"Come to think of it, it's hardly surprising. Since there's the Golden Buddha Sengoku, it only makes sense that angels exist too."
"So, you're saying that now that your mission has failed, this so-called Holy Maiden won't provide the remaining seventy-five fruits?"
Vladimir shook his head.
"That is correct," Rekk replied mechanically.
"Then what use do I have for you?"
Vladimir placed his hand on top of the man's head and simultaneously released the illusion.
"You! What did you do to me?!" Rekk cried out in panic. "Just now… was that… an illusion?!"
Vladimir ignored him, his expression completely indifferent.
Frost energy surged from his palm. Crackle, crackle… Starting from the head downwards, Rekk was gradually sealed in ice.
At the moment he turned into an ice sculpture, his face was frozen in an expression of utter terror.
This was sealing at a cellular level — freezing even the soul itself along with the body.
A light breeze blew past, and the sculpture crumbled, shattering into fine crystals of ice that drifted away and vanished.
"Quite the unreliable bidder. Looks like I'll have to pay a visit to that Divine Kingdom in the Sky sometime soon."
Vladimir couldn't help but shake his head. Fortunately, the Archangel had left behind a thread of Holy Light power earlier; with that coordinate, finding a single nation on Skypiea would be effortless.
"Angel Fruit… I wonder if there's a 'God Fruit' too?" Vladimir chuckled to himself.
He wasn't impatient about not getting the seventy-five fruits immediately. Sooner or later, they would be his.
"Lord Emperor Vladimir," Shadow Spirit spoke softly. "It is daytime now; my power is limited. I shall take my leave for now."
With that, his body dissolved into a dark mist and disappeared.
"It seems even you make mistakes and miscalculations sometimes," the Empress said as she stepped closer.
"I may not know all the details, but I gathered enough from what you two were saying."
"Is that so?" Vladimir glanced at her, swallowing the thought of 'empty-headed despite having plenty up top'.
"But I wonder… what exactly are you trying to achieve by gathering so many fruits?" she asked curiously.
"Ever since I first met you, you have been doing this nonstop. Also… Phantom — you founded this organization, didn't you? What are you all planning? I… I am very curious."
"Hahaha… Little girl, remember that curiosity killed the cat."
Vladimir smiled. "You want to know? Then follow me and find out."
He began to walk forward.
With each step, it was as if invisible stairs appeared in the air beneath his feet. He ascended step by step, walking higher and higher above the ground.
The Empress's eyes widened, filled with disbelief.
However, her competitive spirit toward the Sea Dragon was strong. Without the slightest hesitation, she stepped out into the void as well.
Her red high heels touched down on empty space — and sure enough, she felt solid support beneath her.
"He creates staircases out of nothingness…" she murmured, her respect and awe for Emperor Vladimir deepening.
The two walked higher and further until finally, they stopped together.
Vladimir looked down at the chaotic battlefield far below.
The Empress followed his gaze and gasped, her mouth falling open in shock.
"Whitebeard, Kaido, Kong, Kizaru… and those old men who look incredibly powerful… So many strong people! I count at least three, maybe four, who are at the level of an Emperor!"
"Emperors… is that what they are called?"
Vladimir chuckled softly, his gaze calm and unimpressed.
"They are all… mere mortals."
Stairs and platforms formed from spiritual energy floated in the void. Vladimir gazed down at the battlefield below in silence.
With the combat power of a Three-Star Phantom God, he stood far above the level of any Emperor.
Even if he had to face four Emperors at once, he would remain completely unfazed.
Down below, Kaido had become the common target, besieged by everyone else.
But the moment Vladimir and the Empress appeared above, everyone stopped fighting and looked up.
"The Empress… and Emperor Vladimir…!"
Kizaru's expression shifted slightly. He had only sensed one presence, yet when he looked up, he clearly saw two figures.
In an instant, the entire battlefield fell dead silent.
Kaido frowned deeply. "Captain Emperor Vladimir… what are you doing here?"
He was extremely wary. Having fought the Sea Dragon before, he knew full well how powerful the commanders under the ruler were — let alone Emperor Vladimir, the leader of Phantom himself.
He was a supreme being who surpassed even the Four Emperors. No one could remain calm when such a person suddenly appeared.
"Kaido, return the blueprint."
Vladimir spoke plainly, his face expressionless and calm.
"The person who bid for it can no longer pay the agreed price of ninety fruits. Therefore, the blueprint is reclaimed and will be auctioned again right here."
He paused briefly, then added:
"Because this person violated the rules, I have already erased him from existence. His faction, his alliance, and anyone connected behind him have all been added to Phantom's kill list. To prevent similar incidents, during this second auction, payment must be made immediately and on the spot."
"What did you say?!" Kaido roared in anger, his face turning dark.
"The blueprint is already in my hands! You dare demand it back? Whatever problems happened with the auction are none of my business!"
"I have come to retrieve what belongs to me. What does that have to do with you?"
Vladimir remained indifferent, completely unmoved.
Kaido's rage exploded. This was blatant disrespect — as if Vladimir were saying: I am coming to take back what is mine; any resistance you offer is meaningless and futile.
Not just Kaido, but everyone else present felt deep dissatisfaction.
The blueprint was within Kaido's grasp. Given just a little more time, they would have been able to snatch it from him, and whoever got it would have kept it based on their own strength.
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