Meanwhile, within Mary Geoise on the Red Line.
After deploying elite forces to Pangaea Castle, the Gate of the Door-Door Fruit, controlled through lineage factor technology by Vegapunk, reopened. This time, it appeared right in the residential area of the Celestial Dragons.
In just a few seconds, large numbers of Revolutionary Army soldiers and Marines descended upon the luxurious district of the Celestial Dragons, engaging in fierce battles with the guards tasked with their protection, as well as a few members of CP0.
The existence of the Door-Door Fruit completely disrupted the World Government's defense plans. They had stationed most of their forces at the borders of the Red Line, intending to launch a devastating counterattack when the rebels attempted to climb the Red Line from below, leveraging the terrain to their advantage.
However, the special ability of the Door-Door Fruit allowed the rebel forces to leapfrog the defenses, deploying directly into the heart of the battle.
This maneuver threw the World Government's plans into chaos.
Furthermore, because they were so focused on securing the frontline, the majority of their forces were stationed at the Red Line's defensive positions, leaving far fewer troops than usual to protect the Celestial Dragons.
After all, most of the Celestial Dragon families had already gone to face the enemy. It seemed unnecessary to allocate significant resources to guard the remaining, largely helpless, Celestial Dragons.
So, when the allied forces of the Revolutionary Army, Marines, Giants, and Minks suddenly appeared in the luxurious district of the Celestial Dragons, the scene was one of chaos and bloodshed—on the streets, in the alleys, on the rooftops, and in the plazas.
The outnumbered Mary Geoise defenders and CP0 agents quickly found themselves overwhelmed.
Despite this, the Holy Land's guards and CP0 agents fought bravely, shielding the panic-stricken Celestial Dragons behind them.
But no matter how hard they fought, they could not change the tide of battle. The Celestial Dragons were facing an unprecedented danger.
After slicing the last Revolutionary Army soldier in half with a Rankyaku, a masked CP0 agent gasped for breath. His once-pristine white robe had been shredded during the fight.
These white robes, while impressive in appearance, were more of a hindrance in combat.
"What's going on? How did those rebels get inside the Holy Land? Have they already breached the World Government's outer defenses?
These damned rebels!
Do they not know that we are the rulers of this world? How dare they treat the descendants of the gods this way! When this is over, I'll make sure they and their families are all executed!"
The Celestial Dragon, standing behind the CP0 agent, dressed in a protective suit with a transparent glass helmet, was muttering incessantly. It was clear that the sudden turn of events had left him in a state of shock.
"Ferdinand Saint, we need to evacuate immediately, or both you and your family will be in grave danger," the CP0 agent said sternly, turning to face the Celestial Dragon.
It was clear that as time passed, the rebels were closing in, and there was no certainty that reinforcements from the Red Line defenses would arrive in time.
"Huh? Are you ordering me around? Don't think that just because we're in danger, you can tell me what to do! Remember, you are nothing but a dog to the Celestial Dragons!"
What the CP0 agent thought was a reasonable warning had, in Ferdinand Saint's now delirious mind, taken on a different meaning.
As the CP0 agent glanced at the other Celestial Dragons and their servants, he saw the disdain and scorn in their eyes.
"If that's how it is, then as your 'loyal dog,' it's my duty to help you maintain your dignity."
Without waiting for the Celestial Dragons to react, a blue slash cut through the air, severing Ferdinand Saint's head—helmet and all—from his body.
As his blood splattered onto the bubble shields of the surrounding Celestial Dragons and onto the still-raised leg of the CP0 agent, the remaining Celestial Dragons screamed in horror.
It was clear that the actions of individuals like Nicholas had shattered the invincible image of the Celestial Dragons. The constant shouts of battle throughout Mary Geoise and the terrifying tremors emanating from Pangaea Castle had stirred thoughts of rebellion in many hearts.
They were human too, with minds of their own.
In the past, people had feared the Celestial Dragons because of their overwhelming power. Anyone who dared to defy them had long been reduced to bones—or worse.
But now, Nicholas had broken that invincible facade. Like the downfall of any regime, once the people at the bottom realized that their once-untouchable overlords were vulnerable, new thoughts began to take root.
Of course, while some entertained rebellious thoughts, there were still those loyal to their masters. Guards and CP0 agents, indoctrinated from a young age to believe in the superiority of the Celestial Dragons, continued to fight and die to protect them.
Meanwhile, Gild Tesoro, the Golden Emperor, stood on a rooftop, controlling golden constructs with his mind as he gazed at the smoke and flames enveloping Mary Geoise.
