[~1250 words]
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"What!? The 'fairies' are actually the Tontatta Tribe? I thought it was some kind of natural phenomenon…?"
"I knew something was wrong! When my stuff was stolen by those so-called 'fairies,' I clearly felt a strong force, and everyone around me was laughing!"
Shura's earlier announcements hadn't caused much of a stir.
After all, the people had long grown used to being powerless under their rulers. But the revelation that the "fairies" were actually the Tontatta Tribe ignited an enthusiastic uproar across the plaza.
It made perfect sense.
No one wanted to be walking down the street, minding their own business, only to have their hard-earned wealth stolen by invisible "fairies." What's more, not every theft had been committed by the Tontatta Tribe—plenty of opportunists had surely taken advantage of the legend over the years.
For seven hundred years, under the Riku Family's propaganda, the people of Dressrosa had genuinely believed in the fairy legends. They even viewed the fairies as guardians of the island, dismissing their thefts as harmless pranks.
The Riku Family's protection had forced the citizens to remain "indifferent" to the injustice.
Why had they done this? Didn't they know how wrong it was?
In truth, after the Riku Family took the throne, they had wanted to apologize to the Tontatta Tribe on behalf of the previous Donquixote rulers.
It was almost ridiculous—taking the blame for the previous dynasty and apologizing for their crimes. No one else would have done something so foolish.
At a signal from the Divine Soldiers, the plaza fell silent once more. Shura continued outlining Dressrosa's future under the new regime.
However, the more the people heard, the more uneasy some of them became. The growing tension finally erupted into noise and commotion at the edge of the crowd.
"Who is it?" Shura frowned, pausing his speech to look toward the disturbance.
Moments later, the culprit who had interrupted the announcement was dragged forward by the Divine Soldiers and forced to kneel in front of the platform.
"That's… Tank Lepanto!?"
Someone in the crowd recognized him and cried out in disbelief.
"Isn't he the captain of King Riku's army? How is he still alive?"
Even Violet, watching from above, covered her mouth in shock and murmured, "How could it be him…?"
A hint of hesitation flashed in her eyes. Then, with determination, she moved to James's side, wrapped her soft hand around his arm, and rubbed it affectionately as if offering a reward. She pleaded in a sweet, coquettish voice:
"James, I know him. He protected me during the catastrophe eight years ago…"
"Can I go down and say a few words to him? He definitely won't cause any trouble then. Please~"
"Oh? He's just an insignificant person~" James replied.
He raised his left arm and felt Violet clinging to it with gentle reluctance, as if she didn't want to let go. Smiling, he agreed, "Since you're so obedient, well-behaved, and generous, I'll spare his life and let you speak with him."
"Woo~ Thank you so much! I'll definitely repay you with all my skills later~"
Violet breathed a sigh of relief. She lifted her charming face and offered him a grateful kiss.
James accepted it calmly. After a brief but deep kiss, he was about to send her down when he noticed movement in the plaza below.
"Don't thank me just yet. Look at this guy—he seems to have drawn someone important."
"What!?" Violet was startled. She quickly stopped what she was doing and looked down.
Tank Lepanto was being held down by the Divine Soldiers in front of Shura's platform when a hooded figure suddenly stepped forward and leaped to his side, shouting loudly:
"Let him go! I will take responsibility for Lepanto's rash actions!"
Shura sneered and waved his hand indifferently. The Divine Soldiers immediately moved to apprehend the hooded intruder.
"Who are you?" Tank Lepanto asked in confusion.
The figure removed his hood, ignoring the shocked gasps from the crowd, and declared in a loud, clear voice:
"I am the former King of Dressrosa, Riku Doldo III! Is this identity enough to take the blame for Lepanto?"
"What!?"
"It's King Riku? He's still alive?"
"That hateful King Riku—how dare he show his face here!"
Shura stared at the man with a strange expression, clearly thinking the former king's brain wasn't working properly. Why was he rushing to his own death?
"Foolish! What blame are you even talking about?!"
"You are all sinners here. Your own crimes haven't been paid for yet, and you want to take responsibility for someone else? Don't make me laugh!"
Shura's mocking gaze caused King Riku's expression to change drastically. Things were not developing at all like he had expected.
"Divine Soldiers, take them both away! They will await the judgment of the Divine Lord!"
"Yes!"
The Divine Soldiers swarmed forward. King Riku knew resistance was pointless, so he allowed himself to be bound without a fight.
"Father!"
A sorrowful cry rang out from the sky. Everyone looked up to see Violet and James descending.
Violet, unable to stay still after seeing her father, had quickly reached an agreement with James. He chuckled softly as he wrapped an arm around her waist and flew down with her.
Shura immediately led the Divine Soldiers in a respectful salute:
"Divine Lord! Your virtue is majestic! Your thunder shakes the seas! Your grace spreads far and wide, enlightening the world!"
James landed gracefully with Violet and nodded in acknowledgment.
"Well done. Release the two of them."
The Divine Soldiers immediately obeyed and freed King Riku and Tank Lepanto.
The citizens of Dressrosa remained silent, quietly watching the unfolding drama. Their misunderstanding with King Riku had not yet been resolved—they still saw him as the incompetent ruler who had failed them.
"Princess Violet…"
Tank Lepanto couldn't believe his eyes. He had thought she had died during the coup.
"Violet… you've suffered so much…"
King Riku looked far more remorseful. When Doflamingo had seized the kingdom, Violet had endured humiliation and served the Donquixote Family just to keep him alive. Now, once again, she had appeared to save them.
After James released her, Violet gave him a grateful look before stepping forward.
"Captain Lepanto, if you still recognize me as your princess, then please do not resist the new rulers."
"This…" Tank Lepanto sighed heavily, his voice firm. "Princess Violet, how can I? As a loyal subject, how could I simply give up on restoring the Riku Family?!"
"Stubborn fool!" Shura muttered, clearly annoyed by the man's overconfidence.
Violet shook her head in disappointment and turned to her father.
"Father, do you feel the same way?"
"I…" King Riku looked up and saw the crowd's eyes filled with deep resentment toward him. Did he really have any chance of reclaiming the throne?
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