"What?! The 'fairies' are actually the Tontatta clan? Isn't this just a natural occurrence?"
"I knew something was off a long time ago! When the 'goblins' took my things, I clearly felt a powerful force, and the people around me were just gloating!"
Initially, Shura's words hadn't stirred much of a reaction, as the people felt powerless against their rulers. But when they heard that the "fairies" were, in fact, the Tontatta clan, loud cheers erupted through the crowd. After all, who would want their belongings stolen by a "fairy" while happily strolling down the street?
What's more, not all of these "fairies" were necessarily from the Tontatta clan; surely, some were just taking advantage of the situation. For 700 years, ever since the Riku family's propaganda began, the residents of Dressrosa had always believed in the existence and legends of fairies. They saw these tiny beings as the island's guardian angels, even viewing their thefts and robberies as mere pranks! The Riku family's "protection" had forced the island's residents into a state of "not caring."
Why would the Riku family do such a thing? Didn't they know it was wrong? It turned out that after the Riku family became the new royalty of Dressrosa, they sought to apologize to the Tontatta dwarfs on behalf of the previous royal family, the Donquixote Family. How outrageous! To take the blame for a previous dynasty and apologize for their actions—that's something only they would do.
At a signal from the Divine Soldiers, silence fell over the square, and Shura began outlining Dressrosa's future. However, the more he spoke, the more uneasy some in the crowd became, until the clanging sounds of a fight echoed from the outskirts.
"Who is it?" Shura was forced to pause, his gaze darting to the disturbance.
Within moments, the individual disrupting the "notification meeting" was brought to the platform.
"That's... Tank Lepanto!?" someone in the crowd exclaimed in disbelief, recognizing the man. "Isn't he King Riku's army commander? How is he still alive?"
Even Violet, watching the live broadcast above, covered her mouth in surprise and murmured, "How can it be him..." A hint of hesitation flickered in her eyes. She then firmly approached Hikaru, clutching his arm with her small hand and rubbing it playfully, as if offering a little "welfare." "Hikaru," she cooed, "I know him. He protected me during the catastrophe eight years ago... Can you let me go down and talk to him for a few words? He definitely won't cause trouble. Please~"
"Oh? He really is an insignificant person~" Hikaru raised his left arm, finding it delightfully soft and tender, reluctant to let go. He wanted to explore that "drunken ditch" again. He smiled and agreed, "Since you're so obedient, well-behaved, and generous, I'll spare his life and let you go say a few words~"
"Wow~ Thank you so much! I'll do my best to repay you in the future~" Violet breathed a sigh of relief, lifted her beautiful face, and pressed a grateful kiss to his cheek.
Hikaru calmly accepted it. After a few light pecks, he was about to send her off when he noticed something amiss. "Don't thank me yet. Look at this guy. He seems to have attracted some incredible people~"
"What!?" Violet was startled, instantly stopping what she was doing and looking down.
Tank Lepanto was dragged by the Divine Soldiers and forced to his knees in front of Shura's platform. A hooded figure stepped forward, jumped to Tank Lepanto's side, and loudly declared, "Let him go! I will bear the consequences of Lepanto's recklessness!"
Shura sneered and waved his hand dismissively. The Divine Soldiers understood, stepping forward to apprehend this defiant individual.
"Who are you?" Tank Lepanto asked, puzzled.
The figure removed his hood, ignoring the shocked expressions of those around him, and loudly announced his name: "I am the former King of Dressrosa, Riku Dold III! With such an identity, am I qualified to take the blame for Lepanto's crime?"
"What!?"
"It's King Riku? He's still alive?"
"Damn you, King Riku! You actually have the nerve to show up!"
Shura looked at him with a strange gaze. Why was this guy so unintelligent? Was he seeking death?
"Foolish! What do you mean by taking the blame? You are all guilty. You can't even atone for your own sins, so how can you take the blame for others? Stop kidding me!"
Shura's mocking look made King Riku's expression drastically change. Why were things developing so differently from what he expected?
"Divine Soldiers, capture them! Await the judgment of the Lord God!"
"Yes!"
The Divine Soldiers rushed forward. King Riku knew they were outnumbered and that any resistance would be futile, so he had no choice but to allow himself to be bound with iron chains.
"Father!"
Just then, a sorrowful cry came from the sky. Everyone looked up in the direction of the sound and saw Violet and Hikaru. It turned out that Violet could no longer sit still after seeing King Riku. After signing a series of "unequal treaties" with Hikaru, he chuckled and flew down with her held at his waist.
Seeing this, Shura led a group of Divine Soldiers and respectfully shouted, "Lord God! Your holy virtue is majestic, thundering across the world! Your grace is widespread, educating all!"
Hikaru landed on the ground with Violet, nodded in response, and ordered, "Well done. Let them go."
The Divine Soldiers immediately released King Riku and Tank Lepanto.
The people of Dressrosa had no say and could only quietly await the unfolding events. At this point, their misunderstanding with King Riku remained unresolved; they still believed him to be an incompetent ruler.
"Princess Violet..." Tank Lepanto couldn't believe his eyes. He had thought Violet had tragically died in the coup.
"Violet... thank you for your hard work..." King Riku seemed even more burdened by guilt. When Doflamingo seized his Dressrosa Kingdom, it was Violet who endured humiliation and worked for the Donquixote Family, all for his survival. Now, her appearance was once again saving them.
After Hikaru released Violet, she looked at him gratefully, then quickly stepped forward and advised, "Captain Lepanto, if you still recognize me as your princess, do not resist the new ruler here."
"This..." Tank Lepanto sighed, then said firmly, "Princess Violet, how can this be possible? As a subject of the Riku clan, how can I give up so easily!"
"Stubborn!" Shura curled his lips, thinking Tank Lepanto was grossly overestimating his own abilities.
Violet shook her head in disappointment, then turned to King Riku and asked, "Father, do you think so too?"
"I..." King Riku looked up and saw the people staring at him with resentment. Did he really have a chance to ascend the throne again?