“You stay here. I’ll handle all the trouble.”
In the inn, Hermes looked at the weakened Elizabello II. He planned to single-handedly storm the palace and eliminate the Scythe Pirates and the first prince.
Scheming was too slow for him.
Absolute strength was the way to go—quick and brutal.
Once all the obstacles were removed, Elizabello II could emerge and claim the throne. This was the fastest and most efficient method.
But to Elizabello II, Hermes seemed insane.
He had no idea how dangerous the palace was.
His foolish brother had already taken control of the entire palace. Besides the Scythe Pirates as his trump card, the place was filled with his men.
Facing so many enemies, Hermes alone wouldn’t stand a chance. The best approach was to devise a plan and consider several strategies.
Using brute force to solve the problem was the dumbest move.
What Elizabello II didn’t know was that absolute strength is always the most effective solution.
“We need to discuss this thoroughly!”
“The first mate and the captain of the Scythe Pirates are not on the same level.”
“And my foolish brother controls the entire palace. His men are everywhere. Even if you’re strong, you’d be overwhelmed.”
Elizabello II tried to persuade Hermes.
“You just need to wait here to become king and remember our deal. Leave the rest to me.”
“Only the weak are so verbose.”
With that, Hermes arrogantly left.
In this world, might is right.
Only the weak have to worry about this and that. In Hermes’ dictionary, if a problem couldn’t be solved with fists, he’d think about it, but not by scheming. Instead, he’d make his fists strong enough to crush the problem.
Isn’t it better to be straightforward?
Why live so stressed out?
Elizabello II watched Hermes leave, unable to say anything, only praying for a miracle.
Meanwhile, the bodies of the mustached pirate and his men were discovered, and the first prince and Scythe Killer Most learned about it.
“My first mate isn’t someone who can be killed easily.”
In his quarters, Most looked serious.
He knew how strong his first mate was. He had perfected the scimitar and was always his right-hand man. Killing him wouldn’t be easy, meaning the enemy was formidable.
They still hadn’t identified the killer.
All of the mustached pirate’s men had perished.
It was a collective sacrifice.
“Captain, we have news!”
A pirate hurried in. Most had immediately sent people to investigate upon learning of the deaths.
“Have they identified the killer?”
Most’s face was dark. Anyone daring to kill his men was challenging him directly.
This couldn’t be tolerated.
Especially now, when the first prince was about to become king, giving Most control over the Prodence Kingdom. The plan couldn’t fail.
“Yes, based on our investigation, we suspect it might be the pirate hunter Hermes Jormungandr.”
The reporting pirate looked grave.
“Jormungandr?”
“Captain, it’s the one who killed Bobob Rabbit. They say he was also present when the Long Neck Pirates were wiped out.”
“Are you sure?”
Most frowned.
Recently, Jormungandr had become quite famous. Anyone who could kill Bobob Rabbit must be skilled.
“Eighty percent sure. The wounds on our men were all puncture wounds. According to our research, Jormungandr uses the Finger Gun from the Six Powers.”
“We confirmed with the Violent Family that the fatal wounds on their men were also from the Finger Gun.”
Most’s subordinate was thorough, identifying the culprit within an hour.
“The Six Powers?”
“He was present when the Long Neck Pirates were wiped out?”
“They say Vice Admiral Kuzan did it. Could Jormungandr be connected to the navy?”
Most pondered, his expression shifting.
In the past, he would have immediately sought revenge. But now, things were different.
He was tired of the pirate’s life and wanted to control a kingdom from the shadows. If Jormungandr was connected to the navy, attacking him might jeopardize the plan.
But his first mate was killed. If he didn’t react, others would see him as weak, affecting his reputation and the plan.
Damn it.
So close to success.
Since that was the case, the first prince would ascend the throne tomorrow. Once the transition was complete, any dissenting ministers and the troubles of a hasty coronation could be dealt with later.
If needed, he’d send those people to hell.
Although the first prince had control of the palace, many ministers were still causing trouble in secret. These ministers were influential, and using force might lead to greater unrest.
Some were even connected to the World Government. With Kuzan in the Prodence Kingdom, Most was genuinely afraid, which is why he hadn’t used force yet.
Drawing the World Government’s attention wouldn’t benefit him.
“Captain, should we mobilize to find Jormungandr?”
Seeing his captain deep in thought, the pirate sought guidance.
“No rush. Contact the Violent Family. We can collaborate on this. Let them do the work while we reap the rewards.”
“Captain, he’s just a pirate hunter. If you go yourself…”
“Enough. I’m tied up here.”
Most waved him off. He had to discuss with the first prince about the forced coronation tomorrow, even if there was opposition.
“Understood!”
After the pirate left, Most also departed.
Meanwhile.
Hermes boldly entered through a gap in the door, returning to normal size by the bed.
He had gone straight here upon entering the palace. According to Elizabello II’s description, the fat man on the bed was the first prince, Elizabello Paul.
“Ah!!!”
A piercing scream echoed.
The maid, who had been enjoying herself, was startled by Hermes, nearly losing control.
“Who are you?”
Paul reacted quickly, eyeing Hermes warily.
Hermes was a man of few words.
He struck with a Finger Gun, and Paul’s scream was cut short, his eyes wide with shock before collapsing onto the bed, dead.
He died swiftly.
And he died not understanding why.
The maid, about to scream again, saw Hermes’ gaze and immediately covered her mouth, her eyes filled with tears of fear.
Hermes didn’t kill her, simply leaving the room.
Although he wasn’t a saint, he had a basic sense of decency.
With Paul dead, it was time to deal with Scythe Killer Most, a pirate with a bounty of 67 million Berries and a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit user.
He was the highest-bounty opponent Hermes had faced so far.
As luck would have it.
Just as Hermes left the room, he ran into Most, who clearly saw him exiting Paul’s room.
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