Carl's words, which were obviously a warning, sent a shiver through everyone present. He squinted his eyes, scanning the room before suddenly laughing.
"Ah, I think I scared you all. My apologies."
Carl chuckled a few times, but when he noticed everyone was still tense, his smile faded, and he frowned.
Olivia, sensing the shift in Carl's demeanor, widened her eyes. She quickly stepped forward with a nervous laugh, saying,
"It's really comforting to have an Admiral of the Navy here, don't you all think?"
The others, realizing the tension, followed suit. With Olivia leading, they forced awkward smiles and murmured in agreement.
Carl's frown softened, and Olivia quietly let out a sigh of relief. Approaching him with caution, she respectfully asked,
"Admiral Black Dragon, you haven't mentioned what it is you'd like to discuss with us."
Carl waved dismissively.
"There's no rush. I heard you're heading to Alabasta for an inspection, right? I'll come along. We can talk about my business after you finish."
Olivia couldn't afford to let Carl follow her and quickly replied,
"There's no need! It's just a simple inspection. How can it compare with matters concerning Admiral Black Dragon? If you need us, please let us know directly!"
Appreciating her understanding, Carl smiled.
"I don't need a crowd. You alone will do. Here's the thing: I discovered a relic and need someone proficient in ancient languages to interpret the text."
Hearing this, Olivia's eyes lit up. Her passion for archaeology flared—it was more than a profession, it was an obsession. Unable to resist, she asked,
"Didn't Admiral Black Dragon once say you weren't interested in history? Why the sudden interest in interpreting ancient texts?"
Carl crossed his arms and gave a half-smile.
"Olivia, your curiosity might lead you astray. Be careful."
Olivia froze. His remark felt like a veiled warning, and with her guilt weighing heavily, she grew more anxious.
Seeing her fear, Carl found the situation amusing. It reminded him of how Aokiji liked to scare young Robin, and here he was, scaring Robin's mother. With a hint of mischief, Carl added,
"But I'll tell you. There's something in that ruin I want, and I need it intact."
Olivia, now even more intrigued, dared not ask what it was. She nodded vigorously.
"I understand. I'm happy to help. Shall we go now?"
"Not just yet. You can't abandon a ship full of people. Tell them what they need to know first."
"Then I'll have them return to Ohara."
"Hmm? Aren't you here for inspection? Let them wait for you in Alabasta. I'll bring you back quickly."
"Okay."
Olivia turned to the others, carefully giving instructions, her words brief and cautious, urging them to stay safe.
Once done, she returned to Carl and said,
"Alright, Admiral Black Dragon, we can leave now."
"Yes."
Carl nodded and, with a sudden movement, unfurled a pair of large black wings. He swept Olivia into his arms, his wings flapping powerfully. The strong gust blew the scholars on deck to the ground.
When the others recovered, Carl and Olivia were already gone.
"Are all Admirals monsters?" someone muttered.
High above, Carl flew through the clouds, landing swiftly on his warship.
By the time Olivia regained her bearings, she found herself surrounded by Navy soldiers, all saluting Carl. These weren't ordinary soldiers—they were part of a special division. While they might seem inconspicuous at grander events, to regular people, they were elite warriors capable of taking on hundreds. Moreover, Carl's warship belonged to the Admiral's division, with every guard handpicked. The combined presence of these men didn't affect Carl, but it made Olivia swallow nervously, moving closer to him for comfort.
As Olivia looked at Carl's youthful face, she couldn't help but admire him. To wield such power before turning twenty was truly the mark of a prodigy.
Lucia, leading the group of Navy soldiers, approached Carl after saluting. She glanced at Olivia before turning her attention back to Carl.
Seeing Lucia's delicate features, Olivia's eyes widened. Recognizing her rank and reputation, she blurted out,
"You're Lucia, the Fallen Angel of the Navy Supernova!"
Lucia, her expression calm, nodded.
"Yes, that's correct."
Lucia was not one for small talk, especially with anyone other than Carl. Realizing her outburst was rude, Olivia quickly apologized.
"I'm sorry. That was inappropriate of me. Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is—"
"Nico Olivia," Lucia interrupted. "Admiral Black Dragon mentioned you before."
Without saying more, Lucia's expression softened as she turned to Carl, her face lighting up with a warm smile, vastly different from how she addressed Olbia.
"Cousin, you're back!"
Carl didn't shy away from the term. He reached out, ruffling Lucia's dark hair with a grin.
"Yes, and I've brought Olivia. Now, let's head."
Lucia obediently nodded and gave the necessary orders. The soldiers immediately sprang into action, taking positions on the deck and guiding the ship towards their destination.
Olivia, meanwhile, couldn't help but notice the interaction between Carl and Lucia. Though Lucia had called him cousin, her instincts told her their relationship was far more complex. Still, Olivia held her tongue—she was far too intimidated by Carl to pry.
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+86 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg