"What are you talking about? Qing Kingdom has an extremely powerful Security Officer, how could it possibly perish!"
Nolan was somewhat agitated. He grabbed the policeman by the collar and lifted him up from the ground, his face full of anger.
"But... that's just how it is... why the Qing Kingdom perished is not something we insignificant people can know!"
The police officer answered in a panic.
"That's true, what could a policeman from such a small city like you possibly know..."
Nolan seemed to have figured it out too; after letting go, the policeman fell to the ground again.
"The people here seem to be very afraid of you."
Cifer looked around and saw that there were no other pedestrians on the road. Only the owners of various shops had not closed their doors and fled because of Cifer's words.
That's because...
"You say."
Cifer interrupted the policeman who was still trying to argue, pointing his finger at the owner of the nearest shop.
"I...he..."
The boss looked at the policeman on the ground with a tense and fierce expression, and stammered, unable to say a word.
"Pfft~"
Lucci kicked the policeman in the face, causing him to spit out a mouthful of blood, with nearly half of his teeth scattered on the ground.
"You're the first person who dares to be so arrogant while we're in our hands."
Just by looking at the eyes of others, you can tell this guy is no good, and Lucci won't tolerate him.
"I am a resident of the Qing Kingdom. I have returned this time to settle accounts with the King of the Qing Kingdom."
Seeing that his companions had terrified the shop owner, Nolan smiled and walked towards him.
Beautiful women have always enjoyed privileges and can easily extract information from men, especially someone like Nolan who hails from the Qing Kingdom.
The boss, seeing that Nolan spoke kindly and seemed young and not like a bad person, momentarily forgot how ruthless she was described in the newspapers.
Therefore, they learned everything that the boss knew about what had happened in the Qing Kingdom.
After its defeat, the Qing Kingdom ceded a piece of land bordering Basena in exchange for about six months of peace.
At the time, most people in the Qing Kingdom believed that after losing that land, Basena would no longer attack them.
But about six months ago, without any warning, war broke out, and the Qing Kingdom, led by that powerful Security Officer, resisted stubbornly.
Although many places fell, they were ultimately not conquered by Basena, and the residents of the Qing Kingdom followed him to protect their homeland.
However, the good times didn't last long. Just about a month later, on a day of truce, the Security Officer was summoned to the capital by the king.
Basena seemed to have learned of this as well, and launched a massive attack. Within days, news arrived that the royal family had been killed, and the entire kingdom fell.
The Security Officer never appeared again.
The cities throughout the Qing Kingdom were also taken over by people sent by Basena. The city officials were still the original officials of the Qing Kingdom, but the Security Officer and police were all Basena people.
Moreover, Basena increased taxes on the people of the Qing Kingdom, treating the entire Qing Kingdom as a tool for their own enrichment and pleasure.
Most of the Qing Kingdom live a life of uncertainty, often going hungry, and are generally emaciated and pale.
Now, within the former territory of the Qing Kingdom, the people of the Qing Kingdom can only lower their heads when they see Basena.
"Those bastards..."
Nolan was filled with a nameless rage, wishing he could immediately rush to Basena's capital and kill that damned king.
"Now that we know the outcome, let's find out what caused it!"
Robin noticed that Nolan seemed to be in a bad mood, so he patted her on the shoulder.
"I want to go back to Rona Town first."
Rona Town is her hometown, the land that was ceded by the King of the Qing Kingdom.
"Let's go, let's take back Nolan's homeland!"
Bonney, perched on the bear's shoulders, was holding the food she had just bought in both hands and shouting loudly.
"Lucci, if you accidentally step on someone, you should apologize."
As the group began to leave, Cifer turned back, looked at the policeman still lying on the spot, and said softly.
"I understand, I will apologize to him properly!"
With a cruel smile on his face, Lucci turned around and walked towards the police.
"Wait... don't come any closer!"
The police officer, who had just breathed a sigh of relief, realized something was wrong and frantically crawled backward, his face filled with fear.
After about a day of sightseeing and traveling, Cifer and his companions finally arrived in Rona Town.
"Unbelievable..."
Nolan couldn't believe his eyes.
Just over a year later, the streets of Barcelona are no longer the same as they used to be. Most of the familiar buildings are gone, and the pedestrians are all dressed in Basena attire.
"You're from that pirate crew, right? Our country doesn't welcome you!"
At this moment, a group of police officers walked towards Cifer and his group, and gestured to them that they were not allowed to enter.
"Huh? You're not afraid of us at all!"
Robin was slightly surprised. Although there were places where she wasn't afraid of pirates, the Qing Kingdom had been terrified of them along the way.
"What's there to be afraid of, mere pirates? This is Basena's territory. Even the World Government wouldn't give us any face here!"
The police captain leading the group was arrogant. In his view, even the strongest experts were nothing but paper tigers in the face of a powerful army.
Like that Security Officer from the former Qing Kingdom, what good is being strong? In the end, he still had to slink away in disgrace!
"That's right, get out!"
His subordinates behind him also began to shout, believing that if pirates came to this country, it would definitely affect their ability to make money.
"Of course! If you ladies are traveling to Rona, we would be very happy to welcome you!"
The police captain rubbed his hands together, looking lewd.
"Divine Judgment!"
Enel couldn't take it anymore. God may not be welcome, but he must never be humiliated.
After the swift flash of lightning, only a pile of charred corpses remained on the ground.
"They really did it!"
At this moment, the crowd watching the play on the street suddenly realized what was happening and began to flee in a frenzy.
"God's..."
Enel gathered lightning at his fingertips once more, intending to wipe everyone out, but was stopped by Cifer.
"The sins of war do not lie with the civilians."
At the very least, this group of people did not show any malice; they were simply living here in accordance with the country's arrangements.
In no time, the entire street was deserted again; everyone had run away.
Nolan didn't speak, but followed his instincts and slowly walked in the direction he remembered. Cifer and the others didn't disturb him and silently followed behind him.
After going around several corners and being avoided by people wherever they went, they finally arrived at a small house.
Nothing here has changed, Nolan seems to be seeing the scene of his old life here again.
"You're Nolan, the 'Sky Woman'?! I've been waiting for you!"
Just then, an old woman came out of the hut. Instead of being alarmed, she smiled when she saw the crowd.
"Who are you..."
Judging from his attire, he is from Basena.
Nolan doesn't recall having any connection with the people from that country.
The old woman, leaning on her cane, strode into the house, took out a small box, and handed it to Nolan.
The latter opened the box, and her resilience of the past year crumbled at that moment, tears streaming down her face.