"I heard the Revolutionary Army's former outpost in the Lulusia Kingdom has already been expelled?"
"That happened a while ago. You could say now is the perfect time for us to invade the Lulusia Kingdom."
"But it's a World Government-affiliated nation... Can we really pull it off?"
"Ha! With those weak and aging garrison troops, if it weren't for the Revolutionary Army, I'd have already become the new king of Lulusia Kingdom!"
A sizable fleet of pirate ships was advancing across the sea, their target also being the Lulusia Kingdom, located in the first half of the Grand Line, known as "Paradise."
After all, the Lulusia Kingdom was widely recognized in the region as an easy target.
And this wasn't just any single pirate crew—it was an alliance formed by eleven pirate crews, both large and small.
Ever since the Whitebeard Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates established their own nations, the pirate world had descended into chaos for a time.
Subsequently, some pirates realized that relying solely on themselves wasn't enough for survival.
Thus, pirate alliances were born.
Naturally, the stronger pirates disdained such methods, so these alliances mostly consisted of weaker crews banding together for warmth.
But surprisingly, these roaming pirate alliances had indeed given the World Government quite a headache.
And now, this particular pirate alliance was preparing to strike the Lulusia Kingdom.
The pirates also understood—what was the point of robbing civilians?
How much wealth could common folk possibly carry?
So why not just rob the royals directly?
After all, most of the wealth created by the common people ended up in the hands of the royals.
"But... why do I have this nagging feeling that something isn't right?" Momosagi, one of the leaders of this pirate alliance, muttered uneasily as he gazed at the night sea.
"I hope it's just my imagination... We absolutely can't miss this opportunity!"
Thus, the pirate alliance fleet—composed of ships of all shapes and sizes—landed on the shores of the Lulusia Kingdom from another direction.
"Listen up, men! Grab your swords and guns! After tonight, we'll get to live like kings!"
"Yes, sir!"
Momosagi's voice greatly emboldened the ragtag crew under his command.
If they hadn't been chased out of other waters, they wouldn't have coincidentally returned to the vicinity of the Lulusia Kingdom at this time...
Truly, it was a matter of timing and fate.
Momosagi felt his luck was exceptionally good.
But... when they pushed through the bushes and entered the city, something felt off.
Even if the guards were reduced to the old, weak, and infirm, it shouldn't be this deserted, right?
"What's going on? Why is it so lively over there?" Momosagi was baffled.
"Isn't it the middle of the night? Are the people of the Lulusia Kingdom holding a bonfire party?"
"Boss Momosagi, the people here are dirt poor. How could they afford a bonfire party?"
"Good point..." Momosagi frowned. "Let's check it out!"
"Wait, boss, shouldn't we... head to the royal palace first?"
"The entire Lulusia Kingdom will be ours soon enough! There's no need to rush!"
Thus, under Momosagi's orders, the pirates of the alliance marched in force toward the square where a towering bonfire blazed.
And then... they witnessed a sight they would never forget for the rest of their lives.
Before the massive bonfire stood an enormous guillotine and countless resolute members of the Revolutionary Army.
Behind them were the people of the Lulusia Kingdom—some fearful, but most eagerly anticipating what was to come.
"Citizens, I am Michael, Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army. Tonight, we have gathered you here to send the royals—who have exploited you without limit—to the guillotine."
"Though I hesitate to let children witness such bloodshed, perhaps it's best they see it."
"This is the fate of those who hold power but lack virtue!"
As Michael finished speaking, Ivankov gave a signal with a wave of his hand.
A large portion of the Lulusia Kingdom's royals were then dragged forward and forced beneath the guillotine.
Among them were King Saji and his daughter, Princess Komari.
"You lowborn scum! You traitor to the Marines! The Marines are nothing but dogs of the World Government and its member nations! You're nothing but a mutt biting its master!" Komari screamed curses at Michael as she was shoved forward.
But when she was forced to her knees before the guillotine, her tears burst forth like floodgates opening.
"Waaah! Father, I don't want to die! I was wrong! I was really wrong!"
"I am no lowborn, nor a traitor to the Marine, and the Marine is not your lapdog," Michael shook his head disdainfully. "Some people only start inexplicably admitting their wrongs when they know death is near... But are you truly remorseful for your misdeeds? No, you merely regret encountering the Revolutionary Army."
As he spoke, he raised his hand and gave a slight wave.
The next moment, the guillotine came crashing down.
The royals who had been escorted beneath it all lost their heads in unison.
The desperate, wailing pleas for mercy vanished instantly.
Yet this bloody spectacle instead drew thunderous applause and cheers from all the citizens of the Lulusia Kingdom.
What followed was cathartic weeping.
Michael then approached the few remaining members of the Lulusia royal family.
These individuals had clear, righteous gazes, meeting Michael's eyes with utterly unburdened consciences.
Michael couldn't help but admire them inwardly.
Now this!
These were proper people indeed!
A clear conscience makes for an easy journey—this was the truth.
"I spared you only because the Revolutionary Army is not some indiscriminate mob, but one that fights for liberation and justice," Michael said, looking down at them.
"Though you've committed no crimes, you remain privileged beneficiaries sustained by the people's labor... Thus, you too must atone."
"Starting today, the Revolutionary Army will reestablish an office in the Lulusia Kingdom. You shall be its first volunteers—provided food and shelter, unpaid, yet entitled to all personnel benefits... Your first task is to plan and organize a nationwide referendum to elect the new king of Lulusia."
Having said this, Michael casually tossed several pale blue flames onto the corpses on the ground.
In an instant, both bodies and bloodstains were reduced to ashes.
Witnessing this, Momosagi's eyes widened progressively.
Something seemed to catch in his throat.
"Retreat... retreat now!" he growled before turning to flee.
"Yee-haw! You've enjoyed the show long enough—how can you just walk away now!"
A massive, heavily made-up okama face appeared before them.
"The Pirate Alliance... might as well clean them up too," Michael's voice drifted over from afar.
Backlit by the bonfire, his sapphire-like eyes pierced through the night, gazing in their direction.
"Pirates who enter Lulusia armed? Clearly here to plunder."
"Sink them all—men and ships alike..."
"Tsk, moments like these make me miss T-Bone and Shu—now those two were efficiency personified!"
-----------------------------
Read 45 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.
patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator