At the Valos Barrier, work in both the inner and outer districts had stopped. The refugees finally had a moment to breathe. This was already the second day without intense labor, and they idly gathered together.
They had heard that Valos Barrier had a new leader, and the recent days off were an order from above. Even on leave, they still received their meager wages.
"I heard His Majesty has gathered the army in the capital and could attack Valos at any moment," a refugee said, worried. Once war broke out, they had almost no means to resist.
"Let them fight. Better if the nobles destroy each other," a burly man sitting on the ground said indifferently. Even without war, their lives were hard.
Among his friends from the same hometown—forty or fifty people—over half had already died from the harsh labor.
"But this princess… why is she giving us time off? Shouldn't she be strengthening the barrier's defenses?" another refugee asked, puzzled.
"I don't know. I heard she used to be the daughter of the AKS Guild president. When the president was alive, our lives were barely manageable. Such a pity," an elderly refugee said, grateful to have survived such harsh work.
"How's everyone on the network?" the burly man suddenly asked, as they gathered in a dilapidated house.
"For five years, we've secretly contacted most of the refugees. They're reliable, but we have no weapons. The city defense has thousands. If we mistime it, we could be wiped out," a small, shrewd man said, thinking carefully.
They had gathered to revolt. Extreme oppression often breeds resistance.
"Now's the perfect opportunity. Tomorrow, the entire barrier will be open, and Princess Xia will hold a citywide assembly. If we seize the nobles, we can gain plenty of weapons. Nobles are sometimes easier to deal with than the city guards," the burly man, Sparx, said with a fierce glint in his eyes.
He could have left alone, having the strength to do so, but he refused. He could not watch these people slowly die under oppression; he had seen enough.
Ever since he acquired a Devil Fruit by chance, he resolved to use its power to change everything.
For five years, they had waited. Now, with the Duke of Valos dead, the barrier in turmoil, and the king's army approaching, the defenses were concentrated on the walls. The city itself was laxly guarded—a rare and long-awaited opportunity.
"So, we start preparing now?"
"Yes. Rare as it is, we've got a break—no time to waste. It's time for the nobles to pay for their deeds," Sparx said coldly.
At the city defense, Vick stood on the wall, frowning at the listless refugees below. What was Shia thinking? Was the merchant's daughter completely lacking leadership? Letting workers rest now? Building another moat, reinforcing walls—this was what should be done.
News had already arrived: besides Valos Barrier, the other two barriers had surrendered. Valos was now isolated.
It made sense. The king's army, reportedly eighty thousand strong, approached. No ordinary barrier could truly resist.
If the Duke of Valos were alive, it might be possible.
But with him dead, the other barrier leaders had to find another path. Unlike him, involved in the king's envoy's death, and as the main target of the campaign, they had no choice.
Things looked grim. Even requesting Princess Xia to put refugees on the walls had been denied.
"What will happen next?" Vick thought. He did not want to wait for death.
He left a backup plan: if necessary, he would escape with his guards and wealth, even if he became wanted. Better than dying.
But until then, he refused to relinquish power. Perhaps the invading army couldn't breach Valos Barrier. Then he would still be in control, and once he commanded the army fully, he could act decisively.
Princess Xia and her forces might eventually clear the opposing army with sheer numbers, leaving him as the sole authority of Valos Barrier.
"The Duke of Valos is dead, the barrier sealed. We can't leave. And Xia, that madwoman, provoked the king. If he storms the city in rage, none of us will survive."
"Yeah, what now? War is about to break out."
"I heard the nobles are controlled, but what exactly is Princess Xia planning? If she wants revenge, she can do it herself. Why drag us into it?"
Residents of the inner city were uneasy. They had little regard for the Duke of Valos' rule. He's dead—why should they suffer? Just because Xia was his only granddaughter?
High District.
"Damn it! I'm a viscount appointed by the king! How dare you put me under house arrest? Don't you want to live?" In a lavish mansion, a noble shouted at the soldiers guarding the door.
With the barrier sealed, all they knew was that the Duke of Valos was dead; nothing more.
"There are a few counts lying on the streets outside. Want to check? Over five hundred armed mercenaries too. I doubt the corpses have been cleared. Want to join them?" a squad captain said coldly.
Since Dinger revealed the truth, the former ducal soldiers no longer admired nobles—they hated them. Any resistance would be eliminated without hesitation.
The noble went silent, returning to the house in shame.
"The city's unstable. The king's army has gathered and is on the way. In about two days, they'll reach Valos Barrier. The other two barriers have surrendered," Dinger reported to Xia and the others.
They were staying in a high district mansion, a wise noble welcoming Princess Xia—partially for survival.
Rosen, however, was unconcerned.
"How many troops?" Rosen asked, slightly surprised but expected the number. Initially, this was never going to be easy. With the Lantis soldiers yet to arrive, he could not leave Valos Barrier. Unrest could erupt otherwise.
"Eighty thousand," Dinger replied, expressionless. He had long accepted life and death.
"Fighting alone… time to increase allies," Rosen murmured. His Den Den Mushi suddenly rang.
At Valos Barrier, communications were controlled by Rosen and his people. Hathaway was calling.
Click—the Den Den Mushi connected. Hathaway's voice came through: "I've been discovered, but Remont hasn't attacked me. The invading army will pass through here, and they are numerous. Should I intercept them?"
Xia and Dinger froze. This woman intended to stop an army alone?! Ridiculous.
"No. We cannot get involved too much. Showing up occasionally is fine, but too often will draw the World Government's attention. I need them to come—war must break out to have meaning," Rosen refused.
"Understood. By the way, Alice is leading the team. Their merchant ships have reached Paradise and are preparing to land in Andia Kingdom. Make sure the guild assists."
"So soon?!" Rosen was surprised; they arrived faster than expected.
(End of chapter)