The King of Azka's accusation crashed through the hall like thunder, leaving every royal and noble scrambling to their feet in panic.
Hiring pirates was one thing.
But colluding with pirates to massacre other monarchs—and even Marines—was outright rebellion.
Not even the most insane king would openly challenge the World Government like this.
Even the nobles who had followed the King of Alabasta—and Cobra himself—stared at him in disbelief, praying he would deny it.
But instead, the Alabastan king sighed and shook his head.
"Since you already know… why bother exposing me?
I was nearly moved by Major Longinus's words.
But now, I have no choice but to kill every last one of you."
"When you arrive in hell, do remember to repent for your stupidity."
His calm admission stunned the room.
"What!? King of Alabasta, have you truly done something so insane? Aren't you afraid of the World Government's wrath!?"
"Father, what are you saying!? You're dragging Alabasta into the abyss!" Cobra pleaded desperately.
"Hmph! What do you know?"
For the first time, the Alabasta king's cold facade cracked.
"You keep telling me Alabasta is on the edge of collapse—
Do you think I don't know?"
"No one understands Alabasta's situation more clearly than I do!"
"Then—why, Father, why would you—"
"Alabasta is like a runaway carriage with a collapsing cliff behind it.
If we keep running, perhaps there's hope.
But if we stop expanding, even for a moment—
we fall and shatter into pieces!"
"The only way to save Alabasta is plunder.
Constant plunder.
Our army can no longer fight?
Then we must use other means to keep the war going!"
"As for the World Government's punishment? Hah!"
The king sneered.
"If everyone here dies, who will know it was us?"
"A bloodthirsty pirate destroys the royals and Marines—
then the brave King of Alabasta rises to save the day.
A perfect story, is it not?"
"You're mad—utterly mad!"
The King of Hiska trembled.
"Guards! Guards! Seize this lunatic!"
But outside the hall was only deathly silence—
a silence that chilled the soul.
"Wh-Where are the guards!? Why aren't they coming!?" the Hiska king screamed hysterically.
"No need to struggle," the Alabasta king said coldly.
"My men control the palace.
From here on, simply enjoy the opera of slaughter."
The King of Clete desperately turned to the Azka king, who stood calmly as though untouched by the chaos.
"King of Azka, you knew his plot—surely you came prepared?"
"But of course."
The Azka king smiled smugly.
"I'm not foolish enough to walk into danger unprepared."
He pulled out a pocket-sized Den Den Mushi, its eyes gleaming.
"All of his lies have been recorded.
No matter what happens now, the World Government will never suspect me."
This made little sense to the others, but it certainly didn't make him look innocent.
"K-King of Azka… what do you mean?" asked the Clete king, voice trembling.
The Alabasta king stiffened. "What are you implying?"
"What do I mean?" The Azka king laughed wildly.
"Why not let Captain Felix himself answer that!"
As his laughter echoed, the hall doors swung open.
A tall man shrouded in darkness entered, his body radiating a metallic, blood-tinged scent.
Behind him followed dozens of vicious-looking pirates, eyeing the royals like livestock.
"Felix… you traitor?"
The King of Alabasta stared in disbelief.
"Now, now, Your Majesty—'traitor' is such an ugly word."
Felix shrugged casually.
"We were only partners.
Someone simply offered me a better deal.
Surely you can understand."
"You—!"
The Alabasta king clutched his chest, face pale from rage or shock.
"Father! Father, don't scare me!" Cobra cried, panicked and helpless.
"Hahahaha! This is why one must be generous!"
The King of Azka stood tall, reveling in his moment of triumph.
"Now everything fits perfectly—
The King of Alabasta dies from agitation,
confirming everything recorded by my Den Den Mushi!"
At these words, the Alabasta king steadied himself—but his eyes burned with hatred.
"You wanted that item, didn't you, Felix? I can give you more—"
"Too late."
Felix descended the steps with regal confidence, his pirates fanning out behind him.
"If you'd agreed earlier, we wouldn't be here.
What I want now is not 'more'—but everything."
"With that item, I could build a foundation even in the New World.
Or I could offer it to a true titan for far greater gains.
Leaving it in your hands is just a waste."
"Tch… I should have listened to Cobra sooner.
Greedy pirates can never be fed.
Even without today, betrayal would have come eventually."
The Alabasta king snarled.
"King of Azka—mark my words,
You'll die the same way as me.
I'll be waiting for you in hell!"
"I say," Rear Admiral Adergin snapped,
"Are you ignoring the Marine presence entirely?
An 80-million-berry pirate is dangerous, yes—
but hardly invincible!"
Felix snorted.
"A Rear Admiral from the New World could handle pirates worth hundreds of millions—
but you, a Rear Admiral from Paradise?
You're hardly impressive."
"But don't get me wrong—
a Rear Admiral is still no one to take lightly.
So naturally, I came prepared."
He grinned maliciously.
"And for that, I must thank the King of Alabasta for his generous gift."
"Finished… it's all finished…"
The King of Alabasta muttered in despair as the nobles stared at him.
"It's Seastone powder.
The Rear Admiral is a Devil Fruit user.
In my original plan…
the powder would strip all ability users of resistance."
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