A fine line of blood slowly appeared on the neck of the King of Portavia.
The wailing on his face instantly froze, replaced by sheer terror. He instinctively clutched his throat, attempting to stem the gushing blood, but it was all in vain.
Warm liquid continuously seeped through his fingers as strength ebbed from his body like a receding tide.
His knees buckled, and he collapsed heavily to the ground, convulsing violently.
Gurgling sounds escaped his throat as the final light in his eyes rapidly dimmed amidst boundless regret and fear.
The castle hall fell into a suffocating silence.
The royal family members of the Portavia Kingdom watched helplessly as their king struggled in a pool of blood before finally lying still.
The shadow of death enveloped each of them like an invisible net.
All royal members prostrated on the floor, trembling uncontrollably, not daring to even breathe loudly, terrified they might be next for execution.
The atmosphere in the hall grew unbearably oppressive.
Whether it was Mihawk or the interns who had just experienced an exhilarating battle, all now silently observed these once high and mighty royalty.
Denjiro, Nekomamushi, and Inuarashi were particularly shaken.
To execute a king without trial or hesitation—this was the consistent iron-fisted, decisive style of Orion, the most powerful Fleet Admiral in Marine history.
Orion quietly watched the corpse at his feet, only releasing a slow breath after confirming the king's demise.
Then he slightly raised his eyes, his icy gaze sweeping over each prostrated royal member.
"Your king did possess some foresight," Orion's voice remained perfectly calm, yet it sank the hearts of all royal members into despair.
"He knew coming to the Holy Land would mean reckoning. Though this hardly counts as foresight—merely the bitter fruit of your years colluding with Hachinosu Island."
"I will not execute all of you."
At these words, hope flickered in many royal members' eyes.
However, Orion's next words plunged them into absolute despair.
"But from today, your royal status is revoked. All of you will be shipped back to the Portavia Kingdom."
"If you've treated your people tolerably these years, you may live as commoners. But if your oppression has driven them beyond endurance..."
Orion paused, his voice cold as ice, "Then whether you live or die shall be decided by the people of Portavia Kingdom."
With that, he waved his hand as if brushing off dust.
"Take them away."
Just then, Morgan entered swiftly with a squad of the Fleet Admiral's guards.
Hearing Orion's command, he gestured without breaking stride, and the guards stormed forward to drag away the collapsed royal members.
As Morgan's group departed, over twenty Marine soldiers poured in through the castle gates.T
hey were drenched in blood, their uniforms tattered, each bearing wounds of varying depths, yet their eyes shone with an extraordinary brightness.
Leading them was the very Captain who had been surrounded by pirates earlier, already prepared to meet his death.
When the Captain caught sight of the youthful figure at the center of the hall, his body jolted violently.
Instinctively, he straightened his posture, raised his hand in a crisp military salute, and declared loudly.
"Captain of New World Marines Base 150, saluting the Fleet Admiral!"
"Loyalty!"
As the Captain's words fell, the twenty-plus soldiers behind him—who had crawled out from piles of corpses—moved in perfect unison, straightening their backs and saluting in unison.
Orion turned around and returned the salute.
"You've endured hardships."
"Not at all!" The Captain lifted his head high, fervor unmistakable in his eyes. "For justice!"
Orion lowered his hand and took a step forward, standing directly before the Captain.
"I remember you, Captain."
Those simple words caused this iron-willed man's eyes to redden instantly, his voice trembling slightly.
"Fleet Admiral, you..."
Before the Captain could finish, Orion interrupted him again, "You were the palace guard I encountered when I launched the coup and marched toward the Holy Land. However, you never told me your name back then."
!!!
The Captain's pupils dilated abruptly, his gaze filled with overwhelming emotion as he looked at Orion.
He never imagined that the Fleet Admiral, burdened with countless responsibilities, would still remember a minor figure like him.
At that moment, sealed memories surged back like a tidal wave, and a scene flashed before his eyes.
Back then, Orion, having successfully seized power to become the Fleet Admiral of the Marines, led the three Admirals, along with Sengoku, Zephyr, and others, into the Holy Land Mariejois with overwhelming force.
He demanded that the God's Knights hand over Spandam.
At the time, he was merely an insignificant palace guard.
Knowing that Orion intended to execute Spandam, he realized this was his only chance to leave the Holy Land.
He had to seize this opportunity to gain Fleet Admiral Orion's recognition.
So, mustering his courage, he took a bold action—he fired first to empty the magazine, riddling Spandam with bullets!
Afterward, he decisively turned to face the young Fleet Admiral and pledged his loyalty.
"Lord Orion, if I succeed in my revenge and return alive... may I become your subordinate?"
He still remembered how his heart had nearly leaped out of his chest when he asked that question.
Expecting Orion to pay no heed to someone as insignificant as him, the outcome surpassed his wildest imagination.
Not only did Orion give him a firm nod, but he also spoke the words that would change his life:
'—You already are, soldier!'
It was these words that sustained him through his successful revenge, propelled him to join the Marine Headquarters afterward, and enabled him to rise step by step through his own efforts to where he was today.
Forcing down his surging emotions, the Captain raised his hand once more, saluting even more crisply than before.
His voice grew hoarse with excitement, "Captain Dylan of New World Marines Branch 150, reporting to the Fleet Admiral!"
Orion smiled faintly and nodded, then reached out to pat Dylan on the shoulder.
"From this moment on, you are the Rear Admiral of New World Marines Branch 150, Dylan."
"Additionally," Orion's gaze swept past Dylan to the equally excited soldiers behind him, "I have witnessed everything the soldiers of Branch 150 accomplished at Hachinosu Island. All brothers—whether living or fallen—shall be promoted according to the Marines' merit system!"
"All wealth plundered by pirates on Hachinosu Island shall be transported back to Branch 150 by you. It will serve as bonuses for the brothers and compensation for all those who sacrificed their lives at Hachinosu Island."
"You will personally oversee this matter."
Orion looked at Dylan and added, "I grant you one more privilege: represent me in visiting and comforting the families of all brothers who fell at Hachinosu Island."
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