Chapter 56: Inspire Fruit

"Thank you all for extending a helping hand in this time of crisis."

Facing the elegant and noble Queen Joira as she kneeled in courtesy, a group of captains and "eccentrics" offered humble bows in return.

In reality, as soon as Pic was "reversed," Joira immediately began to gather forces. Coincidentally, while pirate forces were pursuing the kingdom's patrol warships on a mission, she led her people directly to the docks.

In this era, captains daring enough to venture out to sea were mostly small-scale experts, the kind "who could command a dozen burly men at their side." Faced with bloodthirsty pirates from overseas, it was only natural for them to side with the kingdom.

"I hereby promise that after the war, any losses suffered by you all will be doubly compensated by Arcania. Compensation for personnel will be paid at the highest standard—"

?!

As Joira's words fell, several captains' eyes began to shine.

"Hehehe, just look at the expressions on their faces, as if they can't wait for all their subordinates to die."

Doflamingo sneered from his spot in the corner, and Rosinante could only shrug.

"That's normal. This is the typical relationship between most captains and their sailors."

After setting sail, many sailors no longer had the concept of "going home." They lived in the moment. The relationship between captains and their crews was mostly one of employer and employee.

Encountering such a generous "employer," many captains had already begun to calculate how to "accidentally injure their subordinates" to claim compensation.

It was also a way to pocket a little extra money, wasn't it?

"Pair up, and be careful not to be left alone."

Rosinante earnestly reminded the others. Naturally, the Don Quixote Family didn't care about Arcania's compensation, and with just six people, they simply couldn't afford to take any losses.

"These guys are too..."

Trebol was still struggling with the suddenness of the enemy's arrival, leaving them no time to prepare.

"Plans can't keep up with changes. Let's see how they make their move first—"

Where they were situated, atop a high platform on the docks, provided a broad view of the entire sea.

After a single individual had taken down three naval vessels, the pirates were now dragging the three vessels over, rapidly replacing their personnel.

Meanwhile, numerous pirate ships were dispersing, lowering a large number of small boats into the water.

These small boats ranged from larger ones with fully-equipped sails and oarsmen, with a displacement of around a hundred tons, to smaller fishing boats that could only carry a few people. They densely covered the sea like ants, propelled forward by the forceful rowing of the pirates, heading straight for the city before them!

Looking down from the sky, it was as if countless arrows were slicing through the ocean, heading directly for the "Fairy Tale City," Odyssia.

The reason the pirates had chosen to anchor their ships offshore and use small boats for landing was because—

"Activate the 'Bishop.'"

As the capital of Arcania, Odyssia was a bustling harbor city that handled a vast amount of cargo every day. Naturally, it wasn't an undefended place.

Following Joira's command, the pointed tops of the numerous windmills dotted throughout the city slowly opened up, revealing massive gun barrels as thick as pillars and several meters in length.

Boom! Boom! Boom!!!

As these weapons, which were significantly more advanced than the average front-mounted guns on pirate ships, let out roars, a barrage of cannonballs was launched toward the pirate ships lingering on the sea's surface.

Upon impact, these cannonballs carried tremendous kinetic energy, creating white water columns soaring several meters high! If they hit the small boats that were desperately racing forward, then—

Congratulations to them, they wouldn't have to toil any longer.

Boom!!

Within the enormous white water column, a small boat laden with pirates was instantly obliterated, tossing over a dozen desperate pirates high into the air.

Their ordinary flesh was torn to pieces in mid-air by the explosion's shockwave, before plummeting down alongside the fragments of their boat.

The waves surged, and more than a dozen lives vanished without a trace.

Although numerous charging small boats were blasted to bits by the cannons on the windmills, the many watching captains and Joira couldn't help but furrow their brows.

This was because not a single cannonball struck the pirate ships anchored offshore!

Clearly, the enemy was well aware of the range of the city's artillery emplacements, which was why they had chosen to halt their larger ships and deploy the small boats for the assault. If it were an uninformed pirate crew, they would have been targeted and annihilated before even entering the artillery's range—made fish food, in essence.

"Hmph, CP3 really went through a lot of trouble."

Without a doubt, the positions of the city's artillery emplacements and other intelligence were definitely leaked to the Pirate Alliance by CP agents.

With his arms crossed, Rosinante watched the unfolding attack and defense.

Continuously, pirates were blasted into the sea, their lives disappearing in a matter of seconds. However, for the Pirate Alliance, using cannon fodder to deplete the defenders' ammunition was a very "cost-effective" transaction.

"Let's go, it's our turn to enter the stage."

Doflamingo had already led the way toward the docked Don Quixote Family ship. Since the pirate side had chosen to swarm the harbor with a large number of small boats, then—

"Dear captains, we entrust the defense of the port to you."

Under Queen Joira's plea and promise, the captains on the platform pounded their chests with a resounding thump, seemingly willing to shed their last drop of blood for Arcania.

As each captain returned to their own ship, the many vessels docked at the port rotated their broadsides.

Any ship daring to sail on the open sea would undoubtedly be armed. As the gunports on the ships were opened, all sorts of cannons were rolled out, their black muzzles aimed at the dense swarm of pirate small boats on the sea.

