Pirates: Your emperor has returned!

No, no, no, no, that's not it!

Those crystals grew out of his body!

A chill ran through my body.

The wounded soldier immediately shouted desperately, "Run! Don't get cut! These crystals are contagious!"

"Once you get scratched, you'll turn into a monster just like them!"

……

If Romain Rollin were present, he might also be shocked.

He should be very familiar with the properties of this "crystal".

Many years later, in Wano Country.

[Pandemic] Quinn - Ice Demon Virus.

[Chapter 93 A Miracle in the Storm]

Regardless of the intelligence Rowan possessed.

As things stand, Hiruluk and his companions are still completely unaware of this "crystal".

The wounded soldier's roar gave Hiruluk the worst possible answer—

This "crystal" is contagious, and extremely contagious at that!

Even a simple scratch can lead to infection with that horrible "crystal".

So what's next?

Hiluluk had already made the worst judgment in his mind.

Next, the infected person will develop symptoms that closely resemble "platinum lead poisoning".

White spots appeared on the body, and then translucent crystals grew from under the skin.

In a little while, the infected will turn into the crystal demons that are chasing them!

……

boom!

A thunderclap in the sky brought Hiruluk and another uninfected soldier back to their senses.

They looked at their companions and waved, saying, "Forget everything else, run!"

But the wounded soldier gripped his shield and iron sword tightly and slowly stood up.

"It's too late, I can feel something spreading inside my body..."

As he said this, the soldier clenched his teeth, seemingly enduring immense pain from the rapid infection.

"Leave me alone!"

He raised his shield and roared, "Someone has to take this intelligence back! You all go now, leave this to me!"

After saying that, the wounded soldier charged at the crystal demon at the front and actually knocked it away!

"Ok?"

The wounded soldier was taken aback.

Based on my previous feeling, these crystal demons were far more powerful than ordinary people, so my attacks shouldn't have been so effective.

Is it...

This crystal can not only influence ordinary people, but also improve their physical fitness?

So...

An even more terrifying thought arose in the mind of the wounded soldier.

Are these crystal demons before us all residents of the Kingdom of Aden?!

Almost at the same time, Hiruluk and the other soldiers also realized this, and a chill ran down their spines.

What a terrible thing this is!

If we allow such things to attack the camp without any preparation, the Four Seas Alliance will surely suffer heavy casualties!

We must bring this intelligence back!

Hiluluk was also a decisive person. Seeing that the wounded soldier was determined to leave, he did not hesitate and directly pulled another soldier to continue the escape.

The two ran wildly along the path they had come from, but a large number of crystal demons followed closely behind, and a single soldier could not completely stop them.

Hiluluk ran while rummaging through his backpack.

Whether it's useful or not, throw it all away.

suddenly--

boom!

A loud explosion rang out, once again halting the advance of the crystal demons.

The soldier exclaimed in surprise, "Mr. Hiluluk, you have explosives in your backpack?"

Hiluluk thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "No, it was because I was worried you wouldn't be able to adapt to the local environment, so I gave you some stomach medicine."

Soldier:"……"

Let's just pretend we didn't hear it.

But there was only one "stomach medicine".

Before long, the crystal demons caught up again.

This time, another soldier also stopped.

“Mr. Hiruluk, I believe in you, so I'm here to cover for you!”

The soldier grinned and raised his shield.

Then, facing the crystal demon charging towards him, he not only did not retreat, but instead went straight to meet it.

Swish!

The crystal claws slashed across the soldier's chest.

In an instant, the soldier felt something spreading through his body, but at the same time, a sense of power gradually surged up.

"Drink!"

With a roar, the soldier sent the crystal demon flying.

Immediately, he swung his sword and blocked several crystal demons at the entrance to the street.

Hiruluk watched this scene, his teeth grinding together.

He roared, "Hang in there! It's just a minor illness. I'll definitely find a way to save you!"

After saying that, he took off running.

He had to warn everyone in the Four Seas Alliance; he had to spread the word about what was happening here!

……

boom!

Whoosh!

After the thunder, a torrential downpour began.

Thanks to the efforts of the two soldiers, the group of crystal demons was completely tied down, and Hiruluk finally had time to escape.

After all, he was once a notorious thief!

Regardless of his medical skills, his ability to escape is no less than it was back then; in fact, because he has escaped many times while practicing medicine, he has become even more skilled at it.

He fled the nightmarish city, not even bothering to catch his breath, and immediately ran wildly along the main road.

Hiluluk understood that he didn't need to run all the way to the Four Seas Alliance camp; he only needed to reach Rowan's perception range to achieve his goal!

If it were Mr. Rowan and Kureha, they would surely have a way to resolve this matter!

Yourself?

Ha! I'm nothing but a quack doctor...

Cough!

Well!

My chest hurts so much!

Has it flared up again? Damn it, please don't cause any problems at this time!

Hiluluk pounded his chest a few times, and whether it was really effective or just a placebo effect, he actually felt much better.

That's good!

Just as Hiruluk was beginning to relax his body.

Suddenly, an infected crystal demon sprang out from the roadside bushes.

He was small in stature, seemingly just a child, and far weaker than the adults in the city, but his speed was extremely fast.

In a split second, before he could even react, Hiruluk's ankle was slashed by his claw.

"Well!"

Hiluluk also felt the crystal spreading through his body, but he did not stop.

He had to get within Rowan's perception range.

"Heh... Hahahaha, this thing doesn't feel bad..."

Hiluluk told jokes that only he could hear.

"It's just a minor illness. The feeling when a terminal illness strikes is much worse than this!"

He let out a low growl and ran faster and faster.

At the same time, visible crystal protrusions also spread across his body.