"Father, I think Kyros is back."
On the King's Plateau, Viola spotted Kyros's figure in the distance and reported to King Riku.
"Is he? How is he?" King Riku asked nervously, his hand instinctively tightening around the hilt of his sword as if it were his only source of security.
Hearing her father's question, Viola activated her ability, taking a closer look at the approaching Kyros.
"Father, he's fine. He's not injured, but he seems to be in a great hurry," Viola relayed everything she saw to the king.
"In a hurry? Could it be... that he was defeated?" King Riku's heart clenched, and he spoke as if in a daze.
Hearing this, Viola extended her vision further. On the battlefield, the pirates were leisurely toying with the captured citizens of Dressrosa. The royal guard stood before them, their faces filled with despair, seeing no future as they turned a blind eye.
What on earth happened? A bad feeling seized Viola's heart.
Kyros was incredibly fast. By the time Viola retracted her gaze, he was already standing before the king.
"Kyros, what is the situation?" Seeing the kingdom's only savior, King Riku's spirits lifted slightly.
Hearing the king's question, Kyros, whose sword was still stained with blood, was momentarily at a loss for words. He looked at King Riku with a complex expression in his eyes.
"Kyros, did something happen? I saw that the royal guard has given up resisting," Viola spoke up, noticing his complicated expression and his failure to answer her father.
"Your Majesty..." Kyros began, looking at King Riku, but the words caught in his throat.
"Kyros, whatever it is, just say it. I... can bear it," King Riku encouraged him.
Kyros took a deep breath and exhaled.
"Your Majesty, did you order the pirates to deal with that Marine Commodore?" he asked.
"What?" King Riku said, confused.
Seeing that the king's expression did not seem fake, Kyros grew even more puzzled, but the suspicion in his heart deepened. He recounted everything that had happened on the battlefield.
"That is the situation. So, Your Majesty, did you or did you not do it?" Kyros asked, his question a piercing blow to the king's soul.
After hearing Kyros's account, King Riku's face paled. His body swayed, and he only remained standing with Viola's support.
"Kyros, do you share their opinion?" King Riku steadied himself, his regal authority returning. He knew that no matter what he said now, his people would no longer trust him.
After all, the act of personally slaughtering his own citizens had been too heinous. Few would be willing to accept him again.
"Your Majesty, I..." Kyros looked at the king, who had resumed his royal demeanor, and felt an immense pressure. The words were stuck in his throat, and he didn't know where to begin.
"I understand your concerns, Kyros. You are stronger than I am. I hope you will take good care of Scarlett and Rebecca in the future," King Riku said. He had already made his decision. Seeing the wavering in Kyros's heart, he offered no further explanation, only the entrustment of a father to his son-in-law.
"Your Majesty..." Kyros naturally understood the king's words, and he could feel the sorrow and finality within them.
"Say no more. I understand," King Riku said, raising a hand to stop Kyros from speaking.
"Father, no! You can't do this!" Little Viola cried, hugging King Riku's leg and trying to stop him.
King Riku set down his sword, afraid of hurting Viola. He raised his wrinkled hand and placed it on her head, comforting her gently. "Don't cry, Viola. Your father is simply making the right choice. I am the king. I cannot retreat. I must protect my people and defend Dressrosa."
"Father!"
Hearing his words, Viola's heart ached with even greater sorrow, and she hugged his leg tighter.
"Your Majesty."
Kyros was moved by the king's speech. At the same time, all the doubts in his heart vanished. Such an old man, a king who loved his country and his people, could not be allowed to fall to such a fate.
"Is there really no other way?" Viola asked, looking up at King Riku with her starlit eyes.
"My people are suffering. I cannot abandon them, even if they no longer trust me. This is my responsibility. I cannot run from it. If there is a way to protect Dressrosa, I am willing to pay any price," King Riku declared with righteous indignation. He was prepared to meet his end with resolve, to fight for his people, to fight for Dressrosa.
"Your Majesty, I will go with you," Kyros said, kneeling on one knee respectfully.
"Your Majesty, we are willing as well!"
At the same time, a number of loyal officials and guards also swore their determination. They had all felt the sincerity and resolve in the king's words, and it was enough to restore their faith and banish their doubts.
"Good. Very good," King Riku said, tears streaming down his aged face. He was deeply moved. Though they had all doubted him moments ago, he did not blame them.
"Let me be the first to die! Let's send these pirates back where they came from!" a portly official declared.
"Walker, this is hardly the time for a civil servant like you to step forward. Do you think we in the military don't exist?" said Simmons, the captain of the guard.
"It's all the same, Simmons," Walker replied, not offended by the captain's words but speaking with great solemnity.
"I understand," Simmons replied with equal gravity.
"Move out!" With King Riku's command, the group set off. He would deal with the pirates who had slandered him. Though he didn't know why they had said such things, he was sure he would find out once they were defeated.
Viola watched with worry as King Riku and his party departed. Before leaving, the king had secretly told her that if the situation became hopeless, she was to take Scarlett and Rebecca and retreat quietly. He had already contacted a good friend for help. Though the friend could not intervene in the conflict, he could at least offer his children refuge.
It won't come to that, Father. Don't worry. I will not let that happen. There has to be a solution! Viola thought, biting her lip with stubborn resolve.
She then left alone, no longer watching the scene. She had to find help. Although she didn't know if they would be willing to intervene, at a time like this, it was a desperate gamble she had to take.
After all, their fates were intertwined. She couldn't believe the dwarves of the Tontatta tribe would stand by and watch Dressrosa fall into the hands of pirates. It was an unfair burden to place on them, but Viola had no other choice.
From the information her father had given her and the books about the "fairies" in the royal palace, Viola had learned a great deal. She believed the dwarves could solve Dressrosa's urgent crisis.
And so, Viola set out alone for Green Bit to seek the aid of the Tontatta tribe.
On Green Bit, the Tontatta King Gancho was well aware of the events unfolding in Dressrosa. The dwarves had spies in the royal capital and had received news immediately.
"Your Majesty, should we help? It seems King Riku and his people are having trouble with the enemy," Leo suggested, looking at the old man on the throne.
"Leo, those are vicious pirates! If even King Riku can't deal with them, what can we do? If we join the fight, we will surely suffer great losses," Kabu reasoned.
"What's wrong with pirates? Doflamingolando is a pirate too! Not all of them are vicious," Wicca retorted.
"Haha, Wicca, I wasn't talking about Doflamingolando," Kabu said sheepishly, afraid of angering her.
"Don't underestimate us, Kabu," Leo added.
"I'm against it, either way."
"You—"
"Alright, that's enough. Let's wait and see for now," Gancho said, putting an end to the argument. "I believe King Riku won't just sit back and do nothing. If it becomes necessary, we will not retreat."
The debate in the Tontatta Kingdom came to a close. Viola, full of hope, was on her way to seek their help, while King Riku led Kyros and his men to a final, desperate battle with the pirates.
Onboard the Ark, having finished testing Vergo's strength, Doflamingo was not idle. He prepared to perfect his Life Return, leaving the escalating conflict in Dressrosa to Robin and the others.
Besides, the fire wasn't hot enough yet.
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