Chapter 6: Conflict
The next day, Apollo woke up early.
He first went to the back mountain to stretch his muscles and bones, then went out to start shopping.
After transmigrating, he only had the clothes on his back; all his daily necessities needed to be re-purchased.
Although Syrup Village was not large, it was well-equipped, and various goods were generally available for sale.
Before noon, Apollo had bought all the items he needed.
In the afternoon, as agreed, he went to Kaya's house for their first lesson.
However, as soon as he entered the door, he was blocked.
It was Kuro!
Apollo's eyes narrowed slightly, and he asked curiously, "Butler Klahadore, is there something you need?"
Klahadore was Kuro's alias.
Kuro adjusted his glasses with his wrist. "Mr. Apollo, I'm sorry, but you've been dismissed."
What?
Apollo looked surprised. "Why? Miss Kaya and I already agreed yesterday."
Kuro's lips curved slightly. "The young lady hasn't been feeling well recently and needs rest."
Apollo immediately understood what was going on and said indifferently, "This isn't Kaya's decision, is it?"
Kuro's expression remained unchanged. "The young lady is too young and often makes impulsive decisions. I bear the late master's will and must take good care of her."
Apollo said, "Don't you think you're overstepping? Don't forget, you're just a servant! Or... do you think you're the real master?"
"My loyalty to the young lady is not something an outsider like you can comment on."
Kuro adjusted his glasses, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
He insisted on dismissing Apollo simply to reduce unnecessary variables, but he hadn't expected his true intentions to be exposed so directly.
Although it was unintentional, a strong murderous intent still rose in his heart.
Their argument had already attracted the attention of the other servants.
"You mean, Kaya should stay in her room and not see strangers?" Apollo asked.
"That has nothing to do with you."
Kuro said this, but everyone understood his meaning.
The next moment, to everyone's shock, Apollo slapped him.
It was quick and heavy!
Splat.
Kuro stumbled from the blow, and when he looked up again, a clear handprint was visible on his face.
His face was extremely grim; he struggled to suppress the murderous intent in his heart and roared, "This rude fellow! Someone, get him out of here!"
Immediately, two people stepped forward.
He can still endure this?
A hint of surprise flashed in Apollo's heart. What a cunning fellow!
However, this suits me perfectly.
He flicked his hand and snorted coldly. "If you want Kaya to die, then by all means, do so."
The two people who had come forward were instantly stunned, their raised arms frozen in place, unable to advance or retreat.
Kaya? Death?
They couldn't bear such an accusation; they didn't even dare to be associated with it.
At this moment, Merry, who had just recovered, quickly stepped between the two.
"Don't be impulsive! Don't be impulsive!"
He was utterly helpless, completely unprepared for Apollo's sudden move, which didn't fit his gentle and refined image at all.
"Originally, this matter had nothing to do with me, but Kaya is now my student, and I cannot stand by and do nothing!"
Apollo pointed at Kuro and declared unequivocally, "This man harbors ill intentions! He wants to murder Kaya!"
Kuro roared, "Stop spouting nonsense! I think you're holding a grudge because I'm dismissing you, and you're spreading rumors and slanders!"
Apollo sneered, "Kaya's poor health is purely due to excessive grief, which has accumulated into illness.
Instead of trying to cheer her up and relieve her sorrow, you want to confine her to her room, not allowing her to see anyone. This will only cause more and more emotional buildup, ultimately leading to a fatal illness.
What is that if not murder!"
The onlookers unconsciously nodded.
It was well-reasoned and seemed to be exactly what was happening.
"What do you know! This is the doctor's arrangement!" Kuro said coldly.
"The doctor instructed you to confine Kaya to her room and not let her see anyone?" Apollo looked at him with a half-smile. "Bring that doctor here; I'd like to see which quack dares to commit such a crime for profit?"
Kuro was instantly speechless.
Of course, the doctor wouldn't give such a medical order; he had slightly distorted the doctor's meaning.
