Buzz... thud.
The Bubble Gondola slowly came to a stop, and the CP members at the door, their faces filled with awe, quickly opened the door for Gawain.
Tap tap tap.
Gawain's leather shoes landed lightly on the spotless floor, where even the sand had been swept away.
Only slaves could do work of this caliber.
Gawain stepped onto the fruits of the slaves' labor. Behind him were none of his own men, only soldiers from Mary Geoise and members of the CP.
Nevertheless, Gawain remained as if he were sitting on his own boat.
Strangely enough, this aura even affected the Celestial Dragon were passing by.
Two Celestial Dragons who had gone out together stared blankly at the slave who had stopped moving without their consent, and muttered to themselves.
"That must be Gawain Family, it looks so pretentious."
"Yeah, with that air about him, you'd think he was some kind of big shot from a discrimination group."
"Forget it, I'm the head of the family after all, so it's okay to pretend a little. When I become the head of the family, I'll probably become like that too, just like my grandfather who dragged his feet on dying for so long."
"Who knows? Adults change, don't they? Those who become heads of families, except for the madman from the Donquixote Family, are all different."
"I'm so envious."
"Hmph, indeed, I'm envious!"
After chatting for a while, the Celestial Dragons cursed and swore as they manipulated the slaves to continue crawling, and then left Mary Geoise.
Gawain didn't look at them, because at that moment his eyes were filled with the towering Sabaody Castle.
In the very heart of that Pangea Castle, there resides a life that surpasses all others in the world.
I can actually become that kind of life.
This feeling of having a goal to pursue, and actually being able to pursue it... is truly wonderful.
Just then, a large group of people lined up in the distance came into Gawain's view.
Looking at the smiling old man Kong, Gawain was slightly taken aback, then nodded.
"Such a grand display, could they be here to welcome me?"
I'm sure you're not, otherwise you'd be giving me far too much credit."
Gawain said jokingly, then nodded to Kong.
In response to Gawain's greeting, Kong smiled slightly, just about to say something.
Who knew...
At that very moment, in the most mysterious room of Sabaody Castle.
Imu suddenly opened her eyes, which resembled those of a multi-eagle.
After a brief moment of wide-open stare, those eyes immediately radiated countless fierce glints.
She clapped her hands lightly.
Suddenly, the God's Knights had been guarding the outer perimeter of the Flower Room that day appeared beside Imu.
"Grown ups!"
The God's Knights knelt and bowed, while Imu glanced at him and shouted.
Eve eventually found the warrior she had hoped for, even though the Drums of Liberation were never sounded again.
The light that lingered in my eyes, which had been slow to ignite, the flame that I had thought should have been lit long ago, finally burst into flame.
I felt disappointed, yet... relieved.
Because once the answer is revealed, everything becomes simple.
The prophecy did not come true; the enemy was actually inside.
But it's alright, it's alright.
This time, I will plant Gawain's weapon on the throne.
Given his status, the weapon would be positioned... at the very front!
Imu suddenly swung her right hand, and the God's Knights she commanded was swept away by a violent gust of wind.
Boom!
He crashed through layers of walls and slammed headlong into Gawain's direction.
After the God's Knights was led to his rightful place, Imu raised his head and took one last look at the fluttering butterflies in the room.
"Oh..."
She let out a wry smile.
"I was so worried. I thought you would reappear in front of me, Joy Boy."
Our connection is forever intertwined, just as your happiness will never allow you to understand my pain.
You're always stopping me, for what? For your own home, and for those blood relatives who share the same shade and sunshine with you.
But if you, like me, have lost everything, if you, like me, cannot create a second one of your kind even if you try your best...
Will you still be as fast as you are now?
I'm afraid... they'll feel just as depressed and sad as I do.
I have been searching for a very long time, but the Creator can never create himself.
My last kindred spirit, have you ever thought of this?
How can someone who has been abandoned by her last kind possibly be happy?
At this point, Imu reached under his cloak and gently smoothed his sideburns.
Then, she gently placed the strand of hair that was wrapped around her finger under the small tree among the Flower Room.
Sensing the approach of the hair, the sapling trembled as it swayed its deep branches and leaves, embracing and enveloping Imu's hair within its delicate foliage.
