MARINES - A ONE PIECE story (ENGLISH) - Part I

CHAPTER XIX - A feast for the heroes

When Arthur and his group emerged from the caves, tired by their struggles, deeply exhausted but relieved, they were surprised to come across Vice-Admiral Myr. He was out of breath, and one could guess by his red cheeks, his drawn features and his wet eyes that he had run in the snow, hiking the peaks, to find them. Instantly, he threw himself on them, sobbing, and hugged them so tightly that their bones cracked.

- Kids, I was so scared for ya ! Ya've been so brave, I hope you're not injured !

Jorge, crushed by so much love, also broke down in tears, causing Arthur and Haru to be hilarious. The cyclops exchanged an amused glance while Gaia, moved, wiped her big watery eye with a silk handkerchief. This man loved his apprentices, and the affection he bore warmed the hearts of all those who witnessed it.

Arthur told him about the tragic fate of Zeem Slayer, who had disappeared into the black abyss of the cave. Without further ado, Myr contacted King Acamas and ordered him to send a battalion to secure the site. Those who had faced the pirates, and had defeated them, deserved a little rest...

...

Myr and his men returned to the palace, where they met their two comrades. The Seagull had been moored in the port, protected by a full battalion of soldiers. Acamas was so grateful to them that he offered to celebrate their victory together and spend the night at the palace.

Arthur was delighted to see that Zell was getting better. He was still weak, but alive, and out of danger.

- This filthy beast almost got me, he mumbled. But thanks to you princess, I'm saved ! he declared, pointing to the cataplasm on his still pale skin.

- That was my duty to help you, she exclaimed. I grew up surrounded by plants, I would be a very incompetent cyclop if I were not able to make the most basic remedies.

They all exchanged thanks by patting each other's back and shaking hands. Once their common enemy was eliminated, the cyclops seemed much less hostile to humans.

King Acamas took his daughter aside for a moment, subtracting her from the lively discussion in which she participated. He took her to the large balcony to be quiet, and, once alone, hugged her.

- I beg you to forgive me, I should have trusted you. Obsessed with the confrontation against these pirates, I was unable to discern the traitors in my ranks... If I had listened to you, perhaps I would have paid more attention to the treacherous maneuvers of Adnanos...

- Adnanos ?! she exclaimed. It was not Pyracmon after all ?

- Indeed, my dear niece.

Prime Minister Pyracmon had approached silently behind them. Blind, he searched the girl's face with his hand, and placed it delicately on her cheek.

- I understand your distrust, my child. You caught me with the den-den mushi in hand and you thought I was the ally of these pirates. You could not imagine that I myself had surprised our brother Adnanos, and that this scoundrel had taken advantage of my blindness to sneak out before I discovered the identity of the traitor...

- My uncle, please forgive me. When I think that I have put such suspicions on you, it is...

- Come on, Princess. It is nothing.

Then he closed his big white eye and approached the railing. He laid his hands there and breathed the fresh air of the mountains. It was late at night, and the frozen wind was moving his long silver hair.

- These events have highlighted my inability to act, my helplessness... I have to face the fact, Acamas, that I am now too old to meddle in the political affairs of this island. The time to retire has probably come, I am now just an old blind man...