Chapter 189 The players are the true masters of this world…
Katakuri, who was walking silently on the road, suddenly straightened up. As he turned his head to one side, he raised his hand and grabbed the "hidden weapon" that was flying at high speed from behind.
The moment Katakuri got his hands on the "hidden weapon," he felt something strange. When he opened his palm, he saw a candy lying quietly in his hand.
Is this... toffee?
A figure suddenly appeared in his mind, and Katakuri turned around in surprise, and sure enough, he saw Violet.
"Your Observation Haki is pretty good; you can even detect the candy I threw."
Violet had raised her hand to point to the trash can not far away so that Katakuri could throw away the broken toffee, but she found that he simply stuffed the candy into his pocket quite easily.
"It's all thanks to you, Violet." Katakuri said, glancing behind Violet to make sure the red-haired man wasn't following, his happy expression becoming even more animated. "But I still didn't notice you getting close."
"If you can even notice this, then it means you've already graduated. By the way, it seems you've never called me 'Teacher Violet' before, why is that?"
"...Do I really have to call her that?" Katakuri himself couldn't explain why he didn't want to call Violet "teacher." He genuinely respected and appreciated her, but he just didn't like the word "teacher."
These two words seem to emphasize that they were destined to be from different eras, and he could only ever be a character taught and protected by Violet.
"You don't like it? Uh, actually I was just kidding. Just call me Vera, that's fine."
Katakuri raised his hand and tugged at his scarf.
Speaking of which, when did Katakuri start wearing a scarf? It seems like he suddenly started wearing one without any warning one day.
"Vill." Katakuri glanced helplessly at Vill, who had started staring blankly at his face as they spoke, "How long will you be staying on Beehive Island this time?"
The mother's passion for collecting husbands of different races and creating a "paradise" that includes all races has not diminished in the slightest, and Katakuri has more younger brothers and sisters than before.
As Katakuri grew older and could no longer awaken Linlin's maternal love, he began to learn to sail with the Rocks Pirates' vice-captain.
Although Katakuri, as a user of a food-type Devil Fruit and one of the higher-ranking children, was protected by Homies and other pirates who followed Linlin, he was still extremely disheveled when he first officially left his mother's protection and faced the dangers of the sea.
When Katakuri first participated in a boarding action, facing an enemy more than twice his age and height, he was incredibly grateful for Wilkie's guidance. If it weren't for her instruction in mastering the basic applications of Armament Haki and Observation Haki, even if he had ultimately won that battle, he would have paid the price of spending more than half a month in bed recovering afterward.
The pirate clearly underestimated Katakuri because of his age, not expecting that in addition to being a Devil Fruit user, he also possessed two types of Haki. After Katakuri used his Observation Haki to dodge the pirate's attack, he made a fatal lapse in concentration, which Katakuri seized upon to plunge a stab into his chest.
This made Katakuri realize even more how valuable Wil's teachings were. If Wil could stay on Beehive Island a little longer, Katakuri hoped to discuss with her some thoughts and experiences he had summarized after this battle.
“Sure, no problem.” Violet readily agreed. “However, I probably won’t be able to stay on the island for too long, um, about seven or eight days. Then I need to go out for a while, and when I come back, Lockes will probably be preparing to set sail again.”
Vera had heard John mention that Rocks seemed to have gotten a taste of success from the last robbery of the Celestial Gold. After waiting for so long, the World Government still had no intention of attacking Beehive Island. It was estimated that this time when Rocks set sail, the CP department responsible for escorting the Celestial Gold would be in trouble again.
"Vell... has she run into some trouble?"
Katakuri looked at Violet with concern. The Rocks Pirates always fought extremely hard when they set sail. Basically, when they didn't go out, the members stayed on Beehive Island on vacation. Apart from Violet, who had to go back to Whole Cake Island from time to time to give birth and take care of her child, Violet was the only one who would travel all over the world during her vacation.
Katakuri even heard from his mother that, even on the Sword of Gybeck, Violet would sometimes disappear for several days at a time.
Yes, Mom brought it up in a very puzzled tone, not wondering what Violet had gone off to do, but rather why Rocks would allow Violet to do that.
"Do you need any help?"
"Not for now, but thank you anyway." Vera shook her head. "Let's get back to you. Did your trip go smoothly? I heard you encountered a battle. Were you alright?"
“A pirate boarded the ship, and I fought him.” Katakuri glanced at Violet’s worried expression, omitting the thrilling part in between, “I won.”
"Not bad." Violet laughed. "This should be your first time engaging in a life-or-death duel like this. Judging from your expression, you seem to have quite a bit of experience. Let's have a spar later."
Although Violet was confident that she could stop the God Valley disaster and had prepared for it time and time again, if she really failed to prevent everything from happening in the end, the death of Rocks and the destruction of the Rocks Pirates were inevitable. Therefore, the stronger Katakuri was, the better he could protect himself in that turbulent period.
