As the last sliver of sunlight dipped below the horizon, the world did not descend into darkness.
The sky was dotted with countless stars, and a full moon hung high.
Its soft, reflected light made the entire world as bright as day.
Of course, even brighter were the unextinguished lamps of Alubarna.
Lamps blazed in every home across Alubarna, with no one eager to sleep so early.
Crowds could be seen everywhere, on the streets, under eaves, beneath large trees, talking animatedly.
They weren't complaining about their fate, but rather discussing when to leave and where to go.
All of Alabasta was suffering from drought. Apart from the capital, Rainbase, and the port city of Nanohana, other places, though perhaps slightly better than Alubarna, would not be significantly better.
The capital, Rainbase, and Nanohana were large cities with vast populations. They feared that if they went there, they wouldn't find a place to live.
This was because the refugees from all over Alabasta were flocking to these three places.
Of course, there was also the option of going overseas.
But this was the Grand Line!
No one living on the Grand Line knew its dangers better than they did.
Thus, unless absolutely necessary, no one wanted to set sail.
Naturally, no one wanted to leave this desert, where they had lived and loved for generations.
Kong Tai, holding Kuina's hand, walked along the canal amidst the discussions of the countless people on either side.
After a satisfying meal, Kong Tai's group had split into several smaller ones, each going their own way.
After all, this was their first night spent in the desert. Seeing the beautiful night sky and the stars had dispelled their fatigue from the day. It would be a shame not to explore.
Passing through the crowds and crossing a bridge, Kong Tai and Kuina stopped outside a building they had seen earlier.
Like most buildings in this area, it was two stories high. The first floor was shut tight, with no light escaping. The second floor, however, was brightly lit, and through the light, one could clearly see tall, dark shadows projected inside.
"Let's go! Up we go!"
Kong Tai pulled Kuina along, stepping upwards.
Thump...!
His foot stopped in mid-air, as if stepping on an actual ladder.
Following Kong Tai's steps, Kuina also moved upwards, her feet landing steadily in the air.
One step, two steps, three steps...
Kong Tai and Kuina finally stopped in the void outside the second-floor window.
Silently, they gazed at the closed window.
"How should I grant them their deaths?"
Kong Tai murmured, "For committing such evil deeds, though they may not have caused direct deaths, they have led to countless deaths in the days to come."
"Who!"
Inside, behind the tall figure, sat a short, plump old woman on a sofa, her height drastically disproportionate to her partner's.
The old woman's crimson hair was tied back loosely with a green headscarf.
She wore purple sunglasses, her lips were purple, her chin was plump, and her cheeks puffed out to the sides.
She looked like a rat.
The old woman was a senior agent of Baroque Works, codenamed "
Blood stained the glass, and the light reflected off it, bathing the entire interior in red.
Kong Tai felt no pity for members of such a criminal organization.
He would grant them slow slicing.