Your character is OOC, Gloriosa! Well... maybe not. After all, this is the woman who could write on a crystal ball with a brush right in front of someone and call it a prophecy!
On the side, Shakky put a hand to her forehead and sighed helplessly:
"This Empress—no! The soon-to-be former Empress—is completely beyond saving..."
...A while later, the central assembly grounds of Nine Snake Island were buzzing with voices.
"Eh? Do you know what's going on? Why did the Empress call us here?"
"Not sure. Maybe it has something to do with that person the Empress brought back?"
"The Great Pirate called Charlotte Linlin?"
"Yeah! I heard she has beauty that rivals the Empress. I wonder if it's true?"
"It's absolutely true! Sister Jasmine's daughter is a palace guard; she saw it with her own eyes. She said Charlotte Linlin's beauty isn't inferior to the Empress or Lady Shakky at all."
"Really! Does that mean besides the Empress and Lady Shakky, we'll also get to see this Great Pirate? Our happiness has doubled~"
"Yeah! I think so too."
On the high platform in the center of the assembly grounds, Gloriosa solemnly announced the purpose of Charlotte Linlin's visit—to recruit Female Warriors willing to follow her out to sea.
She spoke in detail about how Charlotte Linlin had saved the Kuja Pirates in their time of peril, as well as her formidable strength and noble prestige on the seas.
The people of Nine Snake Island had always believed in powerful beauty, and Charlotte Linlin fit that standard perfectly.
However, to Gloriosa's surprise, the crowd below didn't respond immediately. Instead, they fell into a strange silence.
Just then, a voice came from the crowd: "If that's the case, why not let Lady Charlotte Linlin step onto the arena and show us her strength?"
Everyone looked toward the voice. The speaker was Lilith, a female warrior famous on the island for being bellicose. She had her arms crossed, and her eyes held an obvious look of provocation.
Charlotte Linlin raised an eyebrow, thinking the request was reasonable. She was just about to stand up when Gloriosa, who was beside her, grabbed the hem of her pants.
Gloriosa looked down at Lilith, displaying the full majesty of the Empress:
"Lilith, watch your words! Linlin is a ruler of the seas. How can you demand she go up on the arena and perform like a monkey?"
Charlotte Linlin's forehead broke out in black lines. She was happy that Gloriosa was defending her so much, but being compared to a monkey left her feeling a bit conflicted.
Facing the forceful Gloriosa, Lilith changed her question, looking like she was determined to be difficult until the end:
"Then does Her Majesty the Empress also agree to us joining Charlotte Linlin's command?"
Gloriosa answered without hesitation: "Of course! It is your honor to join Linlin's command."
A flash of cunning crossed Lilith's eyes: "Then what kind of people does Lady Linlin want to recruit?"
Not noticing that Lilith had already changed how she addressed Charlotte Linlin, Gloriosa continued:
"At the very least, people who can use both types of Haki! After all, Linlin's battlefield is the peril-filled New World."
A brilliant smile suddenly bloomed on Lilith's face:
"That's perfect! I, Lilith, am proficient in both types of Haki! I want to join Lady Linlin's command! Lady Linlin, I am the first person to join you; you must take me in!"
This action was like lighting a fuse, instantly igniting the entire venue.
"Me too! Me too!"
"And me!"
"Lady Linlin is so beautiful. Being able to see her every day is simply heavenly bliss!"
"Take me! I know both types of Haki, and my archery is top-notch!"
Their previous silence wasn't because they weren't interested, but because they were still trying to gauge the Empress's true attitude. Now that Gloriosa's stance was clear, they immediately responded enthusiastically.
With it confirmed that Gloriosa supported Charlotte Linlin, they responded with fervor.
Gloriosa clenched her pink fists, only now realizing she had been played by her subordinate.
She gave Charlotte Linlin a wronged glance, but seeing the other woman looking back at her with a smile, she couldn't help but feel her cheeks warm up.
Charlotte Linlin surveyed the excited Female Warriors below, her voice carrying clearly through the venue:
"In that case, those willing to follow me, gather here at this time tomorrow. I will personally test your strength. Those who pass will sail with me to the New World!"
The cheers were earth-shaking, as if the sky over Nine Snake Island was ignited by this passion.
This time, she would have a powerful legion of Female Warriors willing to fight for her.
---------------------------------
If you'd like to read the next 40 chapters in advance, you can support me on Patreon.
I regularly post chapter previews there, so you'll always be up-to-date and won't have to wait too long.
patreon.com/SolyuraMT
And if you enjoy the story, don't forget to give me a Power Stone. Your support really motivates me to continue translating!