At the same time, Imu silently lowered his head and wept. Just as the teardrop fell onto the leaf, the leaf, shrouded in tears and strands of hair, closed completely.
Sob... Sob
The sapling swayed gently, as joyful as a mother awaiting the birth of her child.
Its tightly intertwined leaves, those leaves wrapped with glistening tears and with strands of hair gently coiled, really do look like an embryo full of vitality and hope.
Mary Geoise walked up the automated walkway, having just greeted Kong.
Kong and Gawain immediately turned around and looked towards Sabaody Castle in the distance!
The God's Knights, who had been knocked away by Imu, quickly adjusted his posture, took the initiative, and then used the momentum to rush down in front of Gawain.
As soon as he landed, he drew his long sword and spoke to Kong.
"Commander-in-Chief, please convey my supreme command."
Gawain's weapon must be planted at the very front of the Empty Throne!
Before Kong could react, the knight had already charged towards Gawain.
As the knife drew closer, a flash of lightning crossed Gawain's pupils.
Wow!
The whole world seemed to freeze in Gawain's eyes; even the bird fluttering its wings in the distance seemed to stretch its body and remain suspended in the air.
In this completely frozen world, Gawain took a deep breath and then raised his left hand.
Perhaps it was a quantitative change that led to a qualitative change, or perhaps it was the continuous use of Thunder over the past year that greatly improved his physique.
At this moment, he felt that he was much, much stronger than he had been a year ago.
Because of the talent of Whitebeard and other new powerful figures?
Was it through persistent practice, or the help of the world and Eve?
But why do we always have to ask why?
Gawain shook his head, then took a small step forward.
The swords of the God's Knights were less than an inch away from him, but even at such close range, the almost motionless blades could not possibly harm him.
He walked past the Kong, its mouth agape in astonishment.
They also overcame the determined God's Knights.
They even bypassed the soldiers and slaves who didn't even have time to panic.
Laugh!
With a muffled thud, the sword energy unleashed by the members of the God's Knights completely severed the gate of Pangea Castle.
After his initial shock, Kong wanted to issue orders while simultaneously frantically searching for Gawain's location.
The CP members and the soldiers looked at each other.
The slaves looked behind them in confusion.
In the eyes of the slaves, Gawain strolled leisurely with his hands in his pockets, step by step... towards Brooke, the head maid who was waiting for him further away.
Gawain placed his hand on Brooke's head, smiled slightly, and then said.
"In a little while, I'll take you home, you silly child."
If nothing unexpected happens, I won't have to leave Mary Geoise starting today.
Of course, if something unexpected happens, then it really is an accident.
So, are you willing to die with me, silly child?
"I'm willing... I'm willing... but... but please don't die!"
What on earth has happened, sir!
What's going on? Why would the God's Knights...?
Thump.
Before Brooke could finish speaking, Gawain had already pulled her into his arms.
Startled by Gawain's embrace, the head maid blushed and then pressed her head firmly against Gawain's stomach.
She was inhaling, or perhaps sobbing, but she tried her best to hold it in and spoke softly.
"Being your head maid is the happiest thing in my life."
But you always seem reluctant to come home, leaving even a little bit of work for me, your humble maid.
I thought I would spend my whole life waiting at home, helplessly watching you come and go, never pausing for a moment.
But now, although I don't know what you want to do, and although I don't know, nothing unexpected will happen.
Despite all these "althoughs," but... but, but if I could die with the adults...
I'm so happy!
Brooke struggled to lift her head, trying her best to stop her tears from falling.
Looking into Brooke's eyes, which had never seen another person before, Gawain was taken aback, then smiled again.
"I'm just a mere head maid; I might as well live a simpler life."
Happy? Where does all this happiness come from?
Death? Impossible! If death could bring happiness, then we shouldn't even dream of anything good, haha!
Gawain suddenly laughed, completely disregarding the fact that the God's Knights's blade had already reached his back, threatening to pierce him and Brooke together.
Ignoring the intense sword energy behind him, Gawain gently deflected it with his right hand.
Click!!
The sudden bolt of lightning struck Brooke and the other members of the Gawain Family with pinpoint accuracy.
The shadows of those people all vanished in the flash of Inazuma!
At the same time, Gawain smiled and took a step forward, then another.
