Noon the following day.
The Royal Palace Square of Amazon Lily.
Sunlight poured down, illuminating the massive bluestone square with a bright glow.
Around the square, coiled snake stone pillars stood tall, carrying an ancient and majestic aura.
At this moment, in the center of the square, hundreds of Kuja Guardians dressed in uniform light armor and holding weapons were lined up in a neat formation, silent as the grave.
Every young face was filled with excitement, adoration, and a hint of irrepressible nervousness.
Their gazes were focused in unison on the high platform at the end of the square.
There, Boa Hancock reclined lazily on an exaggeratedly magnificent throne.
Today, she was not wearing her usual conspicuous red qipao.
Instead, she had changed into a more form-fitting black and gold-trimmed battle armor that accentuated her curves.
It lacked some of her usual soft charm but added a touch of the heroic and dashing spirit befitting a King of Warriors.
Sandersonia and Marigold stood solemnly behind her like two guardian deities, one on the left and one on the right.
On the surface, Hancock maintained the arrogance and indifference expected of an Empress, but internally, she was already as active as a frolicking husky.
"Holy crap! This scene! It's all girls! And they're all armed girls! The visual impact!"
She tried hard to control her facial muscles to keep her mouth from grinning from ear to ear.
Her gaze slowly swept across the formation below, touching every Female Warrior.
They couldn't help but straighten their backs, their cheeks flushing, and their eyes growing more fervent.
"Ding! Detected that Kuja Guardian Ella has developed strong adoration and infatuation for the Host. Infatuation Value +12. Judged as a [Beginner Simp] candidate."
"Ding! Detected that Kuja Guardian Lina has developed a deep obsession with the Host's appearance. Infatuation Value +15. Judged as a [Beginner Simp] candidate."
"Ding! Detected Kuja Guardian..."
In her mind, the cold system notification sounds began to pop one after another like beans.
Although they weren't officially counted toward the mission yet.
They needed to reach the standard of "intense infatuation, willing to unconditionally execute simple commands."
But these dense notifications already had Hancock's heart blooming with joy.
This is simply a beginner's village benefit!
It seems the Empress's face and her past prestige have laid an extraordinarily good foundation.
"Begin."
Hancock's red lips parted slightly, her voice not loud.
Yet it spread clearly across the entire square, carrying an unquestionable majesty.
"Yes! Empress Snake!"
The Warrior Captain in charge of command answered loudly, then turned and waved the command flag.
"First Formation! Archery drill, begin!"
"Ha!"
The sharp cries were in perfect unison as the Female Warriors of the first formation moved as swiftly as cheetahs.
They drew their bows and notched their arrows, aiming at the distant targets.
Bowstrings vibrated, and arrows pierced the air; the dense "swoosh" sounds were incessant.
The centers of the targets were instantly filled, with almost every shot hitting the mark, showcasing the exquisite archery of the Kuja Warriors.
Hancock nodded slightly, but her gaze lingered more on the waists tightened by the exertion, the smooth lines of their arms, and the resolute looks in their eyes when focused.
Mhm, power and beauty coexist; very good.
She even subconsciously used the recently unlocked [Charm Eyes].
When she deliberately let her gaze linger for a moment longer on some warriors who seemed to have good potential and slightly curled the corners of her mouth—
"Ding! Kuja Guardian Sarah is affected by [Charm Eyes], Infatuation Value soaring +30! Reached [Beginner Simp] standard! (1/10)"
"Ding! Kuja Guardian..."
Success!
Hancock mentally did a victory sign.
This skill is quite useful.
Next were combat drills and sword competitions. On the square, shouts and the clashing of weapons rose and fell, filled with an aura of strength and hot blood.
The Female Warriors were all agile and their attacks were fierce.
They showcased the unique fighting style of Amazon Lily to the fullest.
Hancock watched with great interest.
But her attention gradually shifted from the square to behind her.
She turned her head slightly, her gaze falling on Sandersonia and Marigold beside her.
Sandersonia looked serious, her sharp gaze scrutinizing every movement of the warriors below.
She would nod or frown slightly from time to time, looking every bit the dutiful commander.
Marigold, on the other hand, seemed somewhat absent-minded.
Her big eyes would glance at Hancock from time to time and then quickly look away, her hands twisting together uneasily.
Her face carried obvious worry.
Hancock's heart stirred.
These two sisters were fiercely loyal and deeply affectionate toward the original Empress.
Especially Marigold, who was simple-minded and highly dependent... she was practically a ready-made, high-quality "Simp" sprout!
Wouldn't that be faster than the warriors below who needed to be cultivated slowly?
An "evil" thought germinated in her heart.
She deliberately furrowed her brows slightly, raised a hand to rub her temple, and let out a barely audible soft groan.
A trace of fatigue and discomfort appeared on her face at just the right time.
"Elder Sister! What's wrong?"
Almost simultaneously, Sandersonia and Marigold both leaned forward and asked nervously.
