Glass Ball Island!
It was noticeably less lively than when Leno had visited last year.
Pedestrians hurried along the streets, a sense of dread in the air.
The Avenue des Arts, usually filled with street performers, was eerily quiet.
DOSKOIPANDA Avenue.
More Marines were patrolling than there were guests, stopping to check everyone.
"The atmosphere is very tense!" Leno remarked.
A slight breeze blew past.
A newspaper from the island drifted to Leno's feet.
He picked it up.
"The Vampire Demon Sword Strikes Again, Thirteenth Victim Dies from Blood Loss!!!"
The newspaper's image showed the indistinct, shriveled corpse of a woman.
"Thirteen days, and every night, another person dies?"
"No wonder!"
Under the threat of death, everyone is in danger; who would come out to sing, dance, shop, or spend money?
A middle-aged man approached.
He bowed slightly, a standard smile on his face.
"Are you the two rescuers invited by Lord Luwell?"
He was dressed in a bright suit, glasses perched on his nose, hair neatly combed, and trousers cropped to expose his ankles, fitting the unique atmosphere of Glass Ball Island.
A bit of a fashion eccentric, perhaps?
Regardless, it was fashionable, though incomprehensible to many.
"And you are?" Leno asked.
"I'm the Assistant to the President of the Fashion Committee."
The middle-aged man handed Leno a business card.
"Lagerfeld?"
"That's me!"
Lagerfeld gestured with a slight bow and an extended hand.
"Lord Luwell is currently discussing the demon sword case with the president and asked me to welcome you both."
Following Lagerfeld to the edge of the pier, they found a luxurious open carriage with four white horses waiting by the roadside.
This was the royal treatment for guests from all over the world on Glass Ball Island.
Once Leno and Kuina were seated in the back, Lagerfeld took the reins and drove the carriage himself.
It was Kuina's first time being treated with such formality. Feeling a bit awkward, she whispered, "Luwell?"
She couldn't figure it out.
How had that street-smart woman from last year become so high-ranking in such a short time?
Leno wasn't surprised.
When they had interacted last year, he had noticed that Luwell was intelligent, adaptable, and quick to assess situations. A survivor who never stopped learning, she was bound to rise quickly if given a chance.
The carriage arrived at a luxurious manor in the West District.
"Leno, Kuina, long time no see."
As they stepped off the carriage, Luwell greeted them warmly.
She gave them both a big hug.
Her blonde hair and tall, increasingly curvy figure almost smothered Kuina.
When hugging Leno, Luwell leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Be careful of Lagerfeld!"
Leno smiled.
He lightly brushed her waist, signaling that he understood.
Luwell hadn't expected Leno to respond so boldly; she froze momentarily, her cheeks flushing slightly, and separated from him with a playful glare.
Kuina watched them and pouted slightly.
"Luwell, do these two young ones really have what it takes to handle the demon sword?"
Luwell turned with a sweet smile. "Yes, Madam!"
An old woman stepped forward.
Supported by two maids, she was dressed in elegant, expensive clothing. Time had etched lines of wisdom on her face, but her eyes remained bright and beautiful, like azure gems—still captivating as the clear sky.
She must have been stunning in her youth, Leno and Kuina thought.
Her beauty wasn't just in her appearance but in her demeanor—confidence, elegance, and a noble charm that radiated from within.
"Hello, please, come inside," the Madam said kindly.
"Master President, I think it's better to deal with the demon sword first. If we don't act quickly, someone else might die tonight," Lagerfeld suggested.
"Yes, it will be dark soon," the Madam said with concern. "Lagerfeld, the city isn't safe to walk in. You'll be their driver for the time being."
"Yes, Madam President!"
Lagerfeld bowed.
But Leno interrupted, "No need. If the demon sword appears again, I will handle it!"
The Madam looked at him again, then smiled warmly, her blue eyes filled with appreciation.
Luwell chimed in, "Madam, I can drive. Let me take the reins!"
"Very well. Then I'll leave this matter in your capable hands, and I will reward you with 100 million Belly!"
As they left the manor, Leno asked, "Who is she?"
"Carl Hayworth, the chairman of the fashion committee, and the founder of DOSKOIPANDA," Luwell replied as she took the reins.
Leno was surprised—the Fashion Queen herself!
Since its launch, DOSKOIPANDA had become a global sensation.
Even the Celestial Dragons sent in orders.
The Celestial Dragons, who left Mary Geoise and refused to breathe the air of commoners, were captivated?
Who wouldn't want to see how alluring it was among the world's elite?
Popularity meant wealth.
Could such a wealthy old lady really live undisturbed in the world of pirates?
A miracle!
"I heard she's the illegitimate daughter of a Celestial Dragon," Luwell whispered conspiratorially.
"Oh?"
Leno was intrigued; who wouldn't be?
"Don't you think the architectural style of Glass Ball Island is very similar to the glass balls worn by Celestial Dragons?"
"East Blue is the most peaceful place in the world, and Celestial Dragons often vacation here."
"Once, a certain Celestial Dragon was moved by mortal feelings and had a daughter with a common woman, but the other Celestial Dragons objected, so they had to abandon the mother and daughter."
Kuina scoffed, "That sounds like something out of a knight novel!"
"Exactly! How could a Celestial Dragon ever do something like that?" Luwell shrugged slightly.
But Leno suddenly thought of the Donquixote family.
"That's not necessarily true. There was once a Celestial Dragon who gave up their status and chose to live as a commoner."
"What?"
Luwell was puzzled. "Who? How foolish to do such a thing?"
"JOKER's father!"
In any group, there's always one who stands out—a clown, a black sheep, or a fool.
The setting sun colored the clouds, and the twilight glow reflected on the sea, creating a dazzling effect.
Leno arrived at Kaze's sword shop.
Kuina slashed the door open.
Dust filled the air.
There hadn't been any activity for a long time.
"I heard that the shop closed down shortly after we left, and the owner has gone missing," Luwell said.
Leno narrowed his eyes. "Do you smell that?"
"Smell what?"
"The stench of corpses!"
Leno said, covering the store with Observation Haki, listening intently.
Then, he moved to the back of the shop and kicked open a wall, revealing a hidden compartment.
The stench was overwhelming.
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