Chapter 57: Knights
The prince of the "Knight Kingdom" Arland, and its Grand Knight Commander—Gia Zorian.
Upon hearing the name, both Vergil and Fujitora widened their eyes. With a name like that, they actually…
…had never heard of it.
"…"
"Who?"
...
Seeing their baffled expressions, Zorian showed no embarrassment. Instead, he slung an arm around each of their shoulders.
"Hahahahaha! It's normal you don't know me! This is my first time at sea!"
"…"
Even in Elegia, Zorian's enthusiasm was a bit overwhelming. While Fujitora sensed his goodwill, he was at a loss for how to respond.
Until Zorian added: "You two enjoying yourselves? How about becoming friends? Tonight's drinks are on me!"
"…"
Hearing this, Vergil and Fujitora paused, then each slapped a heavy hand on Zorian's shoulder.
"Good friend!"
"Pfft-hahaha! We hit it off instantly!"
"…"
...
Thus ended Vergil and Fujitora's wager. Both had chances to win; the final outcome remained unknown.
A young man named Gia Zorian had intervened, noticing their gambling clash was frightening children outside. After introductions, the three sat down.
Zorian played host, drinking and conversing with the tavern patrons to the music.
While Zorian mingled, Vergil and Fujitora, each holding a drink, pondered separate matters.
Vergil considered two problems:
First, Fujitora's Zushi Zushi no Mi. This blind wanderer had developed "gravity" to an extreme. Combined with his unique Observation Haki, he could even lock onto meteorites in space and drag them down as weapons. Vergil never imagined "gravity" could be used with such finesse on tiny dice.
Can I learn this? He pondered.
One of the eight theorized demonic aspects—the "Moon Demon" named "Kurēn"—also possessed gravity manipulation. The seed of this ability existed in Vergil's mind, yet never sprouted. The key was "practice." But from their brief clash, he hadn't grasped its essence; his chaotic ideas remained unformed.
"I need to learn more…" he murmured.
Second, the young man from the "Knight Kingdom"—Gia Zorian. Vergil was certain the name didn't exist in his memory. A stranger, yet it seemed irrelevant. The sea was vast, teeming with countless lives of all kinds. Zorian was one. He'd sensed the "destructive potential" in Vergil and Fujitora, worried about disturbance, and intervened.
All in all, a warm-hearted "good person"…
...
"Ohhh…" Fujitora sipped his fruit wine, a content smile on his face. He'd closed his own eyes to avoid the world's ugliness, but it didn't blind him to its beauty. Elegia's music, the kind bartender, the joyful travelers… and his two new friends.
His Observation Haki slowly expanded, painting the tavern's occupants. The two most prominent "presences" were [The Demon] Alvin Vergil and Gia Zorian.
Fujitora couldn't see their faces, but he could perceive their "soul-shadows," discerning good and evil.
"Hmm, this is…" He pondered, struggling for the right adjectives.
First, [The Demon]. His "soul" had a translucent quality, like an infant's, utterly unblemished. But "pure" seemed too gentle. It was like standing alone on a desert island, gazing at the night sky. Even knowing the "Night Sky" wouldn't harm you, you couldn't suppress the panic, the profound sense of loss.
Hollow yet deep. Clean yet vast… Fujitora had never met such a person.
Next, Gia Zorian, toasting with strangers. Also a first for Fujitora.
Compared to Vergil's elusiveness, Zorian was simpler to describe.
Sun. That word perfectly captured Zorian's soul. This prince from a knightly kingdom radiated dazzling light, illuminating those around him like the sun.
"Beautiful," Fujitora judged fairly.
...
Soon, Zorian returned. His easygoing nature quickly bonded the trio, and they drank merrily.
Just as spirits were highest, alarmed shouts erupted outside.
"My child! Where's my child?"
"Hey! Several kids are missing!"
"I saw some shady figures earlier. Could pirates have taken them?"
"Alert the Royal Guard!"
"…"
The commotion grew, sparking discussion inside.
"What happened?"
"Heard several Elegian children vanished. Pirates?"
"They bypassed the Royal Guard? Impossible!"
"Damn pirates, disrupting the festival…"
"…"
"Say…" The bartender, conversing with others, suddenly turned, pointing at the now-empty round table. "Weren't three guests sitting here just now?"
"Seems… yes?"
Another scratched his head. "It was lively. Why'd they leave so quietly?"
...
Elegia. Urban Streets. Alleyways.
"Heh heh, rich, we're gonna be rich!" A middle-aged man jogged, carrying a burlap sack. He set it down, loosened the tie. Inside, a tearful little girl.
"Elegian musicians fetch high prices on the slave market. We've hit the jackpot! Even a kid can probably sing, right? Hey! If not, Uncle'll toss you to the sharks!"
After vicious threats, he retied the sack, ready to rendezvous.
Suddenly, the wall beside him bulged.
"?!" Puzzled, he turned.
A "face" had formed on the wall—sharp fangs, eerie red eyes glowing.
"Wh-what…" His legs trembled, frozen.
A massive hand extended from the wall, seized his head, and shook violently.
"Gah!" His brain rattled; he collapsed, foaming.
Vergil stepped from the wall, took the sack, and soothed gently, "Don't be afraid. It's okay."
...
Another dark alley.
Fujitora, sword in hand, walked past. On either side, several pirate-looking men lay collapsed, crushed by "gravity," immobile.
"Ohhh…" Fujitora knelt, gently untying three children. "We cannot let the unjust disturb this music…"
...
The final location—
Gia Zorian.
He'd followed a "pirate" into a dead-end alley. Awaiting him were a dozen "pirates" armed with blades and muskets.
"Boss, it's him!" A thin man pointed sharply. "He followed me the whole way!"
"Oh?" The boss, a scar-faced man, hefted his musket, eyeing Zorian with a vicious grin. "A lone man dares ruin our work?"
"A knight must protect the weak and punish evil." Zorian stepped forward confidently, rapping his chest armor—a gesture that gave Scar-face pause.
"…"
"Hey! Someone with a death wish!"
Enraged, at Scar-face's signal, they surrounded Zorian.
"Ah." Zorian shook his head, smiling. "Punishing villains is also a knight's duty…"
...
A short distance away, another alley.
Vergil and Fujitora reconvened. Neither hurried to intervene. They crouched, silently observing the alley.
Zorian, two-handed greatsword in hand, faced a dozen "pirates." Beyond his "prince" title, he'd introduced himself as Arland's "Grand Knight Commander." Both Vergil and Fujitora wanted to see this "Grand Knight Commander's" strength and fighting style.
Crunch. Crunch. Crunch…
Deep in thought, Fujitora's ears twitched. A strange sound came from… Alvin Vergil.
"What's that noise?"
"Snacks."
Vergil poured snacks from a bag, offering some to Fujitora. A gift from the little girl he'd rescued.
Thus, the two watched the alley fight together, and together—
Crunch. Crunch. Crunch…
(End of Chapter 57)
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