"Malverick, the sky's starting to brighten…"
Hancock gazed at the faint light rising beyond the horizon, her voice soft and weary.
Hearing her, Malverick ended his meditation and smiled faintly.
"Alright. Let's rest."
He wrapped her gently in his arms. Hancock nodded sleepily and soon drifted off into peaceful slumber.
When her breathing grew calm, Malverick lifted his hand. A single drop of glowing crimson essence appeared in his palm.
Phoenix Blood—a divine counterpart to his Dragon Essence, both capable of granting vitality and near-immortality.
"System," he whispered, "can Phoenix Blood remove a branded mark?"
[Of course! For something as pure as Phoenix Blood, erasing a mark is nothing difficult!]
"Good. That's what I needed to hear."
Malverick coated his fingertip with the drop of Phoenix Blood and lightly touched it to Hancock's lips.
He had no intention of keeping the energy for himself—Dragon Essence and Phoenix Blood couldn't coexist within the same body anyway, and he would never take what belonged to her destiny.
As she absorbed it, Hancock made a small sound, her expression tightening for a moment before slowly relaxing. Her body began to radiate gentle warmth, her skin glowing faintly red like the rising sun.
Malverick glanced toward her back—the spot where the slave brand had been.
Under the influence of the Phoenix Blood, the mark began to shimmer and fade.
Gradually, her breathing steadied again, her temperature returned to normal—and when the glow finally dimmed, the mark was completely gone.
Malverick exhaled softly. "Not bad at all."
He held her close for a while longer, letting her sleep peacefully. Once dawn fully broke, he dressed quietly and stepped outside.
At the door, Hancock's pet serpent Salome was coiled dutifully, having guarded the room all night.
"Well done. A responsible companion indeed."
He patted its head. The serpent stiffened, clearly intimidated by his aura.
"Keep watch here," Malverick said playfully. "Otherwise, I might just make you into soup."
The serpent instantly froze, not daring to move.
With that, Malverick took to the air, flying toward the small forest dwelling where Rayleigh and Shakky lived.
Since Shakky was a former queen of Amazon Lily, she lived outside the palace, near the forest. The elder Gloriosa—"Elder Nyon"—also resided nearby.
When Malverick arrived, Rayleigh was in the middle of breakfast.
Something about him looked… off. His hands trembled slightly, and there was a faint red mark around his neck.
Ah… so that's why, Malverick thought, amused. He remembered Shakky had gone to the palace last night—but he and Hancock had been… preoccupied, so he hadn't checked on them.
"Hey, old man, sleep well?" Malverick asked, barely holding back his grin.
Rayleigh looked up in surprise. "When did you get here?"
"Last night. Shakky knows—I'm surprised she didn't tell you."
Malverick sat down opposite him, glancing around.
"Not bad. You've kept the place neat."
Just then, Shakky emerged from the house carrying a pot of porridge.
"Oh my, you're up early," she teased. "I thought you'd be too busy enjoying our lovely Empress's company to wake up this soon."
Rayleigh chuckled under his breath. Malverick only smiled faintly.
"I didn't really sleep," he admitted. "But I had to check on Hancock's condition. She's still not quite my match yet."
He poured himself a bowl of porridge and finished it in one gulp.
"By the way," Rayleigh said, frowning. "What exactly did you do recently? Kong—the Commander-in-Chief himself—is furious! He's got the entire world searching for the two of us!"
A year ago, they'd planned to leave Amazon Lily, but the moment they prepared to set sail, Steel Bone Kong issued a bounty on both of them—personally paying out of his own pocket!
"Nothing much," Malverick said casually, "I just captured his daughter."
Rayleigh froze mid-bite. "…You what?"
"And she scratched my face," Malverick continued matter-of-factly. "So I told her to stay with me for a while as compensation. Perfectly fair, don't you think?"
Rayleigh nearly choked on his porridge.
"You—you mean—?"
"Relax," Malverick said, smirking. "We only talked. Maybe a hug or two. Don't overthink it."
Rayleigh rubbed his temples. "You're unbelievable."
"Come on, old man," Malverick grinned. "You're the so-called 'Dark King,' yet you can't handle a little drama? Disappointing."
Later that morning, Malverick summoned the members of the Kuja Pirates to the palace courtyard.
With Shakky, Elder Nyon, and his own overwhelming presence there, the gathered warriors quickly grew respectful and attentive.
"Today," Malverick announced, "I have only one decree: the Kuja Pirates will halt all voyages for the next six months."
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
"The supplies you need—I'll provide them."
He raised his right hand, summoning a vast black vortex in midair. From it emerged countless crates and barrels, neatly stacked.
These were the materials he had gathered on his way to Amazon Lily—enough to fill several Kuja ships and sustain the island for half a year.
Shakky folded her arms, narrowing her eyes.
"He's definitely planning something big…"
Just then, Hancock appeared, dressed regally and radiant as ever.
"Your Majesty!" the warriors cried fervently.
Even among the women of Amazon Lily, her beauty was unmatched—enough to make hearts race.
Shakky leaned closer and whispered, "Still feeling sore?"
Hancock blushed instantly, stealing a shy glance at Malverick.
"I'm much better…"
Malverick smiled knowingly. The Phoenix Blood had fully healed her, body and spirit alike.
He reached out a hand, and Hancock, without hesitation, placed hers in his palm.
"Shakky," he said, "I have a favor to ask."
"I knew it," she sighed. "You're definitely up to something."
"Nothing major," he said with a grin. "Just planning to take my woman on a little honeymoon. After all, I'm a man who treats his partners well—unlike some people."
Rayleigh, sipping his drink nearby, almost dropped his bottle.
"...Wait, what's that supposed to mean?"
~~--------------------------
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