Chapter 4: Thunder Over the Horizon
The two girls leaned softly against him, whispering in unison:
"God~"
Lucien smiled knowingly. Every plan, every maneuver—it was all for this. The goal was simple: take what he wanted, and keep it.
Now, with two beauties at his side, he had refined his method. Every girl would need her own approach, her own rhythm. But the result? Always the same:
"I'll have them all."
A flash of lightning split the clouds as Lucien transported Conis and Laqi aboard the Little Proverb, his newly constructed flying ship—a sleeker, reengineered version of Enel's ark.
He landed lightly on the deck and placed a hand against the hull. Sparks crackled from his palm as thunder-elemental energy surged through the ship.
The propellers spun with a soft whirrrrrr.
Then—WHOOSH! The Little Proverb blasted from the cave, streaking across the sky like a silver comet. Below, stunned divine soldiers were left coughing in its dust trail, blinking up at the disappearing vessel.
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Onboard the Little Proverb…
Laughter and wind filled the air as the ship soared through the clouds.
"La-Lord God! Slow down~!" Conis yelped, burying her head into Lucien's chest as her golden hair whipped around. "We'll blow away at this rate!"
"Laqi too! T-too fast…!"
Lucien chuckled and dialed down the speed with a thought.
"Hah. And here I thought skyfolk were used to altitude. Seems you girls need a bit of physical training if this rattles you."
Of course, he wouldn't admit it was his first time piloting a flying vessel of this magnitude—and that he'd gotten a bit overexcited with the throttle.
"Hmph… Lord God," Conis said with a pout. "Now that Little Proverb is complete… are you planning to leave Skypiea?"
The question caught Lucien off guard. He looked down at her wide, uncertain eyes. She'd already sensed his plan before he'd even mentioned it aloud.
He sighed and nodded.
"There are things I must handle down in the Blue Sea. It's important… for all of us."
When Conis heard confirmation, her whole demeanor dimmed. Her eyes shimmered as she gripped his sleeve tighter.
"Will you come back?" she whispered, voice trembling. "Please… don't abandon me. I'll be good… I promise. I'll be your little angel forever…"
Lucien blinked.
He hadn't expected her to grow so attached. Their union had started as political—a symbol of peace between him and the skyfolk. But now… she was looking at him like he was her whole world.
Laqi stood awkwardly to the side, not sure whether to join in… until Conis gave her hand a small tug.
"…And me," Laqi muttered, cheeks faintly red.
Lucien chuckled, eyes softening.
"How could I ever leave you behind? You're both mine now. For life."
His words stirred something in them both.
Conis' expression bloomed into a bright smile. Laqi tried to hide hers, but it tugged at her lips all the same.
"I won't be gone long," Lucien continued, producing two small golden devices from his cloak. "These are emergency communicators. If anything happens—anything—you press this, and I'll come instantly."
The girls accepted them reverently.
In truth, the devices were linked to life cards embedded in lab-preserved mice stored in nutrient chambers back in his palace. If either switch was triggered, Lucien would feel the death of the life card instantly.
It was a clever workaround—and a necessary safeguard.
"Feel better now?" Lucien asked, wearing a smug grin.
"Yeah~" Conis nodded, her earlier worry gone. Her eyes sparkled again as she leaned closer and whispered coyly, "Umm… my Lord God, how about tonight…"
She trailed off, eyes wide and expectant. Laqi glanced sideways, but after a moment's hesitation, gave the same look.
Lucien blinked at the sudden dual attack from both his women. Royal seduction from one, innocent temptation from the other.
He laughed and drew them both close.
"Of course."
As they settled in, he praised them silently:
Conis—bright, intuitive, sweet when needed and serious when it counted. She never disrupted his thoughts, only offered him peace when he needed it. A rare kind of woman.
Laqi—tough, proud, and quietly loyal. Even if their bond began with pressure, she hadn't complained once. With time, she might rise even higher in his divine court.
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Noon — Above Whiskey Peak
The Little Proverb cruised calmly through the upper sky.
Lucien sat at the bow, eyes glowing faintly with Observation Haki.
Then—his gaze sharpened.
Beneath the clouds, in the desert wilds of the Grand Line, a familiar signature stirred.
Princess Vivi…
She was in motion.
Lucien grinned to himself.
> "Looks like the next piece is on the board."
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To be continued…