---
As for the big fat man's face, no one cared to see it. He was dead now, and Anos didn't even think about taking one last look at him.
The air in the grand hall seemed to thicken with the stench of death, yet Anos remained unfazed. His sharp eyes scanned the lifeless body sprawled on the floor, his contempt hidden beneath a stoic expression.
"I've never seen what he looked like before, and I don't care to know now. What matters is that he's dead, and that's enough," Anos muttered, his voice cold, cutting through the heavy silence of the room.
The room itself, once a symbol of wealth and power, now seemed hollow. The golden tapestries that hung on the walls had lost their sheen, and the once-polished marble floors were now stained with dirt and blood.
It was a kingdom in ruins, a Kingdom brought to its knees by years of misrule and negligence.
The man who had once ruled it, the "King" was now nothing more than a corpse, a reminder of how quickly power could slip through one's fingers.
After kneeling beside the body and inspecting it for a moment, Anos confirmed the man's identity. His lip curled in disgust as he stood back up, wiping his hands as though the mere act of being near the dead king had sullied him.
"I don't know how this guy survived all these years. As a king, leaving your Kingdom in such a disgraceful state before dying is shameful beyond measure," Anos said, his voice laced with disdain.
He turned sharply toward Losta, his trusted aide, who stood respectfully a few paces behind. Losta was a young woman, her sharp features framed by dark hair pulled back in a tight braid.
She had always been efficient, resourceful, and loyal a perfect fit for the role she played in Anos' court.
"Losta, make sure to take whatever valuables he has left on him. He certainly won't need them where he's going. Have everything sent to the treasury. We'll need every resource we can gather to restore this kingdom," Anos ordered.
"Of course, Your Majesty. I'll handle it personally," Losta replied with a confident smile. She stepped forward, her sharp eyes already assessing what could be salvaged from the dead king's robes. His jewelled rings and the gilded sceptre would undoubtedly fetch a good price.
As Anos spoke, a few of the soldiers behind him exchanged uneasy glances.
Though the man lying dead before them had been a failed king, he had still worn the crown. And now, only moments after his death, his body was being stripped of its worth.
Some of the younger soldiers, still new to the harsh realities of war and power, found the sight unsettling.
But Anos was beyond caring for appearances. The king had brought his downfall upon himself, and sentimentality had no place in this moment. His kingdom had been ravaged enough. Now, it was time to build something new, something stronger.
A sense of grim satisfaction settled over the room. The body of the fallen king was still warm, yet already, the remnants of his reign were being swept away, as if he had never truly existed at all.
---
Outside the Palace
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The palace courtyard was alive with activity, a stark contrast to the cold stillness inside. People milled about, no longer afraid, their faces lit with hope and relief.
The oppressive rule that had hung over them like a dark cloud had finally lifted, and now, for the first time in years, the citizens of the Tru Kingdom felt the stirrings of freedom.
"Captain Daiki, there are too many people unwilling to leave. They all want to see our king. What should we do?" A young guard approached Daiki, his face creased with concern as he gestured toward the throng of people that had gathered outside the palace gates.
Daiki, captain of the royal guard, stood tall and imposing in his armour, his expression a mix of frustration and responsibility.
He scanned the streets, which were packed with citizens who had once been on the verge of fleeing.
Now that the "big dog" had been defeated, the threat was gone, and everyone wanted to return home.
But they weren't just going back they wanted a glimpse of their saviour, the king who had fought to restore peace.
The streets were overcrowded, but the atmosphere was jubilant. There was no fear or anger in the air, only smiles, laughter, and the buzz of excited voices.
"Everyone wants to see the face of His Majesty," the guard continued. "At least to remember what the king who came to save them looks like."
Daiki sighed deeply, running a hand over his short, cropped hair. He wasn't accustomed to seeing this kind of enthusiasm.
In his experience, people in conquered territories were often fearful or desperate to escape. But here, even after being occupied, the ordinary citizens seemed filled with joy, as if they finally had something or someone to believe in.
"Captain, how should we proceed?" the guard asked again, looking to Daiki for guidance.
After a moment's thought, Daiki spoke. "Let them be for now. But keep an eye on the crowd. Maintain order and ensure nothing gets out of hand. There's always a chance that someone in that crowd might hold ill intentions toward His Majesty. We can't afford to be careless."
"Yes, sir," the guard responded quickly before hurrying off to relay the orders.
Daiki watched him go, his gaze eventually drifting toward the palace. He, too, wanted to catch a glimpse of Anos, to see the man who had brought them this victory.
But as captain of the king's guard, his duty came first. His priorities were clear, and maintaining the kingdom's newfound peace was paramount.
On the surface, Daiki appeared calm and composed, but beneath the armour, the weight of his responsibilities pressed heavily on him.
He wasn't just a guard captain; he was essentially the general of the entire kingdom, managing its military might, defending its borders, and supporting its king. And now that the kingdom was beginning to rebuild, Daiki knew his role would be more crucial than ever.
---
Elsewhere in the Palace
"Ryze, come here," Daiki called out, spotting one of his trusted men a few feet away. Ryze, who had been chatting with some of the younger soldiers, immediately straightened up and hurried over to his captain.
"Captain Daiki, what are your orders?" Ryze asked, saluting with respect.
"How are the captured pirates? His Majesty made it clear that any Devil Fruit users must be contained and monitored closely," Daiki said, his tone stern.
Ryze nodded quickly. "They're all under control, Captain. Each one has been fitted with Seastone restraints. They're being held in reinforced cages, and there's no chance of an escape. We've taken every precaution."
"Good. And how many Devil Fruit users have been identified?" Daiki pressed.
"We've confirmed eleven in total, all captured in the Roya Kingdom. According to their interrogations, they're from the West Blue. We've documented their abilities in detail, and we can present the reports to you and His Majesty whenever you're ready," Ryze reported, his voice steady and precise.
"Make sure not to let your guard down. This is when mistakes are most likely to happen. Keep your men on high alert," Daiki instructed.
---
The Following Day
The excitement in the Tru Kingdom had not yet died down, but now the attention of the world was focused elsewhere on the Marine Headquarters.
News of the Tru Kingdom's recent actions had spread like wildfire, reaching every corner of the pirate world.
The Roya Kingdom had been attacked by the Tru Kingdom, but the newspapers highlighted how its citizens were saved by a force led by none other than Vice Admiral Aokiji.
Even the World Government, upon seeing the reports, was left powerless to intervene, their influence over the situation slipping through their fingers.
As the story spread, the name of the Tru Kingdom reached the lips of every pirate, Marine, and government official in the world.
It was no longer a mere footnote in the South Blue. It had become a Kingdom of importance, one whose alliance with the Marines was now clear.
The headlines blared, "We are forever friends with the Marine," ensuring that the whole world knew of the kingdom's allegiance.
---