While Counter, embedded in the stone, was being rescued in a flurry by everyone, he stared with wide eyes and gaping mouth at Nicholas, who appeared there.
It can be said that in the moment he clashed with Nicholas, he already knew that the gap between them was beyond description in words.
If, upon seeing the lightning clones that almost instantly dismantled all armed defenses on Cocoa Island, Counter still thought he might escape even if he couldn't win, after taking Nicholas's kick, he knew he was likely done for today.
"Stop him! Anyone who can injure that guy will be exempt from ten years of soul payment to Cocoa Island. If anyone can kill him, I'll authorize granting you permanent residency on Cake Island, and you won't have to pay with your soul!"
Counter practically roared out these words, clearly spurred on by the fear of death.
Although he knew these lowly people probably weren't a match for the soldiers of the Whole cake island's Homies, at this moment, any extra second they could delay Nicholas meant another second for the reinforcements from Cake Island and other islands, and another chance at survival for themselves.
Upon hearing Counter's words, the crowd surrounding him erupted into an uproar, clearly unable to refuse the conditions Counter had laid out.
Many people immediately drew weapons, turning towards Nicholas like demons ready to pounce, while those without weapons simply improvised, picking up rocks or branches.
There were even a group of elderly men who took off their shoes or removed their dentures, clutching them in their hands and eagerly eyeing Nicholas.
Seeing the others gearing up and getting ready to take him down, Nicholas couldn't help but feel a bit exasperated.
He wasn't a saint, but his pride wouldn't allow him to simply dispatch these almost defenceless ordinary people.
"Hey, can we really take on that guy who could beat Lord Charlotte Counter?"
Someone looked at Nicholas standing quietly there, feeling uneasy.
"What are you afraid of? There are so many of us, and besides, we don't have to charge to the front. Let those guys up front deal with him first, and then we can join in later."
A companion whispered, showing that they weren't fools and knew that rushing in against someone who could easily dispatch them wasn't a wise move.
For a moment, the atmosphere on the field became tense, and Nicholas seemed to be getting tired of it. He simply raised his foot and walked towards Counter, who was lying there.
Seeing this scene, many people in the crowd exchanged glances.
"Get him!"
"Yeah, with so many of us, what's there to fear?"
"Whether we can have better days depends on today!"
...
With the rhythmic voices rising one after another in the crowd, a group of brainless guys rushed towards Nicholas.
Facing the people charging at him with weapons raised, Nicholas showed no mercy. Dozens of lightning bolts shot out from around his body.
With a crackling sound, those who rushed out were instantly blackened, as if struck by a high-voltage electric current, and fell to the ground.
The battle ended too quickly, without even giving them a chance to show off.
"They didn't even get a chance to get close."
Some in the crowd muttered disappointingly.
As if they were on the same wavelength, they glanced at each other inadvertently.
"Sir, have mercy on us poor folks. If Lord Counter dies on Cocoa Island, we'll all be executed by the angry Charlotte family!"
With a burst of crying, the elderly men who had just been eager to fight knelt before Nicholas, tears streaming down their faces.
"Yeah, please have mercy on us, sir. We're all refugees from the sea. It's so hard to have a place to stay, you know."
Someone quickly chimed in.
"Yes, sir, we don't mind dying, but these little ones here, they've only just seen the world."
As the words fell, the crowd parted, revealing a group of three or four-year-old children, as well as many women holding babies and pregnant women.
Seeing this scene, Nicholas couldn't help but sigh. Charlotte Linlin's Whole cake island had done quite well in consolidating the hearts and minds of the people.
Although the terms vary depending on the island's conditions, the fact remains that for these people living in the world outside, Linlin's World is a paradise. Even if they have to pay with their lives, it's a small price to pay compared to the life they enjoy there.
Even if they could have lived to be eighty, if living in Linlin's domain means giving up thirty years of life, for them, it's a choice they would make without hesitation.
After all, fifty years of carefree living without worries about food and safety is much better than a lifetime of hard labor and oppression, not to mention eighty years of it.
After all, for these people living there, Linlin's World is a paradise. Although they have to pay with their lives, it doesn't change the fact that Linlin's World is a paradise for them.
Nicholas looked at the weak residents of Cocoa Island's town, ignored them, and left. After all, for these people without strength, this is their way of survival in this world.
With a slight movement, when he appeared again, Nicholas was already in front of Counter.
"Such weaklings. I hope your brothers and sisters can give me some fun in the future."
Then, in Counter's horrified gaze, Nicholas smiled and said, "Have you ever been kicked in the speed of lightning?"
With that, his right leg, flickering with electrical light, kicked directly at Charlotte Counter's neck. Accompanied by a crisp sound, Charlotte Counter, the sixth son of the Charlotte family, died at the hands of Nicholas.
Several minutes later.
The bewildered residents of Cocoa Island looked at the smoking town and the scattered remains of the Homies soldiers everywhere. The one who caused all this, however, had disappeared without a trace, as if it were all a nightmare.
On the sea outside Cocoa Island's periphery, several monitoring ships were anchored.
Apparently, when Counter sent out the message about Nicholas's arrival to the outside, these surrounding monitoring ships rushed over.
"What happened to Cocoa Island..."
In the monitoring room, the members of the Big Mom Pirates stared dumbfoundedly at Cocoa Island, which was engulfed in smoke.
The last time the island was invaded was the last time, wasn't it?
After a long time.
After the monitoring ship conveyed the message to other parts of the World, they boarded Cocoa Island first.
What they saw there was the Homies' remains littering the town, and the body of Charlotte Counter, the sixth son of the Charlotte family.
"What's going on? Counter... Lord Counter! He..."
The leader in charge on the reconnaissance ship stared wide-eyed, incredulous, at the situation before him. The direct bloodline of the Charlotte family had fallen in battle, and things were about to get serious!