Chapter 322 Parting on Bad Terms
Charlotte Linlin was indeed furious from humiliation.
The marriage alliance she'd anticipated for so long had fallen through just like that. And judging by the Giant King and Loki's attitudes, any future marriage alliance was virtually impossible.
Which meant her ambition to obtain the giants' strength had essentially turned to smoke.
Charlotte Linlin's temper had never been particularly good. Did she have any reason not to be angry now?
And since flames of fury burned in her heart, shouldn't she vent them thoroughly?
Charlotte Linlin—called a Pirate Emperor—certainly wasn't the patient, enduring type.
She wanted to unleash her rage violently.
"Mamamama!"
Charlotte Linlin looked down at Brett. She grinned, her eyes flashing with menace.
"Brett—are you trying to stop me, boy?"
Brett remained perfectly calm. "You're both my friends. I naturally don't want to see any conflict arise between you."
"The marriage alliance may have fallen through, but there's no need to cross swords, right?"
"No need to stop her, Brett."
The Giant King also spoke with a cold laugh. "I'd like to see what she wants to do!"
His Majesty the Giant King had never been the type to fear trouble.
As ruler of the world's strongest nation, even searching the entire sea, there were few things that could make the Giant King feel fear.
Charlotte Linlin and the Charlotte Family she commanded were indeed among the New World's most powerful forces, but they weren't strong enough to terrify the giant race.
"Mamamama!"
Charlotte Linlin laughed heartily. "See that, Brett? Seems this guy doesn't appreciate your kindness at all!"
"So then, Giant King, how about we discuss the marriage alliance matter again?"
Though the world's strongest woman wore a smile, her voice dripped with cold severity. "If I really have to return empty-handed, I'll be very angry!"
"I'm rather curious what happens when you get angry."
The Giant King showed absolutely no fear, responding with a cold sneer.
"Mamamama! Good, very good!"
Charlotte Linlin laughed loudly.
But the cloud and fireball that flew out from behind her told everyone her mood wasn't as cheerful as her expression suggested.
The fireball blazed and expanded massively. The cloud revealed a ferocious expression and turned pitch black.
"Then let me show you!"
Charlotte Linlin's hand had already grabbed the bicorne hat on her head.
The next instant, the hat transformed into a large blade as she pulled.
"Time to fight, Mama?"
A face on the blade grinned excitedly. "I can't wait to taste blood!"
Since she could no longer obtain the giants' strength, she might as well vent properly now.
Having cast aside all concerns, Charlotte Linlin grew completely unrestrained.
"You think I'm afraid of you?!"
The Giant King sneered. Though he carried no weapon, his fists had already turned pitch black.
The battle seemed about to erupt at any moment.
Who could have imagined that yesterday these two had been discussing holding a wedding for their children?
Loki felt somewhat helpless.
Regardless of anything, Charlotte Linlin was one of the Pirate Emperors—among the New World's greatest powers.
Conflicting with them so rashly served absolutely no purpose.
Loki cast a pleading look toward Brett.
Brett nodded in understanding and stepped forward, appearing directly between the Giant King and Charlotte Linlin. "That's enough. Would you have me watch helplessly as two friends battle to the death before my eyes?"
"Tch! Brett, you're getting in the way, boy!"
The Giant King looked somewhat dissatisfied. Brett estimated he'd been itching to fight Charlotte Linlin.
His current attitude stemmed partly from disliking Charlotte Linlin, but naturally also from wanting to duel such a formidable opponent.
"Mamamama! Want to mediate between us, Brett? You're quite arrogant, boy!"
Charlotte Linlin grinned.
Her words implied—Brett, who do you think you are? What qualifies you to speak so boldly here?
"If you insist on fighting—"
Brett sighed softly. "Then let me be your opponent."
Crimson scales began growing across his body's surface.
"You leave me no choice."
The Giant King could only shake his head helplessly, then snorted coldly. "Then we'll stop here for today."
He looked coldly at Charlotte Linlin. "Go back where you belong."
"..."
Charlotte Linlin gripped her large blade tightly. Black lightning had already begun coiling around the blade's edge.
You really think highly of yourself, Giant King. Who do you think I am?
"What's this, Big Mom?"
Brett turned to look at her. "Do you want to fight me?!"
"If so, I can accommodate you fully!"
Black lightning even more dramatic than what coiled around Charlotte Linlin's blade rose from Brett's body.
Charlotte Linlin hesitated.
Though her words and actions had conveyed contempt for Brett, Charlotte Linlin knew this guy possessed extraordinary power.
During that previous New World war, she was among the few who knew the inside details. This woman clearly understood what role Brett had played in that conflict.
More troublesome still—if she continued making trouble now, she'd face Brett and the giants combined.
At that moment, the silent Katakuri finally spoke. "Let's stop here, Mama."
"Regardless of anything, Brett is our ally. Give him some face."
He'd provided his mother an out.
"Mamamama! Then we'll stop here for today!"
Charlotte Linlin ultimately chose to back down. She placed the hat back on her head.
"But the humiliation this incident brought me won't simply dissipate! Remember today, Giant King!"
She glared viciously at the Giant King, making her threat.
"Likewise!"
The Giant King naturally showed no weakness.
"We're leaving, Katakuri."
Staying longer served no purpose. Charlotte Linlin and her son turned to depart together.
However, before finally leaving, she looked back at Brett. "Brett—I think you should consider carefully."
"The matter of who you should and shouldn't befriend."
Brett raised an eyebrow.
In any case, this matchmaking meeting had ended on very bad terms.
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