Hearing Olvia's name caused Lloyd to freeze briefly. To be honest, he had almost forgotten about that woman. Judging by the timeline, it had been almost three years since her affairs had begun to draw attention.
When Lloyd offered no immediate reaction, Spandine continued earnestly.
"Saint Lloyd, because you once took an interest in her, after receiving the report I contained the matter. At present, only our CP9 members are aware of this situation, CP0 has not been informed yet."
Lloyd nodded once, expression calm and unreadable.
"You handled it well. Do not worry about it for now. We will deal with it later, when CP0 inevitably finds out."
While this was a significant achievement, Spandine showed no displeasure upon hearing Lloyd's plan. Instead, he responded with disciplined loyalty.
"Yes, I will follow all of Saint Lloyd's orders!"
Now that he served under Lloyd, Spandine no longer needed to expend most of his effort on flattery or political maneuvering for advancement like before. With a powerful backer like Lloyd, success and influence were all but guaranteed.
As long as he proved his loyalty and skill, promotions and wealth were matters he no longer needed to fear.
So his guiding principle had become singular: serve Lloyd above all else.
Whatever task Lloyd entrusted him with, he would commit himself fully. Even before Lloyd asked, he would already be thinking ahead, anticipating every possibility.
This Olvia situation was a perfect example. He had acquired the information before CP0 even noticed, and successfully suppressed it. To Spandine, this was the highest proof of his usefulness.
Lloyd saw this clearly, and after a moment's contemplation, he said to the humble Spandine with measured praise.
"You handled this matter very well. I will bestow upon you the reward you deserve."
Spandine lifted his head sharply, his eyes bright with the fervor of a soldier hearing commendation.
"Saint Lloyd, this is simply what a subordinate should do!"
Lloyd allowed himself a faint reply.
"That's good. Oh, by the way, you have a son named Spandam as well, correct? He should be an adult by now?"
Spandine's expression softened, genuinely touched that Lloyd even knew about his son.
"Yes, Saint Lloyd, he is eighteen years old this year."
"Understood," Lloyd said simply, "You may go. Your reward will be issued soon."
Spandine did not ask what the reward would be. He already knew that anything granted by Lloyd was beyond ordinary reach.
He thanked Lloyd profusely, nearly elevating him in his praise.
If someone like Spandine could not earn a promotion, then who could?
Monet and Sugar watched with wide eyes, staring at Spandine's obsequious display, stunned into silence.
Only then did Spandine notice the two small figures standing behind Lloyd. Looking upon Monet and Sugar, the porcelain‑delicate girls stirred something unreadable in his heart.
Curiosity overtook him.
"Saint Lloyd, who are these two?"
Lloyd glanced down at the Monet sisters and answered with cool simplicity.
"They are two young slaves I acquired."
The Monet sisters offered sweet smiles, modest and gentle. Spandine observed them carefully. In his impression, Lloyd had never indulged in slave purchasing the way other World Nobles did. It was said his only known slave had been Lucia.
Now, there were two more. All three were beautiful, delicate girls — aside from Lucia, who was older.
Spandine could not suppress the thought — did Saint Lloyd enjoy raising them? Such a preference was not unheard of among nobles he had known.
If that was truly what pleased Lloyd, then perhaps Spandine could find a way to please his lord even further.
With that idea taking root in his mind, Spandine resolved silently to seek out worthy prospects for Lloyd once he returned.
Lloyd, unaware of Spandine's private scheming, said to him plainly once their business was concluded.
"All right, I must return to Marineford. You may go about your duties."
Spandine snapped to attention instantly.
"Saint Lloyd would you like to take my ship back?"
"No need. I must detour to another location first. You should continue on with your work."
"Yes!"
Spandine bowed deeply once again, only turning to leave after taking several careful steps backward.
His actions, demeanor, and devotion from entrance to departure impressed the Monet sisters deeply.
Monet felt that Spandine must be Saint Saturn's true subordinate, so devoted and polished that she felt vaguely inadequate.
Lloyd then gave the Monet sisters a few final instructions before waving his hand slightly, his expression cool but gentle.
"All right, I should be going now, Ganar."
With no warning, Lloyd's figure blurred and vanished into a ripple of dark haki.
The sisters blinked in surprise, calling out to him several times but receiving only silence.
Lloyd had not returned to Marineford immediately. As he told Spandine, his first stop lay elsewhere — Dr. Vegapunk's research facility.
Every time Lloyd appeared, there was always work waiting for him there. Dr. Vegapunk had long since grown accustomed to it. The moment Lloyd arrived, the scientist greeted him with the same eager curiosity.
"Saint Lloyd, is there something you require?"
Lloyd did not waste words. He produced the two banana‑shaped Devil Fruits of differing hues and handed them to Dr. Vegapunk.
"Find two excellent swords, then integrate the powers of these Devil Fruits into them. You can do that now, correct?"
Dr. Vegapunk examined the fruits carefully.
"Judging by their forms, they are Zoan types. There should be no problem."
Supported by a powerful patron like Lloyd, Dr. Vegapunk now had not only financial backing but access to invaluable materials like rare Devil Fruits. Lloyd's continuous contributions had sped up experimental progress dramatically.
The scientist had already succeeded in several controversial breakthroughs, including enabling inanimate objects to gain Devil Fruit powers.
Lloyd nodded once.
"Good. When they are finished, send them to the Figarland Family. You do not need to concern yourself with anything else."
With that, he activated his Busoshoku Haki and vanished from the facility once more, leaving Dr. Vegapunk alone with the two Devil Fruits in hand as he returned to his laboratory.
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