One Piece: Alucard the Immortal-Chapter 489 - 488: I Have Been Expecting You, Dragon

Ilisia Kingdom.

Nearly twenty hours after King Lucas issued his royal decree, the news had reached the kingdom’s prospective heirs. Though Rockefeller and Casemiro were utterly shocked by the mandate, the two reached an agreement: in three days’ time, they would meet on a battlefield fifty miles outside the capital. The outcome of this war would decide the true successor to the throne.

The strength of the two princes was evenly matched, each commanding tens of thousands of troops. Once the fighting commenced, countless families would inevitably be torn asunder. Rockefeller and Casemiro harbored deep doubts, even suspicions, regarding the command their father had handed down. However, the sheer allure of the throne caused them to cast all caution to the wind, leaving them focused solely on how to eliminate their rival.

The Ilisia Kingdom descended into a state of total upheaval. Lamentations filled the air as countless citizens swarmed the palace gates to stage loud protests. Yet, the gates remained bolted shut. Not a single high-ranking official within the palace offered so much as a word of response.

Elsewhere, inside an inconspicuous underground granary within the kingdom, most of the high-ranking Revolutionary Army officers involved in this operation had gathered.

"What is going on? Why would Lucas make such a decision?"

At the head of the table sat Dragon, his expression icy as he questioned the officers around him. He had arrived just today, only to be greeted by the news of the King’s absurd order. In his memory, Lucas was not a man prone to such idiocy.

"The palace is currently on lockdown. For reasons unknown, we have lost contact with our plants inside," Gilteo reported. "What we can say for certain is that this country is facing a catastrophic internal crisis."

"In truth, Dragon-san, the reality of the situation doesn’t matter much for the time being," added another officer, Joe. "The country is in chaos, which is exactly when the Revolutionary Army should strike. Isn’t this the moment we’ve been waiting for?"

When a nation falls into turmoil, the Revolutionary Army steps in to spread their ideology and subvert royal authority.

Though the current state of affairs was bizarre, it was an undeniably advantageous position for the Revolutionaries. It would be foolish not to seize the opportunity.

"The eldest prince, Rockefeller, and the second prince, Casemiro, will engage in their war of succession in two days... We should..." Gilteo trailed off, turning his gaze toward Dragon.

"Yes. We wait until the flames of war reach their peak. That is when the Revolutionary Army will strike!"

Dragon’s goal wasn’t merely to save people; more importantly, it was to disseminate his ideals throughout the entire nation.

It was similar to Doflamingo’s takeover of Dressrosa: first, let a multitude die to push the people’s emotions to the breaking point, and then, have the "hero" make his appearance.

Though Doflamingo had eventually failed due to Alucard’s counter-strategy and Zephyr’s intervention, his tactical brilliance was undeniable.

...

Walking along the main thoroughfare of the Ilisia Kingdom, Loli A (Alucard) could hear the constant murmurs of the surrounding populace, even the sounds of weeping.

As residents of a kingdom, many families had men serving in the military. The start of a war meant they were staring death in the face. More importantly, this was a civil war—brother against brother. This reality left the citizens in despair, their hearts swelling with resentment.

At that moment, Loli A sat prominently at an outdoor cafe with her legs crossed. A bloodthirsty smile played across her exquisite face as she muttered in a low voice, "A decadent kingdom and a disgruntled populace... combined, they produce the scent of revolution. Do you smell it, Dragon? Do you smell the bait I’ve prepared for you?"

"Oh, found you!"

A set of hurried footsteps accompanied by a dissatisfied scolding approached. Cavendish walked up to Loli A, plucking a rose as he fell into a self-absorbed trance. "Well now, would you like to join my pirate crew? I’ve already thought of the name: the Beautiful Pirates. Since you managed to escape from Hakuba, I trust your strength is quite formidable."

As he spoke, Cavendish’s lips brushed against a petal, biting one off like a flamboyant host. He opened his eyes and asked, "What do you say?"

But when Cavendish opened his eyes, the seat opposite him was empty. His eyeballs nearly bulged out of his head in fury. "Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!!!"

"Sir, was that young lady just now with you? Please pay her bill."

A waitress approached. Though her eyes were full of longing for Cavendish’s handsome looks, they were mostly filled with pity. Such a handsome man, yet he’s mentally ill... what a shame.

"Not only did she hit me, she ignored me!" Cavendish roared, his face contorted as he raised his hands high. "Damn it! I will definitely become a superstar!"

...

Two days later, Loli A stood upon the high platform of the city walls. The fires of war had already been lit. Even from fifty miles away, the thick, metallic scent of blood drifted from the battlefield. One could only guess how many lives were being lost, or how many families were being shattered at that very moment.

The battle lasted for about six hours. Finally, as night fell officially, the army returned to the city. Leading them was the second prince, Casemiro.

"I won! I am the King! I am the King now!"

Even though he was drenched in blood, Casemiro screamed in ecstasy. Behind him, perched atop a black horse, was his elder brother, Rockefeller. Having lost the throne, he looked as though he had lost his soul, his head drooping so low it almost touched the horse’s back, looking as if he might drop dead at any second.

The residents lining the streets offered no cheers. This was a war of the worst kind.

As the soldiers filed in, the city gates swung shut. Everyone noticed that while tens of thousands had marched out, fewer than ten thousand returned. This meant that at least sixty percent of the soldiers had perished. Sixty percent of the military families had been destroyed.

Yet, Casemiro’s cheering continued. The resentment of the residents peaked; they had lost all hope for this country.

Suddenly, a violent gale erupted, blowing Casemiro and the other soldiers clean off their horses. Amidst the sudden hurricane, the warhorses panicked and bolted in all directions.

Standing atop the city wall, the corners of Alucard’s mouth curled upward into a mad grin. "I have been expecting you for a long time! Dragon!"