"Put out the fire! Hurry and put out the fire!"
"My wife is still inside! Save her, please save her!"
"Notify the City Defense Force, hurry and notify the City Defense Force."
On a street not far from the Dressrosa palace, thunderous explosions jolted all the nearby residents awake from their sleep. The explosions set a large number of homes ablaze. Those fleeing for their lives and those who had come outside to see what was happening quickly descended into chaos, their cries carrying far into the distance.
Dressrosa itself had a hot, low-rainfall climate and was already extremely dry. Most of its homes were built of wood, and once a fire broke out in such a densely packed residential area, the wind quickly spread the flames.
The "firefighting team" spontaneously formed by the people was utterly inadequate in the face of a city fire of this scale. Though they had all ended up filthy and covered in ash, they had done little to stop the blaze.
"Clip-clop, clip-clop, clip-clop!"
The dense, crisp sound of hoofbeats rang out from a nearby street. The people fighting the fire all turned to look and saw King Riku III, clad in light armor and riding a tall horse, arriving first with a vanguard of cavalry.
"They're here! King Riku is here!"
"We're saved! We're saved!"
At the sight of King Riku III and his cavalry, the people erupted in cheers. King Riku was also startled by the fire before him. He quickly reined in his horse and shouted to the crowd:
"Tear down the wooden buildings around the fire zone and stop the flames from spreading any further."
"Dig trenches, quickly..."
Concerned for the people, King Riku rapidly issued orders. Yet at that moment, his hand involuntarily settled on the sword at his