"Pirates?? What exactly is going on? Nayako, can you explain it to me in detail?"
Upon hearing that other pirates had also broken in, Luo Chen became wary and asked her again to confirm.
"Yes, Nayako witnessed it herself. They suddenly barged in from outside about ten days ago. I heard that their captain had just been released from prison and came here."
Nayako explained in a somber tone, clearly indicating that they had suffered greatly during this pirate invasion, and their morale was no longer as high as before.
"Um... Nayako, could you tell me about the current situation of these pirates? Don't let my appearance fool you, I'm quite strong, you know. If possible, I can even help you deal with those wicked pirates!!"
Seeing Nayako's distrustful look, Luo Chen patted his chest and vouched for her.
"Hmm... that group, the guy whose leader turned into a giant snake, along with two henchmen wielding knives and guns, established their Titan Pirates base in the center of the island, forcing the village's strong men and young women to serve them. Because they were no match for them, the village chief and the others had to tolerate their unreasonable demands..."
"Turning into a giant snake, he's definitely a Devil Fruit user, and Zoan at that. I just don't know if it's a regular or Ancient Zoan. As for the other two, one's a swordsman, and the other's a sniper. Is this a pirate crew centered around these three? That's interesting!!"
Luo Chen pondered the information in Nayako's words and said thoughtfully.
After figuring everything out, he looked up into Nayako's eyes and said.
" Nayako, can you take me to find those pirates?"
"Looking for them? Luo Chen, what do you want to do? You don't want to challenge them, do you? I won't allow that. Some villagers brought the navy from outside to find them before, but they were all defeated and brutally killed. Even those powerful navy soldiers are no match for them, let alone you?"
Besides, your injuries are so severe, I won't let you go and die in vain. You should lie down now and let me treat your injuries properly. After you're fully healed, you can find a time to sneak away from here!
Unexpectedly, Nayako, who was expected to happily agree to take him to cause trouble for those pirates, completely disagreed and shook her head, refusing outright.
"Huh?? But I..."
"What? Lie down properly, I'm going to change your herbs now, stay still!"
After that, Nayako changed her previous soft and cute demeanor, stretched out her fair and delicate arms and pushed him back to lie down, placed the herbs by the bedside, and began to untie the bandages wrapped around Luo Chen's body.
"Hey, Nayako, I already told you not to treat me like an ordinary person. I'm incredibly strong. After you bandage me up, take me to find them. With my strength, I can take care of them all quickly. Then, we can liberate all the oppressed people in your village..."
Luo Chen lay flat on the wooden bed, gently inhaling the fragrance emanating from the tip of his nose, and spoke again.
"Alright, alright, I know you're strong, now put your hands up!!"
Unfortunately, Nayako was standing next to him, didn't believe him at all. She took his hand and pulled him up in a perfunctory manner, preparing to change the herbs and re-bandage him.
"Eh~"
Luo Chen knew that the other person wouldn't listen to anything he said now, so he sighed and cooperated with her as she bandaged him.
And so, Luo Chen settled down on this unfamiliar island to recuperate and wait for his injuries to heal.
Above the Holy Land Mary Geoise, in the Pangaea Castle, where the descendants of twenty kings lived for generations eight hundred years ago.
clatter...
clatter...
clatter...
Catherine, dressed in her finest attire, holding the scepter symbolizing the highest power of the Glücksburg Clan, one of the Celestial Dragons, walked to the highest throne in the hall and stood there.
The current patriarch of Gustav, who accompanied Catherine to receive his title, and Saint Norris, the father of Orange had been betrothed to Catherine's father, bowed to the man on the throne.
"Lord Imu, I, along with eighteen members of the royal family, have proposed recalling the Glücksburg Family Clan, the Celestial Dragons lineage that has been lost to the mortal realm Glücksburg Catherine, has returned here awaiting your approval."
After he finished speaking, Catherine, who was beside him, also held the scepter and bowed to the man and Imu, saying...
"Glücksburg Catherine, the current heir of the Glücksburg Family Clan, humbly requests Lord Imu to grant my request to return to the Glücksburg Catherine clan!!"
"Please give your instructions, Lord Imu!!"
Accompanied by the Five Elders, the Celestial Dragons wield supreme power in the World Government but are detached from royal authority, he knelt on one knee to request instructions.
"Allow!!"
After a long while, Imu, sitting on the throne, finally spoke, replying with majesty and dignity.
"Lord Imu!!"
Having received Imu's permission, Norris and the Five Elders smiled and thanked him.
Having received a satisfactory reply, they all stepped back and went outside. Catherine spoke first.
"Are you satisfied now? This way you'll let my companions go, right?!"
It is not difficult to see from Catherine's words that her actions were all compromises with the government and the Celestial Dragons who threatened her.
"Hehehe, so this completes the first half. Next, we await your formal succession to your father's position as the head of the Glücksburg Clan, niece Catherine."
Then, you will complete your wedding with my son, Orange. Only then will your mission be truly complete, and I will lift the Celestial Dragons' and World Government's orders to eliminate the Luo Chen Pirates. Until then, I urge you, my niece, to obediently follow the original plan and not have any other thoughts. Do you understand, Catherine Palace?!
Upon hearing Catherine's question, Saint Norris laughed, then turned serious and spoke to her very earnestly.
"Hmph, I already know without you saying it. But if I find out you're still secretly suppressing my companions, then even if it costs the last ounce of my Glücksburg Family Clan's resources, I will give you an unforgettable and painful memory!!"
Catherine snorted and continued.
"Don't worry, I'm not that despicable. As long as you keep our agreement, your companions—no, those lowly pirates—will be safe. Their lives depend on your decision!"
"I will comply, as long as you don't resort to those despicable means to harm my companions. Alright, I'm going back now..."
After saying that, Catherine ignored Norris behind her and strode forward, leaving the area.
"Hahaha, you certainly have a fiery temper. Is it some bad habit you picked up in the mortal realm? But it doesn't matter. Even if you're a wild horse, once you marry into our family, I have a way to tame it..."
Norris didn't take Catherine's actions to heart. What mattered to him most was that the marriage alliance between the two families would allow them to absorb the last of the Glücksburg Family Clan's resources and make the Gustav Clan stronger, perhaps even able to stand on equal footing with Imu on the throne. Nothing else mattered. Then he smiled and left.
Tap... Tap... Tap...
"I'm sorry, Luo Chen, everyone. Please forgive me for making this decision without consulting you. This is all I can do for you now. And I believe that you, Luo Chen, will definitely ascend to that highest throne. But before that, let me do my best for you one last time!"
Catherine walked back to the palace with her scepter in her hand, silently reciting these words to herself as she went.