Yumiko dashed back, distancing herself from Nika. "You're trying too hard, knightess. You've done quite the inconceivable at home, and as a result, one of the honorary knights is currently in prison. Do you want to experience the same problems Garuda did, perhaps?" Yules claimed.
Yumiko's teeth trembled, feeling annoyed and frustrated. "Why are you mentioning his name? Where he ended up wasn't my problem. He deserved it and you can't change my mind, not even knowing what he is to me."
Yules shared a calm smile. "Oh? However, from what I recall, there was a bargain involved, and a knight never breaches a deal, right? Your father had to acknowledge his religion in order to embrace your victory, and he is currently incarcerated."
Hearing her father's name caused her to lose concentration. She didn't realize that Yules was only provoking her.
"He is no longer my father. I don't care about him. I've endured enough of his torment at this point. I strive not to return to that harsh life. I've made better friends, and even when I go back home, I'll think about the positive things they've done for my homeland." She explained, only to notice him laugh.
"Do you consider them to be your friends? They resemble all other pirates exactly. They might have supported and saved your country, but what does that matter to them? I can't condemn them; it's just one of their many plans to obtain recognition. They just care about destroying the global government and looting treasure.
"The only tragic thing about that is that the people they defeat with huge bounties stop other world government employees from receiving the money. I believe that pirates fighting each other just serves to undermine the potential incentives for doing good."
Yules kicked Chiaki into the hip. However, her body didn't budge, while he continued. "They are simply dishonest people that conceal their genuine goals behind their pleasant faces, just like this girl. By now, shouldn't you be aware of that? Muro was a pirate as well, but look what he did to your land. Ruins, anguish, and pain were his only effects; nothing else. Why do you believe pirates? Is it truly only that they once saved your country?
"What will happen in the future? Can you imagine if another evildoer decimated your country and no one dared to come back to your aid? Trusting them is pointless, especially because you only want to make restitution for what they did. It's merely a means of demonstrating to you that their only goals are fame and wealth."
Yumiko's voice could be heard, shivering. "You don't understand a thing! They didn't just save our people from torment, they connected people that you wouldn't expect to return to what they once were! Bow, Trap, Kizu, and even Empress Oriyana all returned and are willing to protect their homeland.
"You may see them as a threat, but then, if you do, so should you see me. Once I'm done helping them, I'll ask them about the importance, and until then, I'll help them as far as I must. A knight always repays their deeds.
"So, if you think I'll bite into your dumb words, you can forget it!" Instantly, Yumiko moved her right-handed sword past her chest, its point peeking out from the side. She bowed forward, stepped sturdily, and slashed it vertically in an instant, reeling blue energy that she fired ahead in the shape of a moon crescent.
It forced its way in a straight direction, scraping the wooden docks and accelerating through them to ram into Yules and Nika. "I'm surprised. Usually, the 'Sun Soldiers' tend to control golden abilities, but yours are blue. You truly are an unusual case." Nika contributed as much pressure as possible and slashed her sword forward.
Her blade clashed with the blue energy, only to feel its rays phase through the sword and halved itself. Her eyes shook at the astonishing shape-shifting and felt the cold chill of Yumiko's attack ramming into her body. It riled up a powerful gust that forced Nika to skid back from an added pulse.
Yumiko made a long step forward and leaned further ahead and increase the speed of her running. She faced Yules from up close as she slashed her sword at him, readying to deliver the final strike.
But Yules, unfazed by her strength reached with his right ahead. His skin ended up becoming surrounded by a black metal-like shield that hardened and the moment Yumiko's sword slashed at his hand, her blade broke and bounce down onto the floor.
She started to sweat, realizing that he didn't even use his claymore to defend. "It broke? S-So easily? Just defending using his arm?!"
Yules then moved his right arm back and then rammed it into Yumiko's stomach, full force, with no restraint. She felt her body shiver as if her organs were getting squeezed and caused her mouth to nearly spit out saliva. Before she could recover, Yules rammed his fist deeper into her stomach and released a shockwave that launched Yumiko high in the air with an outstanding speed.
She fell onto her back from the strike as she instantly grabbed her painful stomach. She tried to regain her breath, but couldn't regain it fast enough.
"Young Knightess, you are underwhelming me as an opponent. Did you anticipate that a former employee of the SM Agency would be given the position just because of my significance? People who were originally thought to as guardians of this world have had to earn their rank again by performing tasks that the SM Agency was not previously compelled to accomplish since the World Peace Defendant Agency changed its name."
Yumiko slowly stood up and breathed heavily. "World Peace Defendant Agency? I thought there were two opposite agencies." Yules nodded and then continued to explain. "The SM and SP Agencies decided to pool their resources to form the World Peace Defendant Agencies or WPD for short.
"They have decided to cooperate with the global government in order to preserve world peace. You've been a part of this world for so long and have you never noticed how the two distinct agencies have fused into one society? You're so illiterate. We've started a brand-new revolution to get rid of any remaining naive pirates in the "Vast Expanse."
"Of course, the Sea Nobles of this world continue to serve the global government while remaining free to roam wherever they like while still being watched. Recognize that a civilization that is home to thousands of defendants is safeguarding this world. You seafaring pirates will soon realize that things will shift for everyone."
Yumiko's ears weren't deceiving her and she barely managed to contain her cool. "You've become so ignorant about the world while enduring hardship that you continue to believe being a pirate is risk-free. No matter what good deeds a pirate performs, the world government will always be after them."
Yules reached for Chiaki's shirt and pulled her up. "Damn you! Where are you going?!" screamed Yumiko in fury as she noticed Yules dragging Chiaki.
"I'm only going to take her to the global government's main office, and from there, I'll decide what to do based on what the Fleet Admiral determines. We would be forced to comply with his demands if he decided to have this lonely girl put to death."
Yumiko grabbed a sword beside her and stepped forward, yelling. "Leave her alone, already!" she tossed the sword at Yules's back and believed he would be stabbed from back to the chest's front.
Yules's eyes glowed orange and at that moment he blinked from Yumiko's view, catching her frozen in place. She felt his warm breath behind her until she soon heard him say. "Do you not understand when to give up? You will only become a corpse if you believe you can ever defeat a Master of all three Forbidden Techniques without learning even one of them.
"When you do, confront me, and then we'll fight. Don't die." At that moment of his statement, his left hand became hardened by the black metal and then he rammed the side of his hand into Yumiko's back neck.
Yumiko's eyes opened wide, her pupils shrinking as she coughed out saliva. Her body collapsed onto the floor, falling unconscious.
Finally, Yules and Nika left the area and returned to the ship, keeping Chiaki right in their grasp, captive.
Due to their loss and little knowledge about the World Peace Defendant Agency, Tim and his crew were under siege. They realized that the world government is far more formidable than they had anticipated.
To be continued...