Though a finger-sized puncture wound now marred his neck—courtesy of Rowan—and blood gushed out to stain the ruins beneath him a deep crimson, Vaskeriel-sei seemed not to feel it.
At this moment, he felt as if he had been plunged into an ice cellar. His body was deathly cold, and his muscles were so rigid he couldn't twitch a single inch. In the instant Rowan's fingers had descended, he had truly foreseen his own death. The heavy, suffocating killing intent radiating from the old man told Vaskeriel everything he needed to know: this man was not joking.
He really dared to kill him! Even if his status was that of a World Noble, a "God" of the world. This old fossil was serious!
"Lord Vaskeriel-sei! Hold on! I have already reported the situation to the Five Elders! It won't be long before the full force of the Marine presence on Sabaody arrives, and an Admiral from Headquarters will be here to rescue you!"
It was then that the guard captain, previously slapped away by Rowan, forced himself back up. Ignoring his swollen face, he screamed at the top of his lungs to reassure the noble. However, after shouting, his expression turned utterly bewildered as he looked at the two figures blocking the path of the two white-clad CP0 agents.
Having reached the rank of guard captain for a Celestial Dragon, he wasn't a total fool. He naturally recognized the two people holding their ground against the "Shield of the Celestial Dragons."
The tall woman who had rushed out of the tavern was Momousagi (Gion), a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral and one of the only two candidates for the rank of Admiral. The other was the man leading the massive Marine blockade currently surrounding the area: Vice Admiral Toller, commander of the G-16 branch base.
Why?
Why were they, as Marines, not only refusing to assist Lord Vaskeriel-sei but actually obstructing the CP0 agents sent to save him?
Momousagi's strength was beyond question; as an Admiral Candidate, her power was a level above that of elite Vice Admirals. Her meito, Kinpira, was humming in a stalemate with the CP0 agent, and she seemed to be slowly gaining the upper hand. Beside her, though Toller appeared to be struggling more, he didn't retreat a single step. His gaze was even more resolute than Momousagi's.
Rowan didn't care about the guard captain's shouting, nor the clash between his students and CP0. He withdrew his finger and looked down at the Celestial Dragon, who was soaked in cold sweat and lying like a corpse in the debris.
"Now," Rowan said tonelessly, "how do you feel?"
Rowan's calm voice hit Vaskeriel's ears like a jolt of electricity. Shaking off his daze and drawing strength from some unknown reservoir of terror, Vaskeriel-sei scrambled up from the ruins. He threw himself into a prostrate position, his forehead slamming into the ground as he kowtowed repeatedly before Rowan.
"I was wrong! I was truly wrong! Great Master, please, you are a man of great character... I beg you, please don't kill me!"
His wretched, pleading form held not a shred of the World Nobles' legendary pride. He looked exactly like a low-level pirate lackey about to be executed.
Seeing this, Cavendish—still hiding on the distant rooftop—nearly had his eyes pop out of his skull. A World Noble... actually kneeling and begging for mercy? What kind of absurd world is this?!
Hey, what are you doing?! You're a World Noble! A Celestial Dragon! No matter how bold that old man is, he wouldn't actually kill you! If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, Cavendish would never have believed this possible.
He wasn't the only one; even Rayleigh, watching from the tavern entrance, looked on with profound intrigue. World Nobles, who viewed ordinary people as a different, lesser species, actually succumbing to terror and surrendering to a "lowly commoner"? To the point of abandoning their status to kowtow?
Turning his gaze back to Rowan—whose face remained a mask of calm—Rayleigh marveled internally. This old gentleman was clearly far more complex than the man he had encountered on the seas decades ago. Furthermore, when Rowan's fingers had struck, Rayleigh had clearly sensed an incredibly sharp, refined sword intent. From that intent, he felt a genuine sense of danger.
Perhaps that report wasn't an exaggeration after all?
When Rayleigh first saw the news about Hawkeye Mihawk challenging Rowan, he thought it was some sort of fabrication and hadn't paid it much mind. Decades ago, when Rowan was in his physical prime, he had been easily handled by Rayleigh. Mihawk's skill was known to Rayleigh; in terms of pure swordsmanship, Rayleigh—an old man left behind by the new era—knew he was no longer a match for the World's Strongest Swordsman.
But after seeing that strike, his perspective shifted. To manifest such intent through two fingers... the Master's mastery of the blade was certainly not weak.
Hiding his brilliance... That was the only explanation Rayleigh could find. He suddenly felt a surge of interest in the upcoming duel between Mihawk and the Old Man.
"Lord Vaskeriel-sei! What are you doing?! You can't! You mustn't do this!" the guard captain screamed, his mind nearing a total breakdown. His worldview was shattering. Why was the "God" he served so diligently kneeling before a commoner? Weren't the Celestial Dragons the descendants of the Creators? Why was this happening?!
Tramp! Tramp!Tramp! Tramp!!
Another wave of chaotic movement approached. The guard captain turned to see two massive detachments of white-clad Marines flooding the area.
He saw them as his saviors. "Marines! Here! Lord Vaskeriel-sei is over here! Quickly, seize that criminal! And those two—they are traitors to the Navy!"
The main force was here! They were saved!
However, when the two Rear Admirals leading the reinforcements broke through the initial blockade and arrived at the tavern front, they froze. Why was their superior, Vice Admiral Toller, fighting CP0? And why was the Admiral Candidate, Lady Momousagi, there as well? Why was a Celestial Dragon kowtowing like his life depended on it?
And who was the old man standing before the Noble? They were completely lost.
At that moment, Toller's strength surged. Caught off guard, the CP0 agent was forced back several steps. Toller turned to the bewildered Rear Admirals and barked:
"Rear Admirals Creich and Capo, listen to my orders! These individuals have attempted to assassinate Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral Rowan. Their crimes are monstrous! Move out immediately, seize them, and await Master Rowan's judgment!"
"Master Rowan?! Assassination?!"
After a brief stun, Rear Admirals Creich and Capo drew their sabers in unison, faces solemn. "Orders received!"
They turned to their troops. "All units, surround the area! Help us apprehend these villains!"
In a single instant, they had chosen their stance. Compared to the high-and-mighty World Nobles, they would rather stand with the legendary Marine, Old Man Rowan! Even if they knew this choice would bring down the infinite wrath of the World Government...
So what?!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
⭐ Read chapters early on Patreon → https://www.patreon.com/Bagga_10 ⭐
BONUS CHAPTER REWARDS
• Every 20 reviews = 1 bonus chapter
• Every 100 Power Stones = 1 bonus chapter
Your support directly unlocks more content and faster releases.