Chapter 13: The Maritime King
As the handshake lingered, Charlotte's Observation Haki picked up on Randolph Chamberlain's inner thoughts.
"So this is Kamei Island's hero? He's so young. I hope he won't interfere with my plans!"
Charlotte's suspicions deepened.
"Mr. Chamberlain," Charlotte greeted with a polite smile, though his wariness grew. "By the way, what happened to the previous mayor?"
While still shaking hands, Charlotte tightened his grip, making it difficult for Chamberlain to withdraw his hand. The man's expression turned awkward.
"What's with this kid? Is he into guys or something?" Chamberlain thought, trying to maintain a neutral expression.
Charlotte felt his eyebrow twitch, barely holding back a scowl.
"The previous mayor retired due to his age," Chamberlain replied smoothly, though his inner monologue betrayed his annoyance. "Damn that old man! He ran off with four hundred million berries, leaving me to clean up the mess!"
Hearing this, Charlotte silently breathed a sigh of relief. At least the previous mayor wasn't killed. Charlotte had always felt indebted to him for his kindness during his childhood.
"And what might the new mayor need from me today?" Charlotte asked, tilting his head slightly.
"Haha, nothing too serious," Chamberlain replied with a warm smile. "I've just taken office and wanted to meet the island's hero. It's an honor to finally make your acquaintance!"
His words were accompanied by an enthusiastic expression that might have seemed genuine if not for Charlotte's ability to read his thoughts.
"This kid better play along. The Maritime King's orders are clear: this island will be our strategic outpost in the New World."
Hearing the mention of the Maritime King, Charlotte's interest piqued. This name belonged to one of the six infamous rulers of the underground world, a figure of significant influence and power.
Noticing Charlotte's frown, Chamberlain feigned concern. "Is something wrong, Mr. Charlotte?"
"Not at all," Charlotte replied with a small smile. "Just lost in thought."
"Good to hear. If there's ever anything you need, don't hesitate to come to me," Chamberlain offered generously, patting his chest. His hand, adorned with rings, gleamed under the light.
"Thank you. I'll keep that in mind," Charlotte replied, his tone polite yet distant.
Chamberlain grinned and raised his wineglass. "In a few days, I'll be hosting a banquet. I hope the hero of Kamei Island can honor us with his presence."
Charlotte agreed with a nod. "Of course, I'd be happy to attend."
They clinked glasses, exchanged a few more words, and then parted ways.
---
Leaving the café, Charlotte felt slightly tipsy.
His thoughts swirled as he walked back to his villa. It was amusing to think that, despite being on this island for four years, his first drink had been at a café.
"Master!"
"Boss!"
Seeing Charlotte's unsteady gait, his five maids and Ivan rushed forward to support him.
Charlotte quickly regained his composure but felt a wave of heat as two of the maids clung to him for support.
"Am I home?" he asked, glancing at his villa. Without waiting for a reply, he scooped up the two nearest maids and headed straight for his room.
The remaining three maids blushed furiously, while Ivan awkwardly cleared his throat.
"You three, stand guard outside," Ivan instructed, then quickly left, leaving the red-faced maids to stand vigil at the door.
---
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the windows, rousing Charlotte from his sleep.
Sitting up, he rubbed his head, groaning softly. "Ugh… too much wine…"
As he moved, his hand brushed against something soft and smooth. Turning, he saw two arms resting on his chest.
"What the…"
Charlotte froze, lifting the arms slightly to confirm they belonged to the two maids, Martha and Jenny. Both lay beside him, their clothes torn to shreds.
"What did I do last night?" he muttered in disbelief. Pulling back the covers, he was met with a sight that made his face flush crimson. Hastily, he covered them again.
His movements woke Martha and Jenny, who blinked sleepily before realizing the situation.
"Master!"
The two maids scrambled to their feet, their faces as red as apples. Standing there without a stitch of clothing, they quickly realized their state and gasped.
Charlotte turned his head, his face burning. "G-get dressed…" he stammered before grabbing his clothes and bolting out of the room.
Outside, the three other maids stood with washbasins, their expressions a mix of confusion and curiosity.
"Take these inside," Charlotte ordered, gesturing at the washbasins. Without waiting for a response, he hurried away.
The three maids exchanged glances, then peeked inside, their faces turning bright red as they realized what had happened.
---
Charlotte wandered the beach alone, a sword strapped to his waist. He needed time to process what had transpired.
As someone who had been single for over thirty years across two lifetimes, suddenly gaining two women in one night was… overwhelming.
Drawing his sword, he vented his emotions on the beach, slashing the sand with all his might.
Sword energy tore through the dunes, creating deep grooves that were quickly washed away by the waves.
After venting for a while, he felt a strange sense of clarity, as though he had entered a "post-enlightenment" state.
Taking a deep breath, Charlotte's gaze sharpened. A surge of energy erupted from within him—his Conqueror's Haki.
This time, unlike before, he could feel it clearly. He focused his mind, trying to grasp this newfound power.
For the first time, he felt he might finally learn to control it.
---