Chapter 11: Kuroinu's Last Attack.
-The Next Morning, (Dirt Road, 3 Hours Later)-
Now far from Geofu, we find ourselves on one of the many dirt roads of Eostia.
On this road, we can see how a human and a horse that was carrying a beautiful woman upstairs were crossing.
"The Southern Islands are so hot~…" A song came out of Luffy's mouth who looked bored at the path that continued and didn't seem to have an end anytime soon, "Paina-purpura, their heads are really hot and everyone they are idiot ~" Kuroinu's enemy sang.
Beside him was Maia in her normal clothes riding a horse, on her back was a sizable backpack.
However unlike yesterday where she and Luffy had a good time going towards Geofu, now Maia was silent and lost in thought.
Normally she would have commented on Luffy's stupid song…laughing at said song for how stupid it was.
And not only that but when she woke up in the morning and went to get food for breakfast… her pantry had been completely emptied thanks to Luffy's voracious appetite. If she hadn't been affected by her encounter with the Vault last night…then Maia would have made a certain Navigator proud and beat the crap out of Luffy for eating all the food.
For a mercenary, losing something that was hers could affect her more than a normal person and Maia wasn't exactly shy about using physical force to teach someone a lesson… but she just didn't have the spirit for something like that.
In the end, without much argument, she went to buy more food which Luffy ate a lot while Maia ate only a little and then they both left.
Along the way, it became clear that Maia was having trouble concentrating and staying awake as she kept yawning. Even someone as dense as Luffy could see that she was tired.
When Luffy asked about it at the beginning of the trip, Luffy replied not to worry.
Maia couldn't tell Luffy that the problem with sleeping was her own existence.
Normally Maia would have talked more during the trip even when she was tired, however as her mind was still focused on her encounter with Vault that was not possible.
In other circumstances where that encounter had not occurred, Maia would have been talking to Luffy making this an entertaining journey between the two and further confirming Luffy as a man Maia liked a lot.
Now, noticing Maia's disrepair, a normal man with a sense of delicacy would have had the tact to keep quiet so as not to disturb a beautiful girl in disrepair.
"I'm bored Maia…" Luffy grumbled as he gave a bored yawn as opposed to Maia's tired yawns.
Touch was not one of the things that Luffy possessed or possibly would possess in the future... but perhaps that was also part of his charm as a simple-minded boy.
"Hey?" Said Maia who had been brought back to reality thanks to the voice of a certain pirate.
"Maia, a trip like this is very boring," replied Luffy who sighed, "Since you're so distracted and tired there's nothing I can do," if he had been alone Luffy would have simply run to get there faster. his destination, which he could not do with a fellow traveler who could not keep up with him.
That being said the possibility of Luffy simply getting lost was very high, even if he didn't know that and believed that the path would be the right one and would bring him closer to his goal instead of further away.
"Oh yeah," Maia replied, doing her best not to look at him, "I just had trouble sleeping last night," the redhead said giving a simple explanation instead of giving all the details.
"Really? That really sucks," Luffy replied who understood why Maia was like this.
Maia nodded and also saw that this was a good time to put Vault's plan into action since the closer they got to their destination, the more difficult it would be for Maia to execute said plan.
"You know Luffy, I think with so much walking you must be hungry," Maia finally began the execution of Vault's plan, "would it be alright for you to eat here?"
Considering how much he had eaten (the rations in her pantry and then the new ones she bought in the morning) Maia thought it a safe bet that Luffy might be hungry again.
And being Luffy... eating more was never enough (Except in an exaggerated situation like eating for eleven continuous hours, but that was never going to happen... right?).
"Eat? Of course, I do," said a cheerful Luffy at the thought of being able to eat. Food was always something that would bring a smile to his face.
"Then you're in luck since I have a cauldron for cooking and food in my pack," Maia said with a fake smile as she got off her horse, "I just need some wood for the fire."
"I'm going to get it!" Announced Luffy who as soon as he finished listening to Maia went straight to the forest next to the road to get firewood.
One reason Luffy was so quick besides the food was that this was his chance to do something which was very welcome after his boring journey with Maia.
"He really looks like a child..." Maia commented when she saw Luffy's attitude... unconscious that an amused smile appeared on her face at said attitude.
But then Maia remembered Vault and quickly stopped smiling as she remembered that Luffy was…the enemy.
"I have to act fast," And with that, Maia took the cauldron from her backpack, some wooden plates along with utensils, and began to put the food she bought.
While Luffy was looking for more firewood… Maia began to execute Vault's plan.
Removing from her travel backpack Maia removed the small bottle with the poison which she proceeded to remove the cork to slowly pour the purple poison towards the food.
The poison slightly changed the color of the soup in the caldron, the deep red color becoming a red similar to wine.
"I'm here!" A few seconds later Luffy appeared bringing several pieces of firewood with him.
"Perfect and I'm done preparing the food," Maia said with a fake smile, "Now all that's left to do is heat it up and that's it."
Lighting the fire and putting the cauldron on said fire the food began to cook.
"Luffy you can eat it all," Maia said as Luffy looked at the food in anticipation.
"Huh, really?" Luffy asked in surprise.
"To tell you the truth, I wasn't that hungry so I ate something smaller and less filling while you looked for the firewood," explained the redhead.
Actually, she did not want to eat anything since having to do this took away her hunger.
However, Luffy easily accepted that explanation since according to Maia he was a person who could be trusted.
"Cooking isn't my specialty, but when you're traveling the country it becomes necessary to learn," Maia explained. At first glance, her cooking skills were only those necessarily learned by mercenaries traveling through Eostia, in other words, nothing more than a variation on how to cook meat.
Secretly, though, Maia had tried to learn a little more about cooking so that Vault would like her food. Even so, for her redhead her own food was still so-so in her personal opinion being the only one who tasted her own food herself.
Most people wouldn't imagine that a girl like Maia would be able to cook all due to her past as a mercenary, most would imagine that she would just eat basic things like pieces of meat with some variations depending on the things available and not be able to do something more elaborate.
In fact, the only person who knew was Prim who, in addition to teaching him the basics, promised to keep it a secret. However, since the opportunities to have time alone between the two were very rare (Since the meetings of the Warrior Princesses were rarely in Geofu and even there, finding time alone with Prim was difficult since she had to be taken away from Alicia).
"I still hope you like it," And with that, Maia served the meat with soup on a wooden plate which she offered to Luffy.
Immediately upon seeing food being offered to him, Luffy stretched out his arms to grab the plate of food as quickly as possible, which he proceeded to empty in a matter of seconds by using his powers to stretch his mouth and swallow everything in one go.
Even with everything, Maia couldn't help but look surprised at those superhuman powers that Luffy possessed. It will probably take a while for her to get used to it.
"Now… I just have to wait for the effect to manifest…" Thought a dejected Maia who knew that now she couldn't do anything to prevent Luffy's death.
After all, there was no antidote for that poison, since it was such a lethal poison, even Maia had information even without poison being her specialty.
"Your food is really delicious Maia!" A cheerful Luffy said with a big smile on his face as he devoured the food until his plate was empty, "I want more!" And with that, Luffy spread his plate to receive more food.
Maia had a look of utter surprise on her face upon hearing those words.
After all…
This was the first time someone complimented her food, though that was because Luffy was the first to taste said food... and since that poison was a tasteless one, Maia knew that the taste of her food hadn't been affected in any way. nothing.
