Chapter 512: March Toward the Final Battle

Besides, if there are better choices out there, why become the Celestial Dragons’ lapdog?

Wouldn’t it be better to live a free life?

Why chain yourself down with a thousand shackles? Life’s already hard enough without carrying that extra weight.

“Still, I am curious. What kind of debt does the World Government hold over you? You’re powerful enough. Why would someone like you willingly serve them?”

“Or did they threaten your family?”

These were questions not just Kuzan couldn’t wrap his head around. The entire Revolutionary Army, even Dragon and Karl, just couldn’t understand.

Why would so many admiral-level powerhouses obey the Celestial Dragons without question?

Do they have some dirt on them?

Or is it that if they try leaving the World Government, the Government will hunt them down and kill them?

Admirals are a rare breed out on the sea. If one defected to the New World and started their own pirate crew, they could build a massive force. Anything would be better than slaving away for the Celestial Dragons.

If an admiral really defected to the New World, would the World Government have the guts to send a massive force after them?

“No. You don’t get it. You can’t begin to understand the true power of the Celestial Dragons.”

Of course, General Slavi had considered these things. But in his mind, the Revolutionary Army was oblivious to the real strength the World Government hid.

Most members of the Holy Knights are part of their own family lines, some even brainwashed elites.

People like him are mostly extended family, already living lives of wealth.

As for the admirals recruited in, they’re bound by all kinds of restraints. Escaping the Celestial Dragons’ clutches in one piece is nearly impossible.

And even if you did run, where could you possibly escape to?

Could you even get out of this world?

The World Government’s ultimate weapons could wipe you out no matter where you hide. The only question is whether you’re worth their trouble.

Better to live under the Government’s shadow than to spend your days looking over your shoulder. At least the Celestial Dragons leave the admirals alone.

“Whatever the case, we’re on opposite sides. Let’s get this over with.”

Seeing that the other wasn’t interested in talking anymore, Kuzan didn’t waste his breath. “Ice Age!”

“No, wait…”

Even as he died, General Slavi’s eyes stayed fixed on his troops. He tried to wave a final goodbye, but with the Revolutionary Army closing in, most of his men were captured.

“Next up: the summit.”

Kuzan gazed up at the towering Red Line. Wipe out the Celestial Dragons up there and crush the World Government, and only then would the people of the seas know true peace.

He’d been waiting for this day for a very long time.

“General, fighting in West Blue and South Blue just came to an end.”

“Boss Dragon just gave the order. We’re to head through the passage and march on Mariejois. Time for the final battle.”

Commander Bordeaux had just received the latest orders and relayed them to Kuzan.

Their pace had been a little slower than the others—that made them the last to wrap up. To have the war break out all at once, the other three seas’ teams had been holding back, waiting for Kuzan’s side to finish up.

“Bordeaux, reply back. Tell them we’re stepping into the passage now. We won’t hold up the assault on Mariejois.”

“Understood, General!”

As Kuzan’s right-hand man, Bordeaux understood what his commander was like. The only reason they arrived last was to give the Army troops their best shot at survival.

He saluted, then went off to share the orders.

So it was that all four armies from the Four Seas started crossing through the passage, racing toward Mariejois and an epic battle to come.

Near Fishman Island, a massive fleet was speeding toward Sabaody Archipelago. At the forefront was Loki, the new King of the Giant Kingdom, leading two hundred thousand giant soldiers openly and unafraid, marching straight for the Celestial Dragons’ Holy Land: Mariejois.

“Your Majesty, Karl just sent word—they’ll launch the final assault at one o’clock sharp this afternoon. He wants to know if we can arrive on time.”

“And are we really doing the right thing, throwing our entire race into a war against the World Government?”

As the new strategist, Kira was troubled by the decisions of both the old and new kings.

He didn’t know the secret the Giant Kingdom had protected for generations. To him, it was a hard-won peace gathering all the giants back to their land—why risk it all on a reckless war?

So, by all rights, he felt he had to talk sense into the new king before it was too late.

“Kira, let it go.”

“All you need to know is that this is our duty—what we’re meant to do.”

“Tell Karl we’ll be there on time. He doesn’t need to worry.”

After becoming king, Loki had learned the secret they had guarded from his father. Now, more than ever, it seemed they had a real chance.

But the Giant Kingdom kept a fallback: an agreement with Karl. They’d only openly join the fight when the great bell rang out at the start of battle.

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

Kira was just making one final attempt. All along the way, he’d kept warning King Loki, but it felt like Karl had cast some kind of spell on the young king—nothing could shake his resolve.

He just couldn’t figure out what kind of deal they’d struck. Even with the kingdom on the line, Loki pressed ahead without pause.

“Long Er, do you think the giants might back out halfway?”

Long Da’s ears perked up at the voices from the back of the ship.

With Dragon blood running in their veins, controlling wind and rain was practically instinct. Every breeze bent to their will and carried nearby voices straight to their ears.

“I doubt it. We’re already right at the threshold.”

“Plus, Lord Karl’s message already came through. Now it’s just a matter of whether they’re ready to take the next step.”

“After all, once we pass Sabaody Archipelago up ahead, it’ll be too late for them to turn back.”

Long Er was the clever one—unlike his brother Long Da, who solved everything with brute force.

They’d both been stationed in the Giant Kingdom for more than a decade, but Long Da still swore by his fists.

He’d pushed his strength to near-admiral level and just needed another breakthrough. But you can’t reach that peak with raw muscle alone.

Long Er was different. He actually used his brain, and by now, his fighting power was on par with the admirals.

He was also keenly aware of what was going on inside the Giant Kingdom.

Over the years, he’d dug up a secret: long ago, the Giant Kingdom had made a pact with someone named Joy Boy.

When the great bell rang, they would rise with whoever rang it and attack the World Government to reshape the world’s power.

If only he knew who the Bell Ringer was. If they found that person, there’d be no need to worry about the Giant Kingdom backing out of this war.