Chapter 87: Seven Star Sword
"Miko! You can't stop me!"
Charlotte, standing at an imposing 2.2 meters tall, looked down at the petite girl, barely 1.7 meters, and spoke softly yet firmly.
Without waiting for her response, he stepped past her and walked deeper into the altar.
The shrine maiden froze under Charlotte's intimidating gaze, her mind blank. By the time she regained her senses, Charlotte was already moving toward the depths of the sacred altar.
"Don't!"
Her desperate voice rang out, but it was already too late. Charlotte was inside.
The stone chamber contained only a single sarcophagus, barren and unassuming. Yet, Charlotte wasn't disappointed—he knew exactly where the Seven Star Sword lay.
Approaching the sarcophagus, Charlotte ran his hand along its surface, feeling the weight of history etched into the stone.
"My precious... I've been waiting for this moment," he murmured, gently stroking the weathered sarcophagus.
With a sharp movement, he placed both hands on the heavy stone lid and began to lift it.
The sarcophagus resisted, but Charlotte's immense strength prevailed. Dust cascaded as he strained, finally prying the lid free and tossing it aside with a loud thud.
"No!"
The shrine maiden screamed in horror, her legs giving out as she collapsed to the ground.
A pungent odor of decay wafted from the sarcophagus, filling the chamber. Charlotte instinctively covered his nose and fanned away the stench before peering inside.
There it was—a double-edged sword engraved with intricate runes, bound tightly by two thick chains. Though the blade was covered in rust, it emanated an unmistakable aura of dread.
The Seven Star Sword.
Charlotte's lips curled into a grin. He now understood why others had overlooked this weapon. No one would suspect this rusty blade to be the legendary cursed sword of lore.
"Finally," Charlotte whispered, excitement glinting in his eyes.
With his left hand, he reached into the sarcophagus and yanked at the chains. His immense strength snapped them like twigs.
Snap!
Clang!
The broken chains clattered to the ground, revealing the sword in its entirety.
The shrine maiden's face turned pale. She recognized the runes, the rusted steel—this was indeed the sword described in the ancestral records. Her ancestors had warned that the Seven Star Sword could awaken every hundred years, and the next awakening wasn't due until 1520 of the Haiyuan Calendar. Yet, it had revived prematurely, likely triggered by the man now holding it.
"Don't take it out!" she pleaded, her voice trembling.
Charlotte ignored her, grasping the hilt of the sword with his right hand and lifting it high.
The moment he did, the Seven Star Sword emitted a dazzling green light, illuminating the chamber. The rust flaked away, revealing a pristine, razor-sharp blade. The runes on the sword seemed to come alive, pulsating with a sinister energy.
The shrine maiden could only watch in horror. Everything her ancestors had warned about was coming true before her eyes.
Outside, the once-clear sky darkened. Ominous clouds gathered, casting the island into shadow. A chilling green glow radiated from the sword, spreading across the landscape.
Paul and the other crew members stared at Charlotte in awe, their eyes tinged red as the sword's malevolent energy seeped into their minds.
Charlotte's face contorted as an overwhelming power surged through him. A murderous consciousness, ancient and malevolent, invaded his mind, threatening to take control.
"Damn it!" he growled, beads of sweat rolling down his face as he struggled to resist.
Unleashing his Conqueror's Haki, Charlotte pushed back against the sword's influence. But even his powerful will couldn't entirely suppress the murderous intent pouring into him.
The shrine maiden collapsed to the ground, foaming at the mouth as the pressure from Charlotte's Haki overwhelmed her.
Paul and the other crew members fared no better.
"This... this is impossible—!" Paul managed to gasp before falling unconscious, foam spilling from his mouth.
Charlotte's Haki surged outward, shaking the trees and sending wildlife fleeing. The island itself seemed to groan under the weight of his power.
Back in the town, villagers dropped like flies, clutching their throats as they fainted. Even the naval base wasn't spared. Alarms blared, but the marines fell one by one, unable to withstand the pressure.
The sea kings and fish surrounding the island either fled in terror or floated lifelessly to the surface.
Charlotte's Haki had enveloped the entire island, a testament to its terrifying intensity.
Meanwhile, Charlotte gripped the Seven Star Sword tightly, his teeth clenched as he fought for control of his mind.
"Damn you!" he snarled, his voice strained.
Suddenly, a bright white light emanated from the shrine maiden lying on the ground. The light formed three distinct orbs, which floated toward Charlotte and enveloped him.
The light's purifying energy pushed back the sword's murderous intent, clearing Charlotte's mind. The oppressive Haki dissipated, and the Seven Star Sword vanished from his hand, leaving behind only a tattoo on his wrist in the shape of the blade.
Charlotte, now free of the sword's influence, staggered toward the shrine maiden. Though unconscious, she continued to emit the soothing white light.
Reaching her, Charlotte gently picked her up and carried her away from the altar.
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The Next Morning
Charlotte woke with a start, his head throbbing painfully. Groaning, he rubbed his temples and tried to piece together what had happened.
That's when he noticed he wasn't wearing any clothes.
He froze.
Lying on his chest was the shrine maiden, her smooth skin pressed against his.
"This...!" Charlotte's eyes widened in shock.
Raising his wrist, he noticed the tattoo of the Seven Star Sword etched into his skin. Its intricate design shimmered faintly, as if alive.
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