To minimize unforeseen events, he had indeed been intentionally reducing Kaya's contact with outsiders.
Everyone's expressions changed somewhat.
In this villa, the two butlers, Kuro and Merry, had distinct roles: Merry was responsible for managing the servants and external affairs, while Kuro primarily took care of Kaya.
Because Kaya was young and lacked much assertiveness, her daily arrangements were mostly handled by him.
Having gained everyone's trust, no one had ever questioned his decisions before.
Now, with Apollo exposing the truth, everyone suddenly realized something was amiss.
Seeing the increasingly strange looks from others, Kuro could only take a step back, indicating submission. "Perhaps I was too concerned about the young lady and overreacted, misunderstanding the doctor's meaning. This is indeed my fault."
"Is that so? But I think it's more likely that you did it on purpose!" Apollo pressed on. "I think you have ulterior motives!"
Merry quickly interjected, "Mr. Apollo, you've just arrived, so you don't know, but Klahadore is warm and kind, and utterly loyal to the young lady. He would never harm her!"
"Warm and kind?"
Apollo chuckled, glancing at him.
How blind would one have to be to say such a thing?
"Merry, I warn you, if you trust the wrong person, it will endanger Kaya's life!"
Merry's face stiffened.
With such a serious accusation from Apollo, he couldn't handle it either.
"It's okay."
Kaya's tender voice came from the nearby window. "Teacher Apollo, I trust Klahadore. He was just careless for a moment."
"Alright then."
Apollo shrugged, unconcerned.
Kuro had been lurking for two years and had been deliberately trying to please Kaya, so the trust he had cultivated wouldn't be broken by a few words.
His goal had also been achieved: he not only annoyed Kuro but also earned some goodwill from Kaya by stepping on him.
The 'tool man' had served his purpose well.
Kuro's face was full of apology, and he bowed, saying, "Thank you, young lady."
He was about to say more, but Apollo waved his hand to interrupt him. "It's getting late, Kaya. Let's start our lesson."
"Okay, Teacher." Kaya's voice was a little joyful.
Her life was very boring, and she looked forward to some changes.
After everyone left, Kuro's face completely darkened.
"Dare to interfere with my plan. He deserves to die!"
Although he longed to kill Apollo immediately, he still restrained himself.
He couldn't act yet.
They had just had a conflict; if Apollo died now, people would definitely suspect him.
"There will be an opportunity."
Kuro adjusted his glasses and left the villa.
On the other side.
Kaya and Apollo went to the study together.
Inside were three bookshelves, filled with books.
In any era, knowledge was precious.
In the world of One Piece, only a wealthy family like Kaya's could possess so many books.
Apollo began teaching Kaya grammar, but stopped shortly after.
Kaya was full of enthusiasm, and a hint of confusion appeared on her delicate face. "Teacher Apollo?"
"Your health isn't good, and it's not advisable to study for too long. Let's stop here for today," Apollo explained.
Kaya was very reluctant but still nodded obediently. "I'll listen to Teacher."
"For the rest of the time, I'll tell you stories."
Apollo said with a smile.
This was inspired by Usopp.
Even though she knew he was exaggerating, Kaya was still amused by him and laughed heartily.
Clearly, she was very interested in these fantasy stories.
There were also many fantasy novels on the bookshelves.
Apollo was excellent at storytelling.
Movies, TV shows—any one he picked out would be a complete story, and he was also a loyal fan of web novels.
From logic, creativity, humor, and various other aspects, web novels completely surpassed the stories Usopp concocted in his boasts.
All kinds of tastes and styles were available!
As expected, Kaya's eyes lit up, and she nodded heavily. "Okay!"
Apollo pondered for a moment, and a flash of inspiration struck him. "Today, I'll tell a story about a monkey."
"Long ago, before the history of our world was written, there existed a mystical stone atop a high peak known as the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit. This mountain lay in a distant, ancient sea..."