"I said, throw some trash on the ground!" Yeyin commanded again.
This time, Saint Herocardos didn't dare to argue. He took a jeweled ring from his hand and tossed it to the ground.
[Ding! Picked up the discarded ring from Saint Herocardos, gaining 10 million Berries.]
Yeyin picked up the ring, momentarily stunned. This guy's belongings were actually worth 10 million!
"Now, break your sword and throw it on the ground," Yeyin ordered again.
"I… I can't," Herocardos stammered, looking troubled.
Seeing Yeyin lift his sword again, Herocardos quickly blurted out , "Don't… don't stab me again! I… I…" Herocardos whimpered, "I can't break it!"
He felt quite aggrieved—if he could break his own sword, he wouldn't be hesitating! Yeyin's request felt impossible.
Hearing this, Yeyin paused, realizing the obvious: while some Celestial Dragons were powerful, most were lazy and indulgent, entirely useless in a fight.
"Mr. Issho, please help him out," Yeyin instructed, as he couldn't make the trash himself; the system didn't seem to recognize self-made trash as valid.
"Understood." Issho took hold of Herocardos's sword and tried to break it, but although cracks appeared, it didn't fully break.
Finally, with a loud snap, Herocardos managed to break his sword and throw it on the ground as instructed.
[Ding! Picked up the discarded sword of Saint Herocardos, acquiring the Compass Sword.]
Yeyin froze upon hearing the system notification. This thing? He held up the Compass Sword, which looked more like a toy. It was dull, barely ten centimeters long.
"What a complete waste!" Yeyin muttered, storing the Compass Sword, and then stood up.
"Don't kill me! I won't seek revenge, I swear!" Herocardos begged, thinking Yeyin was about to leave. But in an instant, a flash of cold light sliced through the air. Herocardos clutched his neck and collapsed, his bloated body hitting the floor.
"Sir, what should we do with the slaves now?" Issho asked, puzzled.
"Let's go ask them," Yeyin replied, leaving the ship. Soon, he gathered all the slaves and freed them. Of course, he wore a mask to hide his identity.
"Don't be afraid. I'm not a pirate," Yeyin reassured them. "Do you want to go home, or would you like me to arrange something for you?"
Issho stayed out of sight due to his distinct appearance, which could give them away.
"I want to go home…"
"I can't go back; it would put my family in danger…"
"I want to return to Fish-Man Island…"
Yeyin quickly understood their preferences. Some had been kidnapped, while others were bought and couldn't return to their former lives. But those like the Fish-Men wanted to return home.
"Fish-Men, you have some ability to protect yourselves. You can return on your own," Yeyin said.
"Thank you, we know you need to keep your identity hidden," one of the Fish-Men said, "but we will never forget your kindness!"
With that, the Fish-Men leapt into the sea one by one, disappearing beneath the waves.
(End of Chapter)