Chapter 109 Conquering Dalton
Smoker found a secluded spot and called Major General Scoard.
Under the pretext of traveling to the Drum Kingdom, he informed Scoard that he wouldn't be returning to the warship for a few days and needed to check the sailing plan.
Major General Scoard, trusting him completely, responded.
As usual, the warship would dock in the Drum Kingdom for three days before setting sail for Alabasta.
They agreed to meet three days later.
Smoker also made sure to add, "If you don't want to cause trouble, don't let anyone in the Drum Kingdom know about your presence."
Major General Scoard readily agreed, secretly admiring how easy it was to work with his superior.
Smoker hung up the phone, lost in thought.
[Three days? Time is a bit tight, but if I move quickly, it should be enough…]
[This plan may not be the most brilliant, but I can only hope Wapol is stupid enough!]
He then dialed another number.
This time, an impatient voice answered.
"Smorg, what are you pulling this time?! Are you trying to get my information for free?!"
"Don't be so heartless, Morgans..."
"I know something big is about to happen—why wouldn't I let you know right away?!"
"Oh? Really? Tell me, then..."
"This is what happened..."
The next day.
The Drum Kingdom was graced with a rare sunny day for the season.
Dalton was leading a squad of the King's Guard, patrolling the country's coast.
Although the Drum Kingdom held high status, it lacked the military strength to back it up. Given the wealth of its people, pirate attacks on the island were a common occurrence.
The one silver lining was that the Drum Kingdom had earned a reputation as a major medical power.
Even the pirates who usually thrive on violence didn't dare to cause too much trouble here.
If they struck it rich, they could forget about any violent outbursts. No one knew if, one day, they might cross paths with one of these doctors...
However, as the captain of the Kingdom Guard, Dalton knew better than to rely on the mercy of pirates to protect the people.
Who knew when a maniac might come along and ignore all reason?
So, whenever he had the time, Dalton would patrol the area with his guards.
Leading a team of a hundred, Dalton trudged through the thick snow.
The soldiers' pants and shoes were caked in layers of ice...
"Captain..."
A burly man rushed up to Dalton's side, panting.
"Let the men rest, I can't go on much longer!"
Dalton paused and glanced back.
His team's eyebrows and hair were thick with ice crystals, and they were all gasping for breath from the exhaustion.
Dalton, with his kind-hearted nature, would never be harsh on his subordinates.
Especially after Wapol came to power—he showed little care for the nation's security.
Patrolling in these conditions was a thankless task.
Those who chose to follow Dalton were the ones truly loyal to the country and to him.
"Everyone, just hold on a little longer. There's no shelter here, so be mindful of the wind—it's easy to get sick."
"There's a town just ahead. Let's head there to rest and warm up with a drink."
"Yes, Captain!"
Dalton's words gave his team renewed energy. They rallied and pressed forward, moving faster with each step.
Soon, they reached the edge of the town.
The streets were calm, and people greeted the guards as they passed by.
As they neared the tavern, Dalton and his men couldn't help but smile, relieved to see the warmth and comfort awaiting them.
Finally, they thought they could enjoy something hot and get a well-deserved rest!
But before they could settle down, an explosion suddenly shattered the calm.
Half of a house was obliterated by the blast. A tall, masked man appeared, carrying a safe, and quickly sprinted away.
Moments later, a couple stumbled out of the wreckage, crying.
"Help! Catch the pirate!!"
Dalton and his team stood frozen in disbelief.
What...?
How could there be just one pirate?!
How did they get so far from the coast?
And why the explosion? Was it just to make noise? Why run into the mountains afterward?
Dalton reacted immediately, shouting for everyone to pursue the pirate.
The group rushed into the forest.
Once they were gone, the couple seized the opportunity to slip away to a secluded spot.
Their expressions shifted instantly—from mourning to nervous excitement.
Out of nowhere, Sanai appeared and handed them a bag.
"You did well," she said coolly.
"The rest is none of your concern."
"As for the house… rebuilding or moving, that's on you."
The couple eagerly opened the bag, their faces transforming with shock and delight.
They quickly thanked Sanai and hurried off.
Sanai paid them no mind, her gaze instead drifting toward the direction where Smoker had vanished. A slight frown creased her brow.
"What was Mr. Smoker thinking when he fell to the ground...?"
Dalton and the others pushed themselves to the limit, desperately chasing after the "pirate."
They hadn't expected this "pirate" to be so fast, especially while carrying a heavy safe.
No one knew how far they had run, but soon, except for Dalton, the rest had fallen far behind.
Deep in the forest, Smoker suddenly stopped, turning around to face his pursuers.
