Chapter 2: A New Kingdom in the Clouds
The Kingdom of God—Skypiea—had changed.
Under the rule of Lucien, it was no longer the chaotic, oppressive domain once ruled by Enel. The thunder tyrant was gone. In his place stood a man with real vision, real ambition, and his own brand of godhood.
Here, soil—true earth—was a rare treasure, more valuable than gold in the White Sea. For over four centuries, the people of Skypiea and the proud warrior tribe of Shandia had fought over this sacred land: the Upper Yard.
But Lucien did something Enel never bothered with—he acknowledged their traditions.
By royal decree, he opened parcels of land outside the Upper Yard to rent. Any citizen, be they skyfolk or former rebels, could claim a small plot for a high price. The people of Skypiea were thrilled. For the first time, they could legally touch the soil of legend.
The Shandians, however, were less willing. To them, the Upper Yard wasn't just soil—it was their ancestral home. Why should they share it?
But now, even they had bowed their heads.
In a brilliant flash of lightning, Lucien appeared on the throne within the Grand Sanctuary. His gaze fell on an old man kneeling before him—Chief Wyler, leader of the Shandian tribe.
"We've chosen to submit, Your Majesty," the chief declared, voice solemn. "Our warriors will serve as divine soldiers, guards, and cloud harvesters in your name…"
Lucien smiled faintly.
"You should've done this long ago. Why waste lives in pointless resistance?"
He leaned forward slightly, voice smooth and absolute. "I'm not Enel. Work hard. Live peacefully. I'll make sure everyone prospers—if they know their place."
Wyler bowed again, suppressing his pride. "This… is the list of the Shandians who have offered themselves as divine servants."
Lucien gestured casually. His priest, Shura, approached with a sandalwood tray. An angel retrieved the parchment and presented it to Lucien, who examined the name at the top.
> Laqi.
His brow raised slightly.
She had the look of a warrior queen—cool, composed, and devastatingly beautiful. Lucien immediately recalled her role in canon and smirked to himself.
This could work.
"Only one?" he asked, voice skeptical.
Wyler bowed lower. "In the name of Great Warrior Kalgara, we are not being negligent, Your Majesty. We simply… lack suitable candidates. Laqi is the pride of our younger generation. She alone meets the divine standards."
Lucien gave a slight nod. "Fine. From today onward, your people are citizens of the Kingdom of God. You'll be granted territory outside the Upper Yard—under the same terms as the sky people. Work with the Divine Council to settle the details."
The Divine Council—his own appointed team of capable followers—handled governance. Lucien wasn't interested in paperwork. His job was to rule from above, with thunder in one hand and charm in the other. Why stress over administration when strength alone commanded loyalty?
Besides, his Observation Haki—amplified unnaturally by his arrival through space-time—covered the entire sky island. Not only could he sense thoughts and emotions, but on non-Haki users, he could even glimpse flashes of their intent.
He didn't need to micromanage. He saw everything.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" the chief responded gratefully.
Behind him, the infamous warrior Wyper stood silent. His pride remained intact—but so did his understanding. The battle was lost. For now, he would serve.
---
A few days later – The Grand Temple
Crackling bolts of white-blue lightning flickered across the marble floors as Lucien lay back on a cloud-cushioned lounge, deep in focus. He was refining his Devil Fruit control, pushing the limits of the Rumble-Rumble power with each breath.
Then came a voice—soft, reverent.
"My Lord God… Laqi has arrived."
The lightning stilled.
"Send her in."
Moments later, Laqi entered the temple.
Her steps were steady, but her heart was clearly conflicted. She wore her hair in a high black ponytail, cascading down her back like a silken rope. A lavender combat dress clung to her toned form—a symbol of pride, strength, and elegance.
She dropped to one knee.
"Your Majesty… I am Laqi of the Shandian people. I have come… to serve as your divine servant."
Her voice was calm, but there was a tremor beneath it. She hated bowing, but for the sake of her people, she would do what needed to be done.
Lucien studied her calmly.
"You carry yourself well. Obedient… beautiful. Perhaps you'll earn the title of Divine Consort before long."
"…Yes, Your Majesty."
Her response was quiet, her expression unreadable.
He leaned in slightly. "Also. When you're in the Imperial Palace, you may address me as 'Your Majesty the Emperor.' Outside these halls… simply 'God' will do."
"Yes… my God," she corrected with wide eyes.
Lucien waved a hand. Two angels approached and led Laqi away to change into her official attire. The uniforms for divine servants were ceremonial—white robes with celestial motifs, tailored to match their roles. The consorts had more flexibility in style—as long as it pleased their god.
When Laqi returned, she wore a fitted lavender cheongsam that accentuated her figure. Her steps were hesitant.
She had the look of someone unfamiliar with luxury.
"My Lord God…" she spoke softly.
Lucien raised an eyebrow. "You chose that?"
"The angel sister suggested it. She said… you'd like it."
"I do," Lucien said, smiling. "Come. Sit. Let's talk."
She blinked in surprise. "Talk…?"
Laqi expected him to act like Enel—a tyrant drunk on power. But instead, he simply studied her calmly, as though examining something deeper than skin.
Lucien wanted to test something.
When he made physical contact with Conis, he'd grown stronger. Could Laqi produce the same effect?
As he leaned closer, she looked up—and for a moment, her breath caught.
His face was sharp, his features noble, yet wild. Black hair, starlit eyes, a presence that didn't belong in this world. The type of man who could rule a sky.
> "Handsome," her mind whispered against her will.
Lucien smirked. "Relax. I'm not here to break you. I'm here to shape something greater."
And just like that… the next piece of his divine court began to fall into place.
---
To be continued…