Alucard flew back to the Amazon Lily shore. Truthfully, he was a little disappointed, not because there were too many rebels, but because the rebellion wasn't fierce enough and was suppressed in just two or three moves. Alucard was eager for a truly enjoyable fight. While crushing weaker opponents was satisfactory, too much of it always became tedious.
"Alucard."
Scarlett quickly ran up, looking Alucard's face over and over. Curious and a little playful, she said, "That bearded look you had just now... it felt kind of cool."
To be blunt, she was getting tired of his current appearance, and seeing the mature, middle-aged Alucard was a novelty. But Scarlett didn't dare say that out loud, so she could only hope for a closer look the next time Alucard transformed.
After her playful comment, Scarlett lowered her head. "I'm sorry, all this happened because of me..."
"Too noisy. Go back."
Before Scarlett could finish, Alucard turned and walked back toward one of the Immortal Pirates' ships. Scarlett blinked, a hint of joy flashing in her eyes, and quickly followed.
Viola shook her head and turned to return to the Royal Palace with her subordinates, but in the moment she turned, a flash of envy for her sister crossed her eyes.
"Alucard-sama, everyone has been salvaged. Should we wait for Wolf and the others to return before we execute them publicly?" Stragus walked up to Alucard's throne, kneeling on one knee to ask for instructions.
He had previously only offered a bow at most, but after witnessing Alucard's power in the battle, he was utterly prostrate with admiration, unable to stop himself from expressing his respect this way.
"Speaking of which, where did Wolf and those guys run off to?"
Alucard had also noticed the issue. Leaving Z there for now, it was strange that key combatants like Wolf, Keith Fallon, and Elzeia were all absent.
"They were dispatched on various strange missions before the rumors about Scarlett-sama... the Empress started spreading. It didn't draw any attention at first, but now that I think about it, it was quite weird. It's like someone deliberately sent them away," Stragus explained.
"It's not 'like,' that's exactly what happened," Scarlett said, standing beside Alucard.
"What's Shirahoshi's condition?" Alucard glanced at Scarlett.
"She's a little exhausted from using the Sea Kings' power, but she's fine. She'll recover after a rest," Scarlett replied.
"Shirahoshi is fine... so the most likely manipulator is..."
Alucard thought for a moment, having identified his general target. "Call Viola over. I need to use her ability." Although Alucard also possessed the "Charm" ability, a weak form of mind-reading, it was no match for Viola's true mind-reading ability.
"Alright."
Hearing Alucard call for her sister, Scarlett, though reluctant, obediently used the Den Den Mushi to call Viola back.
Urdaha walked over at this point, asking for instructions. "Alucard-sama, the captives have all been tied up. We have also sent recall orders to Wolf and Fallon, and they should be back soon. Next, we will check the losses within the crew and..."
Halfway through, Urdaha paused, then gritted his teeth as he finished, "...and those damned traitors."
"Should we include Z in that count?" Scarlett, having finished the Den Den Mushi call, walked back and asked a crucial question.
"If he doesn't return, it proves he's also a traitor," Stragus said, crossing his arms.
"I think he has already betrayed us..."
Alucard separated his crossed hands and lifted his head. "Don't worry about that guy. He will come back on his own. Whatever choice he makes, he absolutely will..."
The red wine glass on the small side table reflected Alucard's smile. The reflection of his sunglasses' red light made him look utterly confident.
Two days later.
Wolf, Keith Fallon, Elzeia, and other Immortal Pirates members who were tricked into leaving were recalled and returned one after another. Law would send the Swap-Swap Fruit back in a month. The dead, foolish rebels had no idea that the Devil Fruit they desperately craved was still on its way.
"What a pity I didn't get to participate in such an interesting battle~" Wolf said regretfully on the coast of Arderay, one hand reaching into his mouth.
Stragus smirked lightly. "The pity is that you didn't witness the Captain's power."
Elzeia, one of the few female pirates outside of the Kuja Pirate Crew, sat on a large tree trunk, unconcerned about anyone seeing her long legs. "The Captain hasn't been in a major battle for years. Since you all speak of it so much, I want to see it too."
"It will be unforgettable for you," Stragus sighed, his voice laced with awe, respect, and fear. Just recalling the scenes from the battle two days ago made him shiver.
The Undead Knight Army, the one-shot defeat of Beckman, the power of the Spirit of All Things that only Gol D. Roger and Red-Haired Shanks had mastered...
And this was only the new power Alucard had displayed. If his previous abilities were included, how strong he truly was was beyond imagination.
"He must have surpassed Shiki the Golden Lion…" Stragus couldn't help but gasp for air several times.
"The foolish traitors got what they deserved."
Keith Fallon, the Devil Fruit user of the Zoan-type, Hedgehog Model, sat on a seaside rock, saying coldly, "However, I am surprised that the bastard Ivalis was the first to step up and suppress the rebellion."
"I'm surprised too, but it's the truth. He earned a great merit," Stragus said, spreading his hands in resignation.
"Speaking of which, who is being interrogated today?" Elzeia suddenly asked.
After detaining the fewer than twenty remaining captives, Alucard had Viola conduct individual interrogations. Two days had passed, and there should be some results.
"I peeked at the interrogation yesterday. It seems only two are left today," Stragus said.
"Who?"
"The traitor Exdeath, and... the one Ivalis saved, Ben Beckman."