Training and Reward

The next morning, Luo Ya arrived at the new training ground. It was only slightly smaller than the one that had been burned down; one had to admit that the people of this world were quite efficient at infrastructure.

Annajia and Madalina were already on the field, performing physical training and drenched in sweat.

King Brunen, who had been standing to the side, noticed Luo Ya and stepped forward.

"Lord Luo Ya, yesterday Lady Annajia became a retainer of our kingdom. Regarding the matter of the Osama Kingdom, I would like to speak with you on her behalf."

"Heh, do you have other legacies from that great swordsman? Surely you aren't planning to hand over her sword to me as well."

"The sword must remain with my daughter, of course, but I have other things to offer as compensation for your services."

As he spoke, King Brunen produced a dossier. It contained intelligence regarding the Osama Kingdom.

It turned out that this country was located in the Grand Line, near the Calm Belt, and was a member of the World Government.

The nation practiced slavery; aside from the King, his two ministers, and their families, the entire population consisted of slaves.

The King was a user of a Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit, though the specific fruit remained unknown. The lives of the slaves were entirely under his control, and he frequently forced them to their deaths as a matter of course.

Because of this, neighboring countries lived in fear of the Osama Kingdom, as the sight of countless slaves charging to their deaths without regard for their own lives in every conflict was simply too irregular to handle.

Every year, they paid an uncountable number of slaves as tribute to the Celestial Dragons.

As for the two ministers, one was in charge of finance with unknown combat strength, while the other was the kingdom's general, a user of the Zoan-type Crocodile Fruit.

Every year, they captured and enslaved a vast number of pirates.

"Heh, now I'm even more curious about what you think will move me," Luo Ya said, raising an eyebrow.

After reading the intelligence, it was clear that this Osama Kingdom possessed combat power far superior to the Sorbet Kingdom.

A place like the Sorbet Kingdom would have been crushed underfoot, and that was without even considering that a World Government member state could call upon the Navy for reinforcements.

"A secret realm passed down from ancient times, which is also where the legacy of that great swordsman was obtained. However, we have only explored a portion of it. Our kingdom's methods for training in physical arts and Haki were also derived from there."

Luo Ya's pupils constricted upon hearing this. One had to realize that while the kingdom of Norberto might not look strong, it depended on who you compared it to.

If one excluded outliers like Luo Ya and Kuma, they could practically walk sideways across the outer reaches of the Grand Line.

Furthermore, they possessed the complete legacy of at least a fourth-stage great swordsman. Since it hadn't been fully explored, the value contained within was terrifying.

"Of course, Lord Luo Ya, you may take your time to consider. The next time the secret realm opens will be at least six months from now. If you are willing to help Lady Annajia, we can explore the realm together when the time comes."

"To avenge her, I would need to wipe out the Osama Kingdom. How many men are you sending?"

"As fellow members of the World Government, we cannot intervene. In fact, the condition for Annajia agreeing to become our retainer was that she would commission you to act."

"Heh, fair enough. Though she's quite weak, once she grows a bit more, she'll be more than enough to protect your little country."

"We'll talk about it when the secret realm opens. For now, the most important thing is training your precious princess." With that, Luo Ya lit a cigarette and walked toward Madalina and Annajia, who were eating lunch after a morning of training.

In truth, Luo Ya was very interested in the secret realm. However, since they hadn't finished exploring it after all these years, they must have encountered obstacles they couldn't overcome, meaning Luo Ya would certainly have to put in significant effort. Moreover, the one who would benefit most from a complete exploration was King Brunen, as the location of the realm could not be moved.

One could only say that he was truly a king; no matter what Luo Ya chose, he wouldn't lose out.

If Luo Ya agreed to help explore the realm, he gained a reward; if he didn't, he still gained a combatant in Annajia for nothing. She was clearly not old, only around thirty.

Her strength was still in a period of rapid growth, and eventually, she would be strong enough to hold her own in the New World. Having such a fighter by his side meant his position in the Grand Line would be secure.

When Annajia saw Brunen finish his conversation with Luo Ya, she looked at the King expectantly. The old man spread his hands, signaling that Luo Ya had neither agreed nor refused.

Upon learning that Luo Ya hadn't agreed, Annajia felt a bit dejected, but knowing he was considering it reignited her fighting spirit!

"Finish eating quickly and start training. I don't care what you do during your morning physical training, but you must lose weight within a month, or I'll cut it off myself!"

Madalina's hand trembled as she ate. "Yes! Master. I'm ready, we can begin!"

Luo Ya ignored her and tossed a helmet and a wooden sword to Madalina as usual. Once she had the helmet on, he drew his own wooden sword and brought it down on her head.

In the blink of an eye, the afternoon passed. Luo Ya used to curse Dezi for being ruthless, but when he started training others, he realized he couldn't blame Dezi for enjoying it.

That afternoon, Luo Ya snapped five wooden swords. He struck Madalina through her helmet until her nose and mouth were bleeding, and her body was covered in bruises.

As evening approached, Luo Ya signaled that Madalina could rest. After she ate and took a break, Luo Ya explained the five stages of a swordsman to her.

"From now on, after dinner every night, you will perform one thousand sword swings. Follow the standard of the strike you just performed. You aren't allowed to sleep until you finish."

With that, he turned and left, leaving a bruised Madalina behind, clenching her fists and shouting, "I will work hard, Master!"

Having spent the afternoon beating someone up, Luo Ya felt refreshed as he curled up on the sofa, preparing to continue studying his two sword techniques, when a familiar knock sounded at the door.

Knock, knock, knock!

Luo Ya opened the door to find Annajia again. The woman was wearing a custom-made purple dress with black stockings, which made her look even more mature, alluring, and voluptuous. The dress had a deep slit that revealed a large expanse of snow-white skin.

Annajia stood at the door, tucking her hair behind her ear, and said to Luo Ya, "Luo Ya, I hope you will agree to my request. After you avenge my master, all the treasures inside will belong to you."

"Heh, they weren't yours to begin with. You're trying to hire me with my own property? You've really let your brain rot." Luo Ya sneered.

"Then tell me what it will take for you to agree!" Annajia was anxious; having drifted on the sea for two years, she had already given up hope for revenge.

Luo Ya was her final straw, and she had to hold on tight.

Luo Ya looked Annajia up and down. The woman was so nervous that her legs began to rub against each other intentionally or otherwise, and because of the stockings, it created a rustling sound that made one's desires flare up.

"Pay back what you owe me first!" Luo Ya said, pulling Annajia toward him and wrapping his arms around the alluring woman.

"I don't recall owing you anything."

"Spare your life, and you don't think you need to repay the favor?" Annajia froze at Luo Ya's words.

"W-well, alright then, what do you want?" Luo Ya scooped Annajia up and turned toward the bedroom. "Heh, you're mine now."

BANG!

The bedroom door slammed shut.