"It's nothing... perhaps the sunlight is a bit too bright. After standing for so long, I feel a slight dizziness."
Hancock's voice took on a touch of well-timed weakness, forming a subtle contrast with her usual powerful image, making her seem even more pitiable.
"Elder Sister, please sit down and rest quickly!"
Marigold immediately lost her composure and hurriedly took a step forward.
She clumsily tried to use a handkerchief to wipe away Hancock's non-existent sweat, her round face filled with heartache.
"It's all our fault for not being thoughtful enough, letting you stand here for so long..."
Although Sandersonia was more composed, her brows were also tightly knit.
"Elder Sister, should we pause the inspection? Your health is more important."
"Ding! Boa Marigold has developed strong heartache and a desire to protect due to the Host's 'discomfort'. Loyalty and Infatuation Values have increased significantly, reaching the [Beginner Simp] standard! (2/10)"
"Ding! Boa Sandersonia has developed deep concern for the Host's health. Infatuation Value is steadily increasing, approaching the [Beginner Simp] standard..."
Hancock felt a secret thrill.
As expected, using a "self-injury ruse" on those close to her was incredibly effective.
She took the opportunity to gently hold Marigold's hand, tapping the back of it reassuringly with her fingertips, and gave a gentle smile.
"I'm fine."
With this, Marigold's face instantly turned bright red. She was at a loss, and the infatuation in her eyes was almost overflowing.
Even Sandersonia's gaze softened considerably.
Just as Hancock intended to redouble her efforts and further consolidate her gains—
An untimely voice suddenly cut in, breaking the slightly ambiguous atmosphere.
"Hancock! What kind of stunt are you pulling now?!"
A short old woman leaning on a snake staff pushed through the crowd in a huff and walked quickly up to the high platform.
It was the former-former-former Empress of Amazon Lily, Gloriosa.
She was a great beauty in her youth, known as Elder Nyon.
Elder Nyon rushed in front of Hancock, pointed her snake staff at her, and shouted with grief and indignation.
"You only just refused the Marine's mandatory summons yesterday! Do you know what that means? Do you know how much trouble this will bring to our Amazon Lily?! Is the wrath of the World Government and Marineford something we can easily withstand?"
"Fine if you won't attend the meeting, but today you're here conducting some wasteful inspection? Do you want to lure an Admiral directly into the Calm Belt?!"
Her rapid-fire questioning caused the atmosphere on the square to freeze instantly.
All the warriors stopped their movements and looked at the high platform nervously.
Hancock's good mood was interrupted, and she was very displeased.
She hated this old woman most, who was always bossing her around and mentioning the World Government.
She slowly sat up straight, the weak appearance from just now vanishing instantly, replaced by the arrogance and coldness belonging to the Empress.
She didn't even bother to look Elder Nyon in the eye, only glancing at her from the corner of her eye, her red lips curling into a mocking arc:
"Oh? Elder Nyon, are you teaching the Empress how to do things?"
"Marine Admiral? Heh..."
Hancock let out a light laugh.
She extended a slender finger, nonchalantly playing with a hanging lock of her hair.
"If they truly have the courage to break into the Calm Belt, to break into the Empress's territory, the Empress doesn't mind... letting them witness the power of true 'beauty'."
Her words were full of provocation and confidence, as if a Marine Admiral was nothing more than a clay chicken or a pottery dog in her eyes.
This statement, combined with her current domineering posture, once again ignited the frenzy in the eyes of the various Female Warriors below.
"Long live Empress Snake!"
"We swear to follow Empress Snake to the death!"
Someone was the first to shout, and then, a mountain-like roar of cheers echoed through the square.
Elder Nyon was trembling with rage at Hancock's attitude, and seeing the passionate crowd below, she knew that saying anything more at this moment would be futile.
She could only stomp her feet, glare at Hancock with disappointment, and turn to leave in a huff.
Hancock watched Elder Nyon's departing back with a calm heart, even feeling a bit like laughing.
She turned her gaze back to the fanatical Female Warriors below, feeling the system notifications constantly ringing in her mind.
"Ding! Because the Host responded domineeringly to Elder Nyon and showed a fearless posture, the Infatuation Values of a large number of Kuja Guardians have surged!"
"New [Beginner Simp] x5! (7/10)"
"Ding! Boa Sandersonia is deeply impressed by the Host's great strength and courage, reaching the [Beginner Simp] standard! (8/10)"
The mission progress was rising rapidly!
Hancock was in a great mood.
It seems that being the Empress and being a bit willful and arrogant is not only very satisfying but also makes one stronger!
She slowly stood up, walked to the edge of the high platform, and looked down at her subjects, her... potential Simps.
The sunlight crowned her, and the cheers were her background music.
Mhm, with this start, things seem to be getting interesting.
Marines? World Government?
Just bring it on!
It's a perfect opportunity to provide some high-grade nourishment for the Empress's 'Simp Army'!
A smile of determination slowly bloomed on her world-toppling face.