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Chapter 29
"Alright, feeling safer now?"
"Everyone around has moved far away."
"They won't crowd around staring at you anymore!"
Tian Chen said softly, lifting his head slightly.
Princess Shirahoshi wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.
She cautiously glanced around.
Sure enough, the people from earlier had all retreated to a safe distance.
Instantly, she felt much less afraid and tense than before.
Then Shirahoshi couldn't help but steal glances at Tian Chen.
A strange feeling stirred in her heart.
Somehow… she felt very close to this human in front of her.
Not only was he incredibly handsome, but she sensed absolutely no threat coming from him.
Instead, there was a warm expectation— a desire to become friends with him.
Shirahoshi was born with extraordinarily powerful Observation Haki.
Over the years, without even realizing it, it had grown so strong that she could instantly sense from anyone in a crowd who harbored ill intent toward her.
In general, as long as someone felt malice toward her, she could detect a dangerous aura emanating from them.
That was why she would instinctively become afraid of such people.
"Thank you for helping me!"
"I know you're a good person."
"But… if I want to go home, could you send me back?"
"When the time comes, I'll definitely thank you properly!"
A shy blush rose on Shirahoshi's cheeks as she looked at Tian Chen with sincere, sparkling eyes.
Tian Chen's gaze softened. He nodded gently.
"Of course."
"But for now, stay here and live peacefully for a while."
"This Emperor will protect you!"
"No one will be allowed to harm you!"
"And no more ugly creatures will come here to harass you!"
The "ugly creature" Tian Chen referred to was naturally Vander Decken IX.
Shirahoshi shyly lowered her head, looking adorably flustered.
Suddenly she felt… this human was so gentle toward her.
In a soft, timid voice she asked:
"Then… while I'm staying here, will you really protect me well?"
"Also… I want to explore this place, but I'm very timid. I wouldn't dare wander around alone."
"W-would you… accompany me to see everything here?"
Shirahoshi's voice was sweet and soft like mochi, her eyes full of eager expectation fixed tightly on Tian Chen, waiting for his answer.
Tian Chen's lips curved into a gentle smile.
"Yes, I will truly protect you!"
"And I can take you around to enjoy everything here."
Shirahoshi's face instantly lit up with pure joy. She asked excitedly:
"Um… what's your name?"
"Oh right—I'm Shirahoshi!"
Tian Chen's smile widened slightly.
Even though Shirahoshi stood thirteen or fourteen meters tall, her mentality was truly that of a twelve- or thirteen-year-old child.
Pure. Adorable. And irresistibly lovable in his eyes!
"I'm Tian Chen."
"The King of the Giant Empire!"
Upon hearing Tian Chen's name, Shirahoshi immediately responded happily and respectfully:
"Tian Chen-sama!"
"May I… hold you in the palms of my hands?"
"Then please stretch out your hand!"
Tian Chen agreed.
"Mm-hmm, go ahead and reach out."
Shirahoshi was overjoyed.
She felt that very soon she would become good friends with Tian Chen!
Shirahoshi immediately extended her enormous hands with the utmost care.
Tian Chen teleported and landed gently in the center of her massive palm.
"Wow!"
"Tian Chen-sama, you're so amazing!"
"Ehehe… from now on, we're good friends, right?"
"Yes!"
Tian Chen nodded.
He felt deeply pleased inside.
It seemed he wouldn't even need to make an effort to conquer her— Shirahoshi was already conquering herself for him!
Next…
Tian Chen led Shirahoshi back to Celestial Palace first.
The massive swarm of Sea Kings that had been crashing into Sabaody Archipelago stopped the moment Shirahoshi ceased crying.
However, for the time being, these Sea Kings continued to linger restlessly around Sabaody, refusing to leave.
Naturally, this puzzled countless onlookers.
Meanwhile, inside Celestial Palace, Imu—who had been observing everything— felt a sudden shock in her heart upon learning about the Sea Kings.
Connecting the dots with earlier events, she immediately confirmed one thing:
The mission to control Fish-Man Island had failed.
Moreover, Princess Shirahoshi possessed the terrifying power of the Ancient Weapon that commanded the Sea Kings.
