Chapter 459

As Satan’s voice fell, the others’ backs were instantly drenched in cold sweat.

Originally, they had believed they were chosen by Im because of their talent, because of their strength…

But now, it seemed that from the very beginning, they—no, the Divine Knights, all the Celestial Dragons of Mary Geoise—were nothing but lambs awaiting slaughter.

Life and death…

Were merely a matter of when Im would grow bored of this game.

If this were truly the case, it was utterly terrifying!

The five did not probe further, nor did they dare to.

After a long silence in the office, Woquli Sheng broke it, speaking up:

“Im-sama needs us. The immediate priority remains Britannias, remains that monster!”

The word “needs” instantly eased the tension in the room.

Like grasping at a lifeline, they all chimed in, terrified of being a moment too slow and meeting death.

“That’s right!”

“We have served Im-sama as his servants for centuries. Even if the seas drown the earth and the Celestial Dragons set foot on the moon, Im-sama still needs us!”

“We are part of him!”

Ma Zhi Sheng nodded slightly, a renewed glow on his aged face. He exhaled deeply and refocused on the intelligence in his hands:

“This time, with the combined strength of the entire world, even that monster of Britannias will not be a match!”

“Even if the Marines and the Divine Knights cannot contain him, we remain—and so does Im-sama!”

“Though Im-sama has not lifted a finger since the great war eight hundred years ago, you all must feel it—his power…”

“Is still growing!”

“And with the passage of time, with the consolidation of dominion, it grows ever stronger!”

“To a degree no one can comprehend!”

Na Shoulang Sheng’s eyes, rarely showing awe, now held deep reverence:

“Exactly!”

“This time, we have no chance of losing. The only path left for that monster is one.”

“Submit—or die!”

…

…

…

Splash—!

Waves crashed against the water, scattering seabirds feeding on the shore as they swept past a pirate ship.

The once-bustling harbor ahead now held not a single merchant vessel, utterly desolate.

Crocodile stood on the pirate ship’s deck, gazing into the distance, a faint, elusive smile on his lips:

“This is Britannias? The monster’s homeland? Surprisingly disappointing.”

“But then again, it’s understandable.”

“Britannias has become the world’s enemy. Just on our journey here, we’ve seen hundreds of ships bristling with cannons and ammunition heading toward it.”

Dazbonis stood beside Crocodile, staring into the distance, his brow slightly furrowed:

“Though the harbor is empty, it’s not chaotic as expected.”

“This doesn’t look like disorder from an impending war—it’s more like an organized, pre-planned evacuation.”

“Did Knight Gao Wen do this?!”

“Yes.”

Crocodile replied lightly, his brow twitching as he sensed something off:

“Logically, even in preparation for evacuation, no one would abandon a harbor outright. That’s equivalent to surrendering coastal defenses and inviting the enemy’s spears straight into your chest.”

“That man’s strategic mind would never miss this. So this isn’t preparation—it’s more like fleeing from some natural disaster.”

Dazbonis ventured a guess:

“The land sinking?!”

Crocodile’s expression hardened slightly.

If Gao Wen had also evacuated, and the civilians of Britannias retreated to higher ground…

Then even that monster had no better solution for the land sinking…

Did he misjudge?!

No!

Crocodile’s eyes suddenly flared as a fragment of intelligence he’d glimpsed by chance in the Cross Guild flashed through his mind.

It was a rumor about Britannias.

A shipyard spanning dozens of kilometers vanished overnight, leaving only a colossal crater in its place.

Only two possibilities existed:

Either it was in the sky—or in the sea… wait…

The sky!

Crocodile stared upward, his gaze meeting only a clear blue sky, clouds gathered thickly above Britannias.

“No way…”

“What’s wrong, boss?”

“Nothing.”

Crocodile shook his head, dismissing his earlier thought as mere fantasy.

Even the mighty Golden Lion had only managed to lift islands a few kilometers in diameter into the sky.

Britannias alone is nearly a thousand kilometers in diameter, its volume countless times greater than Golden Lion’s floating islands.

To lift an entire nation into the heavens—what kind of power would that require?!

Such a feat is beyond human capability.

“It was just a fleeting, absurd fantasy.”

As he spoke—

Crocodile’s expression changed abruptly:

“Huh?!”

Dazbonis followed his gaze and felt an overwhelming, crushing pressure rushing toward them!

In mere breaths, it came like a tidal wave!

The water of the harbor visibly receded, yet their pirate ship sank too—even as its hull grounded on rocks, it kept sinking.

No!

It wasn’t the ship sinking—it was the sheer, overwhelming aura pressing down from afar!

The instant this thought crossed his mind, Dazbonis lost consciousness.

Crocodile nearly collapsed beside him at the same moment, yet he forced his head up, staring fiercely at the distant, unfamiliar yet familiar figure:

“Knight…”

“Gao Wen!”

“Is this how you greet guests? Impolite, isn’t it?!”

Shhh—!

Gao Wen halted midair, looking down at Crocodile with faint surprise.

He had received reports the moment Crocodile neared Britannias.

With Britannias preparing for its next plan and bracing against the World Government’s assault, manpower was stretched thin.

Crocodile’s strength had reached the level of a Warlord. Others might struggle to subdue him.

So Gao Wen decided to handle it himself.

But now, it seemed Crocodile was not an enemy.

After all, this man usually operated from the shadows, moving pieces to shake the world’s balance—

He would never expose his identity before acting.

Moreover,

Gao Wen recognized the crew members faintly shielded behind Crocodile—they were veterans from Baroque Works.

Had they changed after all they’d been through?

Gao Wen made his judgment and spoke calmly:

“Why are you here in Britannias now? Give me a reason not to kill you.”

“Hmph~”

Crocodile smiled faintly, lips curling open: