She hadn't expected that the usually carefree Gloriosa would develop such thoughts after seeing Shakky just once.
She extended her massive index finger and gently rubbed Gloriosa's cheek, comforting her tenderly:
"Silly, what are you overthinking for? Rest assured, even when you get old, you'll still be an elegant and beautiful little old lady."
"Linlin, you just know how to say sweet things to comfort me..."
Gloriosa pressed her face against Charlotte Linlin's cool, smooth cheek, complaining with her mouth, but the corners of her lips couldn't help but curl up slightly.
Even knowing these words were mostly comfort, just hearing them from Linlin was enough to disperse most of the gloom in her heart and make her feel incredibly happy.
However, Charlotte Linlin's next words made her whole body tremble, and she suddenly raised her head.
"Gloriosa, haven't you noticed it yourself? Your appearance hasn't changed... for quite a few years now."
"Linlin! You... what do you mean?" Gloriosa looked stunned, her eyes wide as she stared at Charlotte Linlin.
Being reminded of this, she suddenly recalled that it seemed her appearance had indeed remained at its peak over the past few years, leaving almost no traces of time, which made her even more sensitive about whether she was about to transition from her prime to decline.
Charlotte Linlin held her index finger to her lips, making a shushing gesture, and lowered her voice: "This is a... secret, oh!"
She dared to be so certain, naturally, for a reason.
She had seen a pale pink mark shaped like a peach blossom in Bloom on the smooth, tender backs of Gloriosa, Gerd, and Ripley.
Combined with Gloriosa's youthful, unchanging appearance over these years, she could roughly determine what the "blessing" given by a certain pink-haired person was.
Unfortunately, this blessing only had three effects, which seemed related to the mission at that time.
Looking at Charlotte Linlin's mysterious smile, Gloriosa was stunned at first, then her eyes erupted with a dazzling brilliance, and all her anxiety and unease were instantly replaced by immense joy and admiration.
She hugged Charlotte Linlin's neck tightly, a brilliant smile blooming on her face, the anxiety in her heart gone forever.
"Mm! This is our secret! My secret alone!"
As expected of her Linlin! Not only powerful enough to be omnipotent, but also loving her so deeply that even time could be halted for her!
"Alright," Charlotte Linlin laughed and tapped her forehead with her fingertip, "Stop giggling foolishly! Let's go, it's time to set off for Elbaf!"
...
Marineford, Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral's office.
"So, is it confirmed that Charlotte Linlin is heading to Elbaf next?"
Fleet Admiral Aether crossed his hands under his chin and confirmed in a deep voice to the messenger in front of him.
"Yes, Fleet Admiral Aether! The source of the intelligence is reliable."
"Alright, I understand, you may go."
"Yes!"
After the messenger left, only Aether, Zephyr, Sengoku, Garp, and Tsuru, the core members of the Marine, remained in the office.
Sengoku's expression became extremely serious as he said: "This cannot go on!"
Sengoku looked around the room and continued in a heavy tone: "This time it's Charlotte Linlin, but before long, Rocks himself will certainly head to Elbaf again.
Now the relationship between the Rocks Pirates and Elbaf is becoming increasingly close, and I always have a bad premonition that, at any moment, the entire Giant Race might completely side with the Rocks Pirates! We absolutely cannot let the strength of the Rocks Pirates continue to expand!"
The crushing defeat in the last war left the Marine severely weakened, not only losing a large number of elite soldiers but also suffering a serious gap in mid-level officers.
If we could win over the powerful force of the Giant Race, it would be a crucial addition for the Marine.
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/SolyuraMT
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"