𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐝
“Eek!”
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Kiel lets out a small scream as she watches it fall onto the sandy beach with a dull thud.
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The thing that had been dancing in the air was Dandale’s head, who had been pleading with tears just a moment ago.
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He looks up at the empty sky with a bewildered face, as if he doesn’t understand what just happened.
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The body, now missing its head, collapses powerlessly.
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The surroundings fall silent as if they had been hit with water.
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Luke could only watch the bizarre scene unfold.
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“Fool. The one who bears a grudge against the state is you.”
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Barbassa spits out as he shakes off the blood from his sword.
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Barbassa, who had sheathed his sword, turns to face Luke.
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Before we knew it, all the soldiers of the dragon flight unit were standing behind Barbassa.
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“What, what are these guys? What on earth are they trying to do?”
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Gaston mutters with a pale face.
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“Don’t tell me, they’re going to get rid of us too?”
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In the tense atmosphere, Barbassa finally moves.
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Suddenly, he kneels down and places his right fist on the sandy beach.
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The dragon flight unit, which had been standing behind him, followed suit all at once.
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“I apologize for showing you such an unsightly scene, Goddess.”
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“Huh?”
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Barbassa bows his head so low that it rubs against the sandy beach, ignoring the stunned Luke and his companions.
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“I have made the one who pointed his blade at you atone for his sins with his death. I am well aware that it is not something that can be atoned for with just one life, but I beg you to quell your anger.”
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“What, what does this mean?”
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Alma also looks surprised at the sudden change in Barbassa, who had been arrogant.
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“Ah, I see!”
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Finally, Luke was able to grasp the situation here.
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“They are worshipping master. Master, who is a demon, is equivalent to a god for the demons.”
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“Ah, I see.”
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Instead of having a religion like humans, the demons worship the demon.
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For them, the demon is an absolute existence, and it is unthinkable to show hostility towards it.
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“Luke, no, Surberry-sama.”
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Barbassa turned to Luke.
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“I deeply apologize for my disrespectful attitude, unaware of your relationship with the goddess. If you wish, I am ready to atone for my and his sins with my life. Please judge us.”
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Barbassa was now rubbing his head on the sandy beach.
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“If our lives are not enough, we are ready to dedicate the lives of all the demons here.”
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“No, no, no! I can’t do that!”
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Luke shook his head in a hurry.
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There was no lie in the resonance of Barbassa’s voice.
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Probably if Luke nodded, he would really take his own life.
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If he did it wrong, all the demons here might follow him.
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For the demons, the demon is such an absolute existence.
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But Luke couldn’t let that happen.
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“I don’t mind at all! Just as before.”
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“But we have committed an irreparable rudeness. This sin should not be forgiven. Please, please judge us.”
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But Barbassa did not listen.
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He just kept rubbing his head on the ground.
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“Ah, it’s so troublesome.”
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The first one to break was Iris.
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She clicked her tongue in irritation and pointed at Barbassa.
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“You, the red one, raise your face quickly! We can’t talk properly with your head down.”
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“But, but. . .”
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“There’s no but! If I say raise it, raise it quickly!”
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“Yes, sir!”
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Barbassa raised his head like a spring.
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His always cool face was now wet with sweat like a waterfall.
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“So, what happened? Why did they come here and point their swords at us? That’s the first explanation.”
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“Y, Yes. . . I will explain with fear and trepidation. . .”
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Barbassa began to explain, his voice trembling. . .
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According to Barbassa, they were convinced of Dandale’s rebellion from the testimonies of the captured pirates and bandits, but it seems they let him slip away at the last minute.
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Probably Dandale tried to escape Barbassa’s hand by taking control of Osten Island and citing non-interference in domestic affairs.
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“So you originally came to this island to catch Dandale.”
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“Yes, that’s correct. I can’t thank you enough for your help in subduing Dandale.”
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“Um. . . It’s hard to say, but can you go back to your original way of speaking? It’s kind of unsettling.”
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Luke responds with a wry smile to Barbassa, who bows deeply.
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“But. . .”
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“Barbassa or whatever.”
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Iris interjects.
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“Think of Luke’s words as my words. If Luke says to do it, just do it.”
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“I, I understand. . . Then, if you’ll excuse me. . .”
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Barbassa opens his mouth again with a cough.
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“Anyway, it seems that Dandale was fattening his own pockets with magic stone transactions, hiring mercenaries, and staging friction with the humanS. He probably intended to become the king of this island in the end.”
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“And in order to stage a conflict, you need a collaborator in the Arrogas Kingdom, and that’s you, Sir Wilkinson.”
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Luke turned around.
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Omid, who was being held down by Alma, was trembling with a bloodless face.
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“I, I’m innocent! Please believe me! That man tried to frame me!”
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Omid begins to plead, spitting foam from the corners of his mouth.
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“I, it’s true! I know everything! How he’s been skimming our profits! This is a theft by the demon race! I have the evidence!”
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“Sir Wilkinson, you. . .”
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Luke put a finger to his forehead at the sight of Omid running to save himself in an unsightly manner.
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It was enough to give him a headache just listening.
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“I, I can testify! His real aim is not this island, but our southern territory! In order to uncover his plot, I pretended to cooperate like this. . .”
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“That’s probably true.”
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Suddenly, Omid’s head was grabbed.
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“Hiiii!”
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Omid, who turned around, screamed.
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“Then let’s have you testify in full. Don’t think you can lie. It’s impossible to perjure in front of my absolute domination.”
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Gale was there with a fearless smile.