บท 13: The Attack on the Capital
Stopping beside Noelle, Zoro placed a gentle hand on her head. "Don't bow your head. Not as long as I'm alive," he said quietly, his voice carrying a protective, reassuring strength. "You, and everyone from the Black Bulls, will never have to bow to anyone, even if the other party is a king, much less a noble." His hand lingered a moment longer, patting her head gently before he stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Alecdora with a look that made the noble's skin crawl.
Noelle's eyes widened in shock, a mix of confusion and awe swirling in her mind. "Vice-captain?" she thought, barely able to comprehend the situation. She had known Zoro to be powerful, but this—this was something else entirely. The aura he released was suffocating, pressing down on everyone in the hall like an invisible weight. Yet, to her, it radiated something softer. Beneath the cold, fierce energy he aimed at the nobles, she could feel a warmth in his presence, like a fire shielding her from a bitter chill.
Her heart pounded as she glanced at the spot on her head where he had gently placed his hand just moments ago. The memory of his touch lingered, comforting and reassuring. She had been so used to standing alone, fending off every sneer and insult by herself, that this act of protection felt almost foreign—yet profoundly comforting. She couldn't tear her eyes away from Zoro's wide back, his figure tall and steady in front of her, as if he were a barrier against the world's cruelty. His stance was unwavering, each word he had spoken carrying a promise that felt unbreakable.
A strange, newfound feeling stirred within her, something she hadn't experienced in all her years as a Silva. This was the first time anyone had stood by her side, publicly, against those who belittled her, and she could hardly believe it. She had spent so long battling her own doubts and insecurities, questioning her worth and wondering if she'd ever find a place where she truly belonged. But here, standing among the Black Bulls and seeing Zoro face off against the nobles with unyielding confidence, she felt that sense of belonging wash over her at last.
Zoro walked toward Alcedora, who instinctively took a step back, his face paling. "W-What are you going to do? This is the royal castle—you can't attack me here!" he stammered, his tone laced with nervous defiance, as if the castle's walls could protect him from the wrath standing before him.
Zoro's lips curled into a fierce grin. "Hah! You're bold enough to say that after you attacked a Black Bulls member, knowing full well I was here. You've got some real guts." He closed the distance in an instant, grabbing Alcedora by the face, effortlessly lifting him off the ground with one hand. Alcedora struggled, gasping, as Zoro tightened his grip, his fingers pressing painfully into Alcedora's cheeks. "Do you want to die, brat? Or are you banking on your captain coming to save you?" The pressure from Zoro's hand made Alcedora squirm, unable to respond, his eyes wide with panic.
Just then, a voice rang out from the side. "Who do you think you are, attacking a royal like that?" It was Solid Silva. Normally, he wouldn't dare oppose someone like Zoro, notorious for his sheer strength and for once even killing a noble. But with his older brother Nozel by his side, Solid's confidence surged. He felt safe, sure that his brother's presence would protect him.
"Fool," a cool voice interjected, drawing Solid's attention. It was Charlotte, captain of the Blue Rose Knights, her gaze calm yet piercing as she looked at him.
"Huh? Why did you say that, sis?" Sol, Charlotte's loyal squad member, asked in confusion, still chewing a snack as she glanced between Zoro and Solid. "From what I see, I don't think the green-haired guy has a chance of winning," she added, unaware of the storm brewing between Zoro and Solid.
Charlotte shook her head, her eyes narrowing as she looked back at Zoro with respect and caution. "That kind of thinking will get you killed, Sol. From my experience, you should never underestimate that man. He'll do anything without a second thought because he's strong enough to handle any consequences that follow. And that's Captain to you," she corrected, her tone firm.
Meanwhile, Zoro's attention shifted to Solid, his gaze darkening with a bloodthirsty intensity. Solid's bravado faltered, and he took an involuntary step back, fear flickering in his eyes. Without a second thought, Zoro slammed Alcedora into the ground, the impact cracking the floor in a spiderweb pattern, leaving Alcedora at its center, barely conscious and bleeding from his head.
