69novels Chapter 232 Reunion with Dilt, A New Holy Grail War
Chapter 232 Reunion with Dilt, A New Holy Grail War
Chapter 232 Reunion with Dilt, A New Holy Grail War
"To please you?"
Shanks did not loosen his grip on the hilt of Griffin's sword.
The Conqueror's Haki mixed with the condensed, tangible sword intent acted as an invisible barrier against the overwhelming pressure of the King's wealth.
"King of Heroes, is your pleasure simply this—the meaningless lavishing of your Noble Phantasms upon those seeking answers?"
"Seeking answers? Ridiculous!" Gilgamesh's crimson eyes were filled with disdain.
"What do the troubles of a bastard have to do with me? To step into this place and disturb the peace of me and my friends is a capital offense! Moreover—"
His gaze swept over Merlin, carrying a hint of displeasure as if he had been seen through.
"You nightmare, and you, red-haired bastard, you both carry the stench of a fate that displeases this king!"
The best pastime is to wash away this unhappiness with your struggles and wails!
Before the words were even finished, dozens of magical artifacts tore through the sky and crashed down with an aura of destruction!
This time, it's no longer a test, but a real killing move!
"All personnel, defend!" Shanks roared, and Griffin suddenly drew half an inch from its sheath.
A highly refined crimson sword aura slashed out like a crescent moon, precisely deflecting several magical artifacts that were aimed at the ship's vital points, producing a deafening clang of metal against metal.
Yasopp's eyes were sharp as an eagle's, and he fired a series of shots with his spear.
The bullets did not strike the blade of the Noble Phantasm directly, but rather cleverly hit its side or connection point, using the impact to deflect its trajectory, demonstrating superb marksmanship.
Raki Lu roared, his obese body bursting with agility and strength that did not match his appearance. His huge hammer swung like a warhammer, smashing several heavy axe-like Noble Phantasms away.
The other officers of the Red-Haired Pirates also displayed their unique abilities, some wielding swords to block, others using their powers to dodge, managing to barely withstand the fierce attack in the first instance. However, everyone's expression was solemn, clearly indicating that they were not at ease.
"Hmm—the projection of such a Noble Phantasm, each strike is conservatively estimated to be comparable to a Vice Admiral's full-force attack—" Ben Beckman, with a cigarette dangling from his lips, calmly analyzed.
His flintlock pistol was already aimed at Gilgamesh in the air, searching for any possible opening.
Merlin stood beside Shanks, lightly tapping the air with his staff: "Honestly, resorting to violence at the slightest disagreement, were all ancient kings this impatient?"
He still wore that detached smile, but the incantation was already finished.
"Illusions become reality, dreams are woven (lllusion ater factum)!"
In an instant, the surrounding sea and sky, centered on the Red Fosse, seemed to overlap like the surface of water tossed with pebbles!
Countless illusory ship afterimages appeared all around, each exuding an aura similar to that of the Red Voss, interfering with Gilgamesh's lock-on.
At the same time, a faint pollen mist filled the air, with a hypnotic and confusing effect, even causing some slower Noble Phantasms to deflect slightly and slow down during flight.
"A mere trick!" Gilgamesh sneered, his eyes gleaming even brighter.
"You bastard, do you think you can deceive this king with illusions?!"
The number of ripples behind him increased again, and more Noble Phantasms began to emerge, including some prototype weapons that exuded an ominous aura!
Shanks stepped forward, his powerful Haki almost materializing into a shockwave, attempting to disrupt Gilgamesh's control over his magic.
"King of Heroes! Given your personality, the outside world is in chaos because of the Heroic Spirits."
"Shouldn't that be the perfect stage for you to find pleasure? Why are you cowering in this heavenly kingdom?"
"Is there something here—something that even you have to be wary of, or something that you find so interesting that you don't want to leave?"
This issue seems to touch on a certain point.
Gilgamesh paused slightly, his arrogant face turning angry.
"Fear? Hmph! Keep your ignorant speculation to yourself. In this vast ocean, in this era, nothing that can make me fear anything has yet been born!"
"As for the chaos outside! It's nothing but a low-class monkey show! The real pleasure lies in observing the world's direction and engaging in a game of arbitration worthy of discussion."
"It's all about waiting for the dramatic climax that will truly please me!" His words were still full of superiority.
"And you," he said, turning his gaze back to Shanks and Merlin.
"This is nothing but a paltry appetizer before the climax! Try to struggle a little longer under my treasure, you bastard!"
The phantom of Ea has already appeared in the golden ripples.
The three cylindrical blades began to slowly rotate, emitting a hum that seemed to tear space apart! Destructive energy began to gather!
