"Rose Beast:
Nero Claudius
Bounty: 4,700,000,000 Berries
Extremely evil, dead or alive!"
Hathaway looked at the bounty poster in her hand, her expression full of worry as she gazed out the window.
A week had passed since Roger's execution, and his dying words had plunged the high seas into even greater chaos.
Countless people set sail, some to search for the ONE PIECE, others to fish in troubled waters.
The flower of evil bloomed, and the world suddenly became boisterous.
Admiral Sengoku was severely injured and unconscious for seven days before he was out of danger. Vice Admiral Garp also suffered severe injuries and required a long period of recuperation.
Golden Lion Shiki was apprehended by the combined efforts of the returning Vice Admirals Akainu, Kizaru, and Aokiji.
Nero transformed into a great red dragon and vanished into the horizon, leaving Marineford in a state of utter devastation... The Nicuss Empire was also in an uproar. For two years, unfavorable rumors had been circulating covertly within the country.
The emperor of a nation had run off to sea to become a famous pirate, especially when this emperor, while still a Princess, had been highly regarded for her wisdom.
Nicuss was not a closed-off country; although foreigners were forbidden entry, trade was not prohibited. Most of its people were merchants.
Due to its unique environment and the national law prohibiting foreigners, Nicuss's handicrafts were quite rare in the outside world and highly favored by nobles.
Nero becoming a great pirate had the most direct impact on Nicuss in terms of trade; a pirate nation seemed more suited for things like military weapons.
These effects peaked a year ago when Roger became the Pirate King. During the most difficult times, products rotted in warehouses, and no one wanted to be associated with Nicuss's goods.
Disagreements arose, and a significant portion of the populace began to feel dissatisfied with Nero. Unemployed people sat in taverns, complaining.
Because of the national policy prohibiting foreigners, even if their businesses earned money, it was extremely difficult.
And because of Nero's lawlessness, she was driven out of the Royal Capital.
Nobles and commoners were not on the same island.
The good things were always enjoyed by the nobles first.
The palace in the center of the Royal Capital, piled high with gold... Similar complaints could not be exhausted in three days and three nights. A group of people spewed venom, as if Nicuss had already become a hell of utter evil.
Thus, a year later, a new force emerged in the Nicuss Empire, called the Revolutionary Army.
Of course, this Revolutionary Army had no connection to the one founded by Monkey D. Dragon outside.
Its leader, Samgo Kukurov, was an admirer of Monkey D. Dragon, having once been a sailor.
Having seen some traces of the Revolutionary Army, he greatly yearned for such heroic deeds.
Then, due to his excellent eloquence, he successfully 'infected' many like-minded comrades during a drunken complaint.
And in the period that followed, he quickly assembled a team, which continued to grow stronger over the past year.
By the time Livord realized it, it was too late; a considerable portion of the populace also began to support the Revolutionary Army with this wave.
They even shouted slogans to impeach the Emperor: Nicuss does not need a pirate as its Emperor!
This completely enraged the nobles led by Livord, who began to crack down on these so-called Revolutionary Army members with full force. However, due to obstruction from the populace, these measures were not smooth.
And just a week ago, Livord, the Grand Duke of Nicuss, collapsed while leading the pursuit of the Revolutionary Army.
This also allowed Samgo and others, who had been pushed to the brink, to escape once again.
"No, this is not an illness, but a natural death." Dorry, Nicuss's best doctor, concluded after a diagnosis.
"How can this be? You old hag, Livord was still full of vigor yesterday! Are you going senile?"
"Slap!" The person who spoke covered their slapped face, stubbornly looking at Dorry.
"My secret to eternal youth is maintaining health. If you don't pay attention normally, you'll end up like this when you're old." Dorry shook her hand, not bothering with the person's insolence.
"Is there no way to extend it a bit?" Hathaway couldn't help but interrupt.
"There's no way at all. This is the natural law of a lamp running out of oil, unless a god intervenes." Doctor Hiriluks Wife spoke without beating around the bush; at her age, she had long been accustomed to partings and deaths.
"Your, Your Highness..." Livord on the bed opened his eyes, but thick fog seemed to surround everything, making it impossible for him to see clearly.
He subconsciously called out that familiar name, but received no familiar response.
"Livord! Your Majesty is coming back soon! She will surely be delighted when she sees the Golden Palace you built for her, so it's not time to sleep yet."
The mustachioed noble Holio leaned over the bed and shouted loudly at Livord: "You don't want to miss Your Majesty's happy face, do you?"
"Your Majesty? Ah, it's Your Majesty! Does she... like this Golden Palace?"
Livord's words were somewhat muddled; he only felt his head was like a muddle, operating with great difficulty.
"Hehehe, if only I had known... known that Skypiea (Xandora) was... was real, then... then I should have gone earlier... The Princess in the Golden Palace, and Nero... hehehe..."
Hearing this, everyone fell silent. The foremost opponent of Nero building the Golden Palace was this old man right before them. No one expected that such thoughts still resided in his heart.
It seemed the successful construction of the Golden Palace also owed something to this man's 'resolute' opposition.
"Where is Your Majesty? Have we not contacted her yet?" Someone whispered softly.
"If she doesn't come back soon, perhaps she won't even see Duke Livord's last moment..." Someone else sighed.
"Those hateful Revolutionary Army members!" Still others placed all the blame on Samgo Kukurov.
Suddenly, everyone's eyes widened. A golden-red figure, as if it had always been there, walked past them nonchalantly.
Though appearing suddenly, it was only noticed as it passed them.
"Um, old man, are you tired? I heard you had something to give me?" Nero forced a smile, her tone still like before.
"Um, Idiot Princess! Have you finished your sword practice today? I told you long ago not to spend your Berries on your useless artworks."
Hearing the familiar voice, Livord's words instantly became much smoother, and the figure before his eyes became clear. Nero's appearance emerged before him.
Still the same, a baby-fat face, jade-green eyes, and beautiful golden hair like the old Emperor's.
"Um, indeed, they're not very useful, so I plan to burn them all." Nero replied with a giggle, but a tremor in her voice was still hard to conceal.
Upon hearing her say this, Livord's words changed again: "Why burn them? They were so hard to collect. When I have nothing to do, looking at them is actually quite nice... If you like them, just keep collecting! You're going to be Emperor in the future, what's wrong with having a little hobby?"
Livord grumbled, as if he hadn't been the one opposing Nero before.
"Um, really? Then I've taken a liking to..."
"Stop, stop, stop! Take it easy, Idiot Princess!" Livord quickly waved his hand: "Your father called me, I have to go quickly. How will that idiot live without me!"
"Um, why don't we have a meal together first? It's not that urgent, is it?"
At this moment, Livord's mind suddenly cleared. He saw Nero's tear-streaked smiling face and her crimson eyes. He used his last strength to smile.
"Never mind, the Idiot Emperor is urging me. I'll go first. You remember to eat well yourself!"
"Um..."
Livord, Grand Duke of the Nicuss Empire, passed away in the year 1500 of the Sea Calendar.
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