This Was Nothing

Charlos turned to the little girl. "What's your name?"

"Rukia."

"Rukia." Charlos repeated it.

"Mm, yes, my name is Rukia."

"Then how much do you know about Earl Baron?"

"I only know that he's not a good person. His men burned our village down, and my father and mother died too."

"Tut, tut, tut." Amina shook her head as she looked at her.

Amira walked over and smacked Amina on the head.

"Could you show a little sympathy? So what if she doesn't have a father or mother? Who does? Is that really necessary?"

Amina looked at Amira. "Fine. I won't say things like that anymore, okay?"

At that moment, Charlos's gaze changed. His hand swiftly hardened with Armament Haki, and he followed by shielding the little girl's head.

Bang! A bullet was blocked by Charlos and fell to the ground.

Charlos turned to look into the distance.

A feather appeared in Amina's palm, and she threw it swiftly.

Whoosh.

The figure in the distance had been about to flee, but suddenly collapsed to the ground.

Seeing this, the surrounding pedestrians scattered in all directions.

"Bring him here."

Amina swiftly spread her wings and flew over. She grabbed the figure on the ground and hurled him heavily in front of Charlos.

"He's dead."

Amira stepped forward and reached out to check the man's nostrils.

"He's not breathing."

Amina spoke up. "Impossible. I didn't hit a vital spot just now."

Amira pried open the fallen man's mouth and took a look before turning to Charlos.

"He poisoned himself."

At that moment, the clopping of hooves approached from afar. A procession was slowly making its way toward them. Charlos rose to his feet, clasped his hands behind his back, and looked toward the approaching group.

The horses at the front gradually came to a stop. A figure stepped down from an extravagantly decorated carriage. The man appeared to be in his fifties, with a plump build and several gold teeth set into the corners of his mouth.

He stepped forward and bowed. "Saint Rosy Charlos, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Earl Baron of the Velocia Kingdom."

"How did you know I was Rosy Charlos?"

Earl Baron slowly replied, "Before you arrived, someone had already sent word to me, informing me that a Celestial Dragon would soon be visiting the Velocia Kingdom."

After saying this, Earl Baron's gaze fell on the figure on the ground, and his brows furrowed.

"Oh dear, this lowly commoner is obstructing Your Excellency's view. How unsightly. Men, get rid of him at once."

Two guards stepped forward at his command and reached out to drag away the man on the ground.

Charlos instead extended one foot and planted it heavily on the figure. Earl Baron's expression changed.

"Saint Rosy Charlos, what are you planning to do?"

"What are you planning to do?"

Charlos stared coldly at Earl Baron. "Someone actually dared to fire a shot in front of me, and without my permission, this person even dared to poison himself. Tell me, is someone deliberately targeting me?"

Cold sweat broke out across Earl Baron's forehead. He fumbled a handkerchief from his pocket and hurriedly wiped his brow again and again.

"Did I tell you to wipe your sweat?"

Earl Baron's hand jerked violently, and the handkerchief dropped to the ground with a slap. A late-evening breeze swept past, causing it to flutter slightly.

His voice trembled as he stammered, "Saint Rosy Charlos, I—I was only wiping away some sweat."

"I said, did I tell you to wipe your sweat?" Charlos's tone grew heavier once more.

Earl Baron dropped heavily to his knees and sprawled facedown on the ground. Cold sweat poured down densely, soaking into a small dark patch near his feet.

Charlos looked down coldly at the trembling earl and spoke in an indifferent tone.

"Amira, how much longer until the Marines arrive?"

Amina, who was beside her, froze and muttered softly, "Sister, His Excellency never told us to notify the Marines..."

Amira lowered her hand without changing expression and shifted half a step to the side, turning her back to the kneeling Earl Baron. She quietly slipped out a Den Den Mushi, pressed it to her ear, and spoke in a hushed voice:

"I'm Amira, servant of Saint Rosy Charlos. Dispatch the Marines to the port of the Velocia Kingdom immediately. Come here at once and stand by."

"How much longer until the Marines arrive?" Charlos repeated.

Amira lowered her head and replied, "Saint Charlos, the Marines will arrive in half an hour. Please wait a moment."

Earl Baron's Adam's apple bobbed violently as he swallowed, the sound of it unusually hurried.

Charlos said indifferently, "I think I just heard an unpleasant sound."

Earl Baron's body began to shake violently, and he did not dare make the slightest noise.

The little girl beside them leaned toward Amina and asked softly, "Sister, is that big brother some important person?"

Amira slowly replied, "You don't need to know who he is. You only need to understand that your Earl Baron is nothing in front of him. That's enough."

The little girl nodded, seeming to understand and yet not understand.

Charlos slowly walked a circle around Earl Baron, who was sprawled on the ground, then sat directly on his back.

Everyone along the entire street drew a sharp breath.

Earl Baron trembled all over and spoke in a quavering voice. "Saint Rosy Charlos, I'm covered in sweat. Sitting on me will surely be uncomfortable for you."

"Uncomfortable? Then bring over a cushion."

The steward who had knelt down beside Earl Baron looked toward him. Earl Baron turned his head and swiftly gave him a meaningful glance. The steward understood at once, hurriedly rose, and walked quickly to the carriage to fetch a cushion.

The steward returned carrying the cushion. Earl Baron spoke with difficulty. "Saint Rosy Charlos, the cushion is here."

Charlos slowly stood and looked at the steward. He ordered, "Put the cushion on your earl's back. That way, my bottom won't be uncomfortable."

Earl Baron hurriedly agreed. "Saint Rosy Charlos is absolutely right."

With a soft grunt, Charlos sat down firmly on the cushion again.

The heavy pressure descended abruptly. Earl Baron's back sank sharply. He braced himself desperately with both arms, forcing himself to bear the weight. Every muscle in his body was taut, and cold sweat continuously rolled down his cheeks. His entire body strained to its absolute limit.

The little girl watched this scene and whispered to Amira, "Sister, isn't this a little bad?"

Amira raised a hand and gently rubbed the top of the little girl's head. Her voice was indifferent and cold. "This is nothing."

The thunderous sound of synchronized footsteps suddenly came from the end of the street, sweeping forward with tremendous force.

Charlos lazily raised a hand and casually ordered, "Amina, pour me a cup of tea."

Amina tilted her head slightly, looking puzzled. "Don't you usually dislike hot tea?"

"I want some now. Hurry."

Charlos lightly tapped his fingertips, his tone carrying an imperiousness that brooked no argument.

Amina said no more. A pair of black wings spread behind her, and she swept toward the ship docked at the port in the blink of an eye.

At the same time, a large group of soldiers wearing white standard-issued vests and Marine caps came charging over with guns in hand. Their steps were perfectly synchronized, and their advance shook the heavens.

At the very front of the formation, a man wearing a gray-and-white coat of justice strode forward. The two black characters for "Justice" on the back of his coat were particularly striking.

He quickly reached Charlos, stood tall, raised his hand, and gave a standard Marine salute. His expression was filled with utmost respect.

"Doka, colonel of the Velocia Kingdom Marine Branch, reporting to Saint Charlos!"

Charlos said indifferently, "You can lower your hands. Aren't you tired from holding them up?"

"Yes!"

Doka quickly lowered his saluting hand. Behind him, all the Marine soldiers lowered their arms in unison, their formation remaining neat and solemn.

Doka bowed with his head lowered, his attitude extremely respectful. "Please forgive me, Saint. This subordinate does not know why you summoned us here."

"There have always been quite a few human traffickers hiding in this Velocia Port."