Just when Merlin had put away his smile and was preparing to build up Avalon's defenses with all his might, at this critical moment...
"In the name of the Lord, I hereby declare—the strife ends!"
A clear and firm female voice resounded through the sky like a divine judgment.
A soft yet incredibly pure white beam of light descended from the sky, precisely piercing between the Red Voss and Gilgamesh!
The pillar of light unfolded, transforming into a huge, sacred banner embroidered with an iris emblem.
The flags fluttered without wind, radiating a powerful force of protection and order.
The originally raging magic, the spinning Ea, and even Gilgamesh's boiling killing intent were all forcibly calmed down the moment the banner appeared by a higher-level rule.
Gilgamesh stopped spinning the Ea in his hand. He frowned, looked at the flag, and clicked his tongue in displeasure: "The Catholic saint—"
As the light faded, Joan of Arc, adorned with a silver-armored holy banner, stood between the two sides, her expression solemn and compassionate.
"King of Heroes, your Master already knows everything. Please put away your weapon; this is not the way to treat a guest."
"Guest?" Gilgamesh snorted coldly, but in the end, he dispersed the golden ripples behind him, and Ea also disappeared as a spirit particle.
He was not afraid of Joan of Arc, but rather seemed to respect some kind of agreement with Dieter.
"Fine, since it's that guy's idea—you bastards, consider yourselves lucky."
He glanced at Shanks and Merlin one last time before his figure transformed into golden particles and vanished into the air, but his whisper remained.
"Hahaha, I hope the answer you're looking for won't disappoint you—"
With the crisis averted, the members of the Red-Haired Pirates breathed a sigh of relief, many of them drenched in sweat.
The pressure of confronting this legendary hero-king is immense.
Jeanne turned to Shanks and gave a standard knightly salute: "Mr. Shanks, Mr. Merlin, and everyone else, I'm sorry to have been startled. My Master is waiting for you. Please follow me to the island."
Led by Joan of Arc, the Red Fowles slowly sailed into the port of heaven.
When their feet touched solid ground, Shanks and his crew were awestruck by the sight before them.
The port was busy yet orderly, with ships coming and going in an endless stream. Workers, merchants, and sailors went about their business, most of them wearing satisfied and peaceful smiles.
The streets are wide and clean, with buildings of different styles on both sides yet in harmony, shaded by green trees and adorned with flowers.
Children played in the square, artists performed on street corners, and the air was filled with the aroma of bread and the scent of the sea breeze.
There is none of the poverty, chaos, or oppression commonly found elsewhere; it truly feels like a paradise forgotten on earth.
"This—this is Beehive Island? It's been so long since I've been here. It's completely different from what I've heard about." Raki Lu mumbled through his meat.
"It's like another world." Yasopp looked around, his sharp eyes filled with surprise.
Just then, a golden light flashed across the sky, and Gilgamesh's luxurious figure appeared atop the tallest bell tower, like a king surveying his territory.
The people below, upon seeing him, showed no fear but instead erupted in cheers. Many stopped what they were doing, bowed to him, and their eyes were filled with reverence, even fanaticism.
"Look! It's Lord Gilgamesh!"
"Your Majesty, the Hero King!"
May your glory shine eternally in heaven!
Gilgamesh seemed to enjoy this worship; he arrogantly nodded slightly, as if responding to the respect of his subjects, before disappearing again.
"He's here—he seems quite popular?" Ben Beckman mused.
Joan of Arc calmly explained, "Although the King of Heroes has a unique personality, his power has repeatedly repelled the probing forces of the World Government, protecting the peace of this land."
"The people worship him as they worship their Master, and the Master also acknowledges his power and—value."
As they were walking, a massive figure, as imposing as an iron fortress, blocked their path.
The man had wild, long hair and an extremely burly physique. Just by standing there, he exuded a terrifying aura like that of a ferocious beast.
"Douglas Barrett?!" Shanks' pupils contracted as he recognized this old senior from Roger's ship, the former successor of the Demon.
Barrett stared at Shanks with his beast-like eyes, a battle-ready smile spreading across his face.
"Oh? Red-haired brat? All these years have passed, and you've grown into a decent-looking man."
His gaze swept over Shanks's empty left arm: "You've lost your arm, but your aura hasn't diminished."
"Barrett-senpai," Shanks said with a complicated expression, "I didn't expect to see you here."
"Hmph, after Roger died, the small fry on the sea aren't even qualified to warm me up." Barrett crossed his arms, his voice like muffled thunder.
"Until I found this place, I found Captain Dilt! He's the only opponent I can fight to my heart's content, yet I can never truly defeat!"
"This challenge is endless, and that's the ultimate goal I'm pursuing!" He looked at Shanks.