"T-thank you…" The redhead couldn't help but thank with a slight stutter and the pink color adorning her cheeks.
Why, seeing that honest smile, was his heart beating so much faster than for Vault?
Trying to ignore that she focused on finishing her own portion which had not been touched by the poison.
"…it tastes horrible…" Maia muttered after taking a spoonful of the food that Luffy devoured with gusto.
And yes the taste of the food was fine... but her own actions made that food taste horrible, even if it had been the most delicious Maia would still have found it horrible.
However, there was nothing to do. Even if she wanted to repent... it was already too late and the poison had no antidote.
"I'm sorry…" Maia mumbled trying to stop tears from falling.
-City of Ravolox, (Hours Later)-
And so after continuing to walk alongside a silent Maia, Luffy arrived at the abandoned city of Ravolox.
And truly this was an abandoned place where you could tell that no one had lived here for a long time.
The tall buildings were just fallen ruins by this point having collapsed under their own weight long ago. Only the houses remained but even in that case more than one had their walls fallen and it seemed that the slightest impact would make them collapse.
However, there was one thing that could be distinguished perfectly since, unlike the rest of the city, there was something that seemed practically new.
And since that thing stood out Luffy was able to immediately notice it among this ruined city.
"Something's wrong with that statue," Luffy said as he pointed to a statue of a woman in an open area that seemed to have been the central square of this city when it was active.
That woman in the statue was frankly a beautiful woman with long hair, her body was well-developed with large breasts and a soft behind, her 'clothes' being a simple tunic… even though she was a statue, there would be men who would fantasize about that feminine figure.
"That is the statue of the Goddess Laurentia, the Goddess who protects Eostia," explained the redhead who was looking at said statue with respect.
"Hmm…Where have I heard of a goddess before?" He said to himself Luffy who thought he had heard that name before but he was having trouble remembering exactly where.
Well, remembering details and things in general was never Luffy's forte.
"The Goddess Laurentia was the one who saved Eostia long ago in the past from the clutches of the Evil Gods," Maia said seeing Luffy's curiosity, "Even though they were called gods those beings were more like three monsters that brought calamity and destruction wherever they appeared, no one could kill them as even many groups of warriors ended up being eradicated," Maia continued her explanation.
Perhaps Maia was buying time for the poison to take effect or perhaps she genuinely wanted to tell this story to Luffy so that she could at least do something in his farewell to this world.
"Those monsters were called the Wendigo, the Stone Golem, the Bandersnacht, and finally the Blood Tree, It is said that those four served something else but no other monsters were ever mentioned in the legend," Maia said, "Not much is known about them. their individual abilities only that they were very powerful and capable of bringing madness to humans just by existing, it is even said that writing about them was banned,".
"And then what happened to them?" Luffy asked who seemed interested in the story being something short and exciting instead of someone's past or something long and boring.
"It was believed that these three creatures would end the species of Eostia, however, the Goddess Laurentia descended from the heavens, and after a battle that is said to have lasted one hundred days the three evil gods were sealed under Ravolox, the statue not only serves as a monument to the goddess but rather as a seal, or so I've heard," Maia finished.
However, that was the legend and not something that everyone believed, usually children believed in that legend.
In fact, more than one person thought that if the statue were to fall, nothing would happen. Or at least that's what Maia understood, who on more than one occasion had heard drunks in bars talking about how the legend was just an exaggeration.
Personally, though, Maia believed that those guys just wanted to discredit the legend so they could make it more possible for them to have a chance at having Celestine's body for themselves if people stopped believing in it.
But at that moment began what Maia had feared would come.
Luffy began to sway slightly and his eyes began to drift shut.
"How strange... I feel a little... tired..." Said a sleepy Luffy who, as he had slept soundly after eating, did not understand where this dream came from having rested very well in Maia's house.
Yes… that was the signal of the poison taking effect.
"If you get tired just sleep…" Maia said softly as she looked down to avoid looking at Luffy, "I'll take you on my horse,".
"Maia… you really are a good girl," smiled Luffy who finally fell to the ground asleep… or dead to follow what Maia knew.
"I… I'm sorry…" Maia apologized sadly to Luffy's body which was now on the ground.
While Maia had taken lives before, this time she was regretting doing it the first time.
To Maia, the human lives she took were from guys who were scum and who wouldn't hesitate to rape her and then kill her if she lost. In the end, Luffy was a good boy and this became the first time that Maia had taken the life of someone who didn't deserve it.
First Maia would bury his body and then go to the camp near Geofu to ask Vault exactly what was going on here as Maia refused to finally believe that Luffy was a bad person.
But then...
"I knew I could count on you, Maia!" A very happy voice resounded in what was the abandoned city.
"Hey?" Said a surprised Maia.
Going out the door of one of the still complete houses was a smiling Vault.
In this abandoned city the first to arrive was Vault along with a number of subordinates, all of whom had taken advantage of the night while Luffy and Maia slept together to reach Ravolox.
From the moment Luffy and Maia set foot in the ruined city they were being watched.
They were all hidden and anxiously awaited the moment when Luffy fell to the ground thanks to the poison.
However, seeing how Luffy was the most cheerful and normal in the world, the mercenaries began to fear that Maia had not followed the plan and therefore had not poisoned Luffy. In that case, there would be no choice but to sneak away and try to find some other plan.
However, to the joy of the mercenaries, Luffy finally fell to the ground.
Naturally the first to come out was Vault who after making his presence known… proceeded to kick Luffy's 'corpse'.
That kick carried behind it a lot of emotion from Vault to such an extent that Luffy's body was sent flying several steps.
In fact, the feeling of finally being able to hit Luffy was so exhilarating to Vault that he was ready to do it again… If not for the fact that Maia with her arms outstretched defensively was in front of Luffy with eyes that demanded an explanation.
"Kicking that son of a bitch felt so relaxing," a smiling Vault said as Maia continued to stand protectively in front of Luffy's 'corpse'.
"Even mercenaries can't do that with a corpse!" A Maia who was looking at Vault angrily replied.
As mercenaries they were people who didn't live by many rules as opposed to Nobles or Knights... however, that didn't mean that unwritten rules were non-existent.
A mercenary could die on the battlefield at any time and leave behind a corpse that most likely would be desecrated in case there was anything of value before leaving said corpse to the scavengers... but from his enemies, it was possible that the same would happen for the allies since there was no honor as in the case of the knights.
So an unwritten rule was to show respect to corpses and not treat them the way Vault did.
…Of course, even existing, it wasn't like mercenaries were forced to follow those rules.
In general, one could tell who was scum and who wasn't using that principle.
Those who accepted those kinds of unwritten rules were the kind of mercenaries with enough moral standards to stop at certain points and perhaps start a new life.
The ones who didn't care were the ones who would kill children if it gave them enough money.
"I honestly thought that one day you would leave attitudes like that behind," Vault sighed as if this were a teacher looking at a student who was at the bottom of the class, "I always told you that to be a great mercenary one had to abandon that type. of useless ethics that only causes you not to use your full potential."
One thing that Vault liked about Maia was (Apart from her sexy body) the great combat ability she possessed along with her leadership power, it was partly thanks to said combat ability that Maia ended up gaining Celestine's attention. which ended with his invitation to the Alliance of the Seven Shields.