Even worse now— Shirahoshi had already been taken under Tian Chen's control.
This meant that next… Tian Chen would not only gain dominion over Fish-Man Island, but also seize control of one of the ultimate weapons.
"Damn it!"
"I never expected that the 'Dark King' Silvers Rayleigh would actually work for Tian Chen!!!"
While Imu was seething with resentment in her heart—
Tian Chen had already brought Shirahoshi to the guest chambers.
"Shirahoshi, from now on you'll stay in this room."
"If you want to go out and play, they can accompany you."
"When I have time, I'll personally take you around to see everything."
Tian Chen spoke with gentle warmth.
"Okay!"
"Thank you so much, Tian Chen-sama!"
Shirahoshi felt this place was truly wonderful.
It gave her the feeling of a cozy little home. She felt especially safe.
In the adjacent room, Imu overheard everything.
She was instantly rendered speechless.
This sanctimonious hypocrite Tian Chen was at it again—coaxing Princess Shirahoshi!
Speaking to Shirahoshi with such tender affection… how disgustingly fake!
How revolting!
Was he really so desperate to obtain everything from Shirahoshi?
Shouldn't he just show his true colors— use despicable threats and coercion, even sexual harassment, and force her if she refused?!
The angrier Imu became, the more infuriated she felt.
Tian Chen had treated her with such contemptible cruelty, yet toward Shirahoshi he showed nothing but gentle care.
Or perhaps… what part of her was inferior to Shirahoshi?
"Hm, rest for a while first!"
"I have something to attend to—I'll be busy for now."
"I'll come see you later."
Tian Chen suddenly sensed that the people from Ryugu Palace on Fish-Man Island were approaching Sabaody with furious momentum.
This matter… he needed to handle personally!
"Mm-hmm, okay!"
"I'll wait here obediently for Tian Chen-sama to come take me out to play!"
Shirahoshi pressed her hands together in front of her chest, speaking in an adorably sweet voice.
Although hearing that Tian Chen would leave for a while made her immediately feel nervous again, Shirahoshi tried her best to act sensible.
She absolutely didn't want Tian Chen-sama to think she was annoying.
Even if she had to stay alone in this unfamiliar place for a bit, and even though it was a little scary… she could endure it.
After Tian Chen left, two Heroic Spirit guards skillfully began looking after Princess Shirahoshi.
A short while later… Imu suddenly pushed open the door and stepped into Shirahoshi's room.
"Y-you… who are you?"
Shirahoshi looked at Imu with panic rising inside her.
The very first instant, she sensed fear coming from Imu's body.
So in her eyes… this person must be a bad one. Very likely someone who wanted to hurt her!
Imu, currently in a powerless mortal state, had no intention of attacking Shirahoshi.
But deep inside, she genuinely felt extremely displeased toward her.
Damn it. Inside that body of yours, Princess Shirahoshi, lies such terrifying Sea King power— and yet you've been completely fooled and wrapped around Tian Chen's finger.
What's the difference between that and simply handing him the power for free?
However… when Imu saw Shirahoshi actually afraid of her? She immediately grew worried.
If Shirahoshi complained to Tian Chen the Great Emperor that she had been bullied… that would be far too dangerous.
After all, Tian Chen harbored those wicked intentions toward her!
So she temporarily suppressed her displeasure and spoke in a friendly tone:
"Hehe, don't be afraid."
"Big sister lives right next door to you."
"I just came over specially to see you."
"I didn't expect you to be a mermaid."
"Mmm… you really are very pretty."
Imu put on an appearance of warm praise.
Yet Shirahoshi's face had already paled slightly.
She instinctively felt that the woman in front of her was very scary. Very dangerous.
Nervously, she replied:
"Mm… b-but… you're very pretty too!"
"You're probably the most beautiful person I've ever seen!"
Hearing this, Imu felt a tiny spark of satisfaction inside.
This fish… when she speaks, her words are actually quite sweet.
Even though she was clearly still a little afraid, her words were extremely sincere.
But on the other hand… was this fish really that afraid of her?
Hadn't she already acted very friendly and gentle as jade?
...
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