A Glorious Journey That Cannot Be Tainted

Oceannus turned to look at Bartholomew, whom he had kicked aside.

"...Why did you betray Edward?" Bartholomew stood up, a hint of anger hidden in his eyes. "Aren't you a hero? Do heroes do things like betrayal too?"

Oceannus raised a hand. "Hold on. You're Bartholomew, right?"

Bartholomew did not answer. He merely clutched his stomach and stared at Oceannus.

Oceannus was far too strong. And now, he held the Holy Grail in his hand and stood atop the sea.

With all those advantages, even a casual punch or kick from Oceannus could rival the destructive power unleashed by an ordinary Servant's Noble Phantasm.

"First, let me explain something. I was never one of Edward Teach's crew. The only reason I helped you was because I felt I had once failed to do something I promised to do. That's all. Besides..." Oceannus's gaze turned cold.

With his arms folded across his chest, his tall, powerful body radiated overwhelming pressure. Under the control of his magical energy, Bartholomew, standing before Oceannus, could even feel his knees trembling as though he might collapse to his knees at any moment.

Bzzzt—

At that moment, the consequences of Blackbeard's defeat appeared.

The first to vanish was Blackbeard's Noble Phantasm—the Queen Anne's Revenge.

Ship and crew vanished together. Oceannus and Bartholomew both dropped straight down into the sea.

Yet Oceannus stood firm upon the surface like an immovable rock, while Bartholomew floundered in the water.

Oceannus grabbed Bartholomew by the face and hauled him up like a drowned rat, staring into his eyes. "I'm in a very bad mood right now."

"I only learned about this from Hector."

"As a vanguard navigator, I sang upon the seas for adventure and freedom. Even at the very end of my life, I was immensely proud of my