[Episode] Career Changes

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Sir Bearington and his stooges tried to convince Castor into attending the banquet but the Duke wasn't swayed by food or drinks, at this stage, Castor was spending time with his first love - reading.

The guards around the property were more concerned about the festivities than securing the perimeter so the unknown signature shuffled towards the library Castor wondered who'd step through the door.

He'd left his weapons in his room, not like being weaponless made much of a difference in the terms of combat ability but at this stage, [ass="This comes off as a jarring leap in logic - kind of meta."]it'd be much more entertaining picking the brain of the stranger[/ass].

The black-haired man sporting a ponytail quietly shuffled into the library, as if he'd been trained in espionage - his steps were incredibly light. Between the kimono attire and dusty boots, the peculiarly dressed male wasn't a native or noble to Lvneel.

"If you're looking for the banquet, I guarantee you won't find any food here. Though, I have some pretty decent Rice Wine if you'd care for a glass." The Duke announced, flickering through the novel entitled - the Tales of Lvneel's Rulers.

[dass]Pointing his index finger[cmt]Your habit of using redundant terms continues. Saying "his index finger" was unnecessary here.[/cmt][/dass] to a table filled with a mountain of books, at its peak laid a gourd [ass="Poor word choice. Did you mean 'engraved' or 'etched'?"]tapered[/ass] with the words 'Plum' in Kanji made out of clay.

"I'm trying to figure out if you're brave or foolish to stumble into a royal's room unannounced." Castor concluded, not taking his eyes off the words on the page.

Meanwhile in the Queen's Chamber

The chambermaids busily worked on prepping the Queen's dress and make-up for the banquet that had started in the courtyard. The lanterns set up among the banquet area illuminated the rustic castle's once dreary appearance to that of a seemingly glowing monument.

Sir Bearington stood before the Queen kneeled, along with her brothers, waiting to escort the woman towards the courtyard. Just then, a procession of Revolutionaries stormed into the room, demanding an immediate audience with the Queen.

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"You're a member of the NRA. Interesting." Castor declared, diverting his focus from the memoir for the first time to make eye contact with the tonfa-carrying freedom fighter.

"Roji. I go by the name of Castor O. Nox. I'm currently residing here as the Duke of Lvneel but true and true, I am a pirate. This nation was close to being infested by the government's clutches until I arrived. Albeit, I didn't exactly do it for selfless reasons." Castor explained to the rebel, signaling for him to toss the gourd after which smoothly slid in his direction in divine timing.

Reaching into the drawer, [ass=Jarring change in tense.]he'd[/ass] remove another Sake cup, twin to the red one Nox had already been drinking out of. Popping the screw from the gourd, the Librarian Monarch gracefully poured the rebel a drink and slid it in his direction.

"I won't jump to any conclusions as to why you're here however what I will say is this, it's in my best interest to make it appear as though Lvneel isn't directly under my control. I've seen what Kings have done to these people... They need a fresh start.

That being said. Whether it's the world Government or the Revolutionary Army... Lvneel has my full support." Castor concluded his long-winded speech, subsequently emptying the spirits into his vessel and exclaiming 'AH' at the refreshing sting of the wine.

In the Throne Room, the revolutionary Mort and his henchmen presented themselves with an authoritative air before the Crown.

"My name is Mort Regalis. I am an acting Lieutenant of the New Revolutionary Army. I'm simply here to survey the island and see if the people are being oppressed or harmed in any way after we received news of a Pirate Captain's involvement in a Civil War." Mort declared proudly.

" However as I stroll through the Captial... I see no signs on the surface... However, I have a bone to pick with Castor O. Nox of the Nox Pirates whose to be your husband." Mort stated sternly.

[dass]"W-W-What is your business with my future betrothed?" Annabelle declared boldly[cmt]The "W-W-What" doesn't sound very "bold". Be sure that your dialogue actually reflects the intended tone (and vice versa).[/cmt][/dass], causing her chambermaids [dass]to form a slight fist of endearment towards the Queen's frank statement[cmt]I like what you're trying to say here, but the execution feels awkward. Here's an alternative:

...her boldness manifesting even in her chamber maids' tightening fists.

[/cmt][/dass].

"About a few months ago an incident occurred in the West Blue. A ship of slaves was liberated by the Nox Pirates but then were led directly into a conflict which ultimately resulted in one of our Commanders being captured.

Of course. This isn't Nox's fault but those same slaves relayed information about the conflict to us months later as we had spies among their ranks to discover well... That's classified information. The fact of the matter is - I demand to speak with Castor O. Nox immediately." Mort demanded [dass]in a self-centric manner[cmt]You commonly use the "[Character] [said/demanded/etc] in a [adjective] manner" pattern of sentence. You usually don't need the "in a [adjective] manner" bit. It hurts your prose more often than it helps it.[/cmt][/dass]

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Gashi Gashi Gashi

The pirate laughed eccentrically. "[dass]I am quite the savage myself. Probably the most brutal in this sea, I've taken lives to sit quietly in this room with these books.[cmt]Intense self-succing detected. I wonder if Castor realizes how much he sounds like a third-rate thug when he says things like this. LOL[/cmt][/dass]" Nox decreed.

