Cover Page: Ace's Great Blackbeard Search, Vol. 15: "This Coffee's Bitter Enough To Court-Martial".

"Commander" Ace steps into a meeting with Vice-Admiral Comil and other members of the G-2 brass. First on the agenda: how horrible the base's coffee is.

Noland was still swallowed up by the land. The citizens were getting ready to execute Noland's men even though the deadline of their agreement had yet to pass. Kalgara appeared and tried to kill Noland. Kalgara had a change of heart and saved him from Jaya. Mont Blanc Noland saved the Shandia from a disease, called Tree Fever.

Mont Blanc Noland continued to struggle to no avail to free himself from the large pieces of land he was wedged between. Kalgara watched in amusement, taunting him and wondering how he was staying alive. He reminded Noland that sunset was coming, and his crew would all be slain soon at the hands of the villagers. Kalgara explained that Noland was getting what he deserved for ruining the rituals of his people. Back in the village, the Shandia continued to tend to their sick. However, a group of warriors became enraged at Noland's crew, blaming them for the plague and now the earthquake too. They attempted to impale some of the crew members through the cage; however, they were stopped by Seto, who reminded them that as warriors of Shandia, they must honor their words.

Back in the forest, Noland continued with all the power he had to try to break free of the earth, this time breaking bones in the process. Although he still made no progress, his efforts visibly affected the land holding him, impressing Kalgara. The pain did not deter Noland in the slightest, as he continued trying to free himself while Kalgara watched intently.

In the village, Seto's efforts ultimately did not stop the villagers from taking Noland's crew to the sacrificial altar. They pleaded that their captain was not back yet and attempted to appeal to Seto to get them to stop, but he was unable to do anything. Kalgara informed Noland that it was twilight, and the ritual should be starting back in the village. He told him that he looked pathetic, and wondered how Noland was able to survive this long in his predicament. Noland asked just what the villagers were so afraid of, to the point that they were gladly willing to throw away innocent lives. Kalgara questioned Noland on what he meant by "gladly", and Noland stated that the villagers sacrifice their own peers and feel good about it. This enraged Kalgara to the point that he cut Noland off by kicking him in the face. He told Noland to quit acting like he knew everything, and that the Shandia have lived this way for centuries. Noland retorted that being such a long tradition did not make it right, angering Kalgara further. He went on to chastise Kalgara for being so willing to kill an innocent girl without batting an eye, even calling the actions of the villagers inhuman. Kalgara again questioned Noland's use of the word "gladly", before angrily yelling that Mousse was actually his daughter. This fact only caused Noland to criticize Kalgara further, saying he had no mercy for even his own child. Kalgara replied that the voice of their God, spoken through the mouth of their priest, was absolute, asking Noland if he could understand such a concept. Since the words of their god was absolute, he cannot disobey God's Will even for the sake of his own family. In the Shandia village, Noland's crew had been brought to the altar, desperately crying out for their captain as they realized they were about to be burned.

As Kalgara and Noland continued their argument, a giant snake emerged from the forest, still eating a large feline creature. This was the god known as Jaya, and was Kashigami's offspring. Kalgara told Noland that Jaya had come to punish him. Noland angrily asked Kalgara if he was dying here because of God's Judgment, or an accident. Continuing this line of thought, he also asked if their village was actually dying from a curse, or a disease. Noland revealed that 60 years ago, his home had been suffering from the exact same disease that Shandia were. The plague had ravaged his people at 90% death rate, but thanks to the breakthroughs of herbalists, the death rate of the disease was now less than 3%. He explained that the cure had been synthesized from extracts of the Kona Tree, which he now had in his possession. He stressed that he had the tools to save the entire village, and that many researchers had died to ensure the creation of the cure. Yet, their sacrifice was being stepped on by the superstitions of the Shandia, which was why he felt their rituals were an affront to mankind and the true root of evil. This caused Kalgara to remember the Chieftain's words of doing his best to listen to the voices of his people. Jaya attempted to devour Noland, but Kalgara intervened and killed the gigantic snake. Standing on Jaya's corpse, Kalgara asked Noland what he just killed. Noland replied that it was a snake. Kalgara angrily retorted that what his people call a God, Noland merely calls a snake. He continued that the curse that had been killing everyone, Noland merely called a curable disease. Now in tears, Kalgara asked Noland if he could truly save his people, to which Noland replied that he could.

At the rise of the full moon, various villagers were being cured and rejoiced with their families. Seto smiled at all the happy families, while Kalgara tearfully embraced his daughter as Herb watched in tears as well. As Noland himself was given medical attention, his crew and the Shandia celebrated together.

Chapter Notes:
The Shandia attempt to kill Noland's crew ahead of schedule as retribution for the earthquake, but are stopped by Seto.
Kalgara protects Mont Blanc Noland from Kashigami's child and kills him.
Mont Blanc Noland reveals that Lvneel Kingdom suffered from an outbreak of the Tree Fever approximately 460 years ago.
At the expense of many researchers' lives, a cure was synthesized from the Kona Tree.
At the expense of many researchers' lives, a cure was synthesized from the Kona Tree.
Noland cures the Shandia of their illness.