Shamrock was choked up by Elio's jab at Shanks. His hand moved instinctively to the hilt of the Western sword at his waist, itching to lash out, but he didn't dare.
Not because he feared Elio's overwhelming strength, the same strength that had sent the six God's Knight members flying with a single burst of Conqueror's Haki. No, what truly held him back was the fear of ruining the mission with a misstep.
After quietly taking a deep breath, he stepped forward and bowed slightly.
"Figarland Shamrock, under orders from His Eminence Imu, awaits your arrival, Fleet Admiral Elio."
Elio looked around without acknowledging him, his brows knitting into a frown. He turned to Gunko, ignoring Shamrock altogether.
"Gunko, seems like you didn't pass on my message. If Imu wants to see me, then show me your sincerity."
It was as if Gunko had expected him to say this. She calmly turned and waved her sleeve.
"Bring them in."
At her command, several fully armed palace guards standing just behind the God's Knights turned and dashed off.
Before long, they returned, dragging someone between them, Spandine.
"Kneel!"
As soon as they reached Elio, one of the soldiers landed a hard kick on Spandine's back, forcing him to collapse to his knees.
"You can't treat me like this!" Spandine cried. "I'm the one who made tremendous contributions to the World Government!"
Spandine struggled to rise but was immediately shoved back down by two palace guards holding his head low. Still, he fought back fiercely, roaring in defiance.
"Let me go! Damn you all, you worthless trash!"
Eventually, despite his failed efforts to stand, Spandine managed to lift his head.
But he didn't look at Elio, his eyes turned to Shamrock and Gunko standing coldly to the side.
"Hahaha, imagine that!"
"The World Government, which has stood atop the Red Line for hundreds of years, bowing to a traitor! God's Knights? Gorosei? Hah! One day, you'll all pay dearly for this cowardly compromise! Elio may have rebelled today, but tomorrow, he'll trample your so-called government underfoot…"
"Insolence!"
Gunko's brows arched upward in anger. With a wave of her sleeve, her Devil Fruit power erupted. In an instant, a bandage-wrapped arrow shot silently through the air, coiling around Spandine's neck and lifting him high into the air.
Shamrock immediately spoke up to stop her from killing him, restraining the fury from earlier when Elio ignored him, and spoke slowly.
"How to deal with him, I'll leave that to you."
"Only Spandine?"
Elio glanced at the man now dangling by the throat, his calm voice tinged with cruelty.
"That's not enough, Shamrock. Cut the grass, eliminate the roots. If I remember correctly, Spandine has a son… what was his name again… Spandam? Right, that's the one."
"Elio!" Spandine screamed, struggling violently in midair, "Leave my son out of this! He has nothing to do with it!"
"You can't say that."
Elio waved for Gunko to lower him, then stepped forward and looked down at the gasping man.
"If I kill you here, it'll absolutely concern your idiot son. He'll surely resent me and be used by the Gorosei. Later, they'll use him as an excuse to disgust me, and even if I respond with force, they'll just say it was Spandam acting out of personal vengeance."
"Spandine, I can't deny you're a cunning man. You even managed to leverage the Gorosei to have Enies Lobby put me on trial! If I hadn't spent years building my own connections, I might have fallen into your trap."
"But unfortunately for you, no amount of scheming could've predicted I'd rebel, and take over the entire Marine force in just one day."
"To the victor go the spoils. You lost. Admit it."
"Still, I have to thank you. If you hadn't intervened at that moment, I might never have made up my mind so quickly."
"And to show my gratitude, I'll reunite you with your son."
Spandine's eyes flickered with despair. He thrashed and shouted, "Elio, you..."
Bang, bang, bang-
Before he could finish, a palace guard beside him suddenly stepped forward, raised his rifle, and shot Spandine cleanly in the head. Three precise rounds. No hesitation.
The sudden act stunned everyone present. Even Shamrock instinctively grabbed his sword hilt, ready to draw.
"Fleet Admiral Elio!"
Before Shamrock could unsheathe his blade, the palace guard snapped to attention, saluted Elio, and declared:
"Please forgive this subordinate for executing the prisoner without your order. Emptying the magazine in one second wasn't my limit, but my way of showing you my loyalty!"
"…What's the meaning of this?" Elio blinked in confusion.
Over the years, he had wanted to nurture loyal followers within the Holy Land, but the Marines stationed here had all been transferred before he became Fleet Admiral. They were directly under Commander-in-Chief Kong, not easily influenced.
If he couldn't even win over the stationed Marines, the palace guards were even less likely.
Almost as if he had read Elio's mind, the palace guard removed his helmet, revealing a youthful face.
"Fleet Admiral Elio, this is our first time meeting. But I've long heard of your deeds. They say you answer every call."
"My parents were murdered by pirates a few years ago. My sister survived but was severely injured and disabled. Ever since, I've lived to take revenge for them, but…"
His voice trailed off. He kicked his helmet aside, eyes resolute.
"I want to take this opportunity to ask you, please let me leave the Holy Land!"
"I see." Elio nodded. "You want to go out there to avenge your parents and sister."
"Yes!" the palace guard said firmly.
"Then go." Elio stepped aside, clearing the path. "The way is before you. All you have to do is walk it."
The guard was stunned by how quickly Elio agreed. Then, overwhelmed with emotion, he saluted and shouted:
"Loyalty!"
Elio waved him off. "Go."
"Yes, sir!"
Without sparing another glance at Shamrock and the others, the palace guard strode toward the lift, head held high.
Just as he reached the elevator, he suddenly turned around, dropped to his knees, and bowed deeply to Elio.
"Fleet Admiral Elio, if I succeed and come back alive… may I become your soldier?"
Elio nodded.
"You already are, soldier."