Finally, someone who understood his ideas on freedom. Whether it is chaos or peace, Nox's ideals lie in adapting to both with an open mind. Violence when tempered can be efficient in resolving disputes and in other scenarios exacerbate the issue at hand.

"If there's one statement it'd venture to disagree with my new friend - is the issue of change. I don't believe change is something accomplished by individuals but collective. That's what I am on these seas looking for.

People with goals - big or small. Using or letting them use me for their gains. [ass=Unnecessary. Your previous statement already accounts for the vice versa] And Vice Versa[/ass]. That's the what the Nox Pirates are about. Everyone on my crew has some kind of hidden agenda. That's the thrill of it all. My pride consumes me to see it through to the end." Nox concluded, becoming indulgent in long-winded speeches - [ass=Let's be real. He doesn't need to be drunk to go on a long-winded speech. He just needs to be breathing to do so.]blame it all on the spirits[/ass].

The sound of rustle in the Throne room was picked up by Castor's Goro Goro Radar.

"Seems my wife needs some assistance." Castor stated, polishing off another glass of Sake before rising from feet into a stretch. The man's third eye that was once hidden behind the bangs of the jet black hair would now be in plain view as he'd yawn into the extension.

"Looks like some of your associates are in my Throne Room harassing my wife-to-be. Care to take a stroll with me, Mr.Roji?" Castor declared with a broad menacing smile on his face.

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Meanwhile in the Throne Room

"You have a lot of balls lad. Not only do you barge in here and demand an audience on our Queen's coronation day. You accuse our hero the Azure Pheasant of participating in the slave trade?! Preposterous." Bearington barked in a fit of rage.

"If he's innocent, he can proclaim such on record until then, I have nothing more to say, I have no choice." Mort declared scratching his head in disapproval. "[dass]I've laced this entire room with explosives timed to this detonator in my jacket pocket[cmt]This man is an insane terrorist. The NRA would never condone this kind of behaviour. I hope it's a bluff or this guy better be dismissed afterwards if the brass finds out what he did.[/cmt][/dass]." Mort exclaimed, removing the controller from his breast pocket and taunting the Queen's guard with it.

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Castor admired the man's grit, his prior statement could've surely been taken as a threat but Roji remained composed and agreed to follow along with a smirk of his own.

Walking over to the solid stone wall to the North of the library, a portrait of modern Lvneel hung candidly between two bookcases.

"This Castle is several centuries of Royalty pouring their wealth into buildings such as this one. Comes with a few nifty perks I learned." Castor declared, extending his hand outward to touch the architecture.

His fingers sunk into the surface of the first brick, then another horizontally about two or three paces east, and finally one last stone directly adjacent. The mechanized wall then trembled from the turning gears, revealing a hidden passageway that descended to an underground roadway.

[dass]Generating electricity at the top of his index finger, Castor acted as a human lantern of sorts, illuminating the path ahead.[cmt]You could use opportunities like this to really paint a cool scene. It would be a good place to "show" rather than just "tell". For example, this ability use could've written in such a way:

Castor lifted an index finger like a torch and let sparks fly. The brief but repeating flashes of light illuminated the murky stairs leading downwards. Each step was a gamble, one in the dark and one in the blinding light. Their shadows flickered on the walls, too, dancing a duel that mimicked their ongoing battle of wits.

Adding imagery when using your powers can make them so much more appealing. I'm not saying you should do it all the time, but it's better than trying to describe it in a bland way.[/cmt][/dass]

"Many of Lvneel's King throughout the decades used these routes to avoid [ass=I think you mean persecutors. But, kings running from lawyers is also funny to imagine. Lmao.]prosecutors[/ass] and invaders during war times." Castor explained, continuing down the winding staircase.

Cobwebs and archaic statues acted as decor for the dusty pathway ahead. "As you can see, some people even had their final moments here." Castor stated, pointing at about a dozen or so skeletons riddled with what seemed to be broken arrowhead shafts.

Finally reaching the bottom of the staircase, a spacious cavern with several entrances stared the adventures eye to eye. Titling his head west, [ass=Man, Castor has really turned into a Gary Stu]Castor knew the routes by heart, after only really discovering the charts in the library a few days ago[/ass].

"Whether it's on land or sea... [ass=And a cocky one at that.]Most maps I've memorized in about a few hours.[/ass] When I discovered the caverns below this Castle... I wished I'd known before... Would've come in handy when I wanted to cut the head of the King off." Nox chuckled, quite eerily.

