Two days later, the Heavenly Punishment Pirates' base.
The dawn dispelled the thin mist, and bright sunlight spilled across the training grounds.
Hundreds of beautiful and agile girls were working hard, sweating profusely in their cultivation.
The warriors from Nine Snake Island led Mia and the others through rigorous training with serious expressions.
Unyielding flames burned in their eyes; every sword swing and every dodge carried a sense of ruthlessness.
Over the past two days, the news of Charlotte Linlin's exhaustion and coma had spread like wildfire, attracting many pirates with ill intentions to test the waters.
Despite having Gloriosa and Gölz, the two newly appointed great executives of the Rocks Pirates, presiding over the base, some desperate criminals or those who overestimated their own strength still came to harass them, which was incredibly annoying.
What incensed these Female Warriors even more was that these provocateurs were full of foul language, not only belittling their Pirate Crew but also speaking disrespectfully of Captain Charlotte Linlin, whom they revered like a god.
Although Gloriosa and Gölz repelled the incoming enemies, they also realized that with their current strength, it was still very difficult to defeat those veteran New World pirates who came looking for trouble in one-on-one combat.
In particular, seeing Gölz blast an opponent away with a single punch every time she heard someone insult Captain Linlin further stimulated their determination to become stronger.
They not only wanted to personally teach those loose-lipped fellows a lesson but also strive to improve their strength; they absolutely could not let this powerful Female Giant, who was fanatical about Captain Linlin, easily become the 'Number Three' figure by Captain Linlin's side!
"The second position by Captain Linlin's side must be mine, Mia's!"
In the team, Mia, with heavy weights strapped to her body and her clothes long since soaked in sweat, gritted her teeth and whispered with a determined gaze... Inside a quaint room.
Gloriosa rested her chin in her hands, lying prone on Charlotte Linlin's abdomen, her beautiful eyes staring unblinkingly at the peerless face sleeping between the two small hills, her brow clouded with an unshakeable worry.
To the side, Gölz's face was slightly flushed as she carefully handled a needle and thread, sewing a new top for Charlotte Linlin.
In the past, she had only made clothes for Elbaf's 'little figurines'—no, little companions—and this was her first time tailoring for the nine-meter-tall Charlotte Linlin, so her technique was still a bit clumsy.
The reason she needed to rush the new clothes, besides it being a personal hobby, was more direct—Charlotte Linlin's original clothes had unfortunately been torn during a scuffle with Gloriosa last night over the 'honorable task' of who would wipe Lord Thunder God's body.
As a result, at this moment, Charlotte Linlin's upper body was covered only by a thin undergarment that failed to hide her prideful curves.
Gölz kept her head down the entire time, her cheeks Burning, not daring to look at Charlotte Linlin's exposed skin at all.
The moment her needlework paused, the warm and delicate sensation of accidentally touching Lord Thunder God last night would uncontrollably surface in her mind, making her heart race.
"Hey, Gölz,"
Gloriosa's gaze remained glued to Charlotte Linlin's sleeping face as she spoke gloomily,
"Is Linlin really okay? She's been asleep for two days now."
Gölz didn't look up, skillfully threading her needle and answering practicedly:
"Judging by the medical skills I learned in Elbaf, Lord Thunder God is indeed just suffering from excessive mental exhaustion and has fallen into a deep sleep.
Sister Gloriosa, you've asked this question no less than thirty times. Can you change the question?"
"Oh? Really? I forgot. Then roughly when will Linlin wake up?"
"Today at the earliest, tomorrow at the latest. You've asked this over a dozen times too; did you forget that as well?"
"I forgot."
Gölz sighed helplessly, stopped her work, and looked at Gloriosa, who was sprawled entirely over Charlotte Linlin,
"Then do you still remember why you're lying on Lord Thunder God?"
"Of course I remember!" Gloriosa said immediately,
"I want the first person Linlin sees when she wakes up to be me!"
"Sigh..."
Gölz looked at Gloriosa, who spoke without the slightest hesitation; despite her young age, she felt an inexplicable, heart-wrenching exhaustion... At the same time, Lilith, who was responsible for patrolling, was leisurely enjoying her afternoon dessert.
"As expected, Lady Linlin and I are kindred spirits; we both have no resistance to desserts."
She tasted the pastry in her hand with satisfaction, sighing softly.
"Captain Lilith! Another stranger is approaching our base!"
On the lookout tower, a Kuja warrior warned loudly, her voice carrying a hint of tension,
"And... this person makes one feel terrified just by looking from afar!"
Hearing this, Lilith quickly swallowed the rest of her dessert in one gulp, her expression becoming serious:
"Describe the person's characteristics!"
"He is very tall and strong, has a sword, and his hair is black and white!"
"Black and white hair?!"
An awe-inspiring name instantly flashed through Lilith's mind, and her face changed abruptly.
"It's the Captain of the Rocks Pirates—Rocks D. Xebec!"
She immediately ordered: "Continue monitoring, but do not obstruct him! Order all sisters to retreat to the inner perimeter immediately; this is not an opponent we can handle! I'm going to inform the first mate right now!"
"Understood!"
Lilith didn't dare delay for a moment, her figure flashing as she rushed toward Charlotte Linlin's room at her fastest speed.
In her haste, she didn't care for etiquette and pushed the door open directly: "first mate! Something big has—"
Her voice came to an abrupt halt.
The scene inside the room made her freeze instantly, and two blushes involuntarily rose to her cheeks.
She saw Charlotte Linlin lying peacefully on the bed, her upper body clothing thin, outlining soul-stirring curves; while first mate Gloriosa lay on the Captain like a pampered cat, in an intimate posture.
The sunlight spilled over the two through the window frame, creating a quiet and somewhat ambiguous picture that was breathtakingly beautiful.
"What's wrong? Lilith, why the panic?"
Gloriosa looked up, looking at the intruding Lilith with dissatisfaction.
Lilith snapped back to her senses, forcibly suppressing the palpitations in her heart, and said urgently:
"first mate! Rocks... Lord Rocks is here! He's almost at the entrance of our base!"
"What? That fellow Rocks, choosing this time to come?"
Hearing this, Gloriosa's face darkened, and she subconsciously glanced at the still-sleeping Charlotte Linlin.
Is it because of the Long Bread matter? She thought rapidly.
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down, and looked sharply at Gölz:
"Gölz, do you remember the cover story I rehearsed with you?"
Gölz immediately set down her needlework and nodded seriously, her tone certain:
"I remember! I am now Galmo, the Captain of the 'Gourmet Pirates.' Long Bread betrayed me, and Captain Charlotte Linlin only stepped in to clean house with my consent!"
"Very good." Gloriosa nodded.
She knew full well that this reason might not entirely convince an old fox like Rocks, but at least it gave the other party a way out, which was much better than directly admitting to killing a subordinate executive without cause.
"Come with me to meet this 'World's Strongest Pirate.'"
Gloriosa stood up, straightened her collar, and her face regained its usual calmness and pride,
"Remember, don't show any fear."
"Yes, Sister Gloriosa." Gölz also stood up, her massive body trying to stand straight, attempting to project an aura fitting for a 'Captain'.
Gloriosa took one last look at the sleeping Charlotte Linlin, a flash of worry in her eyes, but it was immediately replaced by determination.
She led Gölz out of the base, preparing to welcome their nominal Captain.
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