Constructing a massive, continuous physical bridge across the open ocean to connect disparate islands sounded like a completely absurd, impossible fantasy.
However, in this bizarre world—where a Sea Train could literally drive across the ocean surface—building a massive bridge wasn't entirely beyond the realm of scientific possibility.
If this colossal bridge were actually fully completed, it would undeniably stand as one of the absolute greatest architectural and engineering miracles in human history.
The glaring, horrific problem, however, was that this bridge had been under continuous construction for over 700 years. What could have been a globally unifying miracle had instead degenerated into an apocalyptic, eternal nightmare of slave labor that devoured human lives and resources without end.
The absolute worst aspect of this project was its labor force. The vast majority of the bridge builders were criminals and innocent citizens violently kidnapped from nations that refused to join (or could not afford to pay the Heavenly Tribute to) the World Government. Given the World Government's notoriously tyrannical nature, absolutely none of these workers were here voluntarily.
Every single year, countless thousands of enslaved workers died from exhaustion, starvation, and freezing temperatures. Yet, the World Government didn't care in the slightest; they simply sent Marines to kidnap thousands more to rapidly fill the empty spots. The slaves were completely expendable.
As the White Dragon approached the coordinates of Tequila Wolf, Bardock ordered the ship to anchor far away from the bridge structure, hiding within a thick bank of fog. This was absolutely not a nation that welcomed tourists or passing ships; approaching openly would instantly trigger a massive military response. They had to infiltrate the structure stealthily.
"Hiss... it's freezing out here! The temperature is completely unsuitable for any kind of outdoor labor," Robin muttered, wrapping her arms tightly around herself as a biting, icy wind whipped past them.
Upon setting foot on the massive, unfinished bridge structure, the entire crew was immediately struck by the bitter, piercing cold. Those who were particularly sensitive to low temperatures couldn't stop shivering violently.
The specific section Bardock's group had infiltrated was a massive, active construction site near one of the primary bridge piers.
There were thousands upon thousands of enslaved workers present. Like a colony of mindless ants, they mechanically, numbly hauled massive stone blocks, iron beams, and construction materials back and forth in the freezing wind, performing backbreaking, life-threatening labor.
Standing on elevated platforms, heavily armed slave drivers aggressively cracked thick leather whips, viciously striking anyone who dared to slow their pace or stumble.
However, the vast majority of the actual military management and higher-ranking World Government officials were nowhere to be seen on the active site. It was far too cold and miserable outside. They were all safely huddled inside heavily insulated, heated command towers, drinking warm alcohol and entertaining themselves while the slaves froze to death.
Suddenly, an old man—or rather, a man who merely looked incredibly elderly and weathered due to the extreme physical toll—received a vicious whip strike to his back. He stumbled forward a few agonizing steps, his emaciated body swaying unsteadily in the wind, before his eyes rolled back and he violently collapsed onto the icy stone floor.
"FATHER!"
A desperate, agonized scream tore through the howling wind. A young man a short distance away immediately dropped the heavy stone he was carrying and sprinted over, desperately pulling the collapsed old man into his arms.
The surrounding slave workers merely cast a brief, hollow glance at the scene, but absolutely no one stopped moving. Their eyes were completely dead, devoid of all hope or empathy. They had become entirely numb to the constant death around them. They knew that if they stopped for even a single second to help, they would be brutally whipped.
Besides, in their bleak, hopeless existence, wasn't dying right here on the bridge the ultimate, sweet release?
"What the hell are you doing?! Who gave you permission to drop that stone, you piece of trash?!"
The nearby slave drivers instantly noticed the disruption. Like a pack of rabid hyenas spotting an injured, isolated gazelle, they eagerly swarmed toward the young man, their eyes gleaming with malicious excitement.
Because they were the absolute lowest-ranking overseers, they were also forced to stand out in the freezing blizzard alongside the slaves. They were freezing, miserable, and incredibly resentful of their superiors sitting in the warm towers. They desperately needed to violently vent their frustrations, and this young slave had just handed them the perfect excuse.
Before the young man could even explain, a highly aggressive, short-tempered overseer viciously cracked his whip.
CRACK!
The thick leather tore a bloody gash across the young man's back. He trembled violently in agony, but he fiercely bit his lip, completely refusing to let out a single scream. He knew from bitter experience that screaming or crying would only excite the sadistic overseers and make them hit him even harder.
"Those absolute bastards!"
Perona couldn't take it anymore. Without waiting for Bardock's command, she instantly unleashed a swarm of her Hollows. "Negative Hollows!"
The ethereal ghosts rapidly phased through the bodies of the approaching slave drivers.
The result was instantaneous and absolute. All of the aggressive overseers suddenly dropped their whips and collapsed onto their hands and knees, burying their faces against the freezing stone.
"I'm a worthless piece of garbage... I should just jump off this bridge and feed myself to the Sea Kings..." they sobbed miserably, completely incapacitated by profound depression.
Mansherry immediately fluttered over to the father and son. She quickly assessed their condition; they were severely malnourished and suffering from acute exhaustion, but they weren't entirely beyond saving. She instantly produced two glowing dandelions and tossed them at the pair.
The moment the miraculous healing energy washed over them, the bloody, raw whip gash on the young man's back vanished without a trace, and the horrific exhaustion plaguing their muscles dissipated. The collapsed old man let out a soft groan and slowly fluttered his eyes open.
"Am I... am I dead?" the old man slurred weakly, looking up at his son's tear-streaked face. "Son... I just saw your mother walking toward me... she told me it was time to come home..."
read more & join member at patreon(.)com/Lestusk