Chapter 38
At the Market Jurisdiction, the air itself seemed to churn.
Murmurs flowed like a polluted tide, voices overlapping, rising and crashing against one another as Ren escaped into the distance with Keptyn. The crowd, left behind with nothing but fear and confusion, turned its anger inward.
"Why didn't they kill that bastard quickly?!"
"He deserves to die!"
"Who even was his accomplice?!"
"A man who sold his family—and even his title—for money and fame deserves nothing but—"
"SHUT UPPP!!"
The roar split the market like a cannon blast.
Digil stood at the center of the square, chest heaving, his fists trembling. The crowd recoiled instinctively, clearing away from him until only open ground remained. Behind him stood two masked figures—silent, unmoving.
Tears gathered in Digil's eyes as his fingers rose to his face. With a sharp pull, he tore the mask away and let it fall to the stone floor.
A collective gasp rippled through the market.
"W–Wait… isn't that Prince Digil?" a woman whispered to her husband.
"I heard he died years ago," another replied, disbelief thick in his voice. "How is he still alive?"
Digil stepped forward, his voice cracking but powerful.
"I am tired of listening to your insults," he shouted. "You ungrateful people! Do you even know what that 'small boy' you curse has been doing in the shadows for you?!"
Silence fell.
The murmurs tried to rise again, but Digil's glare crushed them.
"Did you know who has been fighting for you? Who sacrificed his dreams? Who lowered himself to serve pirates you despise?" His voice broke as tears spilled freely. "It all started when he was just a child…"
And Digil told them everything.
He spoke of Keptyn's childhood—of bruises hidden beneath clothes, of nights spent guarding streets instead of sleeping, of dreams buried beneath duty. He spoke of how Keptyn became a monster in their eyes so the real monsters would never reach them. He spoke of deals made in blood and silence, of protection bought with reputation.
The market listened.
A woman covered her mouth, tears streaming freely. "So… we were the fools all along. Playing pirate games…"
"Didn't you hear?" another corrected softly. "He said it was the World Government… in disguise."
"That's not even the worst part," a man muttered, his voice shaking. "We've been maltreating our savior… while he was protecting us." He wiped his face roughly. "We don't even deserve to look at him."
"This isn't what Keptyn would want."
The voice came from behind Digil—deep, steady, unyielding.
A tall man stepped forward, standing beside the prince. He removed his mask and let it drop.
"We have already lost this country," he said, scanning the crowd. "Lost it to government officers masquerading as justice… and pirates pretending to be kings." His jaw tightened. "But what our protector tried to do alone in the shadows—we will now do together."
He took another step forward.
"We will take our country back."
More figures moved.
"Kyaaa—!"
Masks fell one by one.
The former king. The former queen. Royal guards thought long dead.
"Isn't that… His Majesty?"
"I heard he was killed!"
"My friend said he ran away during the invasion—"
"I never said that!" a man snapped defensively. "I only heard it at the pub!"
The former king raised his hand, and the noise faded.
"I know you are confused," he said calmly. "Angry. Ignorant." His gaze hardened. "But our mistakes do not give us the right to destroy ourselves. Blame will come later—if we survive."
He turned to Digil.
"Lead the people to the palace. Take control." His voice lowered. "From our sources, most enemy forces have relocated to the forest jurisdiction, so we—"
Buru. Buru. Buru.
The Den Den Mushi shrieked mid-sentence.
The king snatched it up.
"Boss! Boss!! We've been attacked by men in white and black suits—most likely Government age—KYA—!"
The line went dead.
A heavy silence followed.
The king placed a firm hand on Digil's shoulder. "It's time for you to take responsibility."
Digil wiped his tears away, his eyes sharpening.
"Yes, Father."
He picked up his gun and climbed onto the broken market platform. Raising it high, his voice thundered across Kexzaz.
"People of Kexzaz! We have always been gangsters! Never in history have we bowed to bastards—and we never will!"
Weapons rose.
"So raise your guns! Raise your blades! Fight for the freedom of this country!" Digil roared. "We will not allow Kexzaz to be ruled at the mercy of fools!"
A deafening cry answered him.
Guns fired into the sky.
---
The Rooftops — Toward the Warehouse
Swoosh. Swish. Swoosh.
The king, queen, and their guards vanished in blue streaks, leaping across rooftops toward the warehouse district.
"You can see it," the king said breathlessly, tears slipping down his face. "Both our sons… they've matured."
"Don't think I've forgiven you," the queen snapped, though her voice trembled despite her effort. Tears betrayed her resolve.
"I said I'm sorry," the king replied, trying to soothe her even as they ran.
The soldiers behind them remained silent. They knew better than to speak. Anyone foolish enough to interrupt a royal argument—especially this one—would meet a swift end.
"You stayed behind," the queen continued sharply. "And if anything happens to our people—or the resources we've hidden—I will never forgive you." She shot him a deadly glare.
"They can't possibly know where the sea stone and supplies are stored—"
Thunk.
The king yelped as a sharp knock landed on his head.
"Lower your voice," the queen hissed, stopping mid-stride. "Government agents have sharp ears. That secret is our ace card."
"We're on rooftops!" the king protested.
He froze.
The queen slowly turned, her eyes glowing with terrifying intent.
The king swallowed hard.
"…I'll shut up."