As Rougishufinished speaking, memories started to resurface. All the rescued enslaved people glared maliciously at the bratty kid who had prevented their escape.
The wrath of the masses is unstoppable!
Even a seasoned soldier who had experienced the brutality of battle would find it hard to withstand so many angry stares, let alone a mere eleven or twelve-year-old boy.
“W-What do you want to do?”
The boy, previously full of bravado, was now visibly shaken. He had dared to face everyone alone because he knew the pirates had his back. But now, the Marines didn’t seem as easy to deal with as those pirates.
“You’ve got some nerve asking what we want to do! If it weren’t for the Marine arriving in time, Robin would have had her leg broken by those pirates. She came back to save us!”
“So what if her leg was broken? She wouldn’t die from that. Besides, nothing happened in the end, did it?” The bratty kid muttered reluctantly.
“You…”
Seeing several people approaching him menacingly, the boy panicked and muttered, “Fine, fine… I’ll apologize.”
“Apologize? You think a simple apology can fix this? Your selfishness almost cost us our chance to escape!”
“Don’t push it! I said I’d apologize, what more do you want?” The boy’s sudden defiance momentarily gave him the upper hand.
Those questioning him were at a loss for words and looked to Rougishufor help. Sensing his support, the boy boldly stated, “What’s a Marine going to do? I already apologized. He wouldn’t dare kill me, would he?”
Rougishur rubbed his smooth chin and said something that made the boy’s blood run cold: “Death penalty? That’s not out of the question.”
“What gives you the right to kill me?” the boy demanded, trying to steady his nerves but losing confidence as he glanced at the bloodied scene around him.
The crowd started whispering. Although they despised the boy’s disregard for others’ lives, the thought of killing him made them uneasy. After all, he was a fellow enslaved person, not one of the brutal pirates.
Seeing the boy’s frightened expression, a few compassionate individuals spoke up.
“Marine officer, he’s just a child. He doesn’t know any better…”
Rougishunodded in agreement, “He’s just a child. Let’s just kill him.”
Everyone’s eyes widened in disbelief, shocked that such words came from a Marine supposed to uphold justice.
“I’m not joking,” Rougishusaid seriously. “The reason I said that is because he’s a remnant of the Black Suit Pirates!”
“Wait, a remnant? Do you mean?” The crowd quickly backed away, treating the boy like a plague as they huddled behind Longinus.
“He’s a spy planted by the pirates among you to sabotage your escape and relay information to the pirates.”
Rougishucontinued coldly, “If he leaves, your information will be leaked, and the remnants of the Black Suit Pirates might come after you.”
“How despicable! How shameless!”
“No wonder he acted that way. He was a pirate all along!”
“Those who failed to escape and were hanged must have been betrayed by him.”
“Kill him! He must be killed!”
Ironically, those who had defended the boy were now the most eager to see him dead when their safety was at stake.
The terrified boy desperately pleaded, “I’m not a pirate! I’m not! I only did it because I was jealous that she didn’t share her power with me. Please, you have to believe me!”
However, compared to a Marine upholding justice and a kid with a bad record, it was apparent who they would believe. The crowd looked at the boy disdainfully, no one stepping up to defend him.
“Eliminating evil is necessary, I’m sure everyone understands,” Rougishusaid said as he calmly reloaded his pistol, aiming the black muzzle at the boy.
“Eliminate evil…” Robin’s face turned pale as if recalling something from her past. She looked at Rougishuas as if he were a demon.
“I’m sorry! I’m really sorry! Don’t kill me!” The boy collapsed to the ground, frantically trying to crawl away.
Bang!
“Alright, the evil ‘pirate’ has been dealt with. Everyone can rest assured and leave. The Marines will register your names, and in a few days, a ship will take you back home.”
“Thank you, Brother Longinus! Thank you, Sister Tina!”
As they left, the rescued crowd expressed gratitude, eager to bask in the long-missed sunlight.
“Phew! Is this what it feels like to be a hero? It’s really addicting!” Tina said happily. “I’m so glad, the evil pirates are gone, and the good people can return home. It’s like a perfect fairy tale ending!”
“No, the reality is that most of them will never be able to return home,” Rougishusaid said solemnly.
“Huh?” Tina gasped, trusting Rougishubut, finding it hard to believe. “Why? The pirates have been dealt with, haven’t they?”
“Because most of them probably don’t even know the name of the island they came from,” Rougishuexplained. He knew that in an era with minimal transportation, where even sea trains had yet to be invented, ordinary people forced away from their homes might never be able to return.
“So… what will happen to them in the end?”
“A few will be rescued, but the majority will end up staying on this island. Over time, they’ll lose hope and start new families here, burying their scars deep inside.”
“Why does it have to be this way?”
“Because… behind the world’s gentle exterior lies a harsh and bloody reality.”
Rougishuapproached the isolated Robin. “Little one, do you remember where your home is?”
“No, stay away from me!” Robin clutched a small knife, shouting hysterically.
Snapping out of her sadness, Tina stood protectively in front of Rougishulike, a little hen, forgetting that Robin was the weakest. She angrily shouted:
“Evil thief, what do you think you’re doing? If Brother Rougishuhadn’t saved you, those pirates would have torn you apart. Are you trying to repay kindness with hatred?”
“No, I don’t know. I don’t know anything,” Robin murmured in confusion, “But stay away from me! Stay away!”
Tina noticed that the little girl seemed terrified, even though the pirates had been eliminated. The only people here were her and Longinus. Could it be that she was afraid of Brother Longinus?
Finding it amusing, Tina thought, “How could anyone be afraid of someone as kind as Brother Longinus?”
“Is it because you stole my money and fear being caught?” Tina generously forgave her. “Forget it. It’s not much anyway. Consider it a gift.”
The fear in Robin’s eyes subsided slightly, and she finally broke free from her nightmare. However, she didn’t put down the knife. “Thank you, but I can’t trust anyone anymore!”
Using her Devil Fruit ability, Robin tossed a small, exquisite purse to Tina’s feet and then ran away in a panic.
“Ah! My purse!” Tina picked it up, looking at Robin with concern and confusion. “Why did she run away alone? Should we go after her?”
Rougishushook shook his head slightly, “No need. Unless I take off this Marine coat, she’ll never stop running.”
Tina seemed to understand, “So, she wasn’t afraid of you, Brother Longinus, but of your Marine uniform?”
“But the Marines represent justice. Why would she be afraid?”
“Who knows? Justice is only justice when it’s needed!” Rougishusaid, walking outside.
Just like how he knew that boy had nothing to do with the pirates, what mattered?
Justice is a tool used by those in power to decorate themselves. It’s only justice when it’s needed. The rest of the time, it’s just two hollow words.
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