Chapter 121: Seizing Visalia: The Battle for Skypiea’s Secret

Skypiea – Visalia!

Sunlight poured down on Visalia as Gan Fall set foot on the island after two months of relentless searching.

At last, Gan Fall stood atop this mysterious sky island. Mastering its secret would finally complete Lord Karl’s assignment.

Determination burned in his eyes, his face set in grim resolve.

Gan Fall knew he had already exceeded the deadline Lord Karl had given him for finding this island.

He had to claim control of Skypiea as soon as possible—otherwise, he’d have to face Lord Karl’s wrath.

“Who would have thought finding Visalia would take us two whole months,” he muttered.

Gan Fall let out a deep sigh, gaze sweeping over the island. His voice carried an unmistakable note of joy.

No one knew exactly when word got out, but once the secret leaked, the people of Visalia started playing a careful game of hide and seek.

“But at long last, we’ve found Visalia. Now I’ve got something solid to report back to Lord Karl.”

The officer standing beside Gan Fall nodded, excitement written all over his face.

Gan Fall strolled slowly through Visalia.

Every step he took was sure and steady. He’d been waiting two months for this moment.

During those long weeks, even as the Visalians tried every trick to conceal themselves—

They couldn’t outwit the web of spies Gan Fall had spread across the skies.

Shortages of food and supplies finally forced the Visalians to purchase what they needed from the outside world.

And the moment they left for provisions, their trail was picked up by Gan Fall’s scouts.

Bit by bit, the spies gathered clues and finally uncovered the Visalians’ hiding place.

“Haredas.”

Gan Fall stood before Haredas, his gaze razor-sharp, his tone radiating an unspoken authority.

“You did a good job hiding.”

“If it weren’t for that supply run, I might never have found your little hideout.”

Though his voice wasn’t loud, Gan Fall’s words carried weight. He stared hard at Haredas, waiting for a response.

Haredas kept his head down, eyes clouded with confusion and helplessness.

He just couldn’t understand why Gan Fall was so determined to find them or what value this unremarkable island could possibly hold.

“So, what do you want with me anyway?”

Haredas finally looked up and met Gan Fall’s eyes.

Though his voice trembled, a hint of resolve shone through.

“We’re just a little research island run by meteorologists. We have no money, no land. There’s nothing here worth conquering.”

He laid out his doubts, frustration and confusion coloring his words.

Truly, an island with nothing to offer wasn’t much of a prize.

Yet, their perspective was a bit narrow. The secret to controlling Skypiea’s ascension and descent made Visalia strategically invaluable.

“Hand over the method to control the sky island.”

Gan Fall knew that was the very reason Karl wanted Visalia—to obtain that secret.

So his voice was unwavering, leaving no room for negotiation.

“Hmph. I’m not giving it to you,” Haredas snapped.

He let out a cold laugh as the determination in his eyes hardened. He would never surrender his life’s research.

“That’s right! This is our achievement. Why should we hand it over to you?”

“Yeah! Who do you even think you are?”

“What makes you think you can just demand it and we’ll give it up?”

The captive researchers all shouted their anger and defiance.

Their faces burned with fury, their eyes fierce. After all, this was the result of more than a decade of work—there was no way they’d just hand it over because someone said so.

Unwillingness and outrage flickered across their faces, each man’s eyes shining with stubborn resolve.

Gan Fall watched them, understanding deep down.

He knew he had to get the method for controlling the sky island from their hands, and quickly.

But breaking this kind of spirit wasn’t easy. He’d have to resort to some unpleasant tactics.

Still, with these scientists—since he’d likely need them later—he’d have to go with something clever, not brute force.

“How about this? Let’s try something a little more entertaining.”

Gan Fall’s icy voice echoed through the air, a strange light flickering in his eyes.

“I’ve decided—you’re the one.”

A small smile tugged at Gan Fall’s lips as his eyes settled on a thin middle-aged man.

At Gan Fall’s signal, two soldiers from the Skypiea guard grabbed the frail man and dragged him away.

They hauled him out of sight, somewhere no one else could see.

Waiting for him there—an uncertain fate.

“Bang!”

A gunshot shattered the silence. Moments later, a soldier rushed over and saluted Gan Fall.

“Reporting in!”

“Speak!”

Gan Fall glanced at the assembled researchers.

Fear crept onto their faces. He knew then that his plan had worked.

“Lord Gan Fall, the prisoner has been executed.”

The soldier’s words rang cold and emotionless.

“Slav…”

Haredas’s voice was raw with shock. His eyes burned with anger and helplessness.

“Damn you! What are you trying to do?”

Seeing Haredas’s fury, Gan Fall just smiled.

Yet there was nothing warm in that smile—only ice and ruthless purpose.

“Just give me the method to control Skypiea.”

His words froze the air between them. His stare bore into Haredas, unshakable.

“And this will all stop.”

Gan Fall spread his palm, a brutal look twisting his features.

His tone dripped with threat and pressure, choking the will of everyone present.

“Fine. Just promise you’ll spare us.”

Haredas glanced around. Everyone’s faces were drained with terror.

Their eyes went wide, pupils shrinking, mouths gaping in horror—fear had consumed them.

He realized that refusing would change nothing. Someone else would eventually break.

No one wanted to die here for nothing.

“Smart choice, Dr. Haredas.”

Seeing Haredas’s capitulation, Gan Fall’s shoulders relaxed, a triumphant gleam in his eyes.

“Bring him back.”

He saw victory in Haredas’s surrender.

He ordered the guards to return the man they’d dragged away—Slav.

“Slav, you’re okay! Thank goodness!”

“I thought you… I really thought…”

The other researchers breathed a sigh of relief when they saw Slav unharmed.

Smiles of relief spread across their faces, gratitude shining in their eyes.

“Alright, untie the doctors. We’re all on the same side now.”

Haredas glanced at Gan Fall, whose attitude had flipped completely, and let out a helpless laugh.

He hadn’t expected it to be this simple.

“As long as you don’t hurt us, we can cooperate.”

Haredas now felt certain they were safe—at least for the moment.

And from Gan Fall’s tone, it sounded like they still had a bigger boss to deal with.

“Don’t worry. You scientists are valuable.”

Gan Fall hurried to have the soldiers untie the group. He understood Karl’s true intent.

These scientists were meant to serve under Karl in the future, so they’d inevitably become colleagues.

“That earlier business was just to scare you, nothing personal.”

Gan Fall offered Haredas and the others an apologetic smile.

He knew that without resorting to those tactics, he never would have gotten the method, and Karl’s task would be impossible.

“We’ll be working together from here on out.”

Gan Fall stepped forward and clapped Haredas on the shoulder, giving him a genuine smile.

It was as if he was assuring Haredas their future cooperation would go smoothly.

Haredas stared at Gan Fall.

A whirlwind of feelings churned in his heart. They might be safe for now, but the road ahead would be anything but easy.