Chapter 123: The Unacknowledged King (Additional Update 2)

After communicating with General Roland, Penggeles ordered the warship to anchor nearby, waiting for his return before making further plans.

According to his recollection of the events, after the island’s civilians endured Blackbeard’s attack, they had become vigilant and spontaneously organized an armed force to patrol around the harbor.

The leader of this armed force was Dalton, another minister under Valpo.

If Penggeles was lucky, he should be able to encounter them directly near the dock.

The warship was anchored only about a hundred meters from Magnetic Drum Island. Given Penggeles’s abilities, he could still cross the distance using the Moon Step technique, though returning might be more difficult.

But that was no big issue; he only needed to make a quick call to Roland on the island, and he didn’t even have to get through.

After expending much of his energy, Penggeles successfully reached the island, only to be immediately surrounded by the armed force that had seemingly appeared from nowhere.

Seeing the leader clad in a green military coat, Penggeles recognized him as the man Roland had mentioned—Dalton.

Because of the naval uniform he wore, Dalton’s militia refrained from attacking Penggeles, simply encircling him along the shoreline.

“Lord Dalton, this man doesn’t look like a pirate; that uniform resembles naval attire,” one of the archers nearby said, aiming his bow at Penggeles but hesitating.

“Lower your weapons first. I see that warship too,” Dalton waved his hand. Upon seeing Penggeles’s uniform, he also spotted the ship anchored offshore.

The sight of the blue seagull flag brought him some relief.

He wasn’t afraid that someone had stolen a naval ship and was impersonating the navy here; such a thing had never happened before and was unlikely to.

“Mr. Dalton, I am Major Penggeles, the adjutant to Colonel Roland. I came here to discuss something with you,” Penggeles stepped forward and extended his hand once he saw the tension ease.

“Major Penggeles? I wonder what the navy needs to discuss with our militia,” Dalton said, shaking Penggeles’s hand but frowning.

“Do you know Valpo?” Penggeles asked directly, wasting no words.

“King Valpo? You came for him?” Upon hearing the name, Dalton and the militia behind him immediately darkened in expression and raised their weapons again.

“No, no, no, not King Valpo, but Captain Valpo of the Briguek Pirates, known as Iron White Valpo, a Tontong Fruit user. But he’s just a pirate,” Penggeles said with a smile, shaking his head.

“The Briguek Pirates? Pirate Iron White Valpo?” Dalton was momentarily confused. Could it be a case of the same name?

But Penggeles had explicitly mentioned the Tontong Fruit ability, which puzzled Dalton.

There was no one else in this world with both those traits: a Tontong Fruit user and named Valpo.

So why was this naval officer saying he was a pirate and not the king?

“Yes, a pirate. Our Colonel Roland defeated them three days ago, killing all the pirates, leaving only the ship’s doctor, sailor, cook, and Valpo with his two officers alive.”

“According to Colonel Roland’s usual methods, those three would have been executed outright, fed to the sea fish, since they were nothing but minor pirates without any bounty.”

“But unexpectedly, those three insisted they were the king of Magnetic Drum Kingdom, not pirates, which troubled Colonel Roland.”

“After all, Magnetic Drum Kingdom isn’t a minor country. As a member of the World Government, we certainly can’t ignore their status.”

“So…” Penggeles paused before continuing.

“So you came here intending to have us deny this man’s identity, labeling him a pirate, and kill him outright to resolve the matter?” Dalton’s mind wasn’t slow; he immediately grasped Penggeles’s underlying meaning.

“Dealing with a clever man is convenient; pretending to be a schemer is just too exhausting.”

Having made his point, Penggeles reverted to his usual solemn demeanor, looking seriously at Dalton.

“Mr. Dalton, if you have no objections, I will report back to Colonel Roland.”

Dalton shook his head, feeling no sympathy for Valpo.

In recent days, he had witnessed more than once the suffering and death of citizens from disease, which had completely broken his faith in this king.

A king who cared nothing for his subjects was no king at all. If it weren’t for his father being king, Valpo would never have held this position.

Seeing this, Penggeles smiled and took out a mini Den Den Mushi, dialing Roland’s number.

But the call didn’t connect; after a clicking sound signaling disconnection, Penggeles saw the warship in the distance begin to move, heading toward the island.

After the ship docked, Roland led Zoronnami forward, followed by the marine escort bringing Valpo and his two officers.

“Valpo, this is Magnetic Drum Island. Let’s see if these people recognize you!” Roland waved, ordering the marines to bring Valpo directly before Dalton, sneering.

“Colonel, we don’t know this man. He’s not our king,” Valpo declared as soon as he appeared, no need for Roland’s prompting. The militia’s deep-seated hatred flared up.

Each and every one glared at Valpo angrily.

If Roland hadn’t been present, he suspected they might have torn Valpo apart on the spot.

“That’s right, Colonel. Our Magnetic Drum Kingdom has only one king—His Majesty Dalton before you. There is no other king.”

“Yes, Colonel, we remember now. Not long ago, pirates attacked our island. It seems this man was responsible. He not only plundered our wealth but also took our doctor.”

The militia erupted in angry shouts and curses.

After Penggeles revealed the navy’s plan—no, their scheme—they wholeheartedly sided with the marines.

To them, Valpo’s presence was a stain on the island.

A selfish, uncaring ruler who abandoned his people in times of danger—what use was he? Should they allow him to stay and continue exploiting them?

Impossible. Absolutely impossible.

Even without the navy’s involvement, they would never allow Valpo to return.

Under Dalton’s guidance these days, everything except having no doctor was vastly better than during Valpo’s reign.

Compared to Valpo, Dalton was the true king—a king who cared for his people.

Hearing these words from the very people who once scorned him, Valpo’s heart sank into despair.

He knew he was doomed.

In truth, he had known three days ago that his fate was sealed.

Falling into the hands of the ruthless Roland, what good outcome could he expect?

His arrival here was but a final, desperate struggle.