Alucard’s ship slowly approached the first large main island he encountered after entering the Grand Line from the North Blue entrance.
However, as soon as he entered the port, he noticed an unusual scene.
In his past experiences, harbors and docks usually hosted fishing boats or merchant ships. Here, however, most of the vessels were pirate ships, with huge skull symbols painted on their sails.
In contrast, Alucard’s ship, with its plain white sails and no flag, stood out conspicuously.
"Welcome, welcome, welcome to Miares." Alucard had just disembarked when a man with medium-length green hair approached, leading several men and women.
"My name is Cheris Nimitz. This is your first time in Miares, isn’t it, guest?" The man, who called himself Nimitz, rubbed his hands together as he greeted Alucard. The men and women behind him seemed to be his subordinates, following closely.
"Is there something you need?" Alucard asked, his face devoid of any clear expression.
"No, this city has its own unspoken rules, and we hope outsiders will understand them, as we don’t want any unnecessary bloodshed," Nimitz said with a sly grin, his eyes narrowed into thin slits.
Alucard’s lips curled slightly. "So, what do you intend to do?"
"It’s simple. Any foreign ship arriving here needs to pay respects to the city’s administrator to prove they mean no harm, nothing more. Since this is the first major trading city from the North Blue into the Grand Line, management is very strict," Nimitz explained, raising his right hand to Alucard and making an "OK" gesture. "Do you understand?"
Alucard’s smile remained. "Of course. Lead the way."
Nimitz and his group were surprised that Alucard agreed so readily, but they quickly exchanged glances and led him into the city.
Less than a minute after Alucard was led away from the port, a large group of people, at least twenty or thirty, suddenly emerged from a factory near the dock.
"You think that guy in red is crazy? He just followed them so obediently?"
"Probably some rich kid cruising around on his family’s boat."
"Too lazy to even threaten him. Good luck today."
"Stop talking so much damn nonsense! His ship is made of excellent timber; it wasn’t cheap. There must be plenty of treasure inside."
The two dozen or so people quickly boarded the ship Cnut had given Alucard. However, after more than half an hour of searching, they found nothing. Not even basic necessities like fresh water and food for a journey.
Several grim-faced leaders cursed, "What the hell! There’s nothing inside!"
"Damn, you think that kid carries all the treasure on him?" one person suggested.
At that, everyone remembered Alucard’s large trench coat and thought it was highly plausible. The blond-haired leader immediately clapped his hands, exclaiming, "Good! Let’s head back to the tavern and rendezvous with Boss Nimitz. We’ll rob that kid of everything he’s got!"
In a secluded tavern, Nimitz and his group led Alucard inside.
The moment he entered, the smoky air immediately irritated Alucard. Though he enjoyed alcohol, he detested smoke.
The tavern was packed, roughly thirty people by a quick count. Yet, Alucard’s face maintained its unchanging smile, his hands in his pockets. "The places your city’s managers frequent are truly unique."
Nimitz and the subordinates who had greeted Alucard quickly walked to the bar.
As Alucard stood in the center of the tavern, Nimitz suddenly turned and snapped his fingers. Instantly, everyone in the tavern pulled out guns and aimed them at Alucard, who stood in the open space in the middle.
"What an idiot. He was fooled so easily," Nimitz said, his previous smile completely gone. He wrapped an arm around two unusually styled women, one on each side, and laughed wildly. "Take off your clothes, and all the treasures and money hidden inside! Then you can get lost!"
Alucard’s lips curled slightly. "Is this how this entire city operates?"
Hearing Alucard’s question, Nimitz was momentarily taken aback. He waved his hand. "Haven’t you heard of Miares, the infamous City of Sin in the Grand Line? Hurry up and leave everything you have, then get out..."
Suddenly, a loud bang. A powerful impact came from Nimitz’s left side. When he turned his head, blood splattered his eye. The woman he had been embracing on his left side was now headless, blood ceaselessly gushing from her severed neck, largely staining his cheek red.
The others saw that Alucard, they didn’t know when or from where, had pulled out a large white pistol.
They hadn’t even seen Alucard make the motion to fire, yet the faint smoke curling from the muzzle of the white pistol now proved that Alucard was the one who had just fired.
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