The situation took a dramatic turn. As Mandrell flipped the table, every member of the revolutionary army picked up their weapons. Among them was a man named Seph, who had once been a simple teacher. However, the burden of excessive taxation had shattered his family, prompting him to take up the mantle of leading the protests.
In the course of events, Seph had unexpectedly become the spiritual pillar of the revolutionary army. So, when Mandrell flipped the table, they all grew tense. However, they were also aware that the current situation didn’t allow them to make more enemies.
But the situation immediately took a somewhat comical turn.
“Of course. Anything in this room that catches your eye, you can take it away.”
Seph didn’t understand what was going on. Although the Beasts Pirates had issued a public bounty for collecting plates, the World Government’s wanted posters were not necessarily well-known, let alone the Beasts Pirates’ channels.
The plate-like stone had been dug up when they were building the walls, and they had used it as a tabletop because it looked smooth.
After that, in the eyes of these rebels, Mandrell did something very strange. He kept pounding on the stone, and the stone remained unharmed, but he had a big smile on his face.
This strange behavior made these rebels suspect that he was an M.
Mandrell didn’t pay any attention to that. Finding the Plate on his own was considered a top-tier achievement in the Beasts Pirates’ merit evaluation. Now that he had become a high-ranking officer, his retirement goal was pretty much a sure thing.
As for the cost of that batch of weapons, not to mention half-price, as long as there’s a Plate, he doesn’t mind giving it away for free.
Mandrell, who didn’t want to cause trouble, directly contacted his subordinates to have the remaining weapons brought over.
However, when Mandrell wanted to leave the place, something unexpected happened. Suddenly, the sound of bombardment came from the camp, and there were distant battle cries approaching. The kingdom army of the Shikkearu Kingdom had appeared here.
“Good luck for your battle. I hope to receive your orders again.”
Carrying the plate on his back, Mandrell intended to leave with his people. Since they could only pay half price for the weapons, it was clear that these people couldn’t afford to hire mercenaries.
But just because he wanted to leave didn’t mean that the kingdom army’s artillery would avoid them. The kingdom’s army, which had launched the attack, hit Mandrell as well, but this didn’t make him angry. After all, cannons were not sniper rifles, and they couldn’t precisely target individuals.
However, in a certain sense, single-shot, high-powered cannons could inflict mass damage if they hit accurately.
The problem was that when Mandrell and his group wanted to leave, they were surrounded by the Shikkearu Kingdom’s army.
“I say, we’re just merchants. Can you please make way for us?”
“By the order of His Majesty the King, no one is to be let out. The rebels must be completely eliminated.”
“We’re not rebels. Can’t you see this emblem? You’re making enemies with the Beasts Pirates.”
Mandrell pointed to the pirate emblem on his clothes. He didn’t want to engage with them because as soon as they did, it meant sharing the firepower burden for the rebels. This would essentially allow them to use them as mercenaries for free.
But he was met with a bullet as a response.
“I haven’t heard of any Beasts Pirates. I only know this is King Sekai V’s order.”
In the moment the gunshot rang out, red scaled-armor enveloped Mandrell’s entire body, deflecting the bullet.
“This is why I don’t like Paradise. It’s because of clueless folks like you that we have to deal with these troubles on the way.”
In New World, Beasts Pirates, Big Mom and Whitebeard’s flag are more effective deterrents than even the flags of the World Government and the Marines, especially in the later stages. The Beasts Pirates’ flag in particular allows them to pass through almost unchallenged.
The closer they get to the first half of the Grand Line, the higher the chances of encountering trouble.
“Everyone! Break through!”
Mandrell, in his beast form, led the charge. Although he didn’t want to let the other side benefit for free, the circumstances left him with no choice. As the scout captain, his subordinate pirates were also elites. With Mandrell at the forefront, the kingdom’s army couldn’t stop them at all.
Meanwhile, this news reached King Sekai V. He chose to personally lead the siege this time, aiming to quickly resolve this rebellion. In truth, he has no other option.
The Shikkearu Kingdom’s greatest military power was a man responsible for protecting the royal family, a powerful warrior recruited by King Sekai IV. However, they had an agreement. Unless there was an invasion from outside forces, he only ensured the safety of the royal family and didn’t intervene in other matters.
In his view, this internal turmoil didn’t constitute an outside invasion, so he refused to get involved. Today, King Sekai V was left with no choice but to devise this plan. If he himself went to the front lines, then the protector would have no choice but to join him to safeguard his life.
He had already paid the necessary bribes, and now the other party told him that it was a critical moment. He has to settle this before the next Levely, that’s why he was stepping onto the dangerous frontline.
“Everyone, attack! We must capture that rebel Seph!”
“Your Majesty! There’s a report from the east coast garrison. A group of people is trying to break through forcibly; our forces are unable to stop them!”
They were unaware of the situation within the revolutionary army and believed Seph was attempting to escape by ship. So, King Sekai V immediately led his guards in pursuit.
The royal protector reluctantly followed suit. It was part of the agreement he had made with the fourth king. Little did he expect that the fifth king would be so different.
“Senior, don’t cling so rigidly to your rules. In the end, you still have to act. Why not cooperate with me this once?”
“…”
“I promise there won’t be a second time.”
“This will be a one-time exception. If you breach this agreement again, the agreement between me and your father will become invalid.”
To prevent him from continuing to take unnecessary risks, he eventually agreed to intervene this once, as his method of forcing himself to act was becoming even more dangerous.
“Boss Mandrell, there are quite a lot of them.”
“They are the kingdom’s army, after all. Don’t underestimate them too much; any non-allied kingdom member capable of maintaining an intact regime in the Grand Line is capable in its own right.”
Being a Non-allied kingdom member means they had the military power to protect their own countries. In a ruthless place like Grand Line, the military strength of non-allied kingdom members that could maintain an intact regime was generally stronger than that of allied nations.
Marines don’t extend their protection to these non-allied kingdom members, even if a Marine base was nearby.
At this moment, Mandrell suddenly sensed danger. His arm, covered in scales, moved to block, but this time, a bloody gash appeared on his arm.
As he observed the shattered scales and the reinforcements arriving, Mandrell’s expression grew more serious.
“A swordsman capable of cutting steel? Trouble is here.”
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