The adjutant, still kneeling on the ground, could feel Albedo's immense killing intent crushing down on him like a suffocating weight.
It wrapped around him like a vice, and all he could do was surrender.
If that didn't work, death was the only outcome awaiting him.
"Lord Kronos!"
Realizing that the warm hand on her shoulder belonged to Kronos, Albedo's cheeks flushed red.
That suffocating pressure vanished instantly, as if it had never existed.
In its place, Albedo's girlish shyness took over.
As her killing intent faded, the adjutant gasped for air, finally able to breathe again.
But the fear in his heart lingered.
"Albedo, we're not here to slaughter the entire city. Since this one surrendered, let him live. He might be useful later."
Kronos patted Albedo's shoulder and spoke softly.
The adjutant heard his words clearly.
The terror in his heart eased—just a little.
With the taste of near-death still fresh, he swallowed hard and quickly prostrated himself before Kronos.
"Thank you, Lord Kronos, for sparing my life! From this day forward, Mobley will serve only you!"
Kronos gave him a passing glance, his expression unreadable.
This wasn't some whim of Kronos.
He simply thought this Mobley guy seemed useful.
After all, once the island was seized, someone would need to manage the kingdom.
Mobley might do.
Since he'd already surrendered, managing the territory later would be easier.
So Kronos spared him.
As for Mobley's solemn pledge of loyalty—Kronos didn't take it seriously at all.
If the man dared show even a flicker of betrayal, he'd disappear in an instant.
Meanwhile, inside the Bliss Kingdom's royal palace—
"King Bliss! The pirates have breached the defense line! Lord Dosi is dead! Our ultimate weapon—the Bliss Cannon—has been destroyed!"
"The enemy has entered the city and is attacking our soldiers, ministers, and even members of the royal family!"
"Our army can't stop them! In less than half an hour, we've already lost a third of our forces!"
"At this rate, the entire kingdom will fall within the hour!"
King Nabris, seated on his throne, his fat face pale and trembling, was in total shock.
Since seizing the throne from his father, he had never seen anything like this.
And he never imagined he would.
He had believed that simply governing as his father had—eating, drinking, and indulging—was enough.
No one told him how to deal with pirates destroying the entire kingdom.
But King Bliss knew one thing for sure:
If there's no solution—just run.
Grab the treasures, gather some guards, and flee.
As for the rest—his soldiers, ministers, or citizens—they were nothing but expendables.
The only thing that mattered was the king.
As long as he, King Bliss, survived, the Kingdom of Bliss would still exist.
Even if all the people and cities were gone—it didn't matter.
Only he mattered.
"Quick! Bring me all the treasures in the treasury!"
"Prepare a ship! You fools, protect me! As long as I live, the Bliss Kingdom won't fall!"
King Bliss barked his orders frantically, demanding his soldiers act immediately.
The guards moved swiftly.
Within minutes, King Bliss had boarded the prepared escape ship.
"How much of the treasure has been loaded?"
Inside the ship's cabin, King Bliss smacked a soldier and roared the question.
"Your Majesty, with the chaos and short manpower, we've only loaded about one-tenth of the treasure!"
"WHAT?! Only one-tenth?! You useless dogs!" the king screamed.
"I don't care what it takes—get all of it on board! That treasure belongs to ME! I won't let those damned pirates have even a coin!"
But the soldiers hesitated.
"Your Majesty, we should flee now. If we waste time collecting treasure, the pirates might catch us!"
"And even if you insist, our ship can't carry that much!"
Hearing this, King Bliss's face contorted.
He stormed forward to strike the soldier—
But at that moment, the ship shook violently!
"What's happening?!"
There were shouts outside, followed by the sound of splintering wood.
King Bliss looked up in shock as the roof of the cabin was ripped away, revealing the bright sun and a clear blue sky.
"What the—?! Guards! Protect me!"
Blinded by the sunlight, King Bliss squinted and screamed.
But no one answered.
As his eyes adjusted, he saw the terrible truth:
Every soldier and guard around him had been knocked unconscious.
His once-grand ship had been flattened, reduced to a wreck.
Standing before him was a single, elderly man with white hair and a calm expression.
"Ah... you must be the king of this country."
"Were you planning to abandon your ministers and soldiers to save yourself?"
King Bliss's anger spiked again.
He jumped from his seat and shouted:
"Who do you think you are, speaking to me like that?!"
The old man only smiled, shaking his head gently.
"I was wondering what kind of man could be king here..."
"But now I see... you've failed not only as a ruler, but even as a human being."
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