The soldiers outside the city gate, blown to pieces, aren't Lily's opponents, let alone the United Army that flanks from the front. Under the siege from both sides, Lily doesn't even need to unleash her Supreme King; she simply engages in combat, defeating the soldiers within half an hour.
Just as she enters the city gate, Lily glances outward, "Sage..."
Outside the city gate, in the ruins of a port town, apart from fallen soldiers, there are even more United Army forces.
These are people who stopped the naval battles due to the heavy rain and are preparing to rest ashore, but now each of them gazes at the damaged gap with longing in their eyes.
"Haven't I already said?"
Sage grins, showing his teeth: "I'm here to recruit followers. Those willing to follow me step into this gap, for me to rule Augustine, for me to rule Gares!"
The observers outside are numerous, and many aren't involved in the naval battle but are United Army resting on the city wall outside.
Unable to enter Augustine Castle, they have to fight around it against the opposite enemy. The best place to rest is naturally here, and upon hearing the sounds from the city gate, quite a few more came over.
Similarly, many recognize the name Disaster, and hearing him speak, they each become excited.
"Disaster! Are you serious? We can enter the city? You're leading us into Augustine?!"
Upon hearing this, Sage gives a disdainful glance outside the city gate, clearly unwilling to answer such naive questions, but the more he acts this way, the more convincing it becomes.
Now, entering the city are their peers; words are less persuasive than facts here.
Only when the first person steps into the city gate, standing among the crowd, do the others come to their senses, rushing inside.
"Augustine! Holy City of Augustine! Finally, we're inside; it's all mine!"
A pirate licks the blade and laughs wildly as he heads towards the nearby residences.
"My rule: do not rob the poor." Sage tells him.
"Captain, when I've finished looting, I'll offer all the spoils to you!" The pirate acts as though he hasn't heard, instead shouting enthusiastically.
Bam!
Just as he finishes speaking, a gunshot rings out amidst the storm.
Sage holds the flintlock guns, aiming forward, smoke coming out of the barrel in the wind and rain. The pirate who talked about looting falls to the ground, a hole in his chest.
"Disaster! What are you doing?!" Someone in the crowd yells, "Aren't you recruiting us as followers?"
"By stepping through this city gate, you accepted my invitation to become my followers. I've already reminded you once about the rules."
"You didn't know before, so I won't argue. Now I've reminded you, and if you disobey my orders... then it's different."
Sage returns the flintlock guns to his waist and addresses the other newcomers, "The captain's orders are supreme! I'll give you one chance; you can still leave now. I won't do anything to you."
The crowd peers at one another; some pirates look displeased but don't withdraw, instead shouting:
"Augustine isn't yours now. We've just come in through the city gate. If you don't want us, there's no reason you can stop us from looting!"
They've been suppressed too long; robbing in Timadon brings military pursuit; in Gares, nobles' private soldiers chase them away. They have no supplies to leave and can only wait nearby for the war to end, hoping for rewards.
But they're pirates, and the opportunity has come. Mighty, prosperous Augustine is before them with no gates or walls to block. After a satisfying spree, they can leave with their bountiful haul.
No matter how formidable Disaster is, could he really control what these pirates want to do?
Bam bam bam!
In response, Sage emotionlessly flicks his fingers, using pure Finger Gun strength instead of Haki Bullets, accurately hitting the heads of pirates showing the same expression, blood sprays as they topple.
"Once I've entered this city, it's mine. In my territory, you follow my rules! Three seconds..."
Sage extends three fingers, "After three seconds, if you haven't moved, I consider you my followers. From now on, you follow the Disaster Pirates' orders, my orders, three."
As his fingers extend, businessmen and pirate-clad individuals begin to retreat, turning and running towards the city gate without looking back.
But the rest remains still, standing firm there, waiting for Sage to press down all his fingers.
"Stansen, guard the gate; don't let anyone in." Sage instructs.
Giant Stansen holds a huge iron hammer and, upon hearing this, stands at the gap like a gatekeeping god, covering much of the entrance, blocking the outside observers.
"Alright, Disaster Pirates welcome you. Drink with us when the city is thoroughly controlled; now there's a mission for you..."
Under the rainfall, Sage reveals his gleaming white teeth and speaks words that chill the soul, "Find all the nobles in this city and bring them to me; kill those who defy! I permit you to loot the wealthy and nobles!"
Sage doesn't have time to play scheming games with the kingdom's nobles, nor time for diplomatic tactics.
What is a landlord?
A landlord is the master of the land, a figure of power and authority, and everyone works for him.
Nobles wield control too, deeply influential. Instead of wasting effort on mutual compromises, Sage opts for a straightforward approach.
The landlord's business inherently conflicts with nobility, the greatest power struggle, and once they all die, no one contests his ruling authority.
With nobility extinguished, the landlord becomes the ultimate ruler.
This city, this kingdom, he must claim them all.
So eliminating those nobles and removing obstacles underfoot is the top priority!
However, Sage isn't planning to kill them all; if they wisely surrender authority and serve him, he's willing to spare them.
"Oh!!"
The pirates raise their weapons, shouting wildly, each becoming excited anew.
So it was a misunderstanding; they thought it was an ascetic team, but it turns out they disdain dealing with the poor and weak.
It's no wonder Lord Disaster deserves admiration!
Looting nobles and the wealthy, they're all in agreement!
During this period, they've suffered much from the nobles, and now they finally get a chance for retribution!