Chapter 4

"Follow this path, we should encounter them soon, but are you just leaving your ship here?"

Ginny roughly determined the direction, then looked at Orlan's ship. Though the valley was sparsely populated, there was still a chance it could be discovered.

"Of course, I have preparations. You'll see once we're up."

As they left the valley, Ginny was amazed to find that the ship had vanished.

"Huh, where's the ship?"

"It's still there. I activated the ship's holographic camouflage. You can't see it unless you walk right into it. Along with the ship's automated weapons, it should be fine for a while."

Orlan remembered that an unprecedented battle would erupt on this island, ultimately causing it to vanish from maps. Otherwise, he might have tried to hide it here.

Orlan's ship had been docked at a regular harbor, so there was no need to activate such a device, which is why Ivankov and Ginny had been able to see it before.

"But we need to hurry. My ship's equipment is damaged, including parts of the power system. It can only run on backup energy for a limited time. Here, take this."

Orlan handed Ginny a gas mask-like device, an air filter, essential for living in Zaun, now serving to conceal her face.

"Cover your face. I have other plans once we leave. I don't want to be immediately put on their wanted list, and you don't want to be hunted by the World Government, right?"

The World Government's intelligence control wasn't strong, considering they couldn't even manage public opinion. Perhaps they thought it wasn't worth controlling.

In theory, as long as one didn't touch on the Void Century, the World Government wouldn't fixate on an individual.

Orlan's precaution was just in case. Given the widespread face blindness on the sea, wearing a mask was already quite respectful.

"Uh... What about mine?"

Ivankov thought Orlan would give him one too, but after waiting for a while, with Ginny already adjusting her mask, Orlan made no move.

"Your face is too big. I don't have one that fits you. Just use a cloth to cover it."

It wasn't discrimination against Ivankov; his size or face shape simply couldn't use standard equipment, so he had to resort to makeshift solutions.

Meanwhile, in a clearing in God Valley, tall stone pillars stood everywhere, with sparse shrubs and moss growing around them.

A small stream meandered down the mountainside, creating a gentle babbling sound. Suddenly, the peace was shattered by hurried footsteps.

A boy, more robust than most adults but with a very young face, was running desperately.

His shaved head bore many scars, his tattered clothes were in shreds, and the chains on his hands and the target on his clothes marked him as a slave.

Chasing him were not marines or Celestial Dragons but similarly dressed slaves.

Amidst their curses, a stone flew from behind, hitting the boy's head.

As his vision blurred, the boy's massive body collapsed onto the grass.

His pursuers, still unsatisfied, picked up wooden sticks and started beating him, cursing all the while: "Idiot! Our group of ten has joint responsibility. If you run, we all die! Who told you to escape?!"

Not until the stick broke did the man feel satisfied. He called his companions to drag the boy back.

But as he grabbed the boy's foot, a net shot from a distance, binding him tightly.

"Master! Master! We've caught the runaway. Please don't hurt me. We've made up for our mistake!"

The man, bound by the net, didn't struggle. Instead, he lay on the ground, loudly pleading. The other slaves knelt simultaneously.

To them, only the Celestial Dragons could do this in God Valley. Obedience was ingrained in them.

"Fools, no one's watching you, yet you serve those who want to kill you. You really love being slaves, don't you?"

A voice with a hint of mockery came from afar. It was Orlan who had fired the net gun.

Ginny couldn't handle the recoil, so Orlan took the gun himself.

Looking at these obedient slaves, Orlan felt nothing but pity.

The boy on the ground slowly opened his eyes again.

By now, Ivankov and Ginny had joined Orlan.

"Is this a Bacanarian? Big guy, aren't you? Heard you have giant blood. Is that true?"

Ivankov curiously examined the boy. According to Ginny's stolen information, the Celestial Dragons were very interested in this special prey.

"Ivan, let's discuss that later. Can you stand up?"

Orlan extended a hand to the boy, who, sensing goodwill, responded and stood up with Orlan's help.

"Thank you... Who are you?"

"Just some people planning to leave here. At least you thought of escaping. Want to join us?"

Those who couldn't even think of escaping were not worth saving to Orlan. The boy agreed without hesitation, having no other choice.

"Wait! You can't take him! If he escapes, we can't explain to the Celestial Dragons!"

"Let's capture them too. Maybe the Celestial Dragons will reward us..."

Not daring to resist power, these slaves sought to curry favor by oppressing the weaker. Yet, even as they begged, they remained prey for the Celestial Dragons' amusement.

Though outnumbered, the slaves exchanged glances, seemingly agreeing with the earlier speaker.

Several moved to encircle Orlan's group.

"You're fools. Even if you capture us, do you think the Celestial Dragons will spare you?"

Ivankov aimed his gun at them, but Orlan's earlier actions had shown that the gun only fired non-lethal nets, so it didn't deter them.

"What can we do? There's no escaping the Celestial Dragons..."

Despite their words, they moved closer. Orlan silently raised his arm, the blue tubes in his exoskeleton charging.

Boom!

With a muffled sound, sharp ice spikes shot from Orlan's arm.

There was no explosion, but a small frost storm erupted around the spikes as they landed.

Moments later, only ice sculptures remained on the ground.

The Hextech GLP-800, known as the Ice Gun, was far deadlier than the police net gun, powered by a Hextech core.

Having lived in Valoran for years and with rich "dreams," Orlan was ruthless when necessary. He had no time to deal with sycophants and used a brutal solution.

"Don't stand there. This isn't just an escape; it's a special war. If they've chosen to be enemies, this is the result. War always has casualties.

Let's find some willing to resist. Hopefully, there are fewer fools."

Calling to Ginny and the others, the group continued through the mountains of God Valley.

...

Outside God Valley, the tension was even higher.

Some time ago, New World, Beehive Island Hachinosu.

Known as Pirate Island due to the overwhelming number of pirates, the strongest group here was the Rocks Pirates.

Having received Ginny's message, the Rocks Pirates were heading for God Valley.

"The Rocks Pirates have set sail! They've beaten us to it!"

"Catch up! This is a major event in the pirate world!"

Countless pirates poured out, crossing the Calm Belt to the West Sea.

Soon after, the navy also received news of the pirates setting sail.

At Navy Headquarters, the current Fleet Admiral Kong was fiddling with a Den Den Mushi, frustrated by the gathered intelligence.

"That's the situation, Garp. It's not confirmed yet, but if it's true, it's a big problem. So, we need you."

"Huh? Why would the Celestial Dragons all go to such a remote island? A field trip? I'm not going. They should have enough guards. What's there to fear?"

On another island, Garp lay leisurely in a deck chair, showing no intention of moving.

"I can't say for sure, but I heard Roger is heading to that island too."

"What? Why didn't you say so earlier? I'm on my way!"

In no time, the top forces of pirates and navy were converging on God Valley, signaling the dawn of a new era of conflict.

(End of Chapter)