One thing Vault simply couldn't change though was how determined Maia was to not cross certain lines that he and his men would easily cross.
Who knows if Maia had followed those kinds of methods and ideals then right now she could stand by his side as an important subordinate and the only woman his subordinates couldn't touch.
However, at this point, it couldn't be, and remembering that, Vault decided to continue with his plan.
"Guys get out now!" Vault Commando whose voice echoed through the ruins of the city.
There Maia could see how many happy mercenaries came out of the various ruins of Ravolox... in fact, Maia thought she recognized a few.
"In all, we are one hundred," Vault said. Even if it wasn't much he decided that a small group was best to move around undetected.
Perhaps it was due to the effects of the poisoned food that Luffy didn't notice the people and monsters hiding since normally Luffy would have noticed that he was being watched.
Very high resistances but never complete immunity to poison.
"For now these are the best fighters at my disposal," Vault said, his face twisting in disgust as he remembered how worn out his forces were.
Although his forces were still several in number, the quality of said forces gave much to be desired.
After all their most skilled warriors and wizards had fallen in great numbers every time one of their invasions failed thanks to Luffy. Vault knew that to conquer Eostia he had to win and therefore there was nothing better than using his best men for a quick victory.
Unfortunately for Vault with their defeats said experienced and strong men had now left this world reducing them from an elite mercenary force to a random mercenary force.
With the quality of men remaining trying to use an invasion for another of the cities was out of the question, even in Ansur where Grave would give the best help.
"This is fine though, with you captured and Geofu closed these men will be the first to taste the sweet bodies of women," Vault said with a grin as he envisioned the first victory that had been so desperately denied him.
"Whooo!" The different mercenaries gathered in the square of the statue of the goddess raised their weapons in triumph.
For the mercenaries, it was felt that finally, everything was going to go well and that the Empire of Sex would be a reality.
However, while concentrating on how his subordinates were celebrating, Vault didn't notice how Maia looked at him with horror and disappointment in her eyes.
"It can't be…it was all true then," the redhead said in an empty tone of voice, "You and the others really stooped so low…" So the Vault and the Kuroinu she believed in was nothing more than a distant memory.
Or maybe that good Vault that she remembered never existed and it was just an act and that unpleasant man in front of her eyes was the real Vault.
"That's right Maia, all those rumors were true," confirmed Vault who watched with satisfaction as Maia's expression became more and more pained as her trust in him was completely broken... seeing her towards him made him want to penetrate her with all his might now himself, however, Vault knew that he still couldn't do that.
For Vault to see her succumb to the truth would simply make it better when he raped Maia in front of all of Geofu so that all of Eostia would see that he was serious and that now no one could stop him, then the lust of the hearts of the inhabitants of Eostia would rise. would manifest more than ever for Kuroinu to have a miraculous recovery.
"But… you saved me before… Were you always like this?" Maia couldn't help but ask that question because while it wouldn't change anything, she at least wanted to get rid of the doubt.
That day when Vault saved her was what made her develop feelings for him in the first place.
"You don't know what it cost me to hold back with you and make the others not do anything to you," the Kuroinu Leader answered without even hesitating, "I needed your power during those days to keep winning, but when you became Warrior Princess it was already very late to be able to have your body."
And… hearing that admission really hurt more than Maia could think, even though she had been preparing for this ever since it became clear that Vault's intentions weren't the best.
However, even lowering her head, Maia refused to cry.
' I won't give them the satisfaction of seeing me cry,' In her mind she said those words full of iron will, 'If the woman who killed Luffy cried then I would be insulting her, 'And it was because of that boy in the straw hat that Maia she wouldn't let go of the tears that threatened to come out but didn't.
If a woman who was crying now was the one who killed him then Maia saw that as an insult towards Luffy.
They could do what they wanted with her body, but Maia decided to use all her will not to shed a single tear.
Vault, for his part, focused his gaze on the statue of Laurentia, seeing in it the opportunity to raise the morale of his men even more.
Vault drew his sword and pointed it at the statue as his men looked on expectantly… Maia watched with pain in her heart at what was to come.
"That stupid Goddess won't mean anything in the future I plan to create!" exclaimed the Leader of Kuroinu who at that moment made a move that sealed the fate of Eostia.
Using her Vault sword, she severed the head of Laurentia's statue in what in Eostia's eyes was the ultimate act of defiance towards Celestine and all she stood for.
And as if that were not enough, the Leader of Kuroinu proceeded to trample the head of the statue until it was pure dust to make his opinion and respect for the Goddess clear.
"That bastard in the straw hat was the only thing that got in the way of my dream," said a smiling Vault, "and you took care of him for me,".
Hearing that... Maia felt her body lose strength to even stand up, which caused her to end up on her knees on the ground with her head looking at the said ground with a lost look as she realized the consequences of her actions, not just the truth about the Vault affected her greatly… but knowing what Luffy's death would trigger just crushed Maia's spirit.
She had condemned Eostia for having poisoned the only one capable of facing Vault since he could turn the situation around even when it was unlikely, he had done so in his mercenary days before starting his evil plan.
It would take longer considering the loss of strength… which would mean that in order to gain more members the Vault would use even more extreme methods with the women from the captured locations.
"I feel like as long as that bastard had been free I would never have been able to fulfill my dreams," Vault admitted, although he was not going to give up, he felt that as long as someone with Luffy's great power was free, little could be done to take over Eostia.
And Vault refused to leave the country to try his luck elsewhere, his desire to rape and then have the Seven Shields Alliance plus Olga and Chloe at his mercy was too much to consider fleeing Eostia.
And considering that now almost half of the Alliance and the two Dark Elves were in Luffy's direct ally... Vault simply couldn't allow those women close to their enemy to be living happily thinking that he had fled after not being able to defeat them. to Luffy.
No… If Vault couldn't make them his sex slaves and then let them be used by anyone then he couldn't even find the motivation to 'stop it' if he tried to take over another nation for his Empire of Sex.
"But now, thanks to you, my dream no longer has anyone to oppose it!" Said a triumphant Vault who was extremely happy since the one who caused all his defeats and prevented him from taking the beautiful bodies of several girls had finally perished.
Breaking that old statue of Laurentia would bring a much bigger problem to Eostia.
-City of Thorn, (Castle of Celestine, dining room)-
On the other hand, in a place very different from the ruins of Ravolox, our attention is fixed on the castle of Celestine Lucross.
The dining room had a huge and elegant table and maids in every corner to attend to any request from the Leader of the Seven Shields Alliance.
Usually, this table only had food for Celestine making the place look empty by having only one person eating, Usually, it was only when the other members of the Alliance got together that this place looked more crowded.
But now only Celestine ate, she was not bothered by the feeling of loneliness that eating alone at such a large table gave, since she was already very used to it.
"Delicious as always," Celestine smiled as she savored her meal, which was finely sliced meat along with the best vegetables of the season.
For High Elf Archer only the best food was always prepared. Every meal of the day, every day, after all, it was only natural to give the reincarnation of the goddess Laurentia her best.
Perhaps the cooks were loyal enough to Celestine to the point of making each meal the best of all... or else perhaps they wanted that by making a fantastic meal they would have the opportunity for Celestine to come and talk to them.
And in the wildest fantasies that could be the beginning of being able to take Celestine to bed.
