Late at night, a sudden chill swept through the town. A blizzard blanketed several streets, and one household after another was jolted awake by the cold.
Cursing, the Jacobites pushed open their doors to see what was happening outside.
But all they saw was a street bleached white. Snowflakes carrying a biting chill fell like raindrops, blanketing the street and freezing the water.
At that moment, many people who had opened their doors froze in shock. The cold rushed at them, draining their body heat in an instant and turning their faces red and hot.
By the time they realized what was happening, the invading chill had already filled their homes, coating them in pale frost.
Everyone was frozen in place at their doorways. Still conscious, they could only watch as the snow and ice spread farther down the street.
They had no idea what had happened, not even by the time they finally lost consciousness.
Several miles from a town in the Kingdom of Jacob, Shanks stood at the bow of his ship, his expression solemn and his lips sealed.
The salty sea breeze tossed his short red hair. His gaze pierced the distance of several thousand meters, watching without reaction as the lights in the distant town gradually went out.
Behind him, most of the Red-Haired Pirates were scattered across the deck, silently watching the distant town meet its destruction.
Just then, Benn Beckman, the Red-Haired Pirates' second-in-command, pushed open the cabin door and slowly stepped out. As he walked, he took out a cigarette and matches, then lit up.
He passed the others and went straight to Shanks's side. Bending down, he leaned his arms on the railing and smoked in silence.
"Is Uta asleep?" Shanks kept his eyes fixed on the distance, his gaze deep and unfathomable.
Beckman exhaled a cloud of smoke and replied gravely, "Yeah, she's gone to sleep."
"Good. She doesn't need to see something like this with her own eyes."
After a moment, Beckman turned to look at Shanks's profile and asked thoughtfully, "If Yelena hadn't decided to act, what would you have done?"
In response, Shanks pressed down on the straw hat on his head, letting its shadow cover half his face. His expressionless voice was firm. "I won't let anyone who hurts my companions or friends get away with it..."
As he spoke, his other hand unconsciously rested on the hilt of the sword at his waist.
Just then, Hongou approached, worry written all over his face. Looking at Shanks's back, he asked, "Boss, Yelena's illness still hasn't been cured. Is it really okay to let her take action on her own?"
At that, Shanks turned to look at the ship's doctor, whom he trusted deeply, and smiled. "It'll be fine. Little Louis is there too."
"Besides..."
"Supporting each other in battle is the best way to build a bond between companions!" A knowing smile appeared on Shanks's face as he spoke.
"Companions? Will they become companions?"
Lime Jones, whose golden hair fell past his shoulders and whose face was hidden behind sunglasses, stroked his chin and fell into thought.
"Of course! Otherwise, why would little Louis have stayed here so long? He doesn't even want to deal with us that much!"
"Guess that's true... Hahahaha!"
"So that's what Louis thinks?"
"Obviously. Does it look like he stayed because of us?"
Hearing his companions chatting behind him, Shanks's smile grew broader. He took a long look at the golden light rising over the city.
Then he turned and headed for the cabin.
Near the cabin door, Shanks stopped again. As his companions watched, he turned sideways and said, "Beckman, get in touch with Morgans. Ask him to leave Yelena and Louis out of it."
"If there's no way to cover it up... then pin it on us, okay? The Navy already knows we're here, anyway."
"Got it." Beckman nodded.
The others had no objections either. The infamy of destroying a World Government-affiliated country would be too much to lay on a young man and woman.
For a great pirate like Shanks, whose bounty exceeded one billion Beli, though, it was just another scratch on an already scarred hide.
However, a burly man with sharp, saw-toothed features scratched his head and said, "But it's so late. The World Economic News Agency probably doesn't even know what happened yet, right?"
Instead of agreeing with him, the others responded with plenty of scorn.
"You've been out at sea for so long, and you still don't know how capable those lunatic reporters from the World Economic News Agency are?"
"Those crazy daredevils are everywhere in the world. Even when they're dying, they'll get the news out before they go!"
Golden light blossomed, spreading across the sky above Jacob City like an aurora.
The Life Force flowing from countless corpses answered the call, taking on a visible form as wisps of pale gold light rose into the sky and merged with the aurora.
Then they streamed down from above, flowing like water. They connected directly to the back of the man-eating beast pursuing the fleeing ships across the frozen sea, providing her with an endless supply of stamina.
Louis sat atop the tallest building in the Kingdom of Jacob. A four-meter-long spear, its blade shaped like a teardrop, lay across his legs.
After Yelena had asked him for help, Louis had agreed to help her annihilate the kingdom. But he hadn't joined the fight himself; instead, he kept replenishing her stamina from a distance.
Louis thought it would be more fitting for Yelena, the last ruler of the Kingdom of Canaan, to act herself and complete her final revenge.
That was why Yelena had been able to slowly engulf the entire city in a blizzard, trapping countless people, draining them of their body heat, and turning them into solid ice sculptures.
"..."
Before they knew it, dawn had risen over the distant horizon, painting a vast stretch of sky gold.
At the end of the street illuminated by the morning light, a humanoid beast covered in pale fur, with straight, demonic horns and terrifying antlers, walked step by step toward Louis.
She was Yelena, the last ruler, who had finally put an end to a century-long feud.
By now, her body was stained with blood, and black residue from cannon fire clung to her. The blood on the war hammer in her hand and the claws at her side had frozen solid.
By the time she returned to Louis, she had completely changed back into human form. The heavy armor passed down through generations of kings was shattered, and her black sports bra was stained red with sweat and blood.
She leaped up and sat down beside Louis.
As she watched the dawn gradually rise in the distance, a strange light flickered in Yelena's eyes. She knew that the suffering of the Kingdom of Canaan had finally ended that day.
Louis looked at Yelena, covered in blood. After a moment's thought, he kindled his own flames, melting the ice nearby. Then he scooped up warm water in a bucket of ice and handed it to her.
"Here..."
Yelena stared, momentarily dazed by Louis's smooth, effortless movements. It wasn't until he held the warm water out to her that she understood what had happened.
She tucked a bloodstained strand of white hair behind her ear and took the water. A gentle smile appeared on her face, streaked with blood. "Thank you."
"..."
After a long while, half the sun hung over the distant horizon, its warm light shining on them both.
Louis stood up facing the sun, then turned toward Yelena and held out a hand, smiling as he made his offer.
"Yelena, I'm leaving."
"Would you like to come with me?"
Bathed in sunlight, Louis's golden hair fluttered in the breeze, his white wings folding slightly. He looked as holy as a true angel.
Yelena stared at Louis in that moment and was briefly dazed.
But she soon came back to herself and smiled. "My remaining subjects are still here..."
Louis wasn't too disappointed by her answer.
Ever since he'd seen how closely the Ganan Remnants were connected to Yelena, he had more or less expected this result.
This was only one final attempt.
However, just as Louis was about to say goodbye and leave, Yelena reached out and took his hand.
The touch was slightly cool. Louis instinctively lowered his gaze and met her red eyes.
Beneath the warm sunlight, Yelena slowly stood, a gentle smile appearing on her face.
"Because my subjects are still here, I have to find them somewhere to live first..."
Before you continue