Chapter 19: Tear
Sabaody Archipelago, Arena.
"He… he actually did it!"
When Vergil burst into the stands and seized Saint Ekwena by the neck, every witness felt their heart jolt.
What had he done?
The man named Alvin Vergil had grabbed a Celestial Dragon by the throat, in full view of everyone!
Given his earlier actions, Vergil had already thoroughly provoked Saint Ekwena. Open conflict wasn't surprising.
But in today's world, "hostility toward Celestial Dragons" and "attacking a Celestial Dragon" were two entirely different concepts.
Even the increasingly active "Revolutionary Army" hadn't launched direct assaults on Celestial Dragons.
Did the man named Alvin Vergil realize what he had just crossed?
"Oops!"
Vergil held Saint Ekwena's neck with one hand, patting the Dragon's head with the other as if struck by a sudden thought. "I think I might have escalated things?"
You're only realizing this now?!
—Screamed nearly every mind present.
Saint Ekwena, meanwhile, face purpling, choked out, "You… untouchable… ungrateful… how dare you…"
His voice grew faint as Vergil's grip tightened, cutting off his air.
At that moment, the second suited guard—the one Vergil had slammed to the ground—struggled upright.
Despite his injuries, he leaped, pressing his nearly shattered blade against Vergil's neck.
His goal wasn't to kill Vergil—he knew he couldn't. He was trying to divert Vergil's attention.
The reason was simple: he couldn't kill this man… no, this monster.
The already formidable physique, amplified by the Mythical Zoan, gave Vergil a defense rivaling full-body Armament Haki. Against such a creature, the CP agent knew he stood no chance. But duty compelled him to act, reason or not.
"Listen… listen to me. This isn't wise."
The agent spat blood, his voice ragged. "Celestial Dragons… are the worst hostages. Lingering here only gives the Marines more time to seal the exits."
His point held merit.
In the current situation, Vergil seemed to hold the stage, but few believed he could escape easily.
"With all due respect," the agent pressed, "your decision was flawed. Whether to flee or seize fame, there were better paths. Attacking a Celestial Dragon wasn't necessary."
"…"
"Reasonable."
Vergil nodded, actually agreeing. "There are indeed many optimal strategies I could've taken. The current situation isn't favorable for me."
Such a frank admission of error stunned the agent. "So…"
"But!"
Vergil cut him off, grinning, fangs bared. "Brother, since when does a living 'life' always choose the so-called 'optimal solution'?"
"Life isn't a perfect machine. If every choice can't be optimal, regrets are inevitable."
"So we have to learn to enjoy the imperfect 'now.'"
"…"
"I see."
The agent nodded. He realized the "will" of this monster before him couldn't be swayed by mere words.
The imperfect present…
Looking back, his own life had been far from perfect.
A once-happy family, shattered by war. An orphan, adopted by a World Government agency, molded into a CP agent, made a Celestial Dragon's guard.
His childhood dream had been to be a chef…
"You're right."
The agent slowly tightened his grip on the cracked blade's hilt.
He raised it high, aiming for Vergil's neck. "Then let us focus on this imperfect present."
What was truly frightening wasn't "defeat," but forever dwelling on the "optimal path" not taken.
So the agent chose to fulfill his duty.
The shattered blade descended with the force of a final, desperate strike.
Swish!
CRACK!
Before the blade could land, Vergil suddenly swung the Celestial Dragon in his grip, using Saint Ekwena's body like a club, smashing him diagonally into the charging agent.
BOOM!
Saint Ekwena collided with the agent. Both, driven by Vergil's monstrous strength, crashed into the stands.
THUD!
Their bodies cratered the seating, stirring a cloud of dust that swallowed Vergil's form, leaving only a faint silhouette.
"N-no… this is bad…"
The onlookers stared, aghast.
The newly freed slaves, the nobles trying to flee—all were panicking internally. They didn't know what Vergil would do next, nor what chaos would engulf Sabaody.
A few, regaining some composure, tried to bolt for the exits.
But before they reached them, they saw the situation outside and scrambled back in terror.
"Not good! Not good at all!"
The fat noble who'd fled first cried out, "The Marines! There are Marines everywhere outside!"
Sabaody had a local Marine garrison, plus a major branch nearby.
So, the moment the confrontation between Vergil and Saint Ekwena began, someone had reported the arena situation to the Marines.
Given it involved a Celestial Dragon, the Marines immediately dispatched several squads, sealing all arena exits.
Then, the violent roar from inside heightened their alarm.
What was happening in there?
Vergil sensed the movement outside.
A blind charge through the exits would mean facing a hail of Marine gunfire.
If it couldn't be avoided… better to meet the inevitable head-on.
"Hah!"
Vergil roared, raising his arms high, then brought them crashing down upon the ground.
BOOM!
The entire arena shuddered as if struck by an earthquake.
A massive fissure tore open beneath Vergil's feet in the stands, spreading rapidly.
Soon, that entire section of seating was sundered. Earth and stone flew, dust billowing thicker.
With a single blow, Vergil had utterly destroyed the stands, carving a jagged ravine that led straight to the outside world.
Outside, Marine squads had already noted the disturbance. They'd formed ranks, muskets ready.
The arena wall cracked.
Dust swirled, outlining a huge, hulking shadow within.
Thick limbs. Strange, curved horns. Eyes glowing scarlet through the haze.
The sight made the Marines break into a cold sweat.
"Fire!"
Bang! Bang! Bang…!
At the order, multiple squads fired simultaneously. A storm of lead vanished into the dust, striking the shadow.
But the bullets seemed to sink into ocean waves, leaving no mark. The massive, alien shadow remained standing.
It even took a half-step forward, revealing a glimpse of crimson hide, then opened its fanged maw and roared at the Marines.
"ROOOOAR—!"
Deafening.
One young Marine, reminded of ghost stories his grandmother told him as a child, couldn't help but whisper,
"D… Devil…"
(End of Chapter)
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