The Holy Land's guards and CP0 members, skilled in the Six Powers and highly trained, sought to kill Tesoro. But against his awakened abilities, they stood no chance. They couldn't even get close to him before being slaughtered by the omnipresent golden constructs.
Despite the overwhelming disparity in strength and the utter lack of hope for victory, the Holy Land's forces continued to fight to protect the Celestial Dragons.
Looking down at the enemy, who seemed as helpless as moths to a flame, Tesoro's expression grew colder.
Without moving from his spot, his golden constructs—like giant serpents—mercilessly claimed the lives of his enemies.
Even as the battle continued, Tesoro was already eyeing a grand building in the distance, where the Celestial Dragons were being protected.
"It's time for the reckoning!"
He stretched out his hand, his body glowing faintly with golden light.
In an instant, dozens of massive golden hands, each dozens of meters thick, rose from the ground surrounding the building.
With a thought, the golden hands crashed down onto the structure where the Celestial Dragons were hiding.
Amidst the deafening roar, the once-grand building was torn apart.
Debris was flung into the air by the golden hands.
The Holy Land guards and CP0 agents, locked in battle with the Revolutionary Army and Marines nearby, were horrified by the sight.
Their fear was not only due to Tesoro's overwhelming power but also the potential harm to the Celestial Dragons inside.
To them, if the Celestial Dragons were killed, even victory in the battle would not save them from execution.
Immediately, many guards and CP0 members abandoned their fights and rushed toward Tesoro.
Whoosh—
The sharp sound of the wind howling ceased as a figure with flowing silver hair, wielding a spiked club, blocked their path.
Moments later, the wind settled, and the street was littered with dozens of ice sculptures, each capturing a different expression of terror.
...
In front of Tesoro, the once-proud Celestial Dragons now huddled together in a corner, trembling in fear.
Their gazes, once filled with arrogance, now mirrored the looks of countless slaves they had once oppressed.
In the past, even in moments of danger, they maintained their air of superiority. They knew that anyone who dared harm them would face the full wrath of the World Government.
But now, with the rebels attacking Mary Geoise itself, and their greatest protectors locked in battle elsewhere, they realized a harsh truth.
Their enemy was perfectly willing to kill them, like slaughtering chickens.
Seated on a golden throne, Tesoro gazed down at the trembling Celestial Dragons, his eyes filled with cold malice.
With a flick of his finger, a massive bar of gold, weighing thousands of pounds, shot through the air toward the Celestial Dragons.
Thud—
Several of them were instantly crushed, their bodies splattering like overripe tomatoes underfoot.
Blood oozed from beneath the golden bar.
The other Celestial Dragons stood frozen in shock.
They couldn't believe that their once-powerful peers had been so easily killed right before their eyes. Worse yet, their guards and CP0 agents were nowhere to be seen.
Seeing their companions' gruesome deaths plunged the remaining Celestial Dragons into the depths of despair.
"It's over. Everything is over."
"Tesoro! Do you even know what you're doing!?" a man in a butler's uniform shouted, stepping forward. He had neatly combed hair, styled like a traditional butler, and scolded Tesoro.
His sudden outburst was startling, standing out in the midst of the battlefield's chaos.
Even Tesoro was momentarily taken aback, scanning the man from head to toe.
It didn't take long for Tesoro to realize that this man was not one of the Celestial Dragons.
"And who are you?"
"I am the butler of Lord Rocaillet Saint! For 800 years, my ancestors have served as the Rocaillet family's head butlers!"
The man spoke with pride as he introduced himself.
Whoosh—
With a sudden crack, a golden spear shot through the air, pinning the butler to the ground.
"Idiot," Tesoro muttered coldly, watching as the butler's face froze in disbelief.
The remaining Celestial Dragons screamed in terror.
But no matter how loud their cries were, it would not change their fate.
"Where are the guards? Where are they!?
"
"Where is everyone!? Come protect me, protect me!!
"
"I'll give you all the wealth you want, just spare me!"
Looking at the cold-faced Tesoro, whose eyes were filled with unconcealed killing intent, the faces of the Celestial Dragons turned pale, devoid of any trace of blood.
In the despairing gazes of the Celestial Dragons, Tesoro clenched his fist in the air, and immediately, golden cages rose from around them. With a thunderous rumble, they sank into the ground.
Killing these scum outright would be a mercy.
Tesoro would make them die in despair, locked in the suffocating darkness—just like the slaves of the past who perished in cages, tormented both physically and mentally.