After traveling west for some time, another set of stairs came into sight.

---

"E-E-Explosives!" Annabelle exclaimed, her head spinning at the idea of being blown up the day before her wedding. [dass]The fact that her mind even wandered to thoughts about matrimony in moments like these showed that her priorities were way off.[cmt]Another prime example of where showing would be better rather than telling. You could've had her be busy doing something to prepare for the wedding and have her subconsciously keep doing it.[/cmt][/dass]

Resting his hand on the hilt of his blade, "I don't think you understand where you are lad. These halls were built far before ya' mums were being piped out to eventually push out yer' ass. I'll cut you down before you even get to try such treason." Bearington declared.

The bloodlust from Sir Bearington actually froze Mort momentarily in his position but snapping back to reality, Mort simply continued with the threat. The two twin boys were also shaking in their boots at the idea of being blown to smithereens.

"Like I said. I won't have to use them once Nox is summoned." Mort reiterated.

"Well let's not delay the conversation any further shall we." Castor's voice echoed through the whole room. Next to the Throne, a small compartment opened, sizable enough that the average human could escape.

Climbing through the hole in the ground, [ass=Abrupt change in tense.]Castor is now at the steps[/ass] leading to the Throne itself. As soon as Roji's face was registered, Mort barked orders at the Revolutionary Army soldier.

"Why are you walking around carefree with the target?! Subdue him, Roji!" Mort shouted.

"If it's me you want... We could have this conversation in much more luxurious settings. I'm not quite in the mood for squabbles - though I am irritated my reading time has been cut by this fiasco." Castor responded.

"Nox!" Annabelle declared with tears in her eyes and a puppy dog-like whimper. Running his hand through the Queen's ginger hair, Nox pets her with similar energy to that of a master showing affection to his pet feline.

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Reaching into his coat jacket, Mort revealed a controller with a red button at its center.

" None of this is relevant to me. All of your lives are in my hands right now. Nox! Answer my question. The slaves you took to the conflict in the West Blue... There was a woman among them... Her name was Caroline-"

As Mort was describing the woman in question, Nox titled his head to the side in confusion.

"Does a butcher give names to the animals he slaughters? I can't even begin to remember the face of one particular human. They were quite a few frightened faces among the lot." Castor exclaimed nonchalantly in an attempt to antagonize Mort.

A grim expression took over Mort's face, without hesitation, the man expanded his eyes widely and geared to squeeze the detonator with immense venom. However, what happened was Mort's hand went flying sky-bound, causing blood to shoot from the man's arm like a hose.

In the aftermath, all that was seen by those who could pick the motion was Castor drawing Zaigo from behind the throne and severing the Revolutionary's wrist in one swift motion. Before Mort knew it, Castor now stood inches behind his current location, catching the falling severed hand.

Prying the detonator from the limp appendage, Castor grinned as he'd short circuit the device with a surge of electricity.

"I guess it's time to restore a bit of order to this room." Castor declared, the aura from his eyes glowing almost crimson red. Sitting at her position on the Throne with a face flushed red, Annabelle looked on in amazement at her fiancee's display.

Swinging Zaigo around in his free arm and resting it's back on his shoulder, Castor looked over at the grunts who barged into the room, along with the other revolutionaries who accompanied Mort.

"This room is sacred. I'll give you thirty seconds to get out of my sight before I begin to behead the lot of you." Nox declared, slightly playing the role of a maniacal monarch, honestly, he'd just want them all to leave so he could continue his hermit-like retreat in the library.

Ripping his jacket into pieces, Mort fashioned the fabric around the gushing wound - using his now tattered garb as a bandaid. Removing three sticks of dynamite, gripping them between the crevices of his only eligible arm, with almost a flicker of the hand in a magic trick-like movement, Mort tossed the dynamite over his shoulder in an attempt to blow the pirate captain to pieces.

Lunging forward in a crazed manner, Mort created distance between himself and Nox, and almost instantly, the explosion encapsulated the area where the Duke currently stood.

"My Lord!" Bearrington and Annabelle almost shouted with the same timing. As the flume of smoke engulfed the area, the shockwave from the explosives sent the surrounding players scattering like a tumbleweed in a sandstorm.

However as the black smog cleared, Castor stood unphased at the core of the explosion site. Entering into his intangible state, the Logia user was unharmed by the volatile kinetic energy.

Pieces of Castor's distorted electrical body flickered in the wake, as it slowly reformed to its original solid state. His three eyes glared into the distance locking onto Mort's new position.

Sully and Paris acted as shields blocking any flying shrapnel or debris from hitting their sister who sat firmly on the Throne curled up in a ball, immensely worried about Nox's condition.

"M-M-Monster." Mort stuttered.

