Beneath the azure sky stretched an endless sea of clouds.
Upon a white cloud platform flecked with silver-gray.
Two hundred warriors of various races stood there, clad in armor based on Germa 66 combat suits. Their helmets concealed their faces.
They stood like statues.
Their forms remained utterly unaffected by their surroundings.
A grim, murderous atmosphere.
Without any deliberate embellishment, it had already affected the area around them.
Without question.
These warriors were all true veterans who had emerged from mountains of corpses and seas of blood.
Though their appearances could not be seen clearly, the unconscious aura they exuded made it apparent, simply from their stance, that they were extraordinary.
"Are you all ready?"
The questioning voice rang out from above the platform filled with warriors.
"Ready. We shall obey Lord Roy's will in all things."
They raised their right arms high.
Two hundred voices filled with unwavering fervor rang out in perfect unison beneath the azure sky.
Their faith was as solid as stone.
Everything was subject to Roy's will.
These two hundred carefully selected soldiers—or rather, warriors—were loyal dead men capable of giving their lives, even everything they possessed, for Roy.
They enjoyed the finest treatment in Sky City and wielded its best weapons. At the same time, they were among those most loyal to Roy.
They were the sharp blades beneath Roy's command, cutting through all thorns and obstacles.
At the same time, they were one of Roy's most mysterious forces.
Other than a handful of Roy's highest-ranking people, no one knew of their existence. Or rather, every enemy who had seen them had gone to meet the Pirate King.
The reason they had gathered here today, a rare occurrence, was not for any important mission. It was simply because Roy wished to forge his blades