"I'm fine. I'll help with the work in Ringo afterwards."
Toki gently shook her head, her spirit somewhat dazed.
The more naive her previous thoughts had been, the more she now regretted them.
She didn't think she'd done anything wrong, but every time she closed her eyes she thought about those who had died, and it put enormous mental pressure on her.
If it weren't for Rosse wearing her out every day to the point she could fall asleep, she'd probably have already had a breakdown.
Seeing her like this, Rosse simply smiled and withdrew his gaze.
Death may seem terrifying, but for some people it's a kind of release.
If Toki had died when she made her suggestion, she wouldn't be so torn up now.
Pretty words anyone can say.
That Wano is no longer what it once was, better give everyone a glorious funeral.
But when millions die before your eyes, can you really bear the karmic consequences?
Rosse could say frankly that he could bear it.
If after death there were to be a reckoning of good and evil, he would certainly be the one most steeped in sin.
But as long as he lived, no one could judge him. Not even the King of Hell.
If this world truly had fate, then prove it to him; let him see whether "evil will not be crushed by good" is true.
Bullshit about good being rewarded. He'd done so many evil things and enjoyed himself enough; what payback could there be?
After a brief meeting, Rosse went to the highest point of Ringo.
The Ringo Daimyo Residence was a typical Japanese-style castle building, nine stories in total, the tallest structure in all of Ringo.
Rosse lounged on the top roof, looking down at the city of Ringo below, as silent as if dead.
Ringo's layout was neat, houses extending in orderly rows into the distance.
When they arrived here, they hadn't destroyed the place; what he had done was simple. Sweep with Conqueror's Haki, and almost no one could resist.
All who bore malice toward him were stunned into brain-death by the Haki.
There was almost no bloodshed; the whole of Ringo was left in silence.
"Kill me…"
A trembling weak voice sounded.
"Why kill you? Can't you kill yourself?"
Rosse mocked, glancing to the side. He'd almost forgotten Shimotsuki Ushimaru was still hanging here.
"Demon, you'll die a horrible death! You killed so many, you'll get retribution!", Ushimaru's voice was completely hoarse, but he kept shouting curses.
"Retribution? If that thing really exists, it should start with Kozuki Oden."
Rosse sneered, "When he and the Golden Lion were slaughtering in Mary Geoise not long ago, why didn't he think I'd come to Wano today? Who knows, I might be his retribution."
"That's because you deserve it. Heavenly punishment on you, good job, Lord Oden," Shimotsuki spat coldly.
"See? This is what people call hypocrisy. When your own kill others it's fine; when the enemy kills your own you cry and wail. Tsk!"
Rosse shook his head with a laugh. He had no mind to argue with a half-dead man.
He hadn't come here to see Ushimaru off to death.
Someone like him wasn't even worth it.
"You—"
Ushimaru's curse cut off; a strange peach-colored blade-light flashed.
The blade flashed unbelievably fast, leaving a bleak line of blood across his neck.
In the next instant the blood line burst open, and the spraying blood dyed the sky red.
At the same time, the rope that held him snapped with a sound.
Losing all support, Ushimaru's body fell powerlessly from the top of the daimyo residence.
This former daimyo hit the stone slabs in front of the manor like a discarded dead dog, a sickening thud cutting off any breath of life.
"Sorry, hope I didn't ruin your mood," Gion's cool voice came, and then her figure moved to Rosse's side, standing shoulder to shoulder with him.
Though she said sorry, there was no real apology in it.
"If it were you, even killing Moria to liven things up would be fine."
Rosse smiled, not caring at all about Ushimaru's life or death.
"When you say that, Moria would twitch instinctively, he's been especially afraid of you lately," Gion smiled lightly.
"And you?", Rosse smiled and turned to Gion.
It had been about two years since they first met.
Compared to the awkwardness of that first meeting, Gion had changed. There was now a trace of mature charm.
And that maturity had a lot to do with his cultivation.
"I walk the same path as you. Since that day, I abandoned my own notion of justice."
Gion displayed herself openly, letting Rosse look her over. Even if Rosse wanted to have himself and her there and then, she wouldn't refuse.
But with Rosse's possessiveness, he certainly wouldn't let another man see her.
"However—", Gion's tone shifted, "My acceptance of your actions doesn't mean Zephyr can accept them. Seeing the real slaughter actually shook him quite a bit."
"He, since joining the Navy, has been protected too well from the start."
Rosse's tone was very light as he casually sat on the roof tiles, his gaze passing over row after row of eaves to the distant horizon.
"You're the only one who would say that. To us, he's someone well-traveled. He often tells us he's seen the greatest good in this world and also the greatest evil."
There was a hint of a smile in Gion's voice as she spoke. She sat close to Rosse and rested her head on his strong shoulder, as if that were the most natural thing.
Though they seemed similar in height, Rosse's tall, robust frame always made her lines look especially soft and delicate.
A breeze swept the roof, lifting her hair and the small moment of quiet.
If it were anyone else, this would be a warm exchange of feelings. A good time for whispered sweet talk.
Too bad Rosse didn't like to speak, and Gion didn't like to hear.
On the contrary, Gion thought Rosse was the most attractive when he spoke his thoughts.
People are always constrained by commonly accepted concepts.
Justice, freedom, obedience, loyalty, morality, kindness… for most these are shackles.
Many deliberately break them, but those who rebel are still constrained by them.
Gion could see none of that in Rosse.
He was a man born to ignore social norms.
But Rosse was not like other Celestial Dragons; he accepted others' nonconformity and enjoyed the transformations born of their struggles.
Gion couldn't say whether those transformations were good or bad.
Maybe it was Rosse's twisted taste; maybe it was a sort of salvation for some.
But being by his side, she could always find exciting sparks in this already shattered world.
At such times, Gion genuinely felt pleasure from the heart.
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
patreon.com/AmbitiousTranslator
🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.