#44 The end of Saint Larcher

What the heck?!

Everyone watched in shock as Carlo, sword in hand, headed toward the livestock quarters, looking like he was really going to kill the Celestial Dragon.

Even Blackbeard was stunned.

Wasn't the plan to use this idiot as a bargaining chip with the World Government? Now he's just going to kill him?

Carlo's sudden move left even Blackbeard, who had planned everything with him from the start, completely unprepared.

This wasn't what they had agreed on!

Blackbeard had thought Carlo was just bluffing to intimidate the Shichibukai pirates, creating a chance to threaten them into silence. But now, it seemed Carlo was actually serious.

Despite his surprise, Blackbeard didn't move to stop Carlo. With his cunning mind, he quickly weighed the pros and cons.

Having a Celestial Dragon on board was always going to be a problem. They talked about using him to negotiate with the World Government only as a last resort, if they were ever discovered. But ideally, they would never reveal that Leschar Saint was in their custody.

Keeping this idiot on the ship posed risks. What if someone else, like Hancock today, stumbled upon him? The Empress clearly hated the Celestial Dragon, which worked in their favor, as it minimized the risk of her exposing them. In exchange, they could gain a powerful ally.

And out here on the vast ocean, it was easy to dispose of a body without a trace. Even the CP0 agents wouldn't be able to track them.

This way, they could eliminate future risks and get the most out of Saint Larcher before he died by securing Hancock's alliance.

Like Carlo, Blackbeard quickly realized the benefits. This was the best outcome for them, so he didn't stop Carlo.

"No, please... Sir, spare me... I swear I won't think of returning to Mary Geoise!"

"Just keep me on the ship as a pig. I'll be content to stay here if you let me live!"

As Carlo entered the livestock quarters with a murderous look and a gleaming sword, Saint Larcher was terrified. He wet himself in fear.

Ignoring his fatigue, Saint Larcher knelt at Carlo's feet, bowing and begging for his life, willing to abandon all dignity just to survive.

"It's good you finally realized this," Carlo said coldly, without a hint of emotion. "But it's too late now."

With those words, Carlo sealed Saint Larcher's fate.

"No…"

Before Saint Larcher could say another word, Carlo's sword flashed, and his head rolled to the ground, his body slumping lifelessly.

Carlo's strike was swift and merciless, ignoring Leschar Saint's pleas and ending his life in an instant.

"Whoa!!!"

Everyone outside the livestock quarters was stunned, their eyes wide in shock.

"That was brutal! He actually killed him!"

Burgess, nearly drooling in excitement, watched the bloody scene with his mouth wide open.

"Our vice-captain is amazing. After seeing this, I have to admit, those hits I took from him before were nothing. I'm totally convinced now."

During the selection tournament, Burgess had dreamed of becoming the second-in-command of this powerful pirate crew. But witnessing Carlo's ruthlessness, he realized he was no match.

Rethinking his ambitions, Burgess decided it was better to stay a loyal subordinate to such a formidable man.

Not just Burgess, but also new crew members like Laffitte, Doc Q, and Van Augur, were sweating nervously, yet feeling a thrill at the same time.

For these unusual individuals, only something like this could stir their near-inhuman hearts.

"Zehahaha, this is incredible, Carlo! Truly amazing!"

"Looking across the sea and throughout history, only our Blackbeard Pirates have ever done something so monumental as slaughtering a Celestial Dragon!"

"This is unprecedented. One day, I'll have this engraved in history so future pirates can admire it. Zehahaha!"

Even Blackbeard couldn't contain his excitement, reveling in this historic moment.

"Calm down, Teach," Carlo replied. "If you want to make history, we'll need to kill more of these fools. One is not enough."

Carlo didn't feel much about killing a Celestial Dragon himself. Turning his attention to the stunned Hancock, he said, "See? I killed him. So what?"

"You people place these idiots on too high a pedestal. They're not gods."

"If you wanted to, you could kill them too."