God Valley Incident · Nine

The news of the Rocks Pirates landing was like a sharp blade, instantly tearing apart the already fragile order within the Celestial Dragons' camp.

"Not good! Pirates are here!!!"

"What are you Marines doing?!"

"If anything happens to us—you'll all be hanged!!!"

Screams and furious curses rose one after another.

The Celestial Dragons completely lost their composure, blaming and shoving each other as their faces twisted in fear beneath their bubble helmets.

The Marine captains forcibly spread out their formations, directing their men while loudly trying to calm everyone down. "Please remain calm! Please keep yourselves composed, my lords!"

"The defensive line is still holding! We will handle this immediately—"

Before the words had even faded, an even greater commotion erupted from the other side.

Amid the chaos, Dragon lowered his head and quietly slipped deeper into the Celestial Dragons' camp, using the crowd and guards as cover.

He avoided the patrol routes and circled past the hastily built defensive barricades. Finally, he stopped before a heavily guarded tent.

Inside the tent, two infants lay on soft cushions.

They were Red-Hair's twin babies.

Dragon stood there, stunned for a moment.

He looked at the two nearly identical little faces, their skin still carrying the soft, warm sheen unique to newborns.

Their tiny fingers curled unconsciously, their breathing steady and quiet.

It was as if the explosions, gunfire, and screams outside had nothing to do with them.

Just then—

Outside the camp, a Marine's shout suddenly exploded through the air.

"Report!!!" The voice was practically a roar.

"Enemy ships have appeared off the west coast!!!"

After a brief pause came a trembling confirmation. "It's—the Roger Pirates!!!"

In an instant, the entire camp erupted.

"W-What?!"

"Another one?!"

The Marines looked at one another, their faces instantly going pale.

Dragon hesitated no longer.