Chapter 215: Just a Retainer!
"Next one, Sugar."
Ryuunosuke's voice was calm and steady, cutting through the tension like a blade.
At his command, Sugar stepped forward once more and activated her power.
The next toy reverted to their human form—Khaki, the former hotel magnate of Dressrosa.
Before Ryuunosuke could even speak, Khaki had already knelt.
"I'm in."
As a businessman, Khaki understood the tides.
Dressrosa had become richer, safer, more powerful. For someone like him, it was the perfect era.
He didn't care who sat on the throne—as long as the gold kept flowing.
There was no hesitation in his choice.
And just like that, the rest began to fall.
That was the nature of humans.
Even those who'd clung to the hope of their loved ones' return from toyhood now found themselves wavering. The tide had shifted.
And when the first few chose to bend the knee, the rest followed.
As for the stubborn ones?
Ryuunosuke had no sympathy.
In a world ruled by the law of the jungle, idealism was a luxury.
Those who refused reality would simply be erased.
Three days later.
"Boss, everyone on the list has been assimilated," Doflamingo reported. "Now, all that remains… is King Riku's bloodline."
He handed Ryuunosuke a separate list.
"Their whereabouts are confirmed."
Ryuunosuke took the list and scanned it casually.
He wasn't surprised. In the end, it was always the same—human nature was fragile.
In this sea, power determined fate. Those who refused protection would only welcome death.
Soon after, four new individuals were brought before him:
A toy soldier.
An old man.
Two women.
They were quiet—but their eyes spoke volumes.
The toy soldier's button eyes flickered with recognition.
The old man stood proud—King Riku.
The women, Rebecca and Violet, exchanged glances, trying to piece together what was going on.
But what truly stunned them was the sight of Doflamingo, respectfully standing off to the side.
And seated on the main throne… was not a Celestial Dragon, nor a warlord…
But a young man with an unreadable expression—Ryuunosuke.
Who was this man, to make even Doflamingo stand like a subordinate?
"Remove the toy form," Ryuunosuke said with a casual smile.
Sugar nodded, and a moment later, the toy soldier transformed back into Cyrus.
The reunion was instant.
Rebecca gasped. Her eyes filled with tears.
The toy soldier who had always watched over her… was her father.
She lunged forward, tears spilling freely.
"Father!!"
But before they could embrace—
"DOFLAMINGO! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!?"
Cyrus roared, drawing his sword without hesitation.
Ryuunosuke didn't even flinch.
"Enough crying. There's no time for sentiment."
He leaned forward slightly, eyes locked on Cyrus and the others.
"I'll make it simple. You have two choices."
"Become retainers of the Donquixote Family once more, and help manage Dressrosa…"
"Or choose death."
Silence.
A heavy one.
Retainers.
The word struck a nerve.
It hadn't been spoken in generations.
King Riku's eyes widened in disbelief.
Once upon a time, his family had been vassals of the Donquixote lineage. Dressrosa itself originally belonged to the Donquixotes.
When they ascended to Celestial Dragon status, they abandoned the kingdom—and the Riku family was appointed as stewards in their place.
But generations passed.
And that legacy was forgotten.
"We may have been retainers long ago," King Riku said slowly, "but now—this kingdom is ours."
Ryuunosuke didn't respond.
But before anyone else could speak, Najenda stepped forward.
"A thief of a kingdom dares to act so self-righteous?"
She scoffed.
"Have you forgotten what Dressrosa became under your rule?"
King Riku opened his mouth—but she didn't let him speak.
"You talk about righteousness—but do you even understand what your gentle rule cost this nation?"
Rebecca stepped forward, fists clenched. "We don't need oppression! We need a kind king!"
Najenda laughed coldly. "Still such a naive little girl."
"Kindness is not a shield—it's a bait."
"In this world, kind kingdoms are nothing but fat sheep waiting to be devoured."
"Did you ever count how many people died in your wars, King Riku?"
"How many were taken by pirates? Sold into slavery?"
"These were the consequences of your 'gentle leadership.'"
She tossed a thick journal onto the floor with a thud.
"This is the official record. Read it."
King Riku picked it up, hands trembling.
The numbers didn't lie.
Invasion.
Famine.
Raids.
Each page etched a tragedy.
Tears welled up in his eyes.
Because it was true.
All of it.
He'd ruled with mercy, but in the end… that mercy had cost his people everything.
"Father, don't listen to them—" Rebecca cried out.
But Chrollo interrupted.
"You are weak," he said flatly. "If our captain weren't merciful, you'd already be dead."
"And frankly, that would've been the more efficient outcome."
Cyrus tried to speak, but the words caught in his throat.
What argument could he make?
Dressrosa was stronger now.
Safer. Richer.
The people were content—even happy.
They were not the ones suffering. His pride, his ideals—were they worth more than the lives of thousands?
No.
Not anymore.
What right did they have to strip these people of their newfound peace?
Wasn't it their job, as leaders, to give the people happiness?
To protect them?
And yet, it wasn't them who did that.
It was Ryuunosuke.
Cyrus felt something inside him crack.
The beliefs he had clung to for so long crumbled.
And in that quiet, soul-breaking moment—
His faith collapsed.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Check my Pâtreon for (40) advanced chapters
Pâtreon .com/Fanficlord03
Change (â) to (a)
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
https://discord.gg/MntqcdpRZ9