"Duke Valos is dead? And by His Majesty the King's hand? Is that even true?"
"How could it be false? If it were, would the commander of Valos Fortress have gone mad? This is an open declaration of war. The king would never ignore it; he would definitely send troops to retaliate. The army might already be gathering."
"The new president of the AKS Guild is the King's daughter? I'd heard rumors before, but I didn't expect it to be true."
"The Kingdom of Andia is about to descend into chaos."
"They're insane to send a challenge to the king. But with just three fortress garrisons, how could they possibly resist the combined forces of the king and the nobles? It's like an ant trying to stop a chariot—a foolhardy move," said Remont's fortress communications station upon receiving the news.
He was stunned for a long moment. The action had been swift and decisive—just one Duke Valos fell.
Yet there was no news of Crocodile. Had he been blocked? Without him, Xia alone could not have done this.
Others might still be questioning the truth, but Remont knew: Xia was no princess. Still, making her appear as one was a move he hadn't anticipated.
"What should we do, sir?" Colson asked.
"Put the fortress troops on alert. Officially, follow the king's orders. I bet the king is furious right now. If both sides clash to the death, so much the better. Chaos is what ambitious people want—it creates opportunity."
"What nonsense is this? Where did a princess come from? Did you not check the facts? Some wild girl dares to impersonate an Andia princess, occupies Valos Fortress, and now issues a challenge to me? Ridiculous!" The King of Andia roared. "Summon Remont and all nobles with troops. Gather an army immediately to crush Valos Fortress. The royal army is on standby."
He had not lost control. His royal army was his foundation and would not be moved lightly.
Since the prince's death, his temper had worsened, and even his closest aides often paid with their lives for minor mistakes. Now someone dared defame the royal family—completely reckless.
He had many women, but the deposed queen could not have had children, as she had been monitored for years to prevent any actions by Duke Valos.
Even if there were a child, he would never acknowledge it, only eliminate the evidence.
Fact-checking was now largely ineffective. Once people knew something, true or false became irrelevant. The mere impression of such a person was enough, and a declaration of war made denial even more convincing.
"Have the nobles lost patience because Andia has no heir? Do they think I am old?" After his rage, King Caligula took a moment to think.
As king, he had to consider who was driving this: the nobles? Remont? Duke Blois?
Blois was unlikely; he had withdrawn from politics and acted discreetly in recent years.
Remont had been active, but he would not take such radical measures now. Even if he became king, without strong legitimacy, he could not command loyalty and might instead be used as a pawn.
Remont would not act solely behind the scenes. Although Xia, the impostor princess and AKS Guild president, came from the Felmen Guild, there was not enough evidence to accuse Remont outright.
Who was orchestrating this rebellion? Caligula could not tell—but the audacity was foolish. Could a single duke's remaining forces hope to overthrow him?
Once the fortress falls and Xia is captured alive, the mastermind would be exposed. She was only a sub-guild president; consolidating power should be her priority. Her irrational actions suggested she was not acting alone.
"Allen, any updates on your end?" Caligula asked the empty hall.
A man, fluid and liquid-like, rose from below. He was fully covered in plain black, except for bloodshot eyes.
He was the king's shadow, the palace's strongest guard.
"Crocodile has appeared in Paradise, but there are also sightings in the Sabaody Archipelago, Water City, and Dressrosa. I believe he is likely in Paradise now," Allen said calmly.
"This villain must die. I cannot rest. But at least he is no longer a Shichibukai. Strengthen your surveillance. Once you find him, Allen, capture him alive. I will make him suffer worse than death," Caligula commanded coldly, never expecting Crocodile to strike first.
In his mind, pirates were criminals—challenging a king meant self-destruction.
"Understood." Allen nodded and disappeared underground.
"Summon Captain James immediately," the king ordered. A response came from outside.
Soon, a male giant opened the grand doors and bowed as he entered. Clad in full armor—a personal fortress system, expensive and elaborate—he made the palace feel cramped despite its size.
"I greet Your Majesty," he said, quiet but firm.
"Captain James, the nobles are gathering a punitive army. You will lead it. Take my seal to the treasury and retrieve Artifact No. 8: the Valos Fortress design. It details its weaknesses. Within half a month, the fortress must fall." The king's voice was calm, no longer angry.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
In Remont's city of Iron Fortress, in a bustling underground tavern, Aberdeen and his men drank. Upon hearing that Sia had become a princess, his face twisted in anger.
"Damn Xia! A princess? Impossible! Fake, all fake!"
He kicked over tables, spilling food and drink. His men dared not speak.
After a moment, Aberdeen used his Den Den Mushi to call the military chief. "Weren't you supposed to deal with Crocodile? Days have passed with no news. Today Xia even became a princess. At this rate, we have no chance left."
(End of chapter)