The Choice

Garling placed extraordinary importance on this nephew of his. As one of the Celestial Dragons' elite, he had influence everywhere and quickly found Gigue's whereabouts.

Over the past six years, the two had never lost contact. When Gigue prepared to take out the King, Garling wrote only one sentence in his letter to Gigue:

"Choose your own path. Remember, the Figarland Family stands behind you."

Garling's position within the family went without saying. Even Gurando, the eldest son, could not sway his will.

He had been quite critical of Gurando's actions back then, but he had never expected Gurando's experiment to be so dangerous that it would directly cause Gigue's death. By the time he learned of it, everything had already been too late.

Now that there was a chance to make amends, he naturally would not let it slip away.

At first, Garling had wanted Gigue to return to the family, but Gigue refused.

The Figarland Family revered strength above all else. Gigue had to become stronger. He would suppress the entire family with absolute power, then personally kill that father who was worse than a beast!

That evening, Ivan returned to the church after spending the whole day running wild outside. The moment he entered, he saw Gigue and the other two sitting solemnly on the sofa.

Sensing that something was off, Ivan shrank his big head back and asked weakly,

"Were you all waiting for me? Did something happen?"

Ginny jumped down from the sofa, one hand on her hip and the other pointing at Ivan as she snapped,

"Brother Ivan, where did you run off to this time? Why are you only coming back so late?!"

Ivan widened his large eyes and gestured as he said,

"Didn't you know? It's a complete mess outside right now! The King is gone!"

Yet even after he revealed such "explosive" news, Gigue and the others showed no reaction at all. Ginny even sighed, looking at him helplessly.

Gigue waved the Bible in his hand and said with a smile,

"I already sent him back into God's embrace."

"What!?"

Gigue had never hidden his abilities from them, so Ivan immediately understood what had happened. He swallowed and made a throat-slitting gesture.

"So the King was killed by you...?"

"Yes."

After a brief silence, Ivan suddenly raised both hands and started spinning in circles on the spot.

"I've hated that bastard King for ages! Just what I'd expect from you, Gigue-chan! Hee-haw!"

He spun all the way to Gigue, leaned his body back, and threw him a devastatingly seductive wink.

A huge vein bulged on Ginny's forehead. She flew into a rage and kicked Ivan in the rear, sending him rolling away in another spin.

Gigue kept his polite smile on his face, though a bead of cold sweat appeared on his forehead. He habitually flipped through two pages of the Bible in his hands.

Incidentally, aside from training, Gigue spent his free time over the past few years reading the books stored in the church to temper his disposition.

Six years ago, he had awakened the Mink Tribe power within his body, but it also caused him to lose control of his emotions, nearly injuring Kuma and the others by mistake.

A single Mink Tribe gene would not have been enough to cause that. The main reason was that other genes also existed within Gigue's body. Once the genes of these powerful races intertwined within him were stimulated, they could easily send him into a berserk state where he could not distinguish friend from foe.

That was why he used reading to keep his emotions calm over long periods, allowing him to better control his own strength.

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Gigue closed the Bible, his expression turning solemn as he said in a deep voice,

"The news of the King's disappearance has already spread. The World Government will make a move soon, and before long, they'll send Marines here to investigate."

Kuma rubbed the paw pads in his palms and asked,

"Big Brother, does that mean we're going to war with the Marines?"

Ginny pulled out a gold-plated pistol from her impressive bust. It was a birthday gift Gigue had brought back for her after sneaking into the palace on one of her birthdays.

She treasured that golden pistol dearly and carried it with her nearly every moment of the day, except when bathing.

And Ginny did not simply treat the gun as a decoration.

Because of her looks and figure, some nobles had once set their sights on her. Some had even resorted to violence.

Those people had clearly taken Ginny for a pretty vase, but they were wrong.

While girls her age were still acting spoiled around their parents, Ginny had already made a round trip through the gates of hell that was God Valley.

She had witnessed this world's dark side at a very young age. Combined with the years she had spent around Gigue, she understood the importance of strength better than anyone.

So she had never neglected her training over the years. By now, she was a true sharpshooter.

There was even less need to mention Ivan. His Okama Kenpo had already begun to take shape.

Seeing the three of them eager to give it a try, Gigue could not help but laugh.

"Don't be so nervous. I'm not asking you to fight the Marines to the death. I just want to ask... do you want to join the Marines with me?"

The three froze at his words. After a while, Ginny said with concern on her face,

"I don't mind! I'll go wherever Big Brother Gigue goes, but... we used to be slaves. If they find out, then..."

Gigue reached out and tapped Ginny on the forehead with a finger.

"Why do you always forget that I'm a Celestial Dragon too? With me here, no one will dare do anything to you."

Ginny nodded obediently. She held Gigue's hand and said with a serious expression,

"Big Brother Gigue, I'm following you. I said it six years ago—we'll never be apart!"

Kuma also raised his hand to show that he would follow Gigue. Only Ivan lowered his head and said nothing. Gigue did not rush him and simply watched him quietly.

Ginny could not hold back any longer. She grabbed Ivan by the ear and demanded loudly,

"Brother Ivan! What are you thinking about? Don't you want to come with me?"

Ivan fell silent for a moment, then slowly raised his head. A rare serious expression appeared on his face.

"I'm sorry. I really don't think I'm suited to being a Marine. I like freedom. I like the sea!"

Ginny's expression changed, and she wanted to say something more, but Gigue raised a hand to stop her.

Gigue held no negative feelings toward Ivan's choice. Everyone had their own aspirations, and he would not force him.

Besides, he had long expected this outcome. Though he felt a little regret, he still respected Ivan's decision.

Nor would this create any distance between him and Ivan. He still remembered the days they had spent fleeing together through God Valley, as well as every little moment from the past six years.

Seeing the guilt on Ivan's face, Gigue gave him a sincere smile. He patted Ivan on the shoulder and said softly,

"It's all right. We'll always be friends. One day, we'll meet again on the sea."