Aaaah!!!
The scream echoed over Whole Cake Island, leaving the Charlotte Family members and the civilians outside on edge, unable to eat or sleep. The Undead Legion was much calmer. They looked toward the Castle, curious how Lord Loa was punishing Charlotte Linlin.
After all, they could accept a failed assault turning into a rout because they were outmatched. But being deliberately targeted and lured into a trap filled the soldiers with righteous anger.
The screaming lasted from morning until dusk without a moment's pause. Only Charlotte Linlin's formidable constitution gave her the stamina to endure it. Even so, when Loa finally lowered his hand, she was so weak and hoarse that opening her eyes seemed to take everything she had.
Loa dusted off his hands and said to Katakuri, who had stood beside him with his head bowed the entire time, "All right. Carry her back."
"Yes, Lord Loa."
Katakuri raised his stiff neck and gave Loa a conflicted look. Then he turned toward Charlotte Linlin, and his eyes lit up. "Mom, are you all right now?"
The eyes beneath Charlotte Linlin's disheveled hair were no longer innocent and uncomprehending like an infant's. They held the steadiness—and hatred—of an adult.
At Katakuri's words, Charlotte Linlin found strength from somewhere and shouted, "Katakuri! Run! You're no match for him!"
"Mom!"
Before he could say anything more, Charlotte Linlin glared at Loa. "I'm the one who wanted Zephyr kidnapped. If you have a problem, take it out on me! Don't hurt my son!"
"Mom?"
Katakuri stood rooted to the spot, murmuring in a daze. Was this really the mother he remembered?
Loa rubbed his chin as understanding dawned. "Ah. So she did escape."
Then he looked at Charlotte Linlin and, under her furious gaze, closed his steel-crushing hand around Katakuri's throat.