Lucia was slightly startled, but she quickly realized who the "he" Gigue mentioned was.
She gripped Gigue's hand tightly and said with a determined expression,
"Young Master, his status makes him difficult for you to deal with. When that day comes, I'll kill him for you!"
Gigue shook his head. Black mist gradually rose from his body as he said,
"From the day he experimented on me, he ceased to be my father. I must take his life myself."
Lucia fell silent after hearing that. Gigue said nothing more until they arrived before the Figarland Family's residence.
Though it was called a family residence, its scale far surpassed the palaces where the outside Kings lived. Led by Lucia, Gigue walked for quite some time before reaching the depths of the estate, where the Royal Chamber of the Figarland Family Head was located.
A middle-aged man whose hair and beard connected in a crescent shape stood outside the Royal Chamber. He carried an imposing aura without even needing to show anger.
Ignoring that strange hairstyle, his features and facial contours resembled Gigue's, making him look somewhat like a middle-aged version of Gigue.
He was the born king and current head of the Figarland Family, Saint Garling.
The instant Gigue stepped into this territory, Garling's gaze sharpened. A nearly tangible aura erupted from his body, and the Golden Armor Guards behind Gigue were instantly forced to their knees.
Even Lucia, who was relatively strong, revealed a pained expression. Only Gigue's face remained fairly calm, though the sweat beads appearing on his forehead showed that he was not faring well either.
Watching Gigue struggle to move under the crushing aura, Garling descended the steps one at a time and said in a deep voice,
"Gigue, can't you even handle this much? Is this the result of your training at Marine Headquarters? Didn't you just say you wanted to take revenge personally!?"
Gigue was startled. When he had said that, they had not even reached the entrance to the estate. Yet Garling, deep within the residence, had actually heard him.
If not for his memories of Blue Star, Gigue might have suspected that Garling had eaten the Rumble-Rumble Fruit and developed Mantra.
However, the effects of Observation Haki varied from person to person. Effects such as seeing the future and the Voice of All Things existed, so something like exceptionally sharp hearing was still understandable.
It could only be said that Garling's strength was unfathomable. Not only had he developed Conqueror's Haki to such a terrifying level, but even his Observation Haki had reached such a frightening realm.
As Garling drew closer step by step, the pressure Gigue felt grew increasingly immense. Lucia beside him was also gritting her teeth and struggling to hold on.
"Saint Gigue..."
Lucia finally could not endure any longer, and a streak of bright red blood spilled from the corner of her mouth. Gigue's gaze sharpened when he saw it. He pulled Lucia into his arms, and tentacle-like darkness surged from behind him, rushing toward Garling.
Garling showed no intention of stopping. He snorted coldly, and his aura rose once again, directly blasting apart the dark tentacles lunging at him.
His terrifying aura struck Gigue like a heavy blow. Holding Lucia in his arms, Gigue bent over and nearly fell to his knees.
Garling walked up before him and looked down at him as he said,
"Is this as far as you can go?"
By then, Gigue's eyes had turned completely black. He could have used Kamui to avoid the impact of this Conqueror's Haki, but if he chose to flee like this, his so-called revenge would truly become a complete joke.
Watching Gigue force himself to remain standing, a trace of approval flashed through Garling's eyes. He had not seen Gigue since God Valley, and he wanted to assess him.
Though Garling spoke as if he were deeply disappointed in Gigue, he was actually already very satisfied with Gigue's performance.
The Conqueror's Haki Garling was releasing now was not merely mental intimidation. His Conqueror's Haki could inflict tangible damage.
After all, he was one of the peak powers in the Pirate World. Even Red-Haired Shanks in the future might not surpass him in mastery of Conqueror's Haki.
For Gigue to withstand his Conqueror's Haki at the age of sixteen proved that he, too, possessed the qualities of a king.
Seeing that Gigue was about to reach his limit, Garling was preparing to withdraw his Conqueror's Haki when Gigue, who had kept his head lowered, suddenly muttered,
"How could it possibly... end like this!!!"
After Gigue shouted those words, something seemed to shatter deep within his soul. Then, a pitch-black aura laced with lightning erupted from his body.
Lucia, held in Gigue's arms, suddenly felt her body lighten. Her previously hazy consciousness gradually returned, and when she looked around, she saw a black semicircular barrier enveloping both her and Gigue.
Her eyes widened as she looked at Gigue in delight and said,
"Young Master! You awakened Conqueror's Haki!?"
Gigue smiled and nodded. He straightened up once more, met Garling's astonished eyes, and said,
"Uncle Garling, is this the welcome gift you prepared for your nephew?"
Garling was also stunned by Gigue's sudden awakening. After composing himself and withdrawing his Conqueror's Haki, he said,
"Good. This is the aptitude the Figarland Family should possess. Welcome home, Saint Figarland Gigue."
Gigue gathered himself slightly and was about to respond when Lucia, still held in his arms, suddenly let out a muffled groan. Startled, Gigue hurriedly lowered his head and asked,
"What's wrong, Lucia? Are you hurt?"
Lucia raised her eyes at Gigue with a flushed face and said softly,
"I'm fine. It's just that Young Master is holding me a little too tightly, so I'm having trouble breathing..."
"Hm?"
Gigue froze for a moment before realizing that his arm was tightly wrapped around Lucia's ample chest, nearly flattening it.
Feeling the soft sensation against his arm, Gigue coughed twice and tried to release Lucia.
Noticing Gigue's movement, Lucia pressed down on his arm, lowered her head, and said in a muffled voice,
"Young Master, please wait a moment. My body feels a little weak. Could you support me for a while longer?"
Since Lucia had said so, how could Gigue refuse? He simply moved his hand to her waist, letting her lean against him as he said,
"Then come inside with me like this."
"Eh? No, no, I can still hold on a little longer!"
"Enough. You're my person. I won't allow you to refuse."
Those words hit Lucia with the force of Conqueror's Haki. This time, her body truly went completely limp.
Garling watched silently the entire time. Only after Lucia obediently leaned against Gigue's shoulder did he speak,
"Come. I have something to give you, a homecoming gift from this uncle to his nephew."
Before you continue