Charlos stretched. "Come on. Let's see what we can buy at the auction."
"Yay! To the auction!" Shalria threw both arms up and cheered.
The group arrived at Auction House No. 11 in the Sabaody Archipelago. As Charlos approached, its heavy doors swung open. Countless eyes turned toward them as they entered, and the auctioneer immediately called out, "Welcome, Saint Charlos!"
Charlos walked straight to a seat of honor in the front row.
"Now, let the auction continue."
Shalria leaned close and whispered, "Brother Charlos, what are you planning to buy?"
"I don't know. I'm just looking around."
The first lot was brought out.
Charlos looked at it and smiled.
Someone in the hall immediately raised a bidding paddle.
"One hundred million Beli."
Shalria looked at Charlos. "Brother, that sword is huge."
"It is."
"Brother, what are you smiling about?"
"Nothing. I just remembered something funny."
"What was it?"
Charlos patted Shalria's head.
"A secret."
The auctioneer's voice rang out.
"Two hundred and thirty million Beli! Any higher bids?"
No one spoke. The auctioneer brought down his gavel. "Congratulations to bidder sixty-seven on purchasing this Supreme Grade Blade!"
Charlos turned to study the buyer. I've never seen him before.
Akali leaned down beside him and whispered, "Saint Charlos, would you like me to investigate him?"
"No. Just keep an eye on him."
"Yes, understood."
The auction continued. Suddenly, the doors were shoved open, and Charlos walked in, grumbling, "Why are there so many commoners here? Hey, auctioneer! Bring out the best thing you've got!"
Shalria sprang to her feet and pointed at him. "What are you doing here, you fat pig? You're ruining Brother Charlos's fun!"
Charlos froze. Only then did he notice Charlos in the front row. "Huh? Brother Charlos is here too?"
"Get out!" Shalria snapped.
"I only came to buy a few slaves."
The auctioneer hurriedly called, "Welcome, Saint Charlos!"
"Why are you welcoming him?" Shalria shouted.
Charlos tilted his head, baffled. "Why shouldn't he welcome me?"
Charlos rubbed his brow. "Continue."
A bead of cold sweat formed on the auctioneer's forehead. He wiped it away and quickly said, "Of course! On to our second lot!"
Several more lots sold in quick succession.
Then a staff member stepped onto the stage, carefully carrying a fruit covered in strange patterns.
"Ladies and gentlemen, behold! A rare Devil Fruit! Bidding starts at one hundred million Beli!"
Charlos raised his paddle at once.
"One hundred million Beli."
The hall fell silent. Everyone who had been eager to bid held their tongue. No one dared raise the price.
The auctioneer recovered quickly. "One hundred million Beli! Congratulations to Saint Charlos on winning this Devil Fruit!"
Amira tilted her head. "Saint Charlos, why did everyone stop bidding when you made an offer?"
Charlos smiled faintly. "You'll understand when you're older."
Amira nodded obediently. "Oh."
"I've got what I came for. There's no reason to stay. Let's go, Shalria."
"Okay, Brother!"
Just as the group rose to leave, the auctioneer suddenly shouted:
"And now, at last, today's grand finale! A mermaid from Fish-Man Island!"
Staff slowly wheeled a huge glass tank onto the stage. Charlos stopped and turned to look.
Inside, a little black-haired mermaid lay curled up, sobbing softly. She looked no older than five.
"What is it, Brother Charlos?" Shalria asked.
Beside her, Amina watched the crying mermaid and said quietly to Amira, "Sister, she looks even younger than us."
Charlos raised his paddle eagerly, greed written across his face. "One hundred million Beli! She's mine! Heh heh, a mermaid!"
He bounced excitedly on the spot.
Charlos looked at him and calmly raised the bid. "One hundred and twenty million."
Charlos turned toward him in confusion. "Brother Charlos, why are you bidding against me? Didn't you already get what you wanted?"
"You idiot, Charlos!" Shalria scolded. "Brother Charlos wants this lot, so stop bidding."
"But I really want that mermaid!"
"You fat pig. Want me to flatten you?"
Charlos waved his hands frantically. "Fine, I won't bid!"
The auctioneer's hands trembled. "V-very well! Congratulations to Saint Charlos on winning the little mermaid!"
Charlos nodded. "Let's go."
Akali stepped forward and shattered the glass tank. She gathered the trembling little mermaid into her arms and prepared to carry her out with the group.
Charlos led the way, with Shalria close beside him. "Hey, Brother, this isn't the road back to the Holy Land of Mary Geoise."
"I didn't say we were going back."
"Then where are we going?"
"You'll see."
The little mermaid shook uncontrollably in Akali's arms. Charlos noticed, walked over, and took her from Akali.
The little girl grew even more frightened and trembled harder.
"Am I that scary?"
Charlos's gaze settled on the cold slave collar around her neck.
Shalria puffed out her cheeks and huffed to herself. Hmph. That should be my spot.
In the distance, Charlos stood with his guards, watching the group leave. "Damn it. I wanted that mermaid too... Having a mermaid slave would be so great!"
Before long, the group reached the shore.
Akali spoke up. "Saint Charlos, are you planning to release her? Her slave collar is still on. If she moves beyond a certain distance from you, it'll explode and kill her."
"Akali."
"Yes?"
"I've been learning Haki for three months. This is a good chance to see how far I've come. I'm going to tear off the collar. If anything goes wrong, knock it away immediately."
Akali looked at him gravely. "Saint Charlos, if you want to test your abilities, I'd advise against doing it this way. It's too dangerous."
"You think I haven't learned enough?"
Akali lowered her head at once. "Saint Charlos."
"Good. No objections, then."
"You really haven't learned enough."
Charlos shot her a fierce look. "Next time, finish your sentence."
"Understood."
"Then you do it."
"Yes."
Akali stepped forward and gripped the slave collar. Black Armament Haki instantly coated her hand. With a sharp crack, the sturdy collar broke. She flicked her wrist and hurled it into the air.
A moment later, it exploded overhead with a deafening boom.
The little mermaid flinched. Charlos gently smoothed her tangled hair. "It's all right now."