Chapter 156

### Chapter 156

Even though Carl and Darian were his descendants, they were separated by countless generations. Casillas felt no deep attachment to them.

He glanced down at his fading body and said,

"Well, I don't have much time left. I still need to get you out of here."

Carl sighed in relief and was about to express his gratitude again when a sharp pain shot through his scarlet right arm. He clutched it instinctively, but the pain only worsened.

Then, Muramasa trembled in his grasp, transforming into a black light that sank back into the back of his right hand.

As the demon sword merged into him, the pain vanished instantly.

Casillas observed this and spoke.

"The power Darian absorbed has been purified by my darkness… but it also contains the essence of the Blood-Blood Fruit."

His eyes flicked to Carl's massive bat wings.

"Earlier, I sensed another Devil Fruit power within you. A Vampire Fruit, am I right?"

Carl nodded.

Casillas continued, "I don't know how you're able to host multiple Devil Fruits, but in this case, it works in your favor. I don't have enough strength left to help you assimilate these new powers. However, thanks to your Vampire Fruit and the demon sword Muramasa, you should be able to absorb them on your own. The essence of the Blood-Blood Fruit will act as a catalyst, pushing your Vampire Fruit toward awakening.

"In other words… this near-death experience was a blessing in disguise."

Carl remained silent, his gaze fixed on Casillas' form, which was becoming more translucent with each passing second.

A somber look flickered across his face.

Casillas gave a small, knowing smile.

"There's no need for that expression. I died long ago. If anything, I'm grateful. I was able to see that the Figarland family still has a descendant as exceptional as you."

He waved his hand.

A rift opened in the darkness, revealing the battlefield outside. The very spot where Carl had fought Darian.

Casillas' voice softened.

"Go. The Figarland family still needs you…."

Carl bowed deeply before flying toward the exit.

The moment Carl left, Casillas' form began dissolving into countless tiny lights.

Just before disappearing completely, he murmured,

"I hope this boy can accomplish what I failed to do all those years ago… Joy Boy… where is your heir…?"

The first king of the Figarland family faded into nothingness.

—

Outside, Garling waited in silence.

Saturn had returned to his original form, standing quietly beside him. Not far away, the remaining Four Elders observed the scene.

Warcury, unable to contain his excitement, was already thinking about breaking out the champagne.

Then—

A dark vortex spiraled into existence.

Carl shot out of it—straight into Garling.

Garling, caught off guard, was sent flying.

He crashed into Warcury, the two tumbling to the ground.

Warcury's large, round body ended up cushioning the impact for both Carl and Garling.

Neither of them paid him any mind.

All eyes were locked on Carl.

Garling, still sitting on Warcury's belly, grabbed Carl by the shoulders and forced him to face him.

His heart pounded in his chest.

There was a chance Darian had taken over Carl's body. But he still held onto a sliver of hope.

With a trembling voice, he asked,

"Carl? Is that you?"

Carl's lips curled into a smile.

"Uncle Garling, who else would it be?"

As he spoke, he summoned the Dark Bible.

A bright red fruit materialized in his palm.

Garling's eyes widened.

The Blood-Blood Fruit.

The sight of it confirmed everything.

Darian was truly defeated.

Warcury, still trapped underneath them, was less than pleased.

"Garling Saint! Get off me!"

Garling snapped out of his daze, suddenly realizing he was still sitting on Warcury. He grabbed Carl and flashed away, completely ignoring Warcury's predicament.

Saturn approached Carl, inspecting his face carefully.

"Carl… where did you go just now?"

Carl chuckled.

"I was ready to exile myself into the dark space forever. I thought it was the only way to stop Darian from taking over."

"Then how did you…?"

Not just Saturn—everyone present was hanging onto his every word.

Carl let the suspense build before finally answering.

"It was Saint Casillas who saved me."

"Nani?!"

A stunned silence fell over the group.

Even among the world's most powerful figures, the name "Casillas" was enough to shake them.

Warcury was the first to shout,

"Impossible! Saint Casillas has been dead for eight hundred years!"

The other Four Elders nodded in agreement.

Even Saturn did not refute the claim.

Only Garling remained unfazed.

He locked eyes with Carl, searching for any deception.

After a moment, he spoke slowly.

"Nothing is impossible. If Joy Boy was able to leave his will inside a Devil Fruit… then it's not surprising that Saint Casillas had his own contingency."

Carl nodded.

He summoned Muramasa, holding the demon sword before them.

"The ancestor left his will inside Muramasa. In the end, he used my body to awaken the true power of the Dark-Dark Fruit. That's how I defeated Darian."

He deliberately glanced at Warcury as he spoke.

But he withheld one detail—Casillas' will had completely faded.

He let Warcury assume it still existed.

Sure enough—

Warcury's face turned pale.

His mind raced.

He knew the true terror of Casillas. Even more than Garling did.

If Casillas hadn't succumbed to his injuries all those centuries ago… who would be sitting on the Empty Throne now?

If Carl was telling the truth—if Casillas' will still lingered, capable of possessing Carl at any moment—then none of the Five Elders were safe.

Not even him.

A chill ran down his spine.

Warcury's eyes darted to Muramasa.

And without thinking, he took two steps back.