Failed to Pierce the Opponent's Armor

As the second son in the family, Katakuri knew Charlotte Linlin relatively well.

It was not merely because he had been born early. Due to his strength, Charlotte Linlin sometimes took him along for training and learning, so he spent more time with her than those children of more ordinary talent.

Charlotte Linlin herself had a habit of showing exceptional gentleness toward children under ten. She would not mind even if they used her arms as slides.

If the children had any ideas, she would listen, provided Charlotte Linlin herself had not yet decided what to do.

But once Charlotte Linlin had made up her own mind, she would not accept the children's opinions or consider their thoughts.

If any of the other siblings had acted like Nanamo, Charlotte Linlin would have slapped them unconscious long ago and taken them home to reflect properly.

Maybe having a father... wasn't such a bad thing?

The thought flashed through Katakuri's mind, but he quickly cast it aside.

Katakuri actually had some understanding of why Charlotte Linlin acted this way. Based on her behavior and some things Nanamo had told him before, he had drawn his own conclusions.

Nereus still respected his daughter's right to choose for herself. If she chose to live with Charlotte Linlin in the future, he would not stop her.

That was roughly how Katakuri understood it, and it was not far from the truth.

Since she could not defeat Nereus and therefore could not simply snatch the child away, Charlotte Linlin had begun employing this "soft approach."

Listen up. You must respect your big sister just as you respect me! Whenever she comes here to play from now on, you all have to go along with what she wants!

And none of you are allowed to tell Nanamo about what happened today!

Those were words Charlotte Linlin had said to several of her older children when Nanamo was absent. She had also instructed them to keep an eye on the younger ones.

When her Eating Disorder was not acting up and she was in her right mind, Charlotte Linlin was deeply calculating. Scheming and tolerating certain things were perfectly normal for her.

As for Nanamo herself, she had not thought that much about it.

First of all, the disparity in strength meant that Nanamo had been raised by Nereus and was naturally closer to his side.

Nereus had not forbidden Nanamo from seeing Charlotte Linlin either. On these seas, it was not easy for someone to have both parents alive and even know both their names.

Moreover, her life on Nereus's side was more comfortable. Nereus had only one child, and the Mermaids and Fish-Men who followed him outside took great care of her because of her father.

Just as Hermes called her "Princess Nanamo," she truly was a little princess on Nereus's side.

As for the number of Charlotte Linlin's children...

Even Nanamo herself could not keep track. Gloriosa had described Charlotte Linlin's rate of childbirth as "popcorn"—every year brought new younger brothers or sisters with the same mother but different fathers.

It was fine to visit and play as if she were dropping by a neighbor's house, but if such a huge family truly lived together, Nanamo felt a headache coming on just imagining it.

Nothing unusual happened afterward. After checking on the injured Brulee and playing for a while, Nanamo returned to Nereus's side.

After Nanamo left, Charlotte Linlin suddenly turned to look at her son beside her.

"Katakuri, between you and Nanamo right now, who do you think is stronger?"

"Mom... you know Big Sister's situation. If I really fought Big Sister... I might not even be able to break through her defenses."

Charlotte Linlin's question left Katakuri momentarily speechless. Faced with the talent of the Steel Balloon, Katakuri, who was still growing, had no answer.

The damage he could inflict was zero. Katakuri could not imagine how his current self could defeat that big sister of his.

"Mama~ Mama~, she is the only child who inherited my defense. That's only natural."

Katakuri's answer was within Charlotte Linlin's expectations. At that moment, she still seemed like an ordinary mother praising her daughter.

But as she continued speaking, Charlotte Linlin's tone gradually became somewhat gritted.

"Children following their mother is only natural, isn't it? Damn Nereus, if it weren't for you... how could Nanamo possibly choose anyone but me..."

Katakuri did not respond. Even though Charlotte Linlin had not yet become a deranged old hag, he was not in a position to involve himself in that sort of topic.

After all, they could never fathom Charlotte Linlin's thoughts. Saying the wrong thing would only provoke her displeasure.

Not long afterward, at Nereus's base, Nanamo had already returned and found Nereus in the study.

There were many books and picture books arranged on the shelves. A closer look revealed covers such as Dracula Legend, Dark Night, and Hotel Transylvania, among various other books. Quite a few of them concerned Vampires.

Compared with the slight discomfort she felt around Charlotte Linlin, Nanamo was completely relaxed in both expression and posture now.

With a push of her hands, she sat atop Nereus's desk.

"Dad, I'm back. Did something major happen? On the way back, I saw lots of people preparing to set sail."

There were quite a few Pirates on the island, but they usually acted independently. Group operations like this were rare.

"Yes, more or less. What is happening this time... is the end of an era and the beginning of a new one."

"An era?"

The word "era" seemed to confuse Nanamo. She could not quite grasp what it meant, but she still looked eager to try, as though she wanted to take part.

"It is too early. That is not a place you should set foot in yet."

"What? Dad, I'm really strong. If you don't believe me, go ask the others. Katakuri and I took down an entire Pirate crew by ourselves today!"

"Nanamo, that place is different."

Nereus did not even know the specific details of God Valley. He only knew the outcome and part of what had happened from his previous life.

With Nereus's own abilities, he was not afraid of that place. But if he brought Nanamo with him, the risk would be too great.

"I understand..."

Seeing Nereus's expression turn serious, Nanamo said nothing more. That attitude made it clear that he would not change his mind over this.

"Don't be discouraged. You still need more time. You are still too young. When that day comes, I will take you to witness the splendor at the peak of the world.

I'll be holding a small meeting later to arrange what comes next. You should stay and listen as well."