At the same time, numerous armed sailors appeared on deck, armed with flintlock guns and sailor's blades, standing ready in formation.

"Hehehe, let's use these guys to warm up—"

Unlike other merchant ships, the Don Quixote Family ship only had six people aboard, but they didn't care about the ragtag bunch charging their way.

"Mucilage Fire Meteor!"

Facing the direction of the sea, Trebol spread his arms, continuously firing mucilage from his abdomen. At the same time, he placed his lighter cane along the trajectory of the mucilage.

Each clump of mucilage fired was ignited by the cane, transforming into massive fireballs that soared through the air.

Upon hitting the pirate small boats, they were instantly set ablaze, turning into torches, boats and all!

Single-handedly, Trebol transformed a stretch of the sea into a human inferno.

Upon realizing that the massive ship was equipped with a "flame-launching" device, a small boat carrying "elite pirates" swiftly approached.

When the small boat drew near a certain distance, the leading pirate shouted loudly, and more than a dozen grappling hooks were hurled up, attaching to the ship's sides. Then, a group of pirates swiftly climbed up the ropes.

Most of these pirates were shirtless, their muscular bodies glistening, letting seawater slide off their skin as they advanced. They held weapons in their mouths!

When they flipped onto the deck of the Don Quixote Family ship, Rosinante finally took note of these pirates. Heavy eyeliner encircled their eyes, and they brandished their weapons with mouths cracked into sinister grins, revealing yellowing, decayed teeth, resembling a skeletal smile.

Fierce and terrifying!

"This is the 'Black Skull' elite squad under 'White Dragon' Balve's command."

Seeing these clearly "elite" pirates board the deck, Rosinante dashed forward silently.

Confronting the charging "youngster," the leading pirate raised his scimitar disdainfully, preparing to bring it down on Rosinante!

However, the next second, he paid the price for his carelessness.

In the midst of his charge, Rosinante suddenly accelerated, grabbing the pirate's wrist before his weapon could strike. Then, with a strong squeeze—

Crack!

"Ah!!"

The pirate's wrist emitted a crisp sound, and his fingers slackened, causing his weapon to drop.

Simultaneously, Rosinante seized his neck, propelling his entire body toward the incoming pirates, causing a mass of bodies to collapse.

Meanwhile, the pirate's scimitar had only descended halfway when it was already confiscated by Rosinante's sailor, who spun it around in his hand. Then, with a twist of the wrist, he struck another charging sailor—

Splitch!

A silver arc of light sliced across the sailor's chest, spattering a one-meter-long trail of fresh blood!

However, Rosinante kicked the opponent away in dissatisfaction, because his strike had failed to cleave the pirate in two! This pirate's resilience far exceeded that of an ordinary person.

Even if struck repeatedly by flintlock gunfire, he could charge forward and take out his opponent before dying!

Truly an elite...

"Kill!!"

The pirate whose wrist was broken by Rosinante had already risen and was once again charging at Rosinante, swinging his fists and feet.

The battle in the entire harbor quickly escalated into a white-hot frenzy. Bullets whizzed in all directions, explosions echoed incessantly, blades cleaved through flesh, and the desperate cries of the dying filled the air.

Rosinante and his group naturally handled the situation, but for regular merchant ships, the "Black Skull" elite mingling among the common pirates were undoubtedly lethal enemies. Soon enough, several merchant ships were left in shambles, changing hands to the pirates.

At the same time, many pirates circumvented the naval line formed by the merchant ships and stormed onto the docks.

A city adorned with wealth, women, and fine wine lay before them—

"Miss Joira,"

Standing on the temporary command platform of the dock, a man with a square face, high nose, and golden curls took out a lyre resembling the letter 'C' and gestured to Joira.

He was the "Vice-Principal" of the orphanage and also the "right-hand man" of this city—Joira's trusted assistant.

"Deploy the 'Knights'."

As Joira gave the order, the man strummed the lyre in his hand, producing an impassioned melody.

"I am a poet who sings praises aloud, proclaiming—"

?

The man's deep voice resonated throughout the battlefield, drowning out even the sounds of gunfire and battle cries, causing Rosinante to glance over.

Could it be...

"At the heart of Arcania, in the land of fairy tales, stands Odensai! Surrounded by enemies!"

"Pirates gather, fierce and menacing, like wolves set loose, our homeland faces disaster. 'Tis the word of the mighty Queen:"

Alongside the man's playing, Joira's voice also echoed across the battlefield.

"Brave warriors of Arcania!"

"We shall surely overcome our foes!"

"For our homeland, for our loved ones!"

Boom—

The castle gates burst open with a thunderous roar, the ground quaked and rumbled, as a silver torrent surged forth from the castle halfway up the mountain.

"For the glory of the Queen!"

Iron hooves thundered, armor gleamed, and shouts reverberated!

These fully armored knights, both horse and rider encased in heavy steel, held three-meter-long lances. Like an unstoppable tide of steel, they charged toward the pirates who had landed on the docks!

???

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(End of this chapter)