All in all, this was a day like any other in Thorn, the safest city in Eostia.
For the same reason, no one had any idea that at this very moment in the abandoned city Vault had just decapitated the head of the Goddess statue.
However… when the head was trampled by Vault.
CLANG!
The sound of metal hitting the ground was heard. That sound was caused by Celestine's knife and fork.
As there was practically no sound, Celestine being someone who ate her meals elegantly, all the maids in the room could hear how the cutlery hit the floor.
Celestine was completely still in her chair, her arms were down and her gaze was focused in front of her, the High Elf's eyes were wide as if she were in shock.
"Celestine-sama?" Finally, after a while, someone dared to speak.
And incredibly apparently Celestine that voice despite her state of shock,
"My chest… hurts a lot…" managed to say a sore Celestine who had both her hands on where her heart should be.
It felt like someone was squeezing their heart with a hand, such was the pain Celestine Lucross could feel.
In fact, Celestine was not a woman used to feeling pain, being in the safest city of all and with a group of very devoted protectors had ensured that... which at the same time indicated that Celestine had a low tolerance for pain, almost never feeling it.
Hence…
In the end, Celestine couldn't take it anymore and succumbed to that pain, falling unconscious in the chair and falling on her food.
"Celestine-sama!" All the maids in the place said with concern, who immediately went to the mistress of her fall.
"Quick, we have to take her to her room!" The more experienced maid said.
Hearing those orders, the other girls acted immediately and among all of them, they carried the unconscious Celestine, who was breathing gently, showing that she was still alive.
What could have caused the leader of the Seven Shields Alliance to faint so suddenly?
After all, Celestine's health was perfect, one of the advantages of being a High Elf.
Deep inside Celestine Lucross in her soul, a certain sleeping deity had sensed an event that was not supposed to happen. The awakening of something that was supposed to fall asleep.
An awakening that could bring great disaster to Eostia.
The fact that the leader of the Seven Shields Alliance had fainted so suddenly was nothing more than a prelude to the problems that would appear in the future.
That statue contained a great evil with its existence, however, now said the statue had been damaged so it was very likely that that which was sealed could escape.
Normally such a thing would only end in tragedies and destruction for Eostia… but yet there was still in this world that warrior who came from another world and who has been becoming a symbol of hope.
Although at this moment said boy needed... to wake up from his dream to once again teach Vault a lesson with his bare fist.
And while she was being carried by her maids, some words were said by the unconscious Celestine... or perhaps by that Goddess who supposedly slept inside the High Elf's soul.
"I have to wake up soon… or else everything will be destroyed…" murmured a voice much more… angelic than Celestine whose voice already sounded angelic.
Slightly opening her eyes you could tell a big difference since those were not Celestine's green eyes whose color called one to think about nature.
Those eyes were golden in color, however, what was truly striking about said eyes was the pupil, which had a particular shape, that being that of a… cross.
Those were not the eyes of a High Elf… but the eyes of a Goddess.
Those eyes were the sign that the one who controlled the body was not Celestine Lucross... but the Goddess Laurentia who was revered in these lands and who was now inside Celestine.
Thanks to the fact that said Goddess was inside her soul, Celestine possessed slight supernatural abilities such as seeing into the future, plus she could use the 'Miracles' which were her power... although they were nothing more than a very weakened and mediocre version of the 'True Miracles' by Laurentia.
The fact that even in pale imitation Celestine's power was great only showed Laurentia's immense power.
Normally the Goddess would continue to sleep inside Celestine even if she was dying... but Celestine's fainting was a sign that the time to finally wake up had arrived.
"They…were…released…" The voice of the Goddess said in an extremely low voice, a voice so angelic that it could have calmed very nervous people.
However, that angelic voice was now full of fear and resignation.
The statue that had served as a seal for the Monsters of Destruction had been made from the dust that its original body had been reduced to after using it as a sacrifice. In this way, being made with the body of a Goddess said statue would never decay with the passage of time.
However, said the statue had no protection other than that against time... so an attack would destroy it just like an ordinary statue.
Even so, the Goddess didn't really think that someone was stupid or arrogant enough to destroy the statue… Or was it simply because after so long she had lost the fear of terror that only the dead can remember?
Well, in any case, what mattered was that they were free after many years after their sacrifice.
In order to defeat those four at the same time Laurentia had to use a divine miracle forbidden to all Gods. Said miracle to create a seal she had to use her own physical body as a 'cost' to use such great power.
Losing her body it was only logical that Laurentia would have chosen to return to the Tenkai where the other Gods lived since as a soul she would eventually be sent back unless she possessed a body.
And that's why the only way Laurentia could stay in the mortal world was by entering the body of a newborn and sealing herself inside the soul of said lucky creature.
The Goddess chose that option since… even though they were sealed, those Monsters of Destruction were still alive, waiting for the moment when the seal would one day be broken.
While the other gods thought of this world as a place that no longer needed them directly, Laurentia loved this world enough to choose to remain a part of it should her enemies manage to return.
That being said one should note that Laurentia was more than anything someone who loved the world and nature... but that was not necessarily the same as her love for the living beings of this planet.
For this reason, she would only return to the Tenkai with the other Gods when their enemies were permanently dead, even though the concept of 'death' was difficult to apply to them.
However, having used even her physical form as a sacrifice for the seal had left Laurentia practically in a coma only capable of giving Celestine certain powers and on rare occasions being able to communicate with her.
Basically, Laurentia was in a dream world completely to her where occasionally the information about the important things in the life of her hosts reached her while the mundane and everyday things did not.
If the situation was very critical then that information would reach Laurentia and thus the Goddess could take control of her guest for a moment.
Normally even after the seal had been broken Laurentia should not be able to manifest in such a form by taking over Celestine's body. In fact, if she could do it, she would have finished with Olga Discordia centuries ago and with Kuroinu in just one day.
However, due to Celestine's fainting the High Elf had been weakened enough to allow this manifestation…but not enough to actually do anything.
It could even be said that once the golden eyes with that peculiar pupil were closed then Laurentia would once again sleep inside Celestine as this was only a very weak manifestation of the Goddess inside Celestine.
If Laurentia fully woke up then those golden eyes would have become permanent and it would be Celestine who was trapped in a deep sleep.
Perhaps in some future, the Goddess would really awaken taking control of Celestine's body in order to face those abominations of nature again.
However, now was not that time, she was still too weak to truly wake up.
Not to mention that Celestine would have her days numbered when that happened.
Even though it was the body of a High Elf with great natural beauty and long life, in the end, it was still the body of a mortal and therefore said the body was not capable of withstanding Laurentia's true power.
In fact, if Laurentia really were to take control of Celestine then… Celestine would die when her body couldn't handle the pressure anymore.
In that case, the soul of the Goddess would simply search for a newborn to be its new place of residence… however, with the revival of the Monsters of Destruction, she simply did not have time to do that.
At most using Celestine's body combined with all of her Laurentia power she could finish off just one of the Monsters of Destruction completely but that would sacrifice Celestine's life in the process.
And it wasn't as if Laurentia had a true appreciation for Celestine since if necessary she would sacrifice that body and with it the High Elf's life without hesitation.
Celestine was just one of the many bodies that the Goddess Laurentia had used throughout her cycle of soul transmigration... even if Kuroinu's plan had worked and Celestine had become just an object of men's desires, just the same. Laurentia would not have intervened and would have simply continued in her deep sleep.
