Karina paused for half a step, then let out a cold laugh.
"You seized control of the kingdom far too quickly. Of course you had allies."
"Don't worry. I'll drag every last one of them into the light—and send them to hell to keep you company."
Red burst into even louder laughter.
"Drag them all out?" he sneered. "Who do you think you are?"
"Even your sharp-minded father couldn't escape their schemes. What makes you think you can?"
Karina studied him for a few seconds, the corner of her lips lifting.
"You've been talking a lot," she said lightly. "Trying to trade their information for your life?"
Red didn't even bother denying it.
Years as prime minister had thickened his skin beyond shame.
"That's right. Spare me, and I'll tell you everything. Every name. Every insider still inside the kingdom."
He stared at her desperately.
He knew full well—once in her hands, death was inevitable.
This was his last bargaining chip.
Karina's smile widened.
"Red… even now, you're clinging to fantasies."
"Let me make this clear."
"I'm taking your life."
"And I'm taking the information too."
Her expression turned ice-cold as she looked toward a Shadow Dragon probationary.
"Use whatever methods you need."
"You were built with the Soul King-sama's gold. Don't tell me something this small will trouble you."
A glint of cold light flashed in the soldiers' eyes.
The Shadow Dragon Guard specialized in intelligence.
Even as probationaries, interrogation training had been relentless.
If they couldn't break a weakling from the West Blue—
They might as well slit their own throats and spare Lucci-sama and Soul King-sama the embarrassment.
Red was dragged away, still shouting that he would never speak.
He had no idea.
The methods waiting for him weren't "West Blue interrogation."
They were an entirely different league.
—
But Red's capture wasn't the end.
Outside, the palace grounds were growing noisy.
Ministers and nobles were rushing in.
"Victor," Karina called.
A man stepped forward from the Shadow Dragon ranks.
He was the leader of this probationary unit—the only one among them who had mastered Busoshoku Haki.
"What is it?"
Victor's tone was calm and neutral.
He didn't flatter her.
Their loyalty belonged to one person only—
Soul King-sama.
Karina appreciated that.
Their loyalty was unquestionable.
"Take control of palace security," she ordered. "Anyone who resists—kill them."
"Before the ministers finish gathering, I want the entire palace under my control."
"Understood."
Victor departed with a squad, moving to reorganize and subdue the remaining guards.
"Bege-san," Karina continued, turning to Capone Bege. "Have your informants monitor the capital."
"Red's allies may show their hands now that he's fallen."
"And make sure no opportunists use this chaos to stir trouble."
Karina had been exiled for years.
Her control over the capital was nonexistent.
This was where Bege's underworld network proved invaluable.
They lacked elite combat power—
But information?
They were everywhere.
"Relax," Bege said with a shrug. "I'll have my people watching."
He was here to support, nothing more.
—
Half an hour later, the ministers gathered in the grand hall.
Karina emerged in full royal regalia—elegant, regal, transformed.
Gasps filled the chamber.
In that instant, they understood.
The kingdom had changed hands again.
"Rebel Red has been captured," Karina declared. "He murdered my father and mother and usurped the throne."
"I have returned to the Kingdom of Itel."
"I now assume the crown."
"Who supports me?"
"Who objects?"
Her presence crushed the room.
Not a single voice rose in opposition.
Rorchart was the first to recover.
He stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"All hail Queen Karina."
The old loyalists followed immediately.
The nobles elevated by Red hesitated, faces shifting, calculating risk versus reward.
Then—
Marching footsteps echoed outside.
A full squad of palace guards rushed in, swords at their waists, forming ranks along both sides of the chamber.
Victor entered behind them, offering a formal bow.
"Your Majesty. Palace security has been consolidated. All traitors resisting authority have been executed. The palace awaits your inspection."
The message was clear.
The military belonged to her now.
The wavering nobles' last flicker of defiance died instantly.
"Long live Queen Karina!"
They bowed.
No one was foolish enough to test the sharpness of the swords lining the hall.
Karina immediately reinstated Rorchart and several old loyalists to key posts, ordering them to draft a proclamation restoring the Kingdom of Itel.
Then she looked down at the assembly.
"I know some of you served Red."
Heads lowered.
No one dared meet her gaze.
"The kingdom is unstable. I still require your service."
"If you come to me voluntarily and confess, I will show leniency."
"But if I uncover your betrayal myself…"
Her eyes flashed with killing intent.
"I will show none."
For a split second, the pressure of Conqueror's Haki seemed ready to burst forth again.
Sweat poured down the ministers' faces.
"Dismissed."
The pressure lifted.
They bowed repeatedly and fled.
—
Bege stepped out from the shadows once they were alone.
"You really think they'll confess?"
Karina smiled faintly.
"If someone does, good."
"If not, it doesn't matter."
Bege frowned.
"What do you mean?"
She tilted her head.
"If the boss you supported dies, and someone new takes power—clearly signaling a purge—what do you do?"
Bege blinked.
"…I'd call my allies. Prepare a counter."
He froze mid-sentence.
"…You're making them panic. Forcing them to contact each other."
Karina's smile sharpened.
"And when they do…"
Bege finished it quietly.
"…you sweep them all up in one net."