The Curse of Kings

Sakazuki thought momentarily but chose not to leave, feeling he might enhance his strength through this place.

He touched the Fire card earlier and felt a power surge entering his body. That power was strong.

If he left, he'd lose this power, wouldn't he?

Moreover…

Through this place, he might gain more information about the pirates!

There was no need to mention Shanks; he hoped this place could save Captain Roger.

Seeing that none of the three chose to leave, Adam, sitting high above, spoke again, "It seems you've made your choice. I should congratulate you. Though everyone rows their boat on the lake of fate…"

"From now on, you will no longer be at the mercy of the lake's waves."

"Of course, the existence of the Twilight Hermits must not be revealed."

"What happens if we do?" Shanks asked nervously.

He wanted to tell the crew about this.

Zephyr and Sakazuki also perked up, wanting to know the consequences.

"You will disappear."

Disappear?

What does that mean?

But somehow, the simple three words evoked a chilling terror.

They didn't want to try!

Trying to reveal the existence of the Twilight Hermits would make them disappear!

This feeling surged strongly within them, a bizarre sense that they believed his words despite knowing little about Adam.

Adam had the power to make them disappear!

Just as he brought them here…

"This first gathering of the Twilight Hermits ends here. Since you've just joined, you probably have nothing to exchange yet."

Adam's voice drifted, and the clouds quickly dispersed. The world seemed to retreat as they were pulled away rapidly.

Then…

They awoke in reality!

"Was it a dream?"

Shanks sat up abruptly in bed, panting heavily.

The next moment, memories flooded back.

The Twilight Hermits, the direction of the era, Adam, Fire, Mirror, and…

Dash?

Dash?!

Shanks was startled as he felt something in his hand. Looking, he saw a card lying quietly in his palm.

He received the Dash card in the Twilight Hermits!

The Dash card now appeared in his hand.

It wasn't a dream?

Shanks felt the texture of the Dash card, sensing a magical energy within. A cool sensation washed over him.

He jumped out of bed and ran around the room.

"Speed… increased."

Shanks murmured to himself.

His speed had increased several times. This was the power of the Dash card?

Feeling excited again, Shanks realized everything about the Twilight Hermits was real. He was drawn into a mysterious organization, so Captain Roger's curse…

He quickly opened the door and headed to Nameless' room.

Nameless had been reclusive these years, reading books and conducting experiments, trying to lift Roger's curse.

He was the most knowledgeable about Roger's curse on the ship. Doctor Crocus could only suppress Roger's illness superficially, but everyone knew the root cause was the seemingly intangible curse.

Knock, knock, knock.

Shanks gently knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Nameless' voice came from inside. Shanks pushed the door open and entered.

Nameless' room was dim and unlit. He was reading at his desk.

Seeing Shanks, Nameless was surprised, "Shanks, what brings you here?"

Feeling awkward, Shanks couldn't mention the Twilight Hermits, so he feigned curiosity, "I was wondering, are curses ranked too?"

"Hmm…? Why do you ask?" Nameless asked curiously.

"Well, I thought if demons have ranks, their curses might vary in strength too." Shanks quickly said, "The Captain's curse must be very strong, right?"

After all, they were all powerless against it. He heard the Captain had a fragment of the Shikon Jewel in his body, capable of curing any illness, but not his.

"Indeed, curses are ranked, but generally, there are only two types."

Nameless rested a hand on his chair, his eyes showing some helplessness, "Two types?"

Shanks' heart sank, thinking Roger likely had a King-level curse.

"Yes, there are solvable curses and unsolvable ones," Nameless said tiredly. "In ancient classifications, there were more detailed levels, with the strongest known as the 'Curse of Kings.'"

Curse of Kings!

This was what Shanks had been waiting for. He quickly asked, "What level is the Captain's curse?!"

Nameless' eyes dimmed, but he still answered, "It's an unsolvable curse. In ancient terms, it might be a 'Curse of Kings.' Legends say only demon lords can cast such curses. Roger was too careless in Wano."

He sighed, then forced himself to stay positive, "But don't worry too much. The only absolute thing in this world is that nothing is absolute. Even unsolvable curses can be lifted, though it's very difficult."

His voice lowered, "At least, let Roger… fulfill his dream."

Fulfill…

His dream.

He was finding the final island. If he reached that place, even death wouldn't leave any regrets.

Shanks stumbled out of the room, initially excited about finding a clue to lift the curse, but now, learning it was a King-level curse Adam couldn't lift, he was disheartened.

No, according to Adam, more people would join the Twilight Hermits in the future. If Adam couldn't do it, someone else might!

Shanks returned to his room and lay down.

The Dash card seemed to resonate with his feelings, emitting a faint glow.

The light transformed into a creature resembling a long-eared cat snuggled beside Shanks.

"Dash…"

Shanks' eyes widened in surprise, realizing the card had come to life.