Argus never disliked capable women. In fact—he respected them. He wasn't the kind of man who believed a woman lost her worth after childbirth. On the contrary, he saw such transitions as a sign of evolution—maturity, not decline.
Serena, once a gentle and refined princess, now carried herself with the composure of a queen. Argus had noticed it already: among the thirteen women under his roof, the other twelve deferred to her judgment. That alone said everything.
So naturally—Argus was more than satisfied.
Soon after, the Whitebeard Pirates returned to the Kingdom of Platter. The king, however, looked as if he'd aged ten years overnight.
"What do they want now?" he brooded bitterly, pacing across the gilded floor of his study. His eyes were bloodshot from sleepless nights.
His treasury had already been cracked open once. Now, once again, it was forced to yield—this time, a permanent pointer and an ancient nautical chart.
To others, it might've seemed like a simple act. To him, it was another nail in the coffin.
He sank into his throne, gripping the armrests. My daughter. Taken. My kingdom—bled dry. Now the pirates return, and I must smile. What legacy will be left for my people?
But deep beneath that resentment festered something far more corrosive: regret.
He remembered Serena's eyes as a child—bright, intelligent, curious. He had once believed she'd bring prestige to the kingdom. But he'd only ever treated her as a bargaining piece.
And now she's more than I ever let her be. A queen among wolves.
---
Armed with the permanent pointer and detailed map, the voyage became navigable. A full month of navigating tempests and magnetic storms later, they finally reached their destination:
The Totto Land Sea Area.
"Is this it?" Whitebeard asked, standing at the bow, squinting at the chaotic horizon. Dozens of islands speckled the misted seascape ahead.
"This place is remote," he muttered. "Without that chart or pointer, no one's getting in."
Argus stood beside him, eyes sharp. "Save the awe for later, Brother. Start scanning the perimeter and follow the designated entry route."
"Gurarara...! Got it!"
Newgate shouted orders, and soon they sent a captured pirate vessel forward as a scout.
It lasted thirty seconds.
Fwoooosh! KRRAAK! SHHRRRK!
The sea, deceptively placid, came alive—massive whirlpools tore open, dragging the vessel down in seconds. Screams followed. Then silence.
"HELP—!" "NOOOOO—!" "I don't want to di—"
Gone.
The crew watched in grim silence. Argus and Newgate, however, exchanged nods—and even smiled.
Perfect.
If there was one thing a pirate empire needed, it was defense. And this place? It was a natural fortress. No ship was getting in unless they knew exactly where to sail.
Argus gave the order: "Proceed. But stay sharp. If we drift, we die."
"Understood!"
The Whitebeard Pirates fell into formation, creeping forward through the narrow, mapped channel.
Argus leaned against the railing, nautical chart in hand. This wasn't just a guide. It was a blueprint.
It mapped thirty-five islands in total. Noted key resources and unique terrain. Even detailed a secret backdoor—a hidden path to the central island.
He looked up. "Head straight for the central island."
"Yes, sir!"
The fleet adjusted course and surged forward.
"Gurarara...!"
Newgate's booming laugh echoed across the deck. After surveying the scattered islands and swirling tides, he slapped his palm against the hilt of Murakumogiri, his beloved naginata.
"Argus, this place is perfect! Defensible, remote, wild—it's made for us!"
Argus nodded, gaze unwavering. "At first glance, yes. But…"
He narrowed his eyes.
"We need to verify if anyone already lives here. If there are locals, they're a problem."
Newgate's eyes gleamed. "Gurarara...! If there are, we wipe them out."
Argus didn't flinch. It was harsh—but necessary. Building a future meant eliminating unknowns. This was not sentiment. This was empire.
A shout rang out: "Lord Argus! Lord Whitebeard! We've arrived!"
The ships dropped anchor near the sea's massive central landmass.
Argus stepped off the deck, his boots sinking slightly into what looked like… frosting?
"So this is Cake Island..." he murmured.
He'd seen oddities before. Islands of mist. Trees made of glass. A volcano shaped like a sleeping lion.
But this?
Layered cakes, towers of cream, caramel cliffs and chocolate waterfalls… It was absurd. And strangely beautiful.
He chuckled. "This world really is insane."
Newgate grinned. "Gurarara...! Welcome to the New World, Argus! Where logic dies and legends are born!"
---
That night, Argus took a rare break. In the new central hall built swiftly from the ship's prefabricated materials, he spent time with the three women closest to him.
First, Serena.
They sat on the terrace, looking out at the confectionery jungle below. Moonlight danced on cream-frosted trees.
"This land will be more than just a stronghold," she said softly. "We'll build a society. Education, food, protection... no woman under your banner will ever be without purpose. And our children—our children will never be pawns."
Argus studied her.
"You sound more like a queen every day."
She smiled. "I have to be. You're building an empire. And I plan to rule it beside you."
He leaned in, pressing his lips to her forehead. "Then rule it with strength. I'll see to the enemies. You shape the future."
---
With Shella, the scene was more lively. In the under-construction beast pens, she was already sketching out sea paths and monitoring imported saltwater pools.
"I've tamed snakes bigger than a galleon," she grinned, flicking her braid. "These sea kings? Just fish with ego."
Argus chuckled. "Is that your scientific assessment?"
She smirked. "Absolutely. I'll have them patrolling the borders before month's end. No navy will get close."
He admired her passion. She burned with conviction, and though young, she saw no ceiling to her ambition.
"You were a princess once," he said. "Now you're a guardian. Keep proving me right."
He kissed her forehead too. She beamed, her hand falling to her belly in instinct.
---
And then came Sally.
In the quiet of the garden tent, she was arranging tea leaves with the ease of habit.
"So, no lectures tonight?" he teased.
"Only if you complain again about paperwork," she winked.
They shared tea in silence. No talk of conquest. No tension. Just warmth.
She looked at him, eyes gleaming in the low light.
"You're not just building a kingdom, you know. You're building a life. Let it breathe sometimes."
He didn't respond with words. Just leaned in and kissed her brow.
She smiled and pressed a hand to her belly, mirroring the gesture.
---
Yes. This wasn't just a discovery. It was conquest. The Totto Land Sea Area, home to thirty-five islands, now belonged to the Edward family. Their future had a foundation. Their kingdom had begun.
(CHAPTER END)
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