After knocking Arlong unconscious, Gray looked toward the corner, where a young girl was huddled in a ball.
As Gray turned his gaze toward her, the girl shrank even further into herself, pressing against the corner and trembling.
"Don't be afraid. I'm not like Arlong."
At that, the girl looked at the Fish-Men sprawled across the floor and the dead Fish-Man lying in a pool of blood outside the door. Gray's words weren't very convincing.
Gray noticed where she was looking, of course, and his face darkened. He could only explain, "I've taken care of the Fish-Men who were oppressing you!"
"You've seen my livestream, haven't you?"
Hearing this, the girl didn't answer aloud. She only nodded.
"Good!"
"Since you've watched my livestream, you should know that I'm only cruel to people who oppress others."
"As for people like you, who have suffered oppression and persecution for years, I sympathize with you, and I'll teach you to grow stronger so you can protect yourselves."
"What do you say?"
"Would you like to join us, young lady?"
"With strength, you'll be able to protect the people you want to protect."
"Like your sister and the people who live here."
Gray's words struck a chord with the girl. Bell-mère had died protecting her because she had no strength.
And the villagers, too, had no strength. They could only suffer under Arlong's oppression, paying so many Beli every month just to stay alive.
"Can I really do that?"
"Of course!" Gray replied firmly, holding out his hand to the girl.
Cautiously, the girl placed her hand in Gray's. A moment later, he pulled her to her feet.
"Come on! Let's head outside first. My companions are here, and so are your sister and the villagers!"
At that, the girl immediately grabbed Gray and