As Imu rose to her feet, the Empty Throne suddenly burst into a dazzling golden light. A beam of that golden radiance shone down, dispelling the shadow that had cloaked her for eight hundred years and revealing a stunningly beautiful face.
She had long, sea-blue hair, wore a golden crown on her head, and bore a striking resemblance to Princess Vivi of the Alabasta Kingdom. Though she looked just as young, the mature allure she carried was far beyond what someone like Vivi could possess.
Her expression was cold as ice, exuding a chilling sense of detachment from the world. As she stepped forward, a glimmer of icy-blue crystal heels peeked out from beneath her pristine white robes.
Tap...
With a single step, transparent ripples spread from her heel. The entire grand hall began to tremble violently. Beneath the Empty Throne, nineteen ancient swords suddenly sprang forth, hurtling toward Imu as she descended the stairs.
Imu continued walking forward, murmuring softly,
"After Joy Boy is eliminated, someone else will take his place."
No sooner had she spoken than the nineteen blades abruptly froze in front of her, then swiftly returned to their original positions, plunging deep into the ground once more.
With no more obstacles in her way, Imu descended the steps one by one, seemingly savoring the moment.
When she finally reached the floor below, she turned and looked up at the towering Empty Throne. At that exact moment, the throne transformed into a beam of golden light and shot toward her, piercing straight into her back.
With a sizzle and a crackle, pain spread across Imu's face as her body trembled. The scorching heat left fine beads of sweat on her forehead.
She exhaled sharply and straightened her back, her clothing at the rear already reduced to ashes by the golden light, exposing her smooth, pale back. There, a golden brand identical to the symbol etched on the throne's backrest glowed brightly.
Though she couldn't see it, she knew exactly what it looked like. The corner of her mouth curled into a mocking smile.
"Freedom... huh."
Buzz!
A transparent hemispherical field expanded from her body. With a sharp shwoop, Imu vanished into thin air. The grand hall fell silent once more, as if nothing had ever happened.
...
High above Mary Geoise, the battle between Joy Boy and Carl raged on. But with Joy Boy's new form came a surge in power—so much so that Carl was clearly being pushed back. The darkness in the sky was gradually receding under the pressure of the white Nika force.
Still, Carl remained calm. He wasn't fighting at full strength—just enough to hold his ground and test the waters.
He was waiting for Imu to appear.
Carl had yet to figure out her true capabilities. If he unleashed his full power now in a head-on clash with Joy Boy, even if he won, he'd be left completely spent—and an easy target.
Carl had always considered Imu a potential enemy. He wasn't about to make the foolish mistake of exhausting himself and handing her the final prize on a silver platter.
Joy Boy, misreading the situation, thought Carl was on the ropes. Pressing the attack, he sneered,
"Celestial Dragon... this world doesn't need the World Government or you people. You and your kind should disappear into the dust of history."
Carl just shook his head, chuckling in disdain.
Infuriated by Carl's dismissive attitude, Joy Boy twisted space with a swipe of his hands. The domain of darkness shrank further under the surge of divine white power.
Still no sign of Imu. Carl let out a breath and stopped wasting energy, raising a barrier of darkness around himself. He gathered the surrounding shadows, allowing the Nika force to spread freely across the skies of Mary Geoise.
Joy Boy grew more excited by the second. In his mind, Carl's death and the fall of the World Government were now just moments away.
But before he could celebrate—
Shwoop!
Imu appeared right in front of Carl.
The formless light on Joy Boy's face flickered in alarm.
"What?! You're..."
Before he could finish, Imu extended her palm. A stream of wind-like energy swirled out, forming a massive, semi-transparent dome that enclosed her and Carl.
"Heretic Isolation."
With a resonant hum, the pressure of the Nika force vanished without a trace. Carl felt the oppressive weight around him disappear completely.
Imu cast a glance at Joy Boy, her face twisted in visible disgust.
Then she slowly turned to face Carl.
At the sight of her face, Carl immediately thought of Vivi. The resemblance was uncanny. Yet Imu was like an upgraded version in every way.
Not just her face—even her figure was extraordinary. Not even the loose white robes could conceal her stunning curves. In the shifting winds, her outline flickered like a mirage, a beauty so rare only someone like Carl would dare to admire it.
After all, Imu stood at the very pinnacle of power in this world. Her presence alone made her beauty all the more devastating.
Imu noticed Carl's gaze lingering on her body. A subtle twitch pulled at the corner of her mouth as she spoke coldly,
"Saint Carl... what are you thinking about at a time like this?"
Carl didn't shy away. He answered frankly,
"Of course I'm admiring your beauty, Lady Imu... or should I say, Imu-sama. After all, not everyone gets the chance to witness such perfection up close."
Imu clearly hadn't expected Carl to be so bold. For a brief moment, she was stunned—almost adorably so.
Carl continued to admire her without shame, then casually added,
"By the way, I suppose we'll need to change what we call you. Wouldn't it be more appropriate to call you—"
"Nefertari D. Lily!!!"
Joy Boy's roar split the sky. Carl, annoyed by the interruption, frowned and turned toward him.
"What the hell are you yelling for?"
Imu turned as well, her indifferent expression restored.
Joy Boy pointed a trembling finger at her, his voice seething through clenched teeth.
"You are the greatest traitor of the D clan! You still have the nerve to live in this world!?"
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+150 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg