Chapter 2
The Pier of the Cacinob Kingdom
By now, the pier had been fully decorated under Princess Anna's orders. Fresh flowers, red carpets, luxurious carriages, a welcoming band, and even hired "commoners" to cheer—everything was in place.
A massive, extravagantly ornate ship had docked. Crowds of people bustled on deck, surrounded by layer upon layer of heavily armed guards.
After a long wait, the gangway finally lowered. Three figures wearing glass bubble helmets appeared at the top of the stairs.
"Lord Saint Rosward!" "Lord Saint Charlos!" "Lady Saint Shalria!"
As soon as the Celestial Dragons showed themselves, Princess Anna took the lead in cheering. Under her direction, the king of Cacinob and the assembled nobles shouted welcomes at the top of their lungs.
The hired actors disguised as "commoners" knelt along the roadside, not daring to even glance at the Celestial Dragons.
Inside the building where Lin Yu was held, everyone else had dropped to their knees as well.
"Tsk tsk tsk… these Celestial Dragons really do look as stupid as advertised."
Watching Saint Charlos being carried down the gangway by two maids and then placed on a slave's back, Lin Yu shook his head in disgust.
"Though… that ship would make a damn fine pirate vessel."
His gaze shifted to the massive Celestial Dragon ship. He rubbed his chin, seriously considering whether to steal it.
Then he noticed the young, beautiful female Celestial Dragon staring at him from the deck—her face full of shock.
This was the first time Shalria had ever seen someone who didn't kneel.
…But damn, he's handsome.
"Seize him! Don't hurt him!"
"I want him as my pet!"
Shalria pointed straight at Lin Yu's second-floor window and barked orders to her attendants.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Several black-suited figures leaped from beside her, using Geppo (Moon Step) to rocket toward Lin Yu's position.
"They want me as a pet, huh?"
Lin Yu chuckled as the CP0 agents closed in, a fun idea forming in his mind.
Because Shalria had forbidden harming him, the CP0 agents stopped in front of him and spoke coldly:
"Surrender quietly and you'll keep your freedom of movement."
"Resist, and we tie you up."
Seeing they weren't attacking, Lin Yu grinned.
"Yes, yes, I surrender."
He raised his hands and let the CP0 agents escort him to Shalria.
To carry out his little plan, Lin Yu decided to play along for now.
After all, escaping would be child's play with his Top-Tier Swordsman Experience Card.
The card no one else could see depicted none other than the future Warlord—the world's greatest swordsman, Hawkeye Mihawk!
So cool.
Shalria's eyes sparkled as she took in Lin Yu's looks. She was completely smitten.
"From now on, you belong to me."
Lady Shalria declared imperiously.
"Yes, Lady Shalria," Lin Yu replied with a gentle smile and a slight bow.
"Play however you want, but don't touch him."
Saint Rosward glanced at his daughter, who was dazed by Lin Yu's smile, and issued a warning.
Celestial Dragon blood must never be tainted by commoners.
"I know, Father," Shalria nodded.
Lin Yu was then kept at Shalria's side as they boarded the carriage prepared for the Celestial Dragons and headed to the royal palace.
Once at the palace, he was assigned to Shalria's personal quarters.
Under the watchful eyes of her maids, Lin Yu took a bath, changed into fresh clothes, and waited for Shalria's "favor."
Night fell.
Judging the timing right, Lin Yu stopped idly practicing his Armament and Observation Haki, walked to the door.
"Lin Yu? What are you doing out here…?"
One of Shalria's maids jumped in surprise.
"Just a little hungry. Looking for a snack."
Lin Yu smiled softly—and activated his Top-Tier Swordsman Experience Card.
[Acquired Top-Tier Physique – 30 minutes remaining]
[Acquired Top-Tier Armament Haki – 30 minutes remaining]
[Acquired Top-Tier Observation Haki…]
[Acquired Top-Tier Swordsmanship…]
[Acquired Top-Tier…]
In an instant, notifications flooded his vision. Power surged through his body.
The next second, he was behind the maid, knocking her out with a single hand chop.
He grabbed a decorative sword from a nearby suit of armor and strode toward the grand banquet hall where the kingdom was hosting the Celestial Dragons.
All the palace's original guards and servants had been dismissed for the night; the gates were sealed. No outsiders could enter, so Lin Yu had no worries about collateral damage.
"Who the hell are you…?"
A Celestial Dragon guard posted outside the hall shouted at the approaching figure.
Lin Yu answered with a flash of steel.
Slash!
Blood sprayed. The guard's head flew.
Lin Yu felt no guilt killing lackeys who served the Celestial Dragons.
After dispatching the outer guards, he switched to a proper longsword and systematically eliminated every Celestial Dragon guard and agent in the palace.
Only then did he return to the banquet hall doors and push them open.
"Tsk tsk… Isn't that the queen of Cacinob Kingdom?"
"Celestial Dragons really know how to party!!!"
Inside, the half-naked queen groveled at Rosward's feet. Lin Yu clicked his tongue in mock admiration.
Beside Rosward, the prime minister's wife had gone pale—she clearly hadn't expected the Celestial Dragons to be this brazen.
In the center of the dance floor, Charlos was playing cat-and-mouse with a group of noblewomen, grabbing and slobbering over whoever he caught.
The king of Cacinob and the other cuckolded husbands knelt in the corner, forced to watch their wives and daughters be defiled.
"What a ridiculous scene… kinda jealous."
Lin Yu locked the doors behind him, shook his head, and walked straight to Charlos.
"Who're you?"
"Is she your wife?"
"Let me borrow her for a bit."
Charlos, face covered in snot, looked up blankly from the noblewoman he was gnawing on.
"Lord Charlos—watch out!" A CP0 agent panicked as Lin Yu appeared beside the Celestial Dragon.
Slash!
Lin Yu's blade fell.
Thud.
Charlos's incredulous head hit the floor with a dull thud.
"..."
Dead silence. You could hear a pin drop.
"AAAAAHHHH!!!"
"AAAAAHHHHH!!!"
The woman in Charlos's arms, now drenched in blood, screamed and fainted. Panic exploded among the noblewomen as they saw Lin Yu like a demon from hell.
"Get him!"
The remaining guards and agents rushed him.
"Shave!" "Finger Pistol!" "Tempest Kick!"
Three CP0 agents appeared behind him in an instant, unleashing their techniques.
A storm of sword light flashed.
Two arms and one leg flew through the air—followed by three disbelieving heads.
CP0 agents varied wildly in strength. The elite ones could rival Yonko commanders or admirals. The ones assigned to Charlos's family? Bottom-tier, barely above regular CP9.
Ten minutes later, every Celestial Dragon guard and CP0 agent lay dead.
Lin Yu knocked out all the kingdom's nobles and ladies—they would serve as valuable bargaining chips later.
Carrying the heads of Rosward and Charlos, he ascended to the second floor of the banquet hall.
"Lady Shalria… I'm here~"