Now the revival of his old enemies? That did deserve the full attention of the Goddess.
"Is this world doomed…?" They were Laurentia's last thoughts knowing that having sacrificed her body she would no longer be able to fight against those four and therefore protect not only Eostia but also the world.
Thanks to having woken up slightly, the Goddess understood the situation with Kuroinu, frankly something that at this point did not need her presence, she also knew of the existence of Luffy who was defeating them.
Laurentia honestly didn't believe that a boy like that could do anything against the enemies that cost her her physical body and reduced her to a soul.
However, she did not personally know anything about Luffy or the other battles and impossible situations that he had managed to win.
Perhaps in the future, the day when a mortal would genuinely impress Laurentia would come.
Yet for now she was only going back to her deep sleep within Celestine…waiting for the one where she could wake up and take control of the High Elf's body to fight once more.
-City of Ravolox-
On the other hand, completely contrary to Celestine who was suffering, we can see Vault who looked very proud to be looking at the now headless statue.
For the Leader of Kuroinu, having decapitated the statue of Laurentia was a symbol that their group was still alive and that they were ready to challenge all of Eostia in order to fulfill their wishes.
"Now I just need to make Eostia see directly that I'm serious," Vault said as he looked up at the sky thinking about the best way to do it.
One option was to take Maia and invade Geofu. She then raped her in front of everyone to show that Kuroinu was still a threat.
However, that idea was quickly eliminated since with only a hundred men defeating a city with several soldiers like Geofu would be impossible.
However, he had to act fast as the longer Kuroinu was in the shadows the more likely it was that allies and hidden helpers all over Eostia would back off helping them and decide to sell the information in order to escape possible punishment.
So something big had to be done that might even inspire those who had doubts about whether it was a good idea to support Kuroinu due to the multiple defeats of late to join.
"But what could it be…" Vault mentally complained seeing that the part that seemed the simplest now looked like the most complicated.
However, he hadn't gotten that far in his 'job' as someone who wasn't capable of making new plans in a short time.
"It's decided," Vault said after finishing thinking of a plan, "What we have to do here is show all of Eostia the fall of a Warrior Princess so that they can see that they are not untouchable and that there is no one to protect them now.",".
"So we should go to Geofu?" Asked one of the mercenaries present that question that everyone was asking.
They believed that Vault's plan was simply to go to Maia's city and rape her in front of a crowd… a typical lack of perspective or planning by mediocre followers.
"Not that would be too stupid and optimistic," Vault shook his head, "Not to mention that with our current state, the chance of being defeated and losing Maia would be eighty percent."
"Then what shall we do…" Said another of the mercenaries who looked at the ground in frustration at not being able to think of a good way to turn this bad situation into one that would allow him to have his dreams.
"Luckily I have remembered a detail that could help us a lot," Vault said looking at the only remaining Kuroinu mage who was a bald and obese guy wearing a mage robe.
Unlike Kin or… that magician who betrayed him, Kuroinu's only remaining magician was mediocre and tired easily after using one or two spells that required more power… but he was also the only one of the magic users who decided to continue. working for Kuroinu since the others took the opportunity to escape.
Wizards who had to study to become able to use magic were therefore usually more intelligent than most people with no formal education in Eostia... and perhaps such intelligence helped them decide that it was better to go and leave the nation to live in peace. to continue a lost cause.
Only one was left being that not the most loyal to Kuroinu nor the most skilled magician... but the only magician whose lust exceeded his sense of self-preservation.
However, even with that, his help was going to be vital.
"Do you want any spells master Vault?" asked the magician.
"If I need you to prepare for…" And so Vault whispered his great and evil plan in his subordinate's ear.
Hearing that plan, the wizard was visibly surprised before beginning to nod and smile as he imagined the possibilities and rewards that Vault would give to his only remaining wizard who would undoubtedly be considered a high-ranking member of the Empire of Sex... or so he believed.
"It's certainly a very complex thing that would exhaust me, but it will certainly be worth it," the wizard agreed... although being exhausted was proof of his own incompetence as a magic user since a normally talented wizard would have been able to do the same. himself three times without getting tired... while Olga in her peak state could do it twenty times.
"That's an advanced spell that my wizards prepared a long time ago, ever since I started this dream of mine to be more specific," Vault explained to his soldiers as their wizard continued to mentally prepare for the spell, "At first I thought it would be useless since that my plans seemed perfect, but now I see that it finally turned out to be useful to me,".
Yes, in fact, Vault forgot about that power since when his plan was in full swing (Which should have happened if not for some inconvenience) it would only have been enough to go from city to city and every town on his way (Which would have implied taking the women from said places) to show the greatness of Kuroinu and that his dream Empire of Sex would be a reality.
And for this method, it was the one that could be enjoyed the most.
However, now that could not happen so this method was the best that could happen.
"Leave it to me Vault-sama," the mage replied with a confident smile and took out a cross made of jewels from his pocket, "Even if I were knocked unconscious by this I know it will be for the good of our dream, this catalyst will help to increase my abilities to do the job," Those catalysts were very rare items which were given to weak magicians to have a spell with power on par with the best... and for the best to have spells of unimaginable power.
In themselves they were rare and expensive items… but in the black markets, one could find them since such catalysts were regulated by law in Eostia.
And with that, the only Kuroinu mage began to quietly recite the words necessary to activate the spell that would show all of Eostia the glory of Kuroinu.
After reciting for a few minutes, that man finished everything with a single word.
"Activate!" And with that command, the magician used all his magical power to activate the marks scattered throughout Eostia.
In various cities and towns from certain points pillars of light emerged from the ground and shot up into the heavens, of course, that included the mark of this drawing on the floor of the ruined city.
Those pillars in the sky eventually stopped growing and formed up there they began to form a huge 'window' which showed along with all of them Vault and his people being in the Ruined City.
In the sky of Ravolox, a large window could be seen showing the events occurring in the city with a specific focus on the Vault.
Looking at the horizon, if one looked closely at the sky, one could see another of those windows showing the same scene.
Those windows in the sky had been displayed in all the towns and cities of Eostia where the stealthiest mercenaries had laid the marks for a long time when the epiphany of the Empire of Sex appeared in Vault's mind.
However, some time after having finished putting the marks in said populated places, it was when Kuroinu began to gain more and more members together with allies, which made Vault decide on the classic method of directly conquering place after place, this being the most enjoyable for him as he would be experiencing sweet glory.
But now this was the only real option after Luffy had changed everything with his mere presence...
Who would have thought that the careful acting of his younger self would have served Vault at this point who, based on the great power that a large number of subordinates brought him little by little, forgot to plan more carefully?
Well without giving importance to that Vault proceeded to open his mouth.
"People of Eostia!" Vault declared knowing that his voice was heard by all and his image was seen by all.
"I am Vault the mighty Leader of Kuroinu!" Announced Vault who held out his arms, "I am the leader of those who managed to defeat Olga Discordia's forces… And indeed I am the one who started the attack on Eostia!"
By this point, Vault imagined that people would be booing while his hidden allies and people who admired his ideals were paying attention to his message.
Vault knew that with the right words he could give his followers a second breath, convince the doubters again, and finally win more and more followers.
