Chapter 123: Wapol's Scheme, Dalton Used as a Disposable Shield (Patreon)

Meanwhile, high up in the royal castle covered in ice and snow on Drum Island, King Wapol was once again enjoying his usual luxurious and carefree life.

He was sprawled on his massive throne, mouth wide open, waiting for his attendants to personally feed him.

Thanks to the power of his Munch-Munch Fruit, he was practically a bottomless pit. Whether it was exquisite food, weapons, furniture, or even trays accidentally dropped by servants, as long as it reached his mouth, he would swallow it whole without hesitation.

"Mm... full. Time for a break." After a while, Wapol let out a belch filled with the metallic smell of crushed metal fragments, settled comfortably into his throne, and tapped his short, fat fingers on the armrest.

"Time to come up with something new... How about a new decree? Say... every citizen must offer me one amusing item per day, or pay double taxes? Haha, brilliant!" He mused to himself, a proud and smug smile appearing on his face.

Just then, one of his confidants, Chief of Staff Chess, hurried in through a side door, his face pale and urgent, his eyes filled with barely concealed panic.

"Hm? Chess, perfect timing!" Wapol spotted him and waved enthusiastically. "I've just come up with a brilliant decree. I want you to draft it and have it officially issued immediately—"

"Your Majesty! Please wait!" Chess hurriedly cut him off, ignoring formalities and daily pleasantries. "I have an urgent report! It concerns a matter of great importance!"

Wapol frowned in displeasure after being interrupted, the fat on his face squeezing together.

"What is it? Is that ungrateful Dalton coming to plead for me to 'treat kindly' those thankless commoners again? Ignore him!"

"No! It's not Dalton!" Chess shook his head quickly, his face ashen. "It's a truly major matter! A group of powerful outsiders has arrived on the island!"

He strode up to Wapol and lowered his voice, reporting every detail without leaving anything out from the battered patrol guards who had limped back.

Including how Moren and his group had ignored the warnings and forcibly landed on the island, how the guards had tried to stop them only to be effortlessly taken down, and the terrifying identities and backgrounds of the intruders.

"...Your Majesty, the leader is a man named Black Moren. His bounty is 280 million Berries! Among his crew is the 'Devil Child' Nico Robin, wanted by the World Government!" Chess's voice trembled.

"And according to reliable sources, this Black Moren personally killed one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Crocodile, in Alabasta! He's also attacked Marine warships and killed a Marine captain! These are ruthless outlaws with terrifying strength!"

At first, Wapol had been furious that anyone would dare defy his decree and injure his guards. He had opened his mouth to shout, "How dare they!"

But as Chess rattled off Moren's name and his string of shocking feats, the anger on his face was quickly replaced by shock and dread.

"T-two hundred eighty million?!" Wapol's jowls began to quiver involuntarily. "And he... he killed a Warlord? And a Marine captain?"

Though he was absurd and tyrannical, he wasn't a complete fool. He knew what a Warlord of the Sea meant, a pirate powerful enough to be recognized by the World Government! Anyone capable of killing a Warlord was a monster he couldn't possibly mess with.

A chill shot from the base of his spine to the top of his head, and cold sweat instantly beaded on his forehead and back.

"Wh-why are they coming to my Drum Island? Are they after me?" Wapol's voice cracked.

"Chess! What do we do now? My... my identity on this island is like a beacon! If they're after me, they'll find me here!"

All his earlier "ambition" for new decrees had vanished, replaced by sheer terror for his own safety.

Chess was equally afraid, but he was slightly more calculating than Wapol.

His eyes suddenly rolled as a cunning idea came to mind, and he quickly leaned in to whisper in Wapol's ear.

Wapol listened, his eyes growing brighter, his fear gradually fading and being replaced by cunning and relief.

"Good! Good! Good! Let's do it! Let's go now!"

"These people are probably just passing through. They won't stay long on our pathetic little island. We'll come back after they're gone! Everything on this island is mine anyway; it won't grow legs and run away."

Just as the two reached an agreement and were about to act, heavy, hurried footsteps echoed from outside the hall.

Then the tall, sturdy figure of Guard Captain Dalton appeared at the doorway, his face resolute.

"Your Majesty!" Dalton's voice was steady but tinged with concern. "I've heard that dangerous criminals with high bounties have arrived on our island. I've come to ask how we should respond."

He paused, looking at the still-panicked Wapol, and sighed inwardly. But he continued, "Also, Your Majesty, regarding some of the recent decrees..."

"Drum Island has become so desolate. The people are suffering. If this continues..."

He wanted to use this opportunity to once again urge this tyrannical king to change his ways, even if hope was slim.

Wapol was irritated just seeing him, especially at this critical moment when he was preparing to slip away with his confidants.

He was about to erupt in anger when Chess, his eyes darting again, whispered a few more words into his ear.

Wapol's expression shifted to one of understanding and sly satisfaction.

He cleared his throat, forcing a look of "concern for the country and its people," and cut Dalton off before he could finish his plea. His voice was deliberately authoritative and urgent:

"Dalton! You've come just in time!"

"A gang of ruthless criminals with bounties in the hundreds of millions has landed on our island! They've ignored our laws and forcibly landed here, injuring our guards! Their target is most likely our innocent citizens!"

He paused, watching Dalton's face grow grave, then continued:

"As king, it is my duty to protect our people! Now, I command you to immediately lead the guards and drive these dangerous criminals off Drum Island! Defend our homeland!"

This high-minded speech sounded utterly absurd coming from Wapol's mouth. But to the loyal and righteous Dalton, it was like a ray of hope.

Though he despised Wapol's tyranny, deep down he still carried a sense of duty to his country and its people.

Hearing the king finally willing to "fulfill his duty" and protect the people, his first reaction was a flicker of relief.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Dalton straightened, his expression solemn. "I'll muster the men immediately! I won't let those villains harm our people!"

He paused, still wanting to bring up the decrees.

"Your Majesty, regarding the recent laws..."

"Enough, enough, I know!" Wapol waved his hand impatiently, forcing a "benevolent" smile.

"Dalton, I understand your concerns."

"Rest assured, once you've successfully driven out those dangerous criminals and restored peace to the kingdom, I will reconsider those decrees as you've requested, and make life better for everyone!"

That empty promise sounded like music to his ears. His eyes lit up with disbelief and joy.

The king had finally listened! He was finally willing to change!

"I swear! I, Dalton, will not fail this mission!" Overcome with emotion, Dalton knelt on one knee, saluted, then turned and strode out of the hall with determined, urgent steps.

As he watched Dalton's retreating back, Wapol's feigned "concern for the country and its people" vanished in an instant, replaced by a sly and smug grin.

"Hmph. You big oaf. Go be my shield! It would be best if those monsters killed you off, so you won't come bother me anymore!"

"Your Majesty, time is of the essence!" Chess urged from the side.

"Right, right! Quick! Gather my best doctors!" Wapol hurriedly rolled himself off the throne. "We're leaving through the secret passage!"

Soon, under Chess's arrangements, a hasty and secret escape plan was set in motion.

Wapol, along with his most trusted confidants and medical team, quietly left through the castle's secret passage, coldly abandoning his country, his people, and the guard captain he had deceived with an empty promise to "defend the homeland."