Dalton finally caught up, panting heavily. He drew his weapon—a harp-shaped knife—and pointed it at Smoker from a distance.
"Hah… hah… Pirate, you're not getting away! No mercy!"
"Or else... I'll... Phew... Phew... take... coercive measures!!"
Smoker, dressed as the pirate, merely smiled upon hearing Dalton's words. He didn't say a word, simply shaking his head.
Dalton wasn't one for further talk. With a swift motion, he leaped into the air and swung his sword down at Smoker.
In a calm, fluid motion, Smoker reached out and gently gripped the blade.
Dalton was stunned. He yanked the sword back, but it didn't budge.
"Damn it!"
Realizing the strength behind Smoker's hold, Dalton quickly released the blade, his face filled with shock.
Dalton transformed into his human-animal form, roaring as he charged forward, throwing a powerful punch at Smoker.
The strength and speed granted by his hybrid form surged, and his defenses and recovery abilities were drastically improved. However, against the vast disparity in their raw strength, all his efforts proved futile.
In a matter of seconds, Smoker expertly restrained Dalton, carefully knocking him unconscious without causing serious harm.
Time passed—how long, Dalton couldn't tell.
Eventually, he slowly opened his eyes.
He found himself inside a dark cave, a bonfire crackling nearby, with the "pirate" sitting calmly beside it.
Dalton's heart skipped a beat. He immediately tried to sit up but froze when he realized there were no ropes binding him.
After a brief pause, he understood.
To this person, tying him up probably made no difference at all.
"Who are you? What is your purpose in the Drum Kingdom?!"
His first thought had been that it was a pirate robbing houses, but he quickly discarded the idea.
How could someone with such strength be interested in petty theft?
It was clear that the other party was waiting for him.
Smoker prodded the bonfire, making the flames grow brighter.
"Dalton, the captain of the Kingdom Guard, beloved by the people and the right-hand man of the former king."
He smirked, adding, "It's a shame that in Wapol's eyes, you're nothing more than an eyesore—a relic of the past, a remnant of the old regime."
Dalton's eyes flared with anger. "Who are you?!"
Smoker shrugged casually. "Does it matter who I am? What matters is... are you loyal to this country, or to King Wapol?"
Dalton's fists clenched. "Don't try to plant such ideas in my head! Yes, the king may not be perfect, but it is our duty as ministers to correct his mistakes."
Smoker nodded, his voice low. "True. If a king has flaws and his ministers correct him, then order is maintained. But… what if the king seeks to destroy his own country? What choice would you make?"
Dalton's eyes widened with disbelief. His voice shook as he spat out each word. "What on earth are you talking about?!"
Smoker took a few steps closer, his presence imposing.
"Dalton, I admire you greatly, and I will offer you the right to choose."
Smoker's gaze grew intense as he spoke. "The first option: I let you go, and we pretend this encounter never happened."
He paused for a moment, letting the weight of the words sink in.
"The second option: I tell you everything, but you will have two choices—become my subordinate, or die."
Dalton stood frozen, stunned by the sudden offer. His head lowered, his expression shifted with conflicting thoughts, and cold sweat began to form on his forehead.
After a long silence, Dalton seemed to reach some sort of understanding.
He knew that with the power this man possessed, he could take control of the Drum Kingdom without anyone being able to stop him. His hesitation, in the face of such strength, felt completely meaningless.
His expression cleared, and he looked up, his voice steady despite the turmoil within. "I choose the second option. Please, tell me."
Smoker allowed a small, approving smile. "A wise choice."
Smoker then explained his intentions to Dalton, and as the words fell from his lips, Dalton's face shifted dramatically. His expression morphed from shock to anger, then to a helpless sort of despair as the full extent of the situation sank in.
When Smoker finished speaking, he asked calmly, "So, Dalton, now that you know... what are you going to do?"
Dalton stood motionless for a moment, a look of conflict still in his eyes. Then, without warning, he lunged toward Smoker.
"You bastard! Why are you doing this?!"
The next second, Dalton was kicked away with brutal force, crashing into the rock wall.
Smoker's voice was icy, yet devoid of any emotion.
"No reason."
He stepped forward, his tone growing colder with every word.
"You can call it the will of the strong, or you can think of it as the inevitable future that has arrived early."
Smoker's gaze hardened. "But if you dare to ruin my plan, I won't hesitate to make this country disappear."
He stepped closer, his eyes locking onto Dalton's with unwavering authority. "Now, Dalton... what are you going to do?"
Dalton, struggling to push himself off the rock wall, winced in pain. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath to steady himself. When he opened them again, they were filled with defeat, his body trembling. Slowly, he sank to his knees.
"Smoker, I… I am at your disposal."
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