"For me, there is no point in pretending anymore when all of Eostia probably knows about the actions of my group," Vault said in that way, finally ending the few who still believed in Kuroinu and who saw him as a hero along with his mercenaries, "Since always the Empire of Sex where men have control over women and can use them whenever and wherever they want has been my greatest wish,".
Vault knew that now was the time to be totally honest so that those who would soon join him would feel the passion of his true feelings.
"And thanks to that wish Kuroinu was able to capture the hated Olga Discordia who was responsible for years of war against Eostia!" Vault raised his voice, "Hate me if you want but no one can deny that I and my followers put an end to a war that seemed endless!"
And Vault could imagine it, he could see that even those who hated him couldn't deny that point even if they wanted to.
"And right there when we had managed to capture Olga Discordia and her subordinate Chloe we were going to make them our personal toys... we were going to exhibit them around Eostia and we were going to let you guys be able to 'use' them too," Those words were directed to those who told him they hated the Queen of the Dark Elves in particular.
If those people's desires were awakened then Kuroinu would gain more allies more easily.
"But then… the bastard in the straw hat showed up and ruined everything!" Vault yelled furiously. A fury was felt throughout Eostia as the hate in his voice was genuine.
Vault hated Luffy from the bottom of his heart for taking away the satisfaction of raping Olga and continually jeopardizing the possibility of his Empire of Sex.
"Even being human, that damn person except Olga Discordia... And worst of all, being a man, he dared to interfere with my sleep," For Vault, although the first could be justified as a man seeking to win Olga's favor... the second was something that had him deep down perplexed.
Vault couldn't conceive of a man being against the utopia that would be his Empire of Sex.
Although Vault knew that there were men who would oppose him at the beginning, the Leader of Kuroinu believed that experiencing firsthand the wonders of the Eostia that he dreamed of creating would be enough to change their minds.
"However now that damn Straw Hat nuisance has finally been done away with!" He declared to the heavens and with a big smile Vault who could imagine the women that Luffy had saved was now in great despair.
Vault promised himself to rub them in the face one by one when he was violating them one after the other.
"Now without that damn monster, no one can stop Kuroinu's power!" And to test his Vault point he pointed his sword at where Luffy's 'corpse' had been left.
The mercenaries who had been distracted looking at their leader immediately took action and moved away so that all of Eostia could see a corpse.
However… there was nothing there.
"...Dammit, did someone dispose of the corpse?" Asked an irritated Vault in whose voice you could hear... Terror?
Furthermore, her body was beginning to shake unconsciously.
"N-no Vault-sama!" One of the mercenaries immediately responded, "We don't touch anything!"
Hearing that Maia who had been unresponsive and staring at the ground only waiting for the horrible punishment that Kuroinu would give her what also Maia considered as an appropriate punishment for potentially dooming Eostia.
But if no one had moved Luffy's body…if that was the case…possibly maybe…
If no one had disposed of the body then…
"That bastard…" Now seeing nothing where there was supposed to be a corpse was something that Vault had expected at this point… and yet seeing it in front of his eyes couldn't help but bring the emotion of anger in Vault.
"There you are Bulk!" A voice very familiar to Vault could be heard.
From above Vault could see how his despised enemy was falling from the sky.
What he didn't see was that a few seconds ago Luffy regained consciousness and looked confused at his surroundings since he had fallen asleep out of nowhere and when he woke up the place had been filled with people.
But then taking a closer look and finding Bulk there and Maia being held by two guys Luffy understood better his situation... or at least that Bulk was nearby and that Maia was in a bad situation.
Only that was necessary for Luffy to take action, even without knowing the circumstances his desire was still to stop Vault.
That's why having landed in front of the Vault, Luffy delivered a powerful kick to his enemy's stomach before he could react.
Vault's kick to the stomach was an effective blow from Luffy.
The force behind that simple attack was enough to send Vault flying towards the wall of one of the city's ruined houses.
While such an action would have inspired the other Kuroinu mercenaries to take action and finish off Luffy for daring to kick the Vault... they didn't move at all.
Fear was the reason why they didn't move.
By this point Luffy had become a kind of black beast for all the Kuroinu members, just talking about his existence struck terror into the hearts of the mercenaries. Even those who had never seen Luffy in person feared him.
Those who had managed to escape after seeing Luffy in battle told the story to the others while clearly being terrified… and those were men with years of experience who had defeated monsters and other humans.
The only one who wasn't trembling with fear was Vault, and that was because his hatred outweighed his fear.
For this very reason, from the rubble of the house that collapsed upon receiving his body being sent to fly, the leader of Kuroinu rose with difficulty.
"Guhh…" Vault said with difficulty who was spitting up blood as a sign of the damage caused by Luffy.
"That poison was supposed to kill even ferocious beasts!" yelled in terror a mercenary who seemed to be about to stain his pants.
What they didn't know was that Luffy's resistance to poisons was superior to even monsters like Dragons.
One could thank nearly being poisoned at Impel Down for having such a powerful immune system.
In Luffy's case, with his powerful immune system, only he felt sleep but not death. Then it was just a matter of waking up and with how noisy the Vault was, waking up was a breeze.
That being said, if Maia had been about to suffer, Luffy's instinct would have awakened him too to protect her friend.
Poisons that could actually affect Luffy did not exist in Eostia... or at least not something that mortal creatures of this world could create, even though that poison itself was notable for being able to affect Luffy in any way.
"You know, normally I would have lost my mind seeing you alive," Vault began to speak as he slowly walked towards Luffy with a peaceful smile and a strangely… quite calm tone of voice.
Why was the Kuroinu Leader taking this attitude when the opposite attitude would be the most correct in his case?
"But seeing how difficult you are to kill, I'd hoped you'd survive that assassination attempt," Vault explained, "That's why I'm not despairing at all."
"You know you won't be able to defeat me alone," Luffy stated seriously to make it clear what would happen in the battle Vault plans to have with him.
Luffy didn't even need to be an experienced fighter to know that.
"I admit you're right about that," Vault nodded due to the powerful opponent in front of him even though he could admit to being inferior in terms of power... however, "That's why I came prepared!" And so Vault took out from his pocket an object which he proceeded to put on his left index finger.
Logically, that type of object could only be a ring.
"What can a ring do?" asked a confused Luffy.
"Oh believe me this ring is one that we mercenaries know very well since we all at some point heard the legend of its original wearer," Vault replied, "A mercenary like any other who became quite famous and wealthy to leave this life, In other words, the goal of every mercenary."
Her subordinates were smiling as they trusted in the power of said ring... while Maia's expression was changing to one of horror precisely as she recognized what Vault was talking about.
"No…" Maia whispered who didn't want to believe that her old love had fallen to that point.
But Vault's words only confirmed Maia's fears.
"Legend says that an evil dragon plagued a peaceful village and no one could kill it, The legendary mercenary used this cursed item given to him by a demon and summoned an armor with which he could rise again and again becoming stronger each time he got back up thanks to the armor's curse, all damage was healed as long as his desire for victory continued, then he slashed the dragon's throat and became known as a legend," Vault explained, "From then on he went to the battlefield after battlefield and always rose to lead his army to victory until one day an entire army put an end to his life but not before killing half of them. of the said army" Even though the details had been lost, what was clear was that the curse of the ring existed, so his only magician confirmed when he felt magic radiating from the object that had been buried with its previous owner.
