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Chapter 20
As Vilin animatedly recounted the dangers and amusing encounters from his journey, Rouge's eyes sparkled with longing.
She rested her chin on her hands, elbows propped on the table, her beautiful gaze fixed unblinkingly on Vilin's handsome profile—flashing with admiration and wonder.
Bang!
Just as Vilin reached the part about rescuing Jessica from pirates, the tavern door was violently kicked open.
Over a dozen vicious-looking thugs stormed in, surrounding the pair.
"Big bro!"
"It's this punk! He knocked out me and Little Tiger and stole the protection money we collected!"
One of the thugs Vilin had previously knocked out jumped forward, pointing accusingly.
Rouge's face paled when she saw the trouble had followed.
She instinctively reached for the money bag, ready to hand it over in hopes they'd leave Vilin alone.
Vilin quickly caught her slender white hand, stopping her.
His cheeks flushed slightly as he glared at the encirclement of thugs.
"You trash."
"You'd better leave now—before I beat the hell out of you."
The thugs stared at Vilin like he was an idiot.
"Heh, break one of his arms and legs and throw him out."
"I wanna see how tough his mouth is then."
Their leader, enraged by Vilin's arrogance, barked the order.
His underlings charged.
Vilin shielded Rouge behind him without a hint of fear.
When one thug lunged, Vilin drove a fist straight into his face.
Bang!
The man flew backward, crashing out onto the street.
Rouge watched in relief as Vilin sent the thug flying with a single punch.
Though he had told her stories of his strength earlier, seeing it with her own eyes made her heart pound wildly.
Her cheeks burned bright red.
Intimidated by Vilin's overwhelming power, the remaining thugs hesitated.
Seeing them freeze, Vilin grew impatient and charged forward himself.
He barreled into the group.
In moments, all dozen thugs were sent flying out of the tavern with single punches.
Soon only the leader remained inside.
Vilin walked slowly toward him, eyes filled with cold killing intent.
"You're the one who wanted to cripple my limbs, right?"
The leader felt ice flood his veins at Vilin's chilling tone.
Bang!
A sharp pain exploded across his face.
Screaming, the leader flew out the door and landed hard on the street.
Vilin had no intention of showing mercy to scum who ruined his moment.
He followed them outside and delivered a brutal beating to the sprawled thugs.
Only when every last one was unconscious did he stop.
"Today I'll cripple one hand each. If you dare cause trouble again, next time you won't be so lucky."
Rouge watched Vilin's commanding dominance.
Her heartbeat raced faster and faster.
She realized—she had fallen for this gentle yet overwhelmingly powerful man.
"Sorry… I made a mess of your tavern."
Vilin looked at the overturned tables and chairs with an apologetic smile.
"It's fine. I should be the one thanking you."
"Don't worry about that now! That jar of wine is something I've saved for years—we can't waste it!"
With that, Rouge gently supported the slightly unsteady Vilin and led him back to the unfinished wine.
Having realized her feelings for him, Rouge feared that if he left now, she might never meet another man so gentle and strong again.
As she took the initiative, the atmosphere between them grew increasingly intimate.
Before long, the entire jar of fine wine was gone.
Seeing Vilin thoroughly drunk, Rouge guided him to her private room.
After gently cleaning him up, she freshened herself as well.
Soon she slipped under the covers and nestled into his arms.
Vilin, hazy with alcohol, felt her bold closeness.
He no longer held back.
Pulling her slender waist close, he captured her soft pink lips in a deep kiss.
Rouge's cheeks flushed as she understood his intent.
Joy wrapped around her entirely.
She responded shyly but earnestly to the man.
"Rouge… you're so beautiful."
"The moment I saw you, I knew I had fallen for you."
Vilin gazed at her misty eyes, filled with sincere affection.
Hearing his heartfelt confession, Rouge looked back at him tenderly.
"I want to sail with you… to see the world."
With those words, they entwined once more.
That night, they expressed their feelings in every way they knew.
The scent of spring filled the entire tavern.
It was destined to be a sleepless night.
Loguetown.
In a rundown room—
Roger jolted awake from a dream.
A restless irritation surged through him.
No matter how he tried, sleep wouldn't return.
Sighing, he placed his cherished straw hat on his head.
Only then did his heart finally settle.
The next day at noon,
blinding sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the pair sleeping entwined in the tavern bedroom.
On the soft large bed,
Rouge lay completely bare, curled against Vilin's chest.
Her beautiful back was fully exposed to the air.
After a long while,
Rouge slowly opened her tired, beautiful eyes.
She glanced nervously beside her.
Seeing Vilin's resolute face, she sighed in relief.
Then she wrapped her slender arms tightly around the man who had captivated her.
Feeling her soft body clinging to him, Vilin gradually opened his ink-green eyes.
He gazed at Rouge's lovely face.
Gently, he brushed aside her slightly messy hair.
"Rouge, come sail with me. The world out there is incredible."
"Mm… The moment I decided to give myself to you, I was already prepared."
Rouge looked at him seriously, voice soft.
"Don't worry. I'll protect you."
Vilin stroked her silky pink hair, eyes filled with determination.
As long as he was here, no one would ever hurt her.
Suddenly, he remembered the Devil Fruits still stored in his body.
Two unidentified ones, the Paramecia-type Smooth-Smooth Fruit, and the Zoan-type Bird-Bird Fruit, White Eagle Model.
After a moment's thought, under Rouge's shocked gaze, Vilin produced a small treasure chest from within himself.
He placed it directly into her hands.
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