Two mere steps, yet they covered a distance far, leaving the God's Knights bewildered as they watched Gawain's departing figure.
In the distance, Room of Heaven.
Suddenly, Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro gripped the knife in his arms tightly.
Immediately afterwards, he rushed to the bedside and, with a loud shout, sent the window and its frame flying!
Through the shattered space, Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro stared blankly toward the main gate of Pangea Castle.
There, Gawain happened to look up and gaze towards where Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro was!
Seeing his elders, who cared about him the most, gazing at him, Gawain paused, then placed his hand on his chest and bowed slightly.
"You've disappointed me, haven't you? Or perhaps you're not disappointed at all?"
Subordinates overthrowing superiors—isn't that what's called tradition?
But isn't it a bit too fast for a junior to rise above his superior?
I've only been here for three and a half years.
Gawain spoke very softly, but somehow, Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro seemed to hear everything.
Watching Gawain bow from afar, Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro lowered his eyebrows, but couldn't help but smile.
"It's about subordinates overthrowing superiors, how could there be disappointment?"
A young lion challenges an aged lion king; whether he wins or loses, people will praise his courage.
A new generation replaces the old; this is the eternal truth of all things in the world.
The lion king who is unwilling to grow old and let go of everything, preferring to be a burden to the pride rather than live in seclusion, is not worthy of the Haki that makes him revered by all living things!
At this point, Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro casually drew his sword.
In the blink of an eye, his thin arm seemed to merge with the black aura emanating from the knife, causing him to rise completely.
Straightening his back, Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro continued speaking without turning his head.
"Get moving, old folks. The kid's quietness wasn't real quiet after all."
If you think about it, that's the right way to do it.
Every child who is thought to be asleep by their parents will inevitably make noise in the middle of the night while their parents are asleep.
So next, children need to be disciplined so they can become successful!
Yes, that's right.
"After the injection, give him some milk."
"If we can't beat him, then we should let him retire."
"I wonder if the child who thinks he's grown up has actually grown up."
Please, please don't let it be... adolescent fantasies and arrogance.
Sough!
The Five Elders descended upon Gawain like beams of light.
At the same time, the God's Knights fully realized what was happening. They quickly gathered around Homing, coldly eyeing Gawain who stood silently by.
Laugh!
Gelinggu drew his longsword and pointed the blade at Gawain's face.
"This sword is called Moon, and it is not the heirloom sword of my Figarland Family."
However, the moon is the one that guards the core of all things.
This sword is perfect for killing a clueless brat like you!
Gelinggu had no desire to say more to Gawain, because Gawain... was indeed blocking Shanks' path.
It concerns the future of the Figarland Family and the traditions of Mary Geoise.
Gelinggu raised his sword and slashed!
Whoosh!
It was clearly only one sword, yet it somehow managed to unleash the sword energy of countless swords.
The flying sword energy bloomed in the air, as dense as the craters on the moon.
Seeing the heavy, inescapable sword energy, Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro frowned slightly, then whispered a command.
"Gawain is not a troublemaker who wreaks havoc on the sea, but a promising junior who challenges his elders!"
Gelinggu's sword strike was utterly impolite!
Are you treating our descendants like pigs and dogs, the most stupid creatures in the world?!
"Snort!"
Gelinggu's longsword didn't stop moving at all, while he responded coldly.
"The Room of Heavens have blinded you; how could you not know that the traitor Gawain is a light that Lord Imu must extinguish!"
God's Knights, all of you draw your swords! Gawain must be slain here.
And, he must plunge the sword in his hand into the very tip of the Empty Throne!
Following Gelinggu's command, the God's Knights swiftly attacked, quickly occupying all sides of Gawain.
In an instant, sword energy, air, and even dust-level attacks invisible to the naked eye surrounded Gawain.
Seeing Gawain surrounded and attacked, they suddenly learned that Gawain had become a lamplighter.
Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro's body trembled, and even the hand holding the knife shook twice.
"This... how could this be? Isn't it true? How come it's happening again?"
"No need for further words, senior."
Suddenly, Gawain, seemingly unfazed by the countless attacks, walked past them and stood before Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro.
"Whether it is or not is not important, after all."
Although I respect everyone...
But you are no longer worthy to be my enemies!