Chapter 247: The Allies, a Garbage Place!
Two days later.
The Dragon Hunter Pirates arrived at a new island, their sails steady as the sea breeze guided them toward their next destination.
"Captain," Nojiko reported, holding a worn but detailed map. "This is it—the location of the allied nation, the Kingdom of Neroost."
She pointed to a marked region on the parchment. "Based on the Log Pose, we'll reach the kingdom's central port before nightfall tomorrow."
Her tone turned cautious. "But... the Kingdom of Neroost is a loyal dog of the World Government. If the Valley of the Gods is anywhere nearby, our presence might tip them off."
"Could that cause problems?"
Nojiko had her doubts—after all, she wasn't privy to the full scope of Ryuunosuke's plans. But if the whole crew was being mobilized, it was clearly no simple task.
If the World Government caught wind of their actions... things could turn ugly.
"The Kingdom of Neroost, huh?" Ryuunosuke mused aloud, tapping his finger against the map.
His voice turned colder. "If they're allies of the World Government... then we'll just collect a little interest."
He looked out toward the coast, eyes narrowing. "Destroy the ruling regime. Wipe out anyone who resists. Starting today, the Kingdom of Neroost belongs to the Dragon Hunter Pirates."
A dangerous smirk curled across his lips.
Uvogin cracked his knuckles, his excitement boiling over. "Finally! I get to loosen these fists! Let's see how many I can smash this time!"
"Control yourself, musclehead," Chrollo said as he stepped forward. His tone was calm, but his eyes sharp. "The captain wants territory, not a graveyard."
He glanced back at Ryuunosuke, a flicker of curiosity in his gaze. Unlike most pirates who valued plunder over people, Ryuunosuke often went out of his way to spare civilians—so long as they submitted.
He accepted loyalty, even from former enemies. That wasn't compassion. It was strategy.
And it worked.
Chrollo still didn't fully understand it, but the logic was there: dead men don't generate faith or reputation points. And Ryuunosuke needed both.
"If we wanted to rule over ruins," Chrollo continued, "Captain's meteorite could reduce this entire place to dust in seconds. But what's the point in ruling ashes?"
Indeed, few kingdoms these days had the power to resist Ryuunosuke's techniques.
His approach wasn't about kindness.
It was about presence. Power. Permanence.
Without civilians, there could be no witnesses to their glory.
No one to worship them.
And no one to fear them.
Especially in an allied nation like Neroost—one that practically bled itself dry just to appease the World Government with tributes and taxes. The suffering of its people was ripe for exploitation—and salvation.
Faith, after all, was easiest to gain from the desperate.
---
Meanwhile, within the Kingdom of Neroost—
"Father, please... don't sell me."
A little girl, no more than seven or eight years old, stood trembling, her tear-streaked face turned upward in anguish.
"Nini will work hard. I'll eat less. I'll be useful... just please don't give me away!"
The fact that such words could come from someone so young spoke volumes.
This wasn't her first taste of desperation.
"Gah... shut up!" a gruff, scar-faced man barked. He wasn't a pirate. Not even a gangster.
He was a soldier in the Royal Army.
And that made him untouchable.
"You old bastard," he growled at the girl's father. "Pay your gambling debt. Now. Or I'll take your leg instead."
He jabbed a thumb toward the terrified child. "And just your daughter won't cut it. I want your woman too."
The man fell to his knees, his voice breaking. "No, please! Take my kids instead—just let my wife go. I... I can make more children…"
Bang!
Before he could finish, the woman clutched her daughter and bolted—slamming herself headfirst into a nearby stone wall.
Blood sprayed. The child screamed.
In that single act, her despair screamed louder than words ever could.
This was the Kingdom of Neroost: a so-called ally of justice.
A nation rotten to the core.
"Ugh. What a mess," the Royal Army captain grunted, scratching his neck. "Take the bastard's legs and get outta here. We've got better things to do."
He didn't even glance at the bodies.
His true concern? Pleasing the noble he served—a twisted aristocrat with a taste for young girls.
And if he didn't bring in "fresh goods" today?
He'd be the one bleeding next.
"Boss Dais!" a soldier came sprinting up, breathless with urgency. "We've got new arrivals at the port—some fine-looking women among them!"
Dais's mood flipped instantly.
"Beauties, huh?" he sneered, eyes lighting up. "Hehehe… Perfect."
He turned to his men. "Round up every last dog in the company. If anyone dares sneak off with a girl before we get there—I'll skin them myself."
"Move out! Let's go grab 'em before the other teams do!"
The soldiers cheered like pigs at a feast.
Word spread fast. Before long, even squad captains and legion commanders began mobilizing. The photos sent back were enough to make them salivate.
These newcomers could be sold, bribed to nobles, or kept for personal use.
No matter what, they were valuable.
That was the only thing that mattered in Neroost.
The nation was lawless from the top down. Civilians were treated like livestock. And anyone with power acted like royalty.
---
At the port—
A dense crowd of armed soldiers had already gathered.
Hundreds strong. Weapons out. Eyes glinting with greed.
"Captain," Uvogin said with a hungry grin. "Looks like they came to welcome us personally. Can I start cracking skulls now?"
Ryuunosuke stood at the front of his crew, hands calmly folded behind his back.
He took in the sight—grimy uniforms, sloppy formations, leering expressions.
Kingdom soldiers?
They looked more like pirates.
"Strange," Chrollo muttered. "They look more like the scum we're supposed to be."
Compared to the neat and disciplined ranks of the Dragon Hunter Pirates, these royal troops were a chaotic joke.
"Hey! You, over there!" one of the legion commanders shouted, pointing directly at Ryuunosuke's crew. "Leave the women and get lost! We'll let the rest of you crawl away if you're quick."
The soldiers cackled behind him.
Ryuunosuke didn't answer.
Instead, a slow smile curled at the edge of his lips.
Then, he turned slightly and winked at Uvogin.
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