"And you, kid? What are you doing here? Like those fools outside, seeking that elusive Holy Grail?"
Shanks said in a deep voice, "To save my daughter, and also, for the sake of this world."
Barrett paused for a moment, then let out a low laugh: "Daughter? Ha—it seems you also have a reason to become stronger."
"But be careful, redhead." His smile faded, and his tone became unusually serious.
"The captain—he'd been quiet for too long. But a few months ago, he suddenly changed, becoming just like when we first met him, full of—interest and drive."
"His shadow is behind this Holy Grail War, this chaos that has swept the world. I can't even see through what he's thinking."
At this moment, Merlin suddenly spoke, his voice carrying a strange rhythm, and asked Joan of Arc beside him.
"Miss Joan of Arc, as a devout believer and judge of the Lord, could you please tell me?"
"Your Master. What is his true wish, or rather—intention—to stir up such a storm?"
Joan of Arc's delicate body trembled almost imperceptibly. She gripped the holy banner tightly in her hand, and a trace of struggle and confusion flashed across her beautiful face.
She lowered her head and whispered, "The Master's will—is unfathomable. I—I only know that he intends to use this world as a furnace to temper—a certain possibility."
"More—I don't know either, or perhaps—it's inconvenient to say." Her evasion only added to the mystery.
As Shanks traversed this prosperous and peaceful paradise, experiencing an atmosphere so different from the outside world, and listening to Barrett's words and Joan of Arc's cryptic responses, his doubts only grew heavier, not lessened.
Finally, they arrived at the simple yet magnificent white stone palace in the center of the island.
Joan of Arc pushed open the heavy palace doors, and sunlight flooded in, illuminating the figure deep inside the palace, standing with his back to them in front of the huge French windows.
He slowly turned around, revealing the same youthful face that seemed untouched by time, with a languid yet all-knowing smile.
"It's been a long time, everyone," Dilt, the uncrowned king, spoke softly, his gaze seemingly piercing through time.
"From that red-haired brat on Roger's ship to the Emperor of the Sea—and then to the Holy Grail War in Alabasta, time really flies."
Shanks took a deep breath, suppressed his turbulent thoughts, stepped forward, and stared intently at Dilt.
"Dilt—we can reminisce later. Tell me, what exactly is the Holy Grail War? What is your purpose in doing all this?"
Dieter did not answer directly. He walked to a huge world map in the hall and gently ran his finger across the area marked with countless dots and lines.
"The Holy Grail War?" He smiled, a smile that was mysterious and unpredictable.
"You can think of it as a grand ceremony that arises from the collision of rules after the barriers between two worlds are forcibly broken down."
"Is this so-called other world real?" Shanks frowned.
"Of course, but I originally thought that I was the one who broke through this barrier." Dilt's gaze became deep.
"But now it seems that perhaps the boundary between these two worlds was never really clear."
"The history you know, the power system you possess—it has long been mixed with fragments from the other side."
"6"
"The summoning of heroic spirits, the manifestation of evil—these are merely the tip of the iceberg of this deep connection."
Merlin stepped forward and met Dilt's gaze. Their eyes met, as if they were engaged in a silent confrontation.
"So, Your Excellency, the Uncrowned King, what are your plans in the face of this emerging iceberg?"
"You appear detached from this chaos, yet you seem to be at the heart of it all."
Dilt turned to look at Shanks and Merlin, his eyes calm yet carrying an air of absolute confidence.
"Chaos? Order? When extreme forces emerge, the world instinctively seeks balance."
He stretched out his finger and pointed it in the air.
In an instant, Shanks and Merlin felt as if their consciousness had been pulled into a grand perspective, overlooking the entire pirate world.
They saw it in three far-off corners of the world.
Embarking on the great sea route, traversing the four seas.
Three light bands, radiating strange energy like veins, are slowly growing and pulsating.
Those were the three spiritual veins released by Dilt!
Meanwhile, around the world, more and more crimson marks, representing new contracts between Masters and Servants, are lighting up the map of consciousness like sparks!
"I have not been inactive." Dilt's voice seemed to come from the heavens, carrying a magnificent echo.
"I am simply sowing seeds and waiting—waiting for the soil to become fertile enough to support a new era."
His gaze finally settled on Shanks, his eyes seemingly able to see through his soul, revealing his worry for Uta and his sense of responsibility.
"Shanks, didn't you want to know if the Holy Grail could save your daughter?" Dilt's voice carried a hint of seduction and a hint of solemnity.
"The answer lies in this upcoming, even grander ceremony."
He withdrew his hand, and his consciousness returned to reality.
Dilt looked at Shanks, whose face was filled with shock, and a meaningful smile appeared on his lips.
"Are you ready—to begin a new Holy Grail War?"