Trial

A pirate raised a hand in a signal, and the other two immediately took a detour to cut her off through different alleys.

Shalria glanced back. Only one pirate remained behind her, and she let out a slight breath of relief. But when she turned forward again, the other two had already blocked the intersection ahead. She abruptly stopped in her tracks.

"Brat, you dared to hit me? I'll make you pay today."

Watching the three pirates close in step by step, Shalria gradually backed away until her back hit the wall.

Finger Pistol

One of the pirates dropped at once.

"Who's there?"

Two more sharp sounds rang out, and the remaining pirates collapsed to the ground.

Akali stepped in front of Shalria. "Lady Shalria, are you all right?"

Shalria gasped for breath. "Akali, you came just in time."

Charlos was still flipping a coin in his hand when he spotted Akali returning with Shalria from afar. He crooked a finger, and Amina brought over a glass of juice.

Charlos took a sip. "Mm, very good."

Shalria walked up to Charlos, her mood heavy as she remained caught up in what had just happened.

"What is it, Shalria? Did that shake your confidence so quickly?"

"Brother Charlos, am I too naive?"

Charlos raised a hand and gently patted Shalria's head.

"You're only too young. Once you grow up, you'll naturally understand."

"All right, let's head back."

That night, inside the palace residence, Charlos sat on the sofa, his gaze fixed on the fruit platter as he repeatedly tossed a coin from his fingertips.

"Akali, tell me what happened to Shalria today."

Akali bowed and nodded. "Yes."

Amira and Amina quietly listened as Akali recounted everything. When she finished, Amira slowly spoke.

"Saint Charlos, if that's the case, can we really establish ourselves on these seas when we set sail in half a month?"

That night, inside the palace residence, Charlos sat on the sofa, continuously flipping a coin with his fingertips.

"Akali, tell it again. What happened to Shalria today?"

Akali responded and repeated everything that had happened during the day.

After hearing it, Charlos stopped tossing the coin and lowered his eyes to stare at the one in his palm before flipping it upward again.

Clack!

The coin landed on the floor, heads up.

He spoke calmly. "After we inspect the ship in half a month, we'll continue special training. Two years will be enough to hone our strength. We'll formally set sail after two years."

Amira and Amina both bowed. "Yes."

The next morning, in the magnificent hall of the Rosy Family.

Charlos entered the hall and looked at the Rosy Family patriarch seated atop the raised platform.

"Grandfather."

The Rosy Family patriarch looked at Charlos. "What is it, Charlos?"

"I realized that I'm still too weak." Charlos lowered his head as he spoke slowly. "So I want to postpone setting sail. Can I go to sea after I become stronger?"

"You said you wanted to set sail, so you set sail. Now you say you want to delay it, so you delay it. Don't you think you're being too willful?"

Charlos raised his head and looked at the patriarch. "Maybe I am being a little willful, but recognizing my own weakness isn't a bad thing."

The Rosy Family patriarch's expression suddenly softened, and he laughed. "Haha, it's a good thing that Charlos has this awareness. I approve."

"But I'm curious. Why have you always wanted to become stronger? Your life is already prosperous. If you only want to join God's Knights, your current training method would be enough."

Charlos slowly raised a hand and pointed at the sky. "Grandfather, that position."

The Rosy Family patriarch instantly appeared before Charlos and covered his mouth with one hand, his eyes filled with alarm. "Do you know what nonsense you're saying?"

Charlos looked at the Rosy Family patriarch, and the Rosy Family patriarch looked back at Charlos. A long time passed.

The Rosy Family patriarch slowly removed his hand. "This matter ends here."

Charlos nodded.

The Rosy Family patriarch said, "I'll have someone send Akali a sea chart later. There's an island that would be suitable for your training."

"Thank you, Grandfather."

"Get lost already. You're giving me a headache."

Charlos turned and left the hall.

Once the boy's figure had completely vanished, the Rosy Family patriarch let out a long breath. His gaze fell upon a dark corner of the hall.

A masked CP0 agent appeared.

The patriarch's voice was cold and low. "You know what should and shouldn't be said, right?"

The masked CP0 agent bowed slightly and nodded.

Charlos returned to his chambers and spoke to Akali.

"Akali, pack up. Get ready to leave."

Akali shook her head.

"Saint Charlos, sorry for the trouble. You can't bring anything with you for this island training."

Charlos froze for a moment.

"Nothing at all?"

"Yes. The patriarch has already given me the sea chart. That island has rules—no one may bring any outside possessions ashore."

Charlos nodded.

"Fine. Then I'll go up there empty-handed by myself."

Amira and Amina immediately stepped forward.

"Saint Charlos, what about us? We can go too, right?"

Akali nodded.

"You can."

At that moment, the door was shoved open, and Shalria rushed inside.

"Brother! I want to go too! I'm coming with you—I want to become stronger too!"

Charlos looked at her.

"What are you joining in for?"

"I've thought it through! After what happened last time, I'm going to beat up every bad pirate I see!"

Charlos casually teased her.

"Then why don't you just join the Marines?"

Shalria's eyes lit up.

"That's right! Brother, come join the Marines with me!"

"No. I'm going to the island to train first."

"Then I'll go to the island with you! After two years of training, I'll join the Marines!"

"Fine, Shalria. Then you can come with us."

Akali lowered her head to glance at the sea chart in her hand, then said aloud, "Saint Charlos, you still have three days to rest and prepare. We'll depart in three days."

Charlos asked in confusion, "Why wait three days?"

"I want to rest too."

Charlos's brows immediately knitted together. "You want to rest too?"

"Yes."

"Fine. Do as you like."

Akali turned and left the chambers.

Charlos sat by the bed, mulling it over to himself.

Akali had never made such personal requests before. Why had she suddenly done so today?

Amira slowly spoke from nearby. "It's nothing. I heard Sister Akali say before that you've been in a very good mood lately and are easy to talk to. She just wanted to try asking you once."

Charlos looked helpless. "What kind of ridiculous reason is that... Forget it."

At the port three days later.

Charlos stepped onto the deck of the Celestial Dragon Imperial Ship.

He sighed softly. "It's been a long time since I last rode the Celestial Dragon Imperial Ship."

Shalria ran around the deck, her face full of excitement.

"We're going to sea! This is my first time going to sea!"

"Then enjoy the sea breeze while you can."

"Okay, Brother Charlos!"

At that moment, Amira and Amina walked over wearing swimsuits.

The instant Charlos saw them, he said, "You two little brats, why are you wearing swimsuits? Go change."

The two looked confused. "Huh? Why? We still have a long way to go before we reach our destination."

"They don't look good."

Amira and Amina immediately pressed together and stared at Charlos.

"What doesn't look good about them?"

Charlos rubbed his forehead helplessly. "You two have children's figures. What is there to look at?"

Hearing that, Shalria burst out laughing.

"Hmph, you two idiots! Just wait! Once I grow up and have the best figure, I'll definitely make Brother Charlos fall head over heels for me!"

Charlos awkwardly wiped nonexistent sweat from his forehead and turned toward Akali beside him.

"Akali, you seem a little more human lately."

Akali looked down at the newspaper in her hands without even raising her head and responded flatly.

"Mm."