"Gashi Gashi... Yeah Yeah. Tell me something new." Castor declared with a mischievous grin.

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Extending his leg in a whip-like fashion, Nox launched the New Revolutionary Lieutenant through the Throne Room's window with a powerful blow to his mid-section. A loud thud could've been heard as contact was made, similar to that of a tennis racket volleying the trademark mint-green orb.

"It seems we've somehow ended up as allies, Roji. I'll leave the rest in here to you." Castor stated, tilting his head to ensure direct eye contact. It was as if he'd been [ass=Seems pretty verbal to me.]petitioning Roji to some kind of non-verbal agreement[/ass].

"Bearington. Get the Queen to safety." Castor ordered, launching himself off in a bolt-like fashion through the shattered glass into the courtyard.

The whole area was filled with long oak dining room tables each cloaked in white silk [ass=Not 'like a tablecloth'. It literally is a tablecloth.]like a tablecloth[/ass]. At their center, golden plates and goblets decorated with a plethora of wax fruits nestled: wine, ale, and an assortment of liquors for the banquet ahead.

Dim lights in the distance lit the courtyard in a warm hue, a scene that sparked something within Mort's being. The festive nature made him reminisce about days when his sister's smile was the only light he needed in this pitch-black world.

However, upon hearing the explosion in the Throne Room and seeing the flying body that subsequently followed, many of the staff prepping for the banquet exited the area.

"If only... my sister could've seen settings like this. Yet. Corrupt monsters like you live." Mort murmured to himself in a crazed manner, reaching into his sailor's jacket for several smaller sticks of dynamite.

"Ah. I see. One of your loved ones happened to be on that slave ship in the West Blue?" Nox inquire nonchalantly, cleaning his canal of earwax.

Upset from the cold and harsh tone of Castor's words, Mort flung the now lit dynamite in a manner that surrounded Castor. Harking Zaigo's touch once again, with precise swings, Nox severed the sparkling wicks from the dynamite sticks.

As the invalid tubes fell to the ground, Mort coated his arms in a black armament and began swinging wild hooks towards Castor's midsection. After the first strike, Cator decided not to step away, allowing the man to empty his frustrations on him.

"Will this bring back your beloved one? Will hurting me bring you some kind of joy?" Nox inquired, blood gushing into his mouth from gritting his teeth.

From beneath Castor's kimono, three metal pipes seemingly conducted by a magnetic pull pierced Mort's shoulder and expanded into elongated black pipes. A high voltage electrical current surged through the man's body, causing the revolutionary to fall to his knees.

"I'm on the other side of what you're feeling. My death won't bring your loved one back nor will it fill that emptiness you feel. It just lives within you and the emptiness becomes almost like a black hole." Nox elaborated.

"How could you possibly understand how I feel!? Huh! Nox!?" Mort shouted, stuttering throughout the sentence [ass=Unnecessary expansion.]due to his nervous system being shot by the electrical blast[/ass].

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"I've been where you are... overwhelmed by anger." Castor explained, manipulating the metal spikes in Mort's shoulder to swell by absorbing an electrical discharge from Nox.

Emerging from the shrimp's shoulder, a silhouette made of lightning formed around Castor's back. A kabuki-shaped warrior carrying a bow and arrow appeared, firing three electrical shots toward Mort's body using it as an archery bullseye.

"My sister was a missionary in the West Blue. She'd go around from island to island on a pilgrimage for the less fortunate. Such a kind kid. After I found out the vessel she was aboard was hijacked by Slave Traders - my heart sunk." Mort explained.

Picking himself up off his knees, Mort began to rip about the black metallic slabs on his shoulder. One by one, the sound of the metal clanking against the ground brought the man immense joy. It'd been a while since he'd let loose against anyone.

Tossing a tiny sphere towards Nox's direction, the swordsman sliced the ball in half only to release it as a miniaturized smoke bomb. Vision clouded, Castor activated his Kenbunshoku to pinpoint Mort's location.

However, another body blow to Nox's mid-section caused the Imp to buckle for the first time in this entire fight. Leaning on Mort's arm as a crutch, the revolutionary tossed Castor into the ground with a swift flicker of his arm.

"Ugh... I'm still injured from the war... I don't think I'll be able to take much more of his hooks." Castor thought to himself panting. "I'll have to psyche him out of this conflict..." Nox's thoughts continued.

"My mother was kidnapped by slavers... My father stood there and watched as she was taken by her new handlers. I killed him with these own bloodied hands of mine... Still nothing. Revenge is worthless, Mort." Nox declared, clutching his mid-section from the accumulated damage up to this point.

As the lanterns glowed in the distance, Mort and Castor exchanged a series of Busoshoku Haki-coated strikes causing the air around them to become very thin. As both of them now began to pant heavily, their movements slowed - a lethargic breathing pattern developed.