Katakuri turned his head to look at Violet's unchanging smile, paused for a moment, and nodded: "Okay."
——
Large raindrops pelted the sails with a loud crackling sound, while rolling waves pounded against the gunwale of the Sword of Gybeck.
Violet stood by the ship, sword in one hand, gazing into the distance.
"The weather on the Grand Line is really unpredictable." Shiki landed beside Violet and looked into the distance in the direction she was looking. "But isn't this a good thing for us? Hahahaha!"
Before setting sail, Lockes officially announced their prey for this mission – the Heavenly Gold!
This thrilled the pirates, who had tasted success from their previous robbery.
Violet was very worried about this matter. Given that Rocks had already robbed the Celestial Gold once, the World Government would definitely upgrade the scale of the transport this time. Rocks, who also anticipated this, could be said to have mobilized all the strong members of the Rocks Pirates this time.
Meanwhile, Beehive Island, having lost the protection of a powerful force, has become extremely vulnerable. If the Navy chooses to attack Beehive Island at this time, the island will not be able to hold out for long.
It remains to be seen whether Rocks will seize the Sky Gold first, or whether the Navy and the World Government will realize something is wrong and breach Beehive Island first.
From this perspective, Violet didn't think this sudden thunderstorm was a good thing.
Admittedly, this kind of weather prevents warships from utilizing their propulsion advantage, but it also makes it difficult for them to locate each other.
Time is not on their side.
Seeing that Violet remained silent, Shiki continued chatting with her without letting the conversation die down: "I heard that your Observation Haki is very special, and you can see very far?"
The fact that Shiki described it as "very far" is naturally because it is a high-level application of Observation Haki unique to Violet.
Most people, after reaching the peak of their Observation Haki, will develop in the direction of predicting the future. However, whether due to her character traits or the game's mechanics, Violet has never been able to unlock this skill.
However, Violet's Observation Haki also has its own unique characteristics. It is an ability that combines the system's ability to determine friend or foe and the ability to receive mission notifications, allowing Violet to accurately locate people who are hostile to her from a great distance.
The World Government faction clearly harbored hostility towards everyone on the entire Sword of Gybeck.
Even with his Observation Haki pushed to its limit, Shiki couldn't "see" anything noteworthy. He asked with interest, "Between your Observation Haki and Captain Rocks's, whose can see farther?"
“If you’re asking about the distance in time, it’s Rocks,” Vera still didn’t know how far into the future Rocks could see, “but if you’re asking about the distance in distance, it’s me.”
Her Observation Haki is already crippled; doesn't her only remaining leg need to be stronger?
"Haha, you're quite confident!" Shiki said, hands in his pockets. "Looks like whether we can find our target this time depends on you!"
Violet looked up at the thick, dark clouds that showed no sign of dissipating, irritably wiped the rain off her face, opened her floral umbrella, and put on the raincoat made of tentacle skin.
Violet: "I hate rainy days."
Forced to act as a lookout, Violet was fully armed to avoid her water level rising too quickly and too high, which could cause her to drop her weapon and lose her sanity. This made Shiki, who was standing next to her with no cover, twitch his eyelids wildly.
That beautiful umbrella, with its floral scent and patterns... Where did this little brat come from, some noble lady? So particular.
Shiki: "A mere storm? Pirates should face it head-on like I do!"
Violet rolled her eyes.
She faced the storm head-on, and once her sanity dropped to a certain level, the Shadow Monster would be summoned. At that point, the entire Sword of Gibbek would have to face the real storm.
Violet was passing the time by bickering with Shiki when suddenly, a dense cluster of red dots representing enemies appeared at the edge of her Observation Haki.
Notice the change in Vera's eyes, Shiki held his breath expectantly, and Vera, as he expected, slightly curled the corners of her lips.
"Found it."
How long would it take the Rocks Pirates to break through a well-prepared and alert Sky Gold escort team?
The answer is fifteen minutes.
After throwing the CP members, who were wearing pale masks, off the warship, when Val turned around again, she saw that the ship had been completely taken over by the Rocks Pirates.
As the ultimate victor, Lox surveyed his territory like an emperor.
The Heavenly Gold, which had been protected in the safest cabin, had been carried aboard by the pirates. The heavy wooden crates were stacked on the deck, bending the sturdy metal objects under the weight.
Amidst the excited gazes of all the pirates, Rocks slowly walked to the chests containing the Celestial Gold. After a two-second silence, he chuckled, then raised his long leg, wrapped in dark cloth, and stomped on one of the chests, kicking it forward with force...
Slide—
The gleaming gold bars, neatly cast and melted, were scattered all over the ground.
On the dark gray deck, still bearing traces of blood, those glittering little golden things were so captivating that even Violet was momentarily mesmerized when she saw that golden sea.
