Chapter 83

In a lukewarm atmosphere, the Pirate King suddenly stepped forward.

At that moment, General Rafael displayed a moment of confusion.

“Wh-What did you just say?”

“He said he absolutely couldn’t listen any longer, General Rafael. I had somewhat expected more from you, a renowned warrior, but I never thought you would be such a naive human.”

“W-What?”

“I’ve aimed my gun at you, the one holding military authority in this country. Don’t you realize that from that moment, it’s meaningless to quibble over trivial justifications?”

“N-No… how dare he…”

“How dare a pirate speak to the General like that!”

At the Pirate King’s words, Rafael’s subordinates instantaneously showed signs of agitation.

However…

“Rgh!”

“Ugh…”

In an instant, a menacing aura emanated from the Pirate King.

Though it was merely magical power being unleashed, the undeniable pressure of strength made not only the subordinates but also General Rafael himself shrink back.

‘C-Can this be… I’ve heard the rumors, but… is this truly the power of the Pirate King?’

Grade 12 Grand Warrior.

Throughout a millennium of vast magical history, fewer than ten individuals have reached this transcendent level.

Honestly, Rafael had thought there wasn’t much difference between Grade 11 and Grade 12.

After all, even a Grade 10 warrior was a scarce treasure in the nation, and within the Kingdom of Frantz, Rafael was the only one who had reached Grade 11, which surely bred some arrogance.

But in this moment.

Facing the Grade 12 power for the first time, General Rafael couldn’t help but acknowledge it.

This was not merely a step up in ranks…

It was a difference that could only be expressed as an entirely different dimension.

Literally overwhelming strength.

Thus, Rafael could no longer find words, silenced by the sheer force before him.

And,

In that moment of tense silence, all eyes turned to that person…

A being of unfathomable power.

Pirate King Ezra Drake.

He spoke to the so-called “revolutionaries” who were at a loss.

“We don’t have the luxury of exchanging pleasantries right now. Surely, Duke Ocleang will come here soon and label us as traitors to have us arrested. Especially since discussions on your dismissal, General Rafael, have likely already concluded.”

“!”

“N-No… no way it could go that far…”

“They’re the ones who’ve mobilized the army to block the entrance to the Assembly Hall. Do you think throwing another bowl at this table will be hard after upending the whole feast?”

“Umm…”

“Th-That’s…”

They could no longer retort against the words of the Pirate King.

Having completely sealed the mouths of others, he declared,

“Everyone here, listen closely.”

The Pirate King addressed not just Rafael’s party but the multitude present.

“Most of the people here must be hungry right now. And some of them might have barely filled their bellies thanks to the meals we provided the day before.”

Saying this, he lightly rested a hand on the shoulder of a notably intimidating-looking woman in front of him.

She blushed for a moment but quickly erased that emotion and listened intently to the Pirate King’s words again.

“Although not everyone received it, at least everyone present had enough to eat, and there were no incidents of food running out. And…”

Pausing for a moment, the Pirate King looked at a few people nodding in agreement and those expressing regret for having missed the meal due to their sleep.

With an even more serious voice, he continued.

“The cost expended there doesn’t even equate to a single meal for one noble who’s currently idling with an army stationed at this Grand Hall.”

“…!”

“Th-That’s…”

In an instant, the crowd began to stir.

To them, the Pirate King warned in a voice sharper than ever before.

“Do you understand what this means? Even at this moment, countless individuals are starving, while the nobles of this land are too stingy to part with a morsel of meat or a piece of bread, causing a ruckus by blocking the Assembly Hall!”

“!…”

“Um…”

The Pirate King’s words struck deep, igniting a sense of discomfort…

A rising emotion called outrage began to simmer among the citizens.

They had heard that nobles lived in abundance.

However, comparing his previous meal with the lavish feast prepared for those above the Marquis level, the stark difference became painfully clear.

“As it says in the scriptures, all humans are born equal as descendants of Adam. Yet, while some are starving to the point of being unable to feed their children, others are stuffing their faces with rich food, swelling with wealth and idly increasing their fortunes. Is this the kind of punishment you deserve for such heinous crimes?”

With those words, he glanced at a woman cradling a child in her arms…

By chance, it was Josephine, who had been among the first to receive food the day before, and when their eyes met,

She answered in a half-choked voice.

“N-No… I-I’ve never committed such crimes.”

“…Me too… never.”

“We are innocent… everyone here… they are all innocent!”

People began raising their voices with fervor.

To them,

The Pirate King pronounced with the authority of a judge delivering a verdict.

“That’s right. Everyone here is innocent. If there is guilt, it lies with those nobles and fallen clerics who have imposed unjust punishments upon us! For that reason…”

With that statement, the Pirate King immediately turned his gaze to the pirates nearby.

Then…

-Clang!

As if waiting for a cue, the pirates swiftly drew their weapons.

General Rafael and the others, too, caught the atmosphere and began to unsheathe their weapons, albeit a beat too late.

And then.

“From now on, we… the glorious Revolutionary Army, will move against those vile ones to establish justice. We will end this filthy oppression and create a world where everyone is fairly compensated for their labor and can eat until they are full!”

The Pirate King walked forward, radiating Golden Magical Power.

The majestic wave of a Grade 12 Grand Warrior’s magic was enough to send shivers down the spines of those whose hearts were already stirred.

“Now let’s go! It’s time for everyone to join forces to open up a new world! Everyone, follow us!”

“Wooaah!!!”

“Hurray! Long live the Revolutionary Army!”

Following the Pirate King’s declaration, the pirates erupted into cheers, while the revolutionary forces joined in, shouting along.

And, trailing behind them were the countless people gathered here.

Thousands of citizens of Pare began to roar, enough to shake the very city.

“For freedom!”

“For an equal world!”

Just like that, the Pirate King transformed those who had come with a mere sense of curiosity… into fervent members of the revolution in an instant.

And there…

As she watched, Admiral Napoleona…

Was taken aback by a profound sensation and strong emotion.

The Pirate King’s ability to gather people with such simple pretext and just a few words.

Without needing complicated discussions, he conveyed the ‘facts’ very directly and simply, while simultaneously igniting the ’emotions’ of anger and injustice based on the absurd social structure.

Of course, the ‘truth’ was slightly exaggerated, comparing a stew made from the most inexpensive potatoes to a lavish meal prepared for those of the Marquis rank.

“Impressive… That must be the ability of the man named Ezra Drake, the Pirate King who rules the Five Seas…”

From the moment he gathered such a crowd, Admiral Napoleona had been filled with admiration, and the Pirate King’s complete grasp of the people’s hearts stirred in her a sense of reverence that went beyond mere respect.

And these feelings…

Slowly began to sprout a little something in Napoleona’s heart.

So small that she didn’t even realize it herself…

A tiny, singular thing.

*

The Tennis Court Oath originally was a gathering aimed at establishing a constitution and public order.

It was a form of protest stating that they would continue to fight until their demands were met, under an organization called the National Assembly.

During this process, there were talks of armed struggle, but ultimately, at a crucial moment, the King took a step back, and bloodshed was avoided.

However, apart from the original flow, many things flipped upside down, along with those who were leading the situation.

The term ‘National Assembly’ became ‘Revolutionary Army’, and its character changed as drastically as the difference between an assembly and an army.

Thus, the revolutionary forces began their struggle without any negotiation, directly engaging in armed conflict.

Yet, in a twist of fate, the first blow was landed at a location surprisingly similar to the original story.