21. Set Sail
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After forcing King Mance to finish his written confession, Aero dragged him back to bed, then turned to Lassi and Weiss.
"Watch him," he instructed. "I'm taking the queen."
The so-called queen flinched as Aero approached. He led her to the adjacent royal study.
"Sit," he said.
She hesitated. "W-what do you want me to do?"
"Relax," Aero replied, removing his black hood to reveal his youthful face. "Just need a favor."
The queen blinked, taken aback by how young he was. But she wasn't fooled. She'd seen him defeat a whole squad of elite guards without a sound.
"I'm just a woman… What could I possibly help with?"
"I only want to know," Aero asked evenly, "how you became queen."
"I was taken… by force. My husband… was killed by the palace guard." Her voice cracked as she spoke, and tears began to fall.
Aero raised a brow. Moments ago she had been… enthusiastically playing her role in bed. Now the waterworks?
Some should give her an Oscar.
Still, he let it pass.
"Will you stand in front of the people tomorrow and expose the king's crimes?" he asked.
"You may lose your status. But you'll gain the people's respect."
She hesitated.
So he sweetened the offer.
"With the public on your side," Aero said coolly, "you'll also receive their 'gifts.' Say, from the royal treasury. And I'll ensure you're entitled."
Her eyes flashed with greed.
"…If it helps the people," she said, her voice full of newfound conviction, "I'll risk the wrath of the king's loyalists. It's my duty as queen."
Aero nodded, hiding his smirk.
She was easy to read. He dismissed her.
---
The royal suite was absurdly lavish. Gold-trimmed walls, jeweled ceilings, gemstone inlays on even the floor tiles. There were over ten different themed beds lined across the wings.
But something bothered him: where were the soldiers?
There were tens of thousands stationed on this island. And yet…
He'd had Lassi seize the royal Den Den Mushi earlier, just in case.
Now, Aero sat on the rooftop, watching the horizon turn from violet to grey. Dawn was approaching.
He hoped Dylan had successfully isolated the loyalist officers and was securing the rest of the army's command structure. If they could flip the upper ranks and install their own men beneath, they'd control the army by morning.
Aero wouldn't be staying, of course.
But Bugsy would.
And Bugsy would owe him everything.
---
The first rays of the sun broke over the horizon.
Silver-armored royal guards swarmed the palace, surrounding the gates but not storming inside. Instead, they stood frozen, looking up at the figure seated on the rooftop: Aero.
When he saw them hesitate, he smiled.
"Gregoria Mance is inside," he called down. "Bring him out."
They paused again, unsure.
Then a squad of eight pushed through the gates. Minutes later, they emerged with the disgraced king silent, hollow-eyed, defeated.
---
Meanwhile, on Rubber Island, the crowd had already begun to gather.
Last night's explosive headlines had spread across towns and ports. People weren't sure whether to believe the allegations, but when enough neighbors muttered "I heard something like that too," doubt turned to curiosity.
Now they all stood, waiting to hear the truth.
By midday, the square was filled. Silver-armored guards secured the perimeter. On a raised platform, King Mance stood before dozens of Den Den Mushi cameras.
He wore plain white robes. His usual crown was gone. His long hair had been shorn off.
His voice, tired and hoarse, spoke into the recorders.
He confessed. To everything.
Then he renounced the throne and declared his intention to live out his days in a temple, praying for forgiveness.
The crowd didn't cheer. They didn't jeer.
They were stunned.
Then, Bugsy stepped onto the platform.
Wearing golden ceremonial robes and surrounded by his newly appointed royal guard, he addressed the nation. The queen herself had confirmed his right to serve as acting monarch.
The kingdom of Gregoria was reborn.
---
The World Government didn't interfere.
There were no signs of pirate involvement, and as long as the new leadership didn't disrupt trade routes or refuse tribute, they didn't care. With resources already stretched, they left the matter alone.
---
As the sun crept higher, Bugsy didn't return to the palace.
Instead, he went to the eastern cliffs overlooking the sea.
There, he watched as a majestic ship personally prepared by him for Captain Aero disappeared into the mist.
In just over a month, Bugsy had gone from casino underboss to ruler of an entire kingdom.
He vowed not to waste it.
He would train his army.
He would prepare backup fleets.
If anything ever threatened Aero or his mission, Bugsy would be ready.
---
Just as he turned to leave, something massive slithered beside him.
The royal guards panicked, drawing their swords.
Bugsy turned and saw a familiar grey serpent.
It sat beside him, calmly watching the ship disappear on the horizon.
Bugsy smiled.
He waved off his guards and approached the creature.
It opened its jaws not to bite, but to beg for food.
Bugsy exhaled in relief. "Looks like Captain left me one hell of a bodyguard."
The liquor empire was already underway. With the military still in flux, this snake would be their strongest deterrent for now.
And the land itself?
No need to buy it anymore.
The whole kingdom belonged to Aero now.
Bugsy was just the one holding the crown.
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PS: The land arc ends here. Next up the sea arc begins. 🌊🏴☠️
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