closed rapidly until, with another thunderous crash, cleavers clashed against spears.
The Kappa Army's equipment prioritized practicality, their weapons being heavy cleavers.
Severed limbs and blood sprayed through the air as screams harmonized with gunfire.
The ground was soon stained crimson, littered with unconscious soldiers lying in haphazard positions.
"Are you holding up okay?"
Dier cradled Perona in his arms, his voice laced with concern.
Reality wasn't like anime—defeat wasn't just about shedding some blood and letting out a dramatic scream.
Swordsmen like Zoro or Mihawk would send limbs flying and blood spraying when clearing out cannon fodder.
Though the current scene wasn't quite that gruesome, it remained brutally harsh for a five-year-old child.
"If you're scared, just close your eyes and follow my instructions."
Hearing this, Perona squeezed her eyes shut and buried her face in Dier's chest.
Dier turned to Gunpowder and the others, issuing orders:
"You two, protect them."
The battlefield was too chaotic, and Dier had no intention of letting Robin or Hina get involved.
As for Hina's requested opponent, they could just hypnotize a soldier afterward.
Most of the spectators who had come to watch the spectacle were gathered outside the palace gates, making it safer for them to stay there.
Carrying Perona, Dier slipped away from the crowd and quietly scaled a section of the city wall, gaining a bird's-eye view of the massive brawl unfolding in the palace square.
"Release the Phantom."
Perona shared vision with her Negative Hollows and could even speak through them.
So the moment the Negative Hollow materialized, it tightly shut its eyes.
"Listen to my directions. Fly forward first...
Stop, descend. Stop, now fly left."
Under Dier's guidance, the Negative Hollow passed through a Bloodline Army soldier.
The man immediately dropped to his knees, completely disregarding the chaos of battle as he wailed:
"I'm a damned sinner!!
The old King was so kind, yet I raised my hand against his son!
Kill me now! If there's a next life, let me be reborn as a maggot!"
The Kappa Army soldier fighting him was baffled but still kicked him aside.
The blindfolded Phantom drifted away, leaving the frontlines to glide toward the Bloodline Army's rear.
The frontlines were a mix of both armies, making friendly fire too likely.
But the rear was exclusively Bloodline Army—no need to worry about hitting allies.
Most soldiers here wielded Flintlock Guns, providing long-range cover.
Though occasionally, they'd accidentally shoot their own.
They quickly noticed the Phantom floating in the air, their faces lighting up with delight.
"It's a Phantom—a harbinger of good fortune!"
"Even the Phantoms are on our side! We're definitely winning this war!"
"You idiots!!"
The Bloodline Army captain roared, his voice thick with frustration.
"Aim your guns at it! Fire! Don't let that Phantom get close!!"
A soldier protested, "But why?"
"Because you idiots forgot what happens when you touch a Phantom, is now the time to lie on the ground crying?!
Everyone, raise your guns and fire!!"
The rumors about Phantoms were somewhat well-known, and most people were aware of the side effects that came with good luck.
Under normal circumstances, making a fool of oneself might be excused as the price paid for good fortune.
But now, with the flames of war raging, touching a Phantom and collapsing in tears would clearly cost them their lives.
At their captain's reminder, the Bloodline Army raised their guns and fired, trying to stop the Phantoms from approaching.
Bang! Bang! Bang!!!
Bullets flew through the air, passing harmlessly through the Phantoms' bodies before falling to the ground.
Their shots had no effect whatsoever.
Under Dier's command, the Negative Hollows closed their eyes tightly and passed through one Bloodline soldier after another.
Thud~ Thud~ Thud~
The soldiers dropped their guns one by one, collapsing to the ground in tears, praying to be reborn as lowly creatures in their next lives.
"In my next life, I want to be a mosquito."
"I want to be a mussel."
"A cockroach hiding in a corner, waiting to be squashed."
...
As the Bloodline Army fell one after another, the Kappa Army gradually gained the upper hand.
Vlad swung his cleaver with tremendous force, splitting open a Bloodline soldier's chest. The man collapsed, unable to rise again.
His face was splattered with blood, and he felt an overwhelming surge of power coursing through his veins, completely unaware that the suture line on his forehead was faintly glowing.
Scanning his surroundings, he raised his arm and shouted:
"Charge with me!!"
"Charge with me" carried a completely different meaning from "Charge for me."
With their prince leading the charge, the Kappa Army's morale soared.
The already struggling Bloodline Army quickly fell apart, with some even dropping their weapons and fleeing.
"Don't kill me, I have elders and children at home."
"My fiancée is waiting for me to marry her."
"I was forced into this."
Some fled, others surrendered. The moment the first Bloodline soldier gave up resistance, the entire force crumbled instantly.
Vlad ignored these small fry, leading his troops straight into the palace.
The luxurious palace was empty. The Kappa Army scattered to search, but in the end, all they found was a corpse.
"Your Highness, the Count—no, Tia is dead."
A soldier brought over Tia's severed head, the cut smooth and clean:
"Looks like it was sliced off by a sharp blade."
A Negative Hollow drifted over, whispering something into Vlad's ear.
He nodded and ordered the Kappa Army:
"Spread out and search for a boy with a shaved head and thick lips.
Remember, if you find him, don't engage—just shout for backup immediately."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
The surrounding Kappa soldiers acknowledged the order and scattered to search for the shaved-headed boy.
The Negative Hollow dissipated into thin air, leaving Vlad alone in the vast castle hall.
He stretched his arms and arched his back, trying to calm his exhilaration, when suddenly, a glint of cold light flashed before his eyes.
A shaved-headed boy, his arms transformed into blades, was diving down from above.
It was Mr.1!
He had been hiding in the ceiling, waiting for this final moment to complete his assassination mission.
Vlad's pupils contracted, cold sweat breaking out as the suture line on his forehead flared wildly.
Hiss~
His right arm instantly swelled, bursting through his sleeve, red fur bristling as he backhanded Mr.1 aside.
"Gah—!"
Mr.1 spat out blood, his expression a mix of shock and confusion.
"This is what Tia said? That weak, powerless coward of a prince?!"
Earlier, he had seen the Phantom appear through the window and instantly understood.
The mission was screwed.
No one on this island could stand against the Negative Hollows.
So he gathered the treasures from Tia's room and prepared to flee.
To avoid a negative review on his assassin record, he casually lopped off Tia's head before leaving.
Transforming his fingers into blades, he stabbed them into the ceiling and crawled along suspended.
Originally planning to avoid the crowds and escape through the back of the castle, he unexpectedly spotted Vlad standing alone.
After silently assessing their relative strengths, he decided it was doable!
Vlad might fight fiercely, but he was still within the realm of ordinary humans.
With the power of the Quick-Slicing Fruit, he could quickly take him down and make his escape.
Though his employer was dead, securing Vlad's head would still count as completing his first mission.
Once confirming the Phantom had left, he dove down, aiming for a one-hit kill.
Only to be swatted aside like a fly by a crimson arm.
BAM!!
Mr.1 was sent flying, carving deep grooves into the ground as he tumbled. The bag on his back burst open, scattering treasures everywhere.
He scrambled to his feet and immediately bolted.
Given enough time, he could still kill Vlad.
After all, he'd only been swatted away because he had no leverage mid-air.
In a real fight, he would still emerge victorious—but that would take time he didn't have.
By then, he'd be facing the inescapable Negative Hollows.
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