Vera blinked and looked around. Sure enough, the pirates around her started breathing heavily, and those like John, who were particularly obsessed with treasure and money, had their eyes reddening.
"Hahaha, very good!" Lockes laughed with satisfaction. "Distribute these first, and move the rest to the Sword of Gibbek."
Next, we'll return to Beehive Island and divide the spoils according to our contributions.
"Captain Rocks! Captain Rocks!" Suddenly, a pirate ran over in a panic, holding a Den Den Mushi. "N-nothing! Beehive Island! Beehive Island has been attacked by the Navy and the World Government!"
"Now, they have breached Beehive Island and left with our treasure!"
A commotion erupted around him, and Lockes's previously triumphant smile gradually faded from his face.
Violet couldn't help but close her eyes and sigh softly. History, as it always has, continues along its predetermined path.
When Rocks announced his intention to seize the Celestial Gold, Violet warned him to be wary of a potential counterattack from the World Government and the Navy on Beehive Island. Rocks was arrogant, but not brainless. He still decided to lead his fleet to attack, which suggests he had left a contingency plan on Beehive Island.
But how long after they set sail was Beehive Island completely breached?
Even considering that the enemy used forces they didn't expect, such precise timing can only prove that there are World Government informants in the Rocks Pirates, and not just any informants, but informants of considerable rank!
As Violet thought of this, a very bad premonition suddenly arose in her heart. She looked up at Lockes and, sure enough, saw the deep worry hidden beneath his angry exterior.
She couldn't help but reach out and touch the tassel hanging on the Shadow Sword.
"...Because Miss Shakky announced that the 'Extortion Bar' would be holding an event, it attracted a lot of pirates. Originally, we could have held off those warships." The badly injured pirate gasped for breath, swallowed the blood that welled up in his mouth, and continued, "But, but a monster appeared on one of the warships, an immortal monster!"
His eyes widened in horror: "That's definitely a demon!" A demon that could be pierced through the heart and remain unharmed the next second!
Rocks gritted his teeth: "The Five Elders!"
"Vell!"
When Violet and Lox were suddenly called out, they exchanged a glance and immediately understood what he meant.
"Ski, Lingling, take the Sword of Gibbek and the spoils and immediately rush back to Beehive Island to assess the damage," Lockes ordered. "Ville, you and I will take this warship and intercept any fleeing enemies."
"yes!"
As the Sword of Giebeck receded into the distance and was about to disappear from their sight, Lockes and Wilkes leaped from the warship one after the other. Just before they touched the sea, a simple wooden armored ship appeared out of thin air on the surface of the water.
Standing on the swaying boat, Locke remained silent. Vale, who was following closely behind, thought for a moment and comforted him, "Although this ship is simple, its speed may not be much slower than the Sword of Gibbeck."
When Rocks called her over, Vera had already guessed what he was thinking. When Rocks announced that there were only the two of them who were going to "stop the World Government and the Navy," Vera was certain that her guess was correct.
Rocks' purpose in stopping her was not, as he claimed, to deal with the Navy and the World Government, but to confirm the woman's safety.
A warship would be too conspicuous. If they sailed there with such stolen goods, even if the lady wasn't in danger, she would come looking for trouble herself.
As for why they had to call out to Violet, it's quite simple: even if Rocks is incredibly strong, he can't fly, and swimming over would take an unknown amount of time.
After Violet informed Rocks that she was going to oppose the World Government, she often needed to go out to prepare. Rocks helped her cover up her tracks, so he naturally knew that Violet had ways to travel.
But unexpectedly, a ship was created out of thin air.
Rocks pressed down on his feet, somewhat doubting whether this simple wooden boat could withstand the raging waves of the Grand Line.
However, since Violet always returns with no missing limbs after disappearing, there shouldn't be any problem.
Time was tight, and neither of them wanted to talk much. Vera skillfully raised the sail, turned on the propeller, and took out her walking stick to increase the speed to the maximum.
Following the location provided by Lockes, the armored ship, moving at full speed, was even faster than the Sword of Giebeck, but the solemn expression on Lockes' face did not disappear.
The moment the adjectives "demon" and "undying" were uttered, Rockston immediately understood why the World Government had been able to break through his backup plan on Beehive Island so quickly this time.
The Five Elders, who haven't interfered in the world for centuries, have actually come to deal with him personally. Should Rocks feel honored by this?
Lox found it laughable, but his expression grew colder and colder.
If this is the World Government's provocation and declaration of war against him, then Rocks has received it and will retaliate a thousandfold.
“Vell, I don’t know where you get your information from, and I don’t care who you are.” Locke looked at the unchanging blue sea in front of him. “I’m not interested in your childish plans with that redhead, but I do have an idea.”
Lox looked at Violet: "Would you like to hear it?"
