Dressrosa Royal Palace, Main Hall.
Alucard and King Riku sat facing each other. But compared to King Riku's simple chair, the enormous ruby-encrusted throne behind Alucard was far more extravagant and truly deserved to be called the "throne of a king."
"What do you want to talk about?" Alucard asked calmly.
After a long pause, King Riku finally spoke. "If it's not too much to ask, would you be able to take Scarlett and Viola with you?"
Alucard tilted his head slightly. Even with sunglasses on, a hint of confusion was visible on his face.
After a moment, Alucard said, "What are you thinking?"
"Begging your pardon, but just a few hours after the Kuja arrived, the government secretly approached me, hoping I would plant a spy next to you. And the person they have their eyes on is Scarlet," King Riku said through gritted teeth. "Although our Dressrosa is a poor, small country, we are still a member of the World Government. The fact that you've anchored here twice has already drawn their attention."
Alucard didn't get angry; instead, he laughed. "And you're telling me about the spy?" "Scarlett is a kind child. I know her. She would never do such a thing."
Cold sweat dripped down King Riku's face. "The pain of being caught between you and the government is something our small country cannot bear. My wife passed away from illness two years ago, and Scarlett and Viola are the only family I have left. By entrusting them to you, I believe they'll be safe, won't they?"
"But you could have just sent them. Why tell me this?"
Alucard understood King Riku's reasoning, but he also knew the king could have kept it a secret and just followed the government's orders. It might have even been a better path for him.
"Because I believe you are more terrifying than the government," King Riku said with a serious expression.
Upon hearing this, Alucard was taken aback. His raised head lowered, and his shoulders began to shake with increasing intensity before he burst into a fit of laughter.
"Hahaha, ahahahahaha!"
After a while, Alucard's laughter finally subsided. He looked at King Riku. "That's interesting. For that answer alone, I'll agree to your request."
"Please... be good to my two daughters."
...
Later that afternoon, as they were preparing to set sail, Alucard brought a reluctant Scarlett and Viola to Hancock. Hancock's eyebrows twitched, and she mechanically turned her head to look at Alucard. "Ma... Master, what is this...?"
"These are your new crewmates," Alucard said succinctly.
Hancock gritted her teeth in frustration, but she couldn't take her anger out on Alucard. Instead, she glared fiercely at the sisters, Scarlett and Viola.
"You're furious inside, aren't you? But there's nothing you can do. This is something Alucard-san decided."
At that moment, Viola, standing next to Scarlet, formed a circle with her fingers and peered through it at Hancock.
"What did you say?" Hancock asked, her anger flaring, just as Viola had described.
"This is Alucard-san's decision. You can't bully us, or we'll tell on you," Viola said, still holding her hands up to her eyes.
The user of the Glare-Glare Fruit has the ability to see things at a great distance and even read minds.
"Viola, don't just read people's minds!"
Scarlett gently but sternly stopped her. Then, with a graceful bow, she smiled politely at Hancock. "Well then, I hope you'll take good care of us, Captain."
King Riku hadn't told her the full story, but Scarlett had a faint idea of what was happening. She didn't press her father for answers, knowing it would be useless. Since that was the case, it was better to accept his wishes. She wasn't an expert on state affairs, but she could do her best not to worry her father and to take care of her sister.
"Let's go."
Alucard walked toward the dock. Wolf extended a hand to serve as a ramp for Alucard to walk up. Then, he dutifully fulfilled his role as a ship, submerging into the sea and preparing to set sail.
Hancock looked at Alucard's retreating back, wanting to cry. As Viola said, this was Alucard's decision. She couldn't refuse, nor could she do anything to Scarlett or Viola.
...
"Go work in the logistics department!" Hancock said coldly before turning to board the ship. Scarlett and Viola exchanged smiles and followed the main group onto the Kuja ship.
"Oh dear, oh dear. It seems the ship is going to be quite lively from now on," Elder Nyon said, patting her head, looking troubled.
Besides Poseidon, who was still a child, now they had two of the "Snake Princess's rivals" on board. Wouldn't the ship be in total chaos from now on?
After Wolf and all the Kuja ships left the Dressrosa coast, Kyros turned to King Riku. "Your Majesty, is this... really okay?"
"It's the best solution. What can I do when I have such bad luck, being caught between a great pirate and the government?" King Riku gave a self-deprecating laugh. "I don't know what will become of Viola, but for Scarlet, it should be a good ending."
"Yes."
"After your duty today, let's have a drink, Kyros." "Yes, sir!"
...
Two weeks later, Orunidia, a tropical island in Alucard's territory.
Tens of thousands of residents from the former Amazon Lily were busy repairing the city that Alucard had completely destroyed. Although some felt uncomfortable at first, they would soon get used to it. After all, the women of Amazon Lily were all tough fighters.
"Waaaah! Waaah!"
Suddenly, a wailing sound came from inside the palace. Elder Nyon patted her head and shouted, "Hey! Why is Shirahoshi crying? Go and take care of her!"
Hancock looked at the main hall and the rooms inside the palace, which were 90% similar to those of Amazon Lily. She nodded in satisfaction, then walked out to the balcony of the main hall and took in the entire royal city of Orunidia below.
Amidst the cheers of the citizens below, Hancock shouted, "The New Amazon Lily has been established once again!"
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