"You desecrated the grave of a mercenary hero…" Maia repeated in a tone filled with disappointment as she learned that their former leader had sunk even lower.
Even as mercenaries one simply didn't do something like that, only scum-like grave robbers would do something as despicable as digging up a hero's grave to take away the item that helped create his legend.
"I wouldn't have done it if it wasn't for the existence of the bastard in the straw hat," Vault answered with some hint of embarrassment, "If you have to blame someone, blame him," the Kuroinu Leader scoffed.
If it wasn't for all of his subordinates being terrified of Luffy then laughter would have echoed through the empty city.
"I'll probably lose half my life over this… But it'll be worth it if I kill you!" Vault declared that with those marks on his body, it was noticeable that he was stronger even in his voice.
At this level, Vault could be a threat… in the East Blue. And not a particularly powerful one to tell the truth.
"Bulk if you're still free you'll try to harm my friends," Luffy replied with seriousness being the only emotion in his voice, "I won't show you any mercy," And from a boy like Luffy that was reserved for certain individuals only.
However, when mentioning his friends, Vault only smiled.
"Demonic Armor!" I answer raising the finger with the ring at the top.
Saying that the ground began to shake slightly for a few seconds and then stopped. Then from the walls of the houses of the city, the stones began to crack.
Seconds later they shot out towards a smiling Vault who could feel the power running through his veins.
Around him, the rocks began to take shape and at the same time I will dye a black color identical to the ink… the same color of the Armament Haki.
At the end where the Vault once stood was an imposing and solid armor made of stone that turned black.
(To get an idea, think of a black version of Havel the Rock's armor from Dark Souls 1 but without the weapon)
That was the Cursed Armor that was used in his time by the hero of the mercenaries and which allowed him to face huge enemies and win.
"Wooooo! Now Vault-sama is invincible!" Several mercenaries shouted at the same time after seeing how legendary armor was in front of them.
The observers who saw everything because of the spell were also amazed at what the Vault had done… at the same time those who followed its ideals felt the hopes of the world that the Vault had promised becoming more and more a reality than a mere possibility.
The power of that armor was known even by those who only thought as an old story of that power... but it turned out to be real.
"I'm not afraid of you," replied a serious Luffy who even having a fascination for armor decided to ignore it... Vault had simply pushed him to such a point by repeatedly threatening the girls, "Bulk even with that cool armor I'm going to defeat you," And even serious Luffy being Luffy he couldn't help but find the armor cool.
"Believe me, I'll make the most of what I have left by fucking that whore Olga Discordia day and night and all those others you helped save while I display your head as a trophy," Vault said cruelly, enjoying the mere idea of being able to fuck Olga for later. leave it to his subordinates, "In fact with that Dark Elf and her servant there will be no mercy,"
Those words could very well be what sealed everything for Vault since…
Insult and say that you would hurt Monkey D. Luffy's friends when he was in front of you when you noticed that he was serious.
Bad idea.
Vault wanted the best Luffy had to offer.
In that case, Luffy was more than ready to give him what he wanted.
Luffy wanted to make this a one-on-one fight against Vault so that Vault couldn't use his minions to help him escape or give him time to try… our hero was already going to personally make sure that Vault was defeated in front of his eyes.
Remembering that the last time they were face to face and how Vault escaped with interference from a creature that was on his side... Luffy decided to make sure that it didn't happen again and the only way was to incapacitate the others.
And in his arsenal, Luffy had the necessary technique to achieve that.
Luffy never had a chance to use the overpowered version of that power against a large group of humans so now was the perfect time to try it. Although if Rusukaina's beasts succumbed to this power then the result could only be one.
Giving a look full of determination... Luffy unleashed the rare and feared Conqueror Haki on a world that had never seen such an ability.
Immediately covering the entire square of the abandoned city could feel an enormous pressure that only the humans and monsters present felt.
Instantly the eyes of the various mercenaries and monsters present turned white to immediately collapse to the ground at the same time.
THUD!
The sound of several bodies hitting the ground at the same time echoed through Ravolox.
Conqueror's Haki had made its debut in Eostia... in front of an audience of thousands of people who saw how in an instant a group of several mercenaries were left on the ground with the exception of the leader and the exception of Maia who, by not falling, revealed herself. like a girl with a strong will to endure such an ability.
And of course, among the spectators were some very special girls.
The final battle of the Leader of Kuroinu, a miserable man lost in his lust, was going to be witnessed by an entire nation which would also see the great power possessed by the boy who faced them every time and managed to stop them.
Right now not only was the entire nation totally shocked by Luffy's King's Haki ability… but certain girls close to him were supporting him more than anyone.
-City of Rad-
While all the cities and towns of Eostia were watching the events in Ravolox, the most notable number of people could be found in Rad since these women had a close connection to the boy who was once again facing Kuroinu.
In Rad, everything was very quiet that day, with each girl having lunch in the dining room of Luu-Luu's castle after doing their thing.
Luu-Luu was training herself while having a keg of beer for thirst after training. The orange-haired girl had been training harder lately to be ready to defeat any monster or mercenary that came to attack her city... and thus show Luffy how strong she was and therefore worthy of being the mother of his children. her.
After her horrible experience of almost being raped, Luu-Luu promised herself that this would not happen again, so she was training to the point of exhaustion... besides that, since Rad was her responsibility, Luu-Luu wanted to show Luffy a safe city when he returned.
Prim, for her part, was walking around the city with Alicia, who insisted on accompanying her since, according to the blonde, one could never know what could happen... although in reality, Alicia was even more protective of her sister, who carried within herself a new life for what that from now on the blonde would be closer to the pink-haired one.
Prim understood the reasons for Alicia's attitude and accepted it.
Finally, Olga spent her free time reading in the library in calm while Chloe explored the castle to look for good points to make an escape in case of invasion.
In the end, when it came to her Queen's safety, Chloe could never be too careful.
After that, each girl came to the dining room as they agreed to at least see each other once a day to make sure everyone was alright (That was suggested by Alicia right after Luffy had left in order to keep an eye on Olga and Chloe).
Of course that caused everyone to hear the commotion caused by the images that began to appear in the skies which caused all of them to go to see what had happened.
So imagine the surprise of all of them to see that somehow Vault had managed to capture Maia in what seemed to be... the abandoned city where no one went. The fact that through the screen in the sky Vault said that he had killed Luffy... was something that the girls did not believe.
That was because first Ravolox was far from where Luffy was supposed to be which was in the direction of Ken, and second for them it was impossible that Vault could kill Luffy, just the impression that Luffy left with his great power was that big, just a corpse could convince these girls that the man so special to them had died.
Once again, Vault showed himself to be a despicable man since he not only based himself on trying to ruin Eostia to fulfill his wishes... but also boasted of decapitating the statue of Laurentia.
Of course, without anyone noticing, Olga gave a slight authentic smile when she saw that that statue of the Goddess Laurentia had been decapitated.
"I wonder if Celestine Lucross has fainted or is merely in deep pain?" Olga thought with a mental voice that was happy at that idea... There was definitely a story with Celestine here.
"That man is a real scum…" Said Alicia who looked with hatred in her eyes at Vault who looked very triumphant. Although the hatred in Alicia's eyes was partly caused by seeing such disrespect towards the Goddess that she was reincarnated as Celestine, more by seeing how Maia was at the mercy of Vault and hers.