——
When the island came into view, Lockes didn't wait a moment longer and jumped off the armored ship.
Violet opened her mouth as she watched his retreating figure, but ultimately remained silent and followed him onto the island.
There wasn't a single survivor on the island.
Rather than a test or a capture of the decoy, this was more like a display of strength and retaliation against Lox.
Walking beside those ruins, looking at the corpses whose eyes were filled with bewilderment, Violet's chest heaved violently for a moment.
The place Lockes arranged for the lady was his hometown, the home of the David clan. Although Lockes appeared to outsiders as a cold-blooded, cruel, and emotionless man, he actually valued his lover and family very much, and even secretly assigned people to protect the small island where his people lived.
Therefore, although this island is located on the Grand Line, it has not been disturbed by pirates for a long time, so much so that the other people on this island have a kind of innocence and kindness that is different from the islanders of other islands on the Grand Line.
When they saw the fleet bearing the World Government's insignia approaching, they were completely unaware and were attacked in a state of confusion.
In a daze, she seemed to hear Lox's voice echoing in her mind again.
"You'll turn this world upside down sooner or later!"
Violet silently switched her character to [Twin Sister], using the character's affinity for ghosts to awaken the spirits wandering the island.
Countless round, glowing ghosts stared at Vera with bewildered eyes, like those of a child's pencil drawing.
"What are your wishes?"
“Resurrect us, we want to live.”
"...I'm sorry, I can't do that."
"What about living in this state?"
"Unless someone continuously provides you with spiritual support, you cannot exist for long."
"Then we want to know why."
Have we spoken disrespectfully to the Celestial Dragons?
"Have we undermined the rule of the World Government or tarnished its image?"
...
No, none at all.
The World Government's target was Rocks's lover and people; they could have easily abducted them and left. Instead, they risked being captured by Rocks upon his early return, carrying out this horrific massacre on this island solely as a warning and provocation.
Anyone who opposes the World Government will be eliminated, and anyone who has any connection with Rocks, including his lover, his people, even those his lover knows, and those who live with his people, will bear the wrath of the World Government.
...Ha, those who did it might even be quite self-righteous, thinking that these people died because of Rocks.
One by one, the once pure white souls turned blood red, and in their boundless rage, Violet's sanity began to plummet.
However, instead of replenishing her sanity with food, she endured the severe headache caused by her sanity dropping and communicated with the little ghosts who seemed to have lost their minds in anger.
"A wish, an unfulfilled wish?"
We want to ask, why?
Why did you kill us?
What did we do wrong?
"You also need to apologize!"
"I demand that those in the world government who killed my parents kneel before their graves and apologize!"
"I will never forgive..."
“Okay, I promise you.” Violet nodded solemnly and promised, “I will ask them why they killed you and make them apologize to you in person.”
"..."
The enraged ghosts gradually calmed down, and without the support of power, their already translucent bodies slowly disappeared.
[You have accepted a new mission!]
What is the purpose of life, and what is the purpose of death?
[Quest Description: Tormented souls howl in agony. Your talent, half blessing and half curse, allows you to understand their cries. What resentment do they harbor as they wander the world? Perhaps only after their obsessions are resolved can these souls find peace.]
Violet couldn't help but sigh again.
She thought for a moment, then took out a golden shovel from her backpack and dug long, human-sized holes in a grove of trees, burying the innocent villagers in them.
Looking at the rows and rows of mounds of earth, Wilton paused, crafted a [handmade tombstone] and placed it at the front, then held a piece of flint, pondered for a moment, and carved on it—
"They are waiting for atonement."
The once bustling island's inhabitants are now all fast asleep.
After doing all this, Violet stood up, and the already shaky scales in her heart swayed once again in a certain direction.
She didn't like the background.
This is a relaxing and casual farming game, and the overall tone should be relaxed and happy.
Aren't players the gods of this world? Then this world should naturally become the way players like it.
The vague idea gradually became clearer until Valerie found Rocks.
It took her quite a while to dig the pits and dispose of the residents' bodies. Lox seemed to just sit there on a collapsed roof beam, staring blankly at his palm.
The place was so badly damaged that even with all her imagination, Violet couldn't conjure up a picture of a skillful woman who once lived there.
"No need to look anymore, we're too late."
"Lox..."
Lox glanced at Violet's muddy hands, a smirk playing on his lips. He wanted to mock her for having so much empathy but ultimately swallowed his sharp sarcasm.
"They are lucky."
Lox suddenly said something completely out of the blue.
He stood up, stuffed something into his pocket, and made no attempt to look back at the ruins behind him. It seemed that all his emotions had faded away at that moment, leaving only a battle intent and rage honed to an extremely sharp edge.
"Let's go, it's time to prepare for our revenge."
-----------------------
Author's Note: The Celestial Dragons deserve to die! [Angry]
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