"You've got some guts. Everyone, stop—I'll handle this."
Alice listened to the man before her and suddenly halted the warriors. These warriors, known as the Bladewind Troops, were members of the Bladewind Legion, and she was their Vice Commander—the Queen's Destroyer.
The Bladewind Legion, where their blades pointed, only death followed.
Nearly all foreign invaders had been slaughtered by them. It was because of this legion that the Marines, pirates, and anyone who set foot on Lantis Island feared them.
Of course, the warriors she brought with her were only a small faction from Bright City—the main forces were still stationed at the Ninth Garden.
"Alice..." Lisa called out immediately. She didn't bother addressing her as "sister" this time, nor did she hold back. Though she didn't particularly like the two people in front of her, the agreement between them might offer a solution to their food crisis. Even if the chances were slim, any hope was worth trying in their current predicament.
"Don't speak. Whatever the reason, if you don't have strength, you don't deserve to stand before me. Let's see if your words are sharper than my blade."
Alice reached to her waist, pinching a green dagger from her custom belt, twirling it in her fingers while locking her gaze on Rosen.
"Heh..." Seeing their Vice Commander about to act personally, the warriors grinned wickedly, as if pitying the outsider. This intruder would probably be crying for mercy soon.
"So, you're prepared?" Rosen looked at Alice and spoke calmly.
"Prepared for what?" Alice asked, puzzled.
"Life or death. Against my enemies, I eliminate them completely. Those who kill will be killed in return."
Rosen's words made it clear—once the fight began, there would be no backing down.
He didn't like being tested. Then again, who did?
"Are you threatening me?!"
Alice froze for a moment, unsure how to respond. Was he insane, or just ignorant and cold-blooded? A life-or-death battle with her?
On Lantis Island, she wasn't just the nightmare of all outsiders—she was also the Queen's Destroyer.
She had always been the one to propose life-or-death fights. No one had ever dared to speak to her this way.
"I'm merely stating a fact."
"Life and death are commonplace. But tell me, aren't you afraid of dying?"
As Alice spoke, a terrifying aura surged from her, thick and oppressive, nearly forming a physical force like Haki.
Though it wasn't Haki, it was still enough to strike fear into anyone—it was the aura of a war god.
"Sand Form."
Rosen's arms began to dissolve into flowing sand, spreading onto the ground as a gentle breeze lifted grains of yellow dust around him. He had entered battle mode.
"A Devil Fruit user, or a Bloodline Factor human?"
Alice's gaze grew slightly more serious at the sight.
It seemed this outsider had some real power.
But that was all—how many moves could he last against her?
"Stand down."
Just as the tension reached its peak and the battle was about to erupt, an elderly figure stepped forward from the crowd—Hodman, the city lord.
"Alice, this outsider has reached an agreement with us that could resolve our food crisis. Control your temper. Fighting isn't the only thing that matters in this world."
Hodman's tone was firm as he addressed Alice.
"City Lord, he's just an outsider. What right does he have to cooperate with us? Outsiders are enemies—they should be eliminated. If I didn't understand how to fight, I would've died countless times already."
Alice spoke nonchalantly.
Still, she put away her weapon.
After all, the city lord's words carried weight.
Both she and Lisa had been saved by him. In fact, most of the people in this settlement had been rescued by the city lord one by one when disaster struck five years ago.
He always made decisions that benefited the survival of the people.
"Do as you see fit. But don't let me catch any wrongdoing, or I won't be so forgiving."
Alice gave Rosen a long, icy look. Her voice was cold, her expression filled with scorn and a hint of madness.
A lunatic?
Perhaps, but she was far colder than that.
Rosen remained unfazed. He had no fear of conflict, but unnecessary trouble was best avoided. If a fight could be prevented, all the better.
As he watched Alice leave, his expression remained unchanged. He understood hostility—but if it came to battle, he wouldn't hold back.
"Uncle, don't blame Alice. She used to be very gentle, but after undergoing Bloodline Factor enhancements from the Queen, she became much more aggressive. She's only thinking about everyone's survival,"
Natalie explained as she watched Alice and her warriors depart.
It wasn't just an explanation—it was a longing.
But while she spoke casually, Rosen caught onto something important.
Bloodline Factor technology?
That same technology that allowed lifeless objects to consume Devil Fruits?
The technology that enabled Germa 66 to mass-produce clone soldiers?
And the same technology that modified Sanji's siblings, transforming them into superhuman warriors?
Even Caesar's artificial Devil Fruits were based on Dr. Vegapunk's Bloodline Factor research. That same cloning technology later led to the creation of numerous Pacifistas.
Come to think of it, though Vegapunk had yet to fully reveal himself to the world, his Bloodline Factor research alone had already left a massive impact.
It was like a hidden thread weaving through history.
And now, someone on Lantis Island understood and utilized Bloodline Factor technology?
And they were the ones in power?
That was anything but ordinary.
Judging by Germa 66's soldiers and Sanji's siblings, the technology could indeed suppress or eliminate emotions.
"Uncle, why don't you ever talk to me? Don't worry, I'm not Lisa's spy. I know you like to ask about secrets sometimes, but it's okay—I'll tell you. You don't seem like a bad guy, and at least you listen to me. The people in the city don't—they always say I talk too much. But it's just because I'm smart! I don't waste words on just anyone..."
"Quiet, kid."
Rosen suddenly felt like a swarm of flies was buzzing around his ears.
He had already thought this girl was a chatterbox—but now she was completely unleashed.
"You're being mean to me?!"
Natalie looked hurt.
Then, without hesitation, she pulled out a small round shield from her back and drew a dagger, ready to fight Rosen at any moment.
"Headache..."
Rosen rubbed his temples.
Did everyone in this city solve their problems with violence?
"No, no, I was complimenting you."
Rosen had no choice but to pacify her.
This girl seemed carefree, but she was surprisingly sharp.
Was she actually smart?
"Don't lie! I'm not a three-year-old anymore—I'm eight!"
Natalie didn't buy it. She knew he had just scolded her.
"Then what do you plan to do? You're not my match."
Rosen found her amusing.
Was she seriously planning to fight him?
Honestly, for an eight-year-old, her combat skills surpassed most elite pirates.
But to Rosen, she was still far too weak.
Even with her exceptional Observation Haki, could her body keep up?
"I..."
Natalie was about to respond when she suddenly noticed flames rising around the city walls. Her face turned serious.
"We need to go inside, now. I'll take you back to your quarters. Night has fallen, and we must stay as quiet as possible—or else misfortune will come."
She lowered her voice and led them down the street.
"Misfortune?"
Pitas was confused.
"Shh. Don't talk too loud."
Natalie pressed a finger to her lips in a silencing gesture.
Rosen noticed something odd.
The entire city had fallen eerily silent.
Even when he used his Observation Haki, he barely detected any sounds—only faint breathing.
It was unbelievable.
Despite being just a small settlement with a few thousand residents, the city had been bustling just moments ago.
Now, in an instant, it was completely silent.
(End of Chapter)
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