"It can't be… Maia…" Prim whispered horrified to see her friend in a situation that she could barely escape.
"Damn if only Luffy was there we would have both gotten rid of them!" Said an enraged Luu-Luu who was also worried about Maia, if the orange-haired was willing to use her ax to take revenge on those who almost took away her purity.
"It really must be bad luck that Vault chose to go after her," Olga said in a cold tone as she looked at the man she despised with all her being.
Oh, the Dark Elf Queen wished to have the Vault in front of her to begin a slow torture.
"Luffy can't save her," commented a discouraged Chloe who despite having no love for humanity, as a woman did not wish what was about to happen to Maia in something the whole country would witness.
If only Luffy could have been there for Maia just as he had been there for everyone he had saved... but according to what they believed Luffy had not gotten lost and was continuing his journey towards Ken.
However, it was at that moment that Luffy made an appearance in a place far from the city of Kaguya to which he had gone.
Although normally they would wonder what Luffy was doing so far away from Ken, the fact of seeing him there ready to save Maia was enough to leave the questions for later.
Since whenever Luffy was in front of the Vault things ended very badly for the Kuroinu Leader, that is to the point that seeing Luffy there took away their worry that something bad could happen to Maia.
Naturally, all of them saw Luffy's incredible power that left everyone present in Ravolox unconscious except Vault and Maia.
Just when they thought that Luffy couldn't surprise them anymore... knocking down those men with his presence alone... further reinforced (which seemed impossible) the trust that these women of various races and various walks of life were placed in Luffy.
"The power necessary to do that... not even me with my power at its highest point and with the indicated spell could have achieved that..." Olga Discordia muttered stunned at what Luffy had done.
"I really appreciate that Luffy doesn't consider us his enemies, now more than ever I can see that that battle would have been a massacre if I had tried to kill him," said Chloe who was equally shocked to see such a number of mercenaries and monsters ending up unconscious without that Luffy had moved his body.
That being said, what overcame her fear of the idea of being a victim of Luffy's power was… the satisfaction Chloe felt seeing Vault's face at this moment.
Needless to say, Luffy had Chloe's full support for what he was going to do next to give the bat-faced Vault his comeuppance… Chloe's only regret was not being there to help emasculate mercenaries.
"Come on Luffy! Kick his ass!" Luu-Luu for her part was giving encouragement to her beloved and although she was also surprised to see the Conqueror's Haki in action, the orange-haired girl was more focused on giving Luffy encouragement.
Ruu Ruu was looking forward to seeing how Vault and her subordinates would be sent flying by her future husband... since in addition to defeating Kuroinu, Luffy in the eyes of the orange-haired girl had another mission, perhaps even more important.
"Remember you have to come back to give me a daughter!" Luu-Luu added who had not forgotten at all about his desire to have Luffy's offspring.
In the end, the most certain thing was that Ruu Ruu would not forget that wish unless she could have a child with our hero.
And it wasn't just her desires as a member of her race that screamed at her to mate with such a powerful man… but also her own desires as a woman wishing she could sleep with the one who had conquered her heart.
"Please come back, I also want to tell you something very important…" Alicia whispered, who was also looking attentively at the screen.
Before she would still have denied having any kind of feelings for Luffy, just to respect the fact that Luffy was Prim's man.
However, after talking about it with Prim, Alicia decides to be more honest and accept her feelings for the boy with the straw hat. If Prim was willing to accept that she wasn't the only one who would love Luffy then she was fine as Alicia wouldn't take anyone's man away.
The fact that Olga Discordia was also interested was still something Alicia couldn't accept yet… but for Prim's happiness, she was willing to tolerate it.
"You can see it?" Said a smiling Prim as she stroked her stomach where a new life was developing, "Your father is out there fighting and easily defeating all those evil men and monsters," Of course the child that was developing inside Prim was still there. too early to even unconsciously understand the world around them.
Now the only thing they could do for Luffy was to watch the fight and cheer him on from Rad, so the five of them would watch that battle until the last moment without ceasing to trust the one who had become the hope of Eostia.
Since all of Eostia was watching this then… that meant that the remaining members of the Warrior Princesses would be watching this with the exception of Celestine who was still unconscious.
Thus the opportunity to start learning about the man who would become important to them in the future had also begun.
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
Good morning my dear readers. Here I bring you the first chapter of the new year so you can see that the year is starting well with more of Luffy's adventures.
The chapter is long but I think you will like it anyway.
As you can see, I understood that with a protagonist as pro as Luffy, having Vault as the main enemy simply wasn't going to last forever due to his low power level.
For example, if this was a Luffy-like before the start of the canon then he could keep the Vault a bit longer, however since this is the time-skip Luffy there is nothing else to do.
If he kept insisting on Vault this would have become very repetitive eventually since Vault running away from Luffy every time just doesn't make sense so this is the end of Kuroinu as an enemy itself.
From very little on, the next arc will start using new ideas, even so, the enemies are taken from another place and I am more than anything adapting them to this scenario since I need a solid image to work with, and in itself, that means that I am bad at creating something totally original.
So using my own I will expand this as best I can... who knows maybe I'll achieve something good doing that and this story will continue to have attention... although strictly speaking the Kuroinu conflict will continue to live thanks to the followers of Vault.
One thing... Did you find my explanation about Celestine and the Goddess understandable? Or was it too complicated?
And finally for what's to come...
The ancient Gods/Creatures of Destruction are as Maia said:
-Wendigo
-Bandersnacht
-Golem of Fire.
-Demon Tree.
-Mysterious Leader of the Four.
Now they are transplanted characters... in other words, taken from a certain place to be used in this story while I change their origin... but I feel they will serve their purpose.
Now there is also this thing about the fight being transmitted to Eostia...
However, then I thought of making the entire event broadcast to all of Eostia to humiliate the Kuroinu in front of the entire nation and show everyone Luffy's power so as to make it clear that their presence under the Vault (Although not totally eradicated) is coming to an end.
The statue of Laurentia being decapitated is what will set the pace for the new enemies as it is like a seal that kept something that should not be released contained within itself.
Well, that's all, I hope you like it and that this year I can finish it if my mind doesn't bring me another idea!
We'll see if I can finally finish a long story in my life XD
PS: For those who are wondering, the reason why I am giving you the choice of the gender of Luffy and Prim's son or daughter is that I plan to use said character in the future and I do not do it simply because I want to.
So without further ado let's see the final result:
Kerkan D. Fiorire (Boy): 5 Votes.
Ruaha D. Fiorire (Girl): 7 Votes
So with that it is decided that Luffy and Prim will have Ruaha as a daughter, thank you very much for giving your opinions.
Now I just want to warn you that Ruaha's appearance in the story will be…unconventional, I'm telling you now to prepare for the future.
And well that's all, although I would have liked to know more about how Kuroinu's plot was from the games to better build this instead of using my own interpretations... I think it's okay to continue instead of deleting the story to make a new one.
PS: As you already know please also see my other stories that I strive to bring you… plus those of Hyakki Yako who helps a lot.
PDD: Also, as you noticed because of the Vault armor… when I played Bloodborne I loved it so much that I bought the three Dark Souls games all at once, which are made by the same creators and right now I'm going for the first one… where I spend my time dying but in the end I manage to move forward :3
That means maybe I'll do a Dark Souls story in the future.