The room fell silent. Asta, Yuno, Klaus, and others stood frozen, their faces a mixture of shock and awe at Zoro's raw power. The captains, however, remained calm, as if they'd expected nothing less from someone of his reputation.
Zoro straightened, his gaze turning toward Solid with a chilling smile. In an instant, he was in front of him, gripping him by the neck and lifting him off the ground. Nebra, Solid's sister, cried out, rushing forward to save him. But before she could reach them, Zoro's arm shot out, catching her in his grip as well. The room filled with an oppressive, suffocating aura as everyone's attention turned to Nozel, who stood at the back, his gaze like ice.
"That's enough," Nozel commanded, his voice steady and calm, though his eyes held a dangerous glint.
Zoro's grin only widened, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Oh? Is that a challenge? Because I'd love to take you on." Solid and Nebra, still in his grip, looked relieved, thinking their brother would step in and they'd be released. But Zoro had other plans.
He leaned in closer, his voice low and menacing. "You foolish nobles think you own the world because you were born in a castle. Let me make one thing clear. In this world, power is everything. I could kill both of you right here and now, before your brother could even reach me. And afterward? You think someone's going to punish me?" His grip tightened, a killing intent radiating from him that turned Solid and Nebra's faces pale with fear. "I'm so strong the kingdom would beg me to stay here, to protect them. Punish me for getting rid of a couple of useless nobles? Not a chance!"
"I said, release them," Nozel repeated, his tone icy as he summoned his grimoire. A heavy aura filled the room as he took a step toward Zoro, a deadly calm in his gaze.
Zoro's eyes lit up with exhilaration. "Oh, good! Let's fight it out." He slammed Solid and Nebra's heads together, knocking them both unconscious, then released them to the ground like discarded dolls.
He unsheathed Enma, his blade, which quickly became covered in Armament Haki, black and dense, with arcs of lightning sparking along its edge. Vermithra, Zoro's spirit, materialized beside him, her form radiating dark energy that mirrored Zoro's anger. She hovered around him, ready to strike, her form pulsing with anticipation and a fierce, protective aura.
At the sight, Noelle's heart sank. She was torn, her eyes darting between Zoro and Nozel. Her brother stood on one side, representing her family, while on the other was Zoro, her vice-captain, who'd stood up for her when no one else would. She clenched her fists, unable to choose sides, but desperately wishing the fight wouldn't happen.
Nozel finally stood in front of Zoro, his cold gaze unwavering. "You need to learn some manners," he said icily.
"Oh? And you're going to teach me, you shiny lady-boy?" Zoro shot back, his stance steady as their auras clashed—one radiating a silver shimmer, the other a dark, blood-red energy. The room was filled with an electric tension, their power suffocating.
The onlookers whispered in shock and awe, their eyes wide with terror and fascination. A palpable fear rippled through the room, but none dared to interfere in the face of these two forces.
"Enough," came a calm, steady voice, adding a third wave of pressure that filled the room. It was Fuegoleon, the captain of the Crimson Lion Kings. "All this over one lone boy? Aren't you embarrassed?" he said, his gaze flicking between Zoro and Nozel with a measured, commanding presence.
"Shut up, you no-balls red rooster!" Zoro scoffed, waving him off with a dismissive hand. "Send your sister in your place—she's got more guts than you, all talk and no action!" He shooed Fuegoleon away as if he were a nuisance. But despite his words, Zoro reluctantly sheathed his sword, his grip loosening as he sensed the consequences of a fight here.
Fuegoleon's face twitched with irritation, a tick mark forming on his forehead as he silently fumed. One day, he thought bitterly, I'll show you I'm stronger than my sister!
Unfazed by the tension, Sol glanced over at Charlotte. "You think these guys are dumb, huh, sis?" she asked casually, munching on her snack.
"Manners, Sol," Charlotte corrected, shooting her a warning look.
"Sorry, sis."
"Call me Captain, Sol."
At that moment, the doors burst open, and a soldier rushed in, breathless and panicked. "EMERGENCY! The capital is under attack!" His voice echoed through the room, snapping everyone's attention toward him.
Zoro, with Vermithra beside him, exchanged a knowing look, their anticipation renewed, ready for whatever chaos awaited them in the capital.
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