One Piece Shadow Army - Chapter 19
The cursed blade!
A weapon is synonymous with evil!
Any weapon called a cursed blade naturally has a terrifying story behind it.
From Lieutenant Kahn’s narration, Curls learned about the cursed blade depicted in the murals.
“Over a hundred years ago, the Silver Moon Kingdom was attacked by thousands of pirates. The kingdom’s defending knights were overwhelmed by the pirates’ strength and fell into a desperate situation.
Although the king urgently requested aid from the World Government, the pirates had already reached the gates. Distant water couldn’t save the nearby fire.
In this moment of crisis, the king placed his hopes on the cursed blade ‘Red Moon,’ sealed for generations in the kingdom.
This blade was known to grant immense power but was also extremely sinister. It was said that using it would bring endless disaster to its wielder.
Facing the imminent destruction of his kingdom, the king had no choice but to order someone to unseal the legendary blade.
Grand Knight Lannlos, the kingdom’s strongest knight, was chosen to wield the blade.
After drawing the cursed blade, Lannlos used its power to completely defeat the attacking pirates.”
Curls waited for Kahn to continue. The story was surely not over yet. If it ended here, the blade sealed for generations wouldn’t be called a cursed blade.
Kahn stood before the ninth mural and continued, “Although Grand Knight Lannlos defeated the pirates, his killing intent did not dissipate. The cursed blade Red Moon had taken control of him…
Moreover, the remaining knights from the battle were also controlled by the blade. Upon returning to the castle, they slaughtered everyone inside. In the end, no one in the castle survived, and rivers of blood flowed…”
“This is the story of the cursed blade Red Moon!”
Curls quickly absorbed this information and then asked, “Lieutenant, do you think the Death Knights we encountered could be the knights who were controlled by the cursed blade?”
Kahn considered the circumstances of the ghost ship and replied, “I believe so.”
Curls thought this possibility was high but had another doubt.
Why were these murals here?
As knights who intended to protect their country but ended up destroying it, these events should be what they least wanted to face.
Why carve them into murals? Was it out of repentance?
And how did this ship become a ghost ship? Was it solely because of the cursed blade?
Though they had roughly uncovered the identities of the Death Knights, the secrets of the ghost ship only deepened.
After explaining the story of the cursed blade, Kahn led Curls to continue their search on the lower deck.
However, besides these historical murals, they found nothing else.
…
On the patrol ship, Lieutenant Mohr watched the ghost ship anxiously.
It had been over half an hour since Lieutenant Kahn and Curls boarded the ghost ship, and there was still no movement. Could the lieutenant have encountered danger?
Other marine recruits shared this concern, their faces filled with worry.
A marine voiced his worry, “If Lieutenant Kahn and Curls are in danger on the ghost ship, what should we do?”
Mohr angrily retorted, “Lieutenant Kahn went over to ensure our safety, taking Curls with him. And you’re worrying about yourself now?”
The marine who spoke up looked ashamed.
Mohr then addressed the others, “I’m going over to the ghost ship in a small boat to help the lieutenant. Lieutenant Kahn once saved my life. Even if I can only do a little, I must go. Anyone who wants to come with me is welcome. Those who are afraid can stay here.”
A bearded marine immediately responded, “I’m going. If it weren’t for Lieutenant Kahn blocking a pirate’s attack for me, I’d be missing an arm or a leg by now. It’s just a ghost ship. What’s there to be scared of?”
Other marines began to chime in.
“Exactly. It’s just a ghost ship. Lieutenant Kahn has always taught us to be fearless. I’ll go too. Even if I die, I’ll die a brave man.”
“As subordinates, how can we let Lieutenant Kahn face such danger alone? I’m going too.”
The spirit of camaraderie is a powerful force.
With more and more marines responding, the entire patrol ship became filled with fervor, dispelling the fear of the ghost ship.
“Good. Since everyone has decided to go together, let’s sail the patrol ship over and board the ghost ship to assist Lieutenant Kahn.”
Mohr glanced at the enthusiastic marines before raising his sword high.
“To the ghost ship!”
…
Meanwhile, on the third deck of the ghost ship, Kahn was unaware of this. He and Curls were still searching for information.
The third deck had many rooms, indicating that besides the knights controlled by the cursed blade, many people once lived here.
Unfortunately, aside from scattered items, there was no information related to the cursed blade.
The only place left to explore was the upper structure, where Curls sensed a powerful undead presence. It also hid the secrets of the ghost ship.
“We have to go up and see now. Are you ready for a fight?” Kahn asked Curls.
“I’m ready,” Curls replied, fully recovered and prepared.
“Let’s go!”
Kahn led the way up the stairs.
Thud, thud, thud!
In the silence of the ghost ship, the sound of boots on the wooden stairs was particularly pronounced.
Perhaps due to the noise, Curls felt a bit tense, his heartbeat quickening.
Finally, they reached the top of the stairs.
Before them was an ancient wooden door.
Though they hadn’t entered yet, Curls could sense the intense danger behind the door.
Moreover, there was an inexplicable attraction from inside, urging him to uncover everything quickly.
But this allure made Curls feel uneasy!
He was about to warn Lieutenant Kahn, but he was too slow.
Kahn had already pushed the door open!
Creak!
The heavy wooden door swung open, revealing everything inside.
This upper structure had no other compartments, just a vast open space.
Due to some damage in the ceiling, sparse starlight shone through, illuminating the interior.
At the far end lay a pile of dazzling treasures.
This hoard of wealth was ten times greater than the treasure left by Curls’ ancestor, Count Sharl.
Even Curls, who wasn’t interested in money, felt his heart race.
But aside from the immense treasure, there was also a knight in silver armor with a tattered cape!
Unlike the Death Knights, the undead energy emanating from this silver-armored knight was terrifying.
Based on his earlier guesses and the story Lieutenant Kahn had told, Curls knew who this silver-armored knight was.
The Grand Knight of the Silver Moon Kingdom from a hundred years ago!
“Lannlos!”
And the blood-red sword he was leaning on was undoubtedly the legendary cursed blade, Red Moon!
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