The castle was alive with motion. Servants bustled in the corridors, chefs barked orders in the kitchens, and guards ran drills in the courtyards. Birds soared over parapets, carrying messages. Childrens played near the flower gardens, and laughter echoed through stone halls like music.
At the heart of it all sat Edward Artoria, now able to crawl and stand with shaky, adorable determination. Her golden hair gleamed like flame under the mid-morning sun, and that damn ahoge wobbled with pride as she giggled and babbled nonsense to a group of fawning maids. A soft stuffed dragon toy was her current victim, as she repeatedly smacked it with a tiny fist in some ancient, noble duel.
Not far away, her father sat in his study—grim, unblinking, glaring at his desk. Parchments piled like mountains. Maps unfurled like battlefields. Building schematics, budget requests, merchant alliances, black market updates, naval repairs—all demanding attention.
Argus leaned forward, face blank. Then he slowly banged his head against the desk. Once. Twice. A third time for emphasis. "So much work... and it's only Tuesday."
"Mmm… poor husband."
A familiar scent wafted behind him—lilac, warm skin, faint candle smoke. Then arms wrapped gently around his neck.
Serena, in all her regal beauty, hugged him from behind, her cheek pressed against his head. Her laughter was soft. "You can't do everything yourself, you know."
"I can try," he grumbled.
"Or," she whispered near his ear, "you could start recruiting scholars. Administrators. People trained to handle systems and structures."
Argus grunted. She had a point. And she always knew when to deliver it—in the exact tone and position that left no room for resistance. "Fine. We'll begin scouting for talent."
Serena kissed the top of his head. "Good husband."
He suddenly turned, wrapped an arm around her waist, and with a grin— "W-Wait!" He lifted her with ease and spun her around. Serena shrieked in delight, laughing like a girl at festival.
Artoria clapped her hands from across the room. "BAAA!" Argus turned and scooped her up too. "You want in, princess?" With both women in his arms, he spun again. Artoria shrieked with joy, golden eyes gleaming, ahoge bouncing like a warrior's banner.
It was a perfect moment.
---
Scene Change.
Kureha adjusted her glasses and clicked her tongue. "Healthy as ever," she declared, snapping her gloves off.
Serena smiled, while Sally sat nervously beside her. "You sure? No hidden symptoms, no issues with the child?"
"I said healthy, didn't I? I oversaw their first births, and unless the world decides to flip itself over, they'll birth again just fine." Kureha's gaze sharpened. "Of course, if you keep doubting me, I could always let the intern handle it."
"N-No! You're the best!" Sally squeaked, pulling Shella into a nervous hug.
Shella only smirked. "Told you she'd say that."
---
Scene Change.
"GURARARARARAAAA!" Newgate's laughter boomed as another pirate ship split in half under his naginata.
Burning sails, screams, and treasure spilled across the waves.
"Another weak batch," he growled. "No challenge. No value." He glanced at their current vessel—cracked wood, patchwork sails, and a crew working double time to keep it seaworthy.
"This tub isn't worthy of us anymore."
Hiroshi leaned over, panting from battle. "Then we go to Water 7."
Doma nodded, flipping his sword back into its sheath. "Best shipwrights in the world. We don't settle for anything less."
Newgate grinned. "Aye. Water 7 it is."
---
Bounty Board Update:
Edward Newgate: 700,000,000 Beli — "The Rising Whitebeard"
Hiroshi: 200,000,000 Beli — "Terror of the East - Twin Edge"
Doma: 150,000,000 Beli — "Terror of the East - Twin Flame"
Jozu: 60,000,000 Beli — "Little Terror"
Their names were starting to echo.
---
Scene Change.
Servants gossiped in hallways. Maids competed for Artoria's giggles. Wives walked the gardens, whispering of names and lineage, wondering what kind of legacy was truly forming around them.
Some spoke in awe. Others in fear.
Argus's castle was no longer a noble estate. It was becoming a citadel.
---
Scene Break.
Argus stood by the edge of the castle's cliff, looking down at the coastal training bay.
A massive Sea King—a snake-breed, scaly and proud—rested there, half-tamed, still bearing the ropes of training around its neck and fins. It hissed, eyes flashing.
Shella used to train it daily—until pregnancy forced her to stop. But even now, the beast responded to her voice. A bond not yet broken.
Argus exhaled. "One day soon, you'll answer my call too." His gaze turned southward. To Kuza Island.
"Something about that place is calling me. A piece of the puzzle..."
---
Meanwhile, Sally and Shella lounged in the sun, tucked beside him.
"She's going to be a monster, that girl," Shella said, sipping tea.
"She already is," Sally added with a laugh. "She headbutted a maid this morning."
Argus chuckled.
Shella leaned her head against his shoulder. "You'll make the world fear her name. And love her."
Sally hummed. "And we'll make sure she knows how to live, not just rule."
He wrapped an arm around both of them. For once, everything felt… settled.
---
Far away, a pigeon burst into the skies.
From the castle's highest tower, a servant watched it vanish.
---
Elsewhere…
A figure, cloaked in robes, unrolled a parchment. The seal of Cipher Police clear as day. The pigeon preened itself on the windowsill beside them.
The figure's eyes narrowed.
"So the Pirates are upto no good as always ."
---
Back at the Water7, Newgate stood before a gathering of engineers, sailors, and smiths.
"We need a ship worthy of giants. Worthy of family."
Hiroshi stepped beside him, eyes steely.
"It's time we build something eternal."
They didn't name it yet—but the world would.
The Moby Dick was about to be born.
---
[CHAPTER END.]
Patreon - HeckTon496
Do, support