Charlotte Lola, huh?
Recalling Lola's appearance from the original story, Ian decided to make peace with Prince Loki.
Since it's come to this, he might as well go along with it.
But this taste in aesthetics is really stubborn.
Even after so many years, he still likes that woman.
If Ian remembered correctly, that woman was much younger than both himself and Yamato.
Not just in stature, but even in age — he really likes them that small?
Ian glanced at Loki's blushing face.
Maybe this guy even prefers smaller bullet calibers.
If he remembered right, he was only five or six years younger than Aunt Linlin.
Of course, when converted to human years, it should be divided by three.
"His Majesty the King was very angry about this. He really dislikes Charlotte Linlin."
Brogy shrugged. "So Prince Loki asked us to deliver him here to meet that girl for a matchmaking."
"I want to marry her!"
Prince Loki said seriously, "I want Lola to be the queen consort of the Giant Kingdom!"
It was a bit funny.
Turns out Prince Loki is a hopeless romantic — no one saw that coming before.
Now it makes sense why in the original story, Aunt Linlin almost succeeded in the arranged marriage.
You know, the whole story of the overbearing prince falling for a noble lady from a wealthy family.
Luckily, Lola didn't run off with the baby.
"Got it."
Ian said, "What did Aunt Linlin say?"
"She said she'll send the girl over to meet Prince Loki as soon as possible."
Dorly added, "It'll still take some time. After all, the Whole Cake Island is much farther from Hive Island than we are from Elbaf."
Elbaf isn't very far from Hive Island, but Whole Cake Island is separated by the Wano Sea region.
"Let's hold the matchmaking ceremony here at your place, Ian. That should be fine, right?"
Brogy asked.
"Of course."
Ian smiled and looked back. "Did you hear that, Tesoro? Prepare a grand matchmaking ceremony."
"Leave it to me, Lord Ian."
Tesoro said seriously.
But in his heart, he couldn't help but feel some doubt.
Is it really okay to just let the Charlotte family and the Giant Kingdom's royal family arrange a marriage like this, Lord Ian?
If so, Charlotte Linlin will replace you as the closest person to the Giant Kingdom. They might even be better able to borrow the giants' power than us!
"That's fantastic!"
Loki was all smiles. "Ian, you really are Elbaf's best friend! I'll never forget your kindness this lifetime!"
Ian chuckled, "What kindness is that?"
He said, "Why don't you start preparing properly now, Prince Loki? I'll send someone to help you with your hair, take care of your skin, and prepare some new clothes."
"Is that so?"
Loki was instantly overjoyed, moved almost to tears. "That's wonderful! Ian, you really are a good friend of mine!"
"Tesoro."
Ian turned around.
"Leave it to me, Lord Ian."
Tesoro nodded knowingly. "I'll send someone over right away."
"Then just wait here for a moment, Prince Loki."
Ian smiled. "By the way, Solem, weren't you going to challenge Dorry and Brogy? Let's go."
"Oh, oh!!"
Solem was still reeling from the shocking news about Prince Loki and hadn't fully recovered. Hearing Ian's words, he hurriedly responded.
Prince Loki didn't mind and simply excitedly tidied his hair.
The group left the area.
"So," Ian casually asked, "what does the Giant King mean by that?"
Brogy and Dorry exchanged a glance before bursting into laughter. "No wonder you're Ian! You can't be fooled at all!"
Wasn't that obvious? If the Giant King wasn't willing, how could Prince Loki have shown up here?
Brogy explained, "The King means to stir things up a bit at this matchmaking event."
"I see."
Ian nodded. "Then let's wait until Aunt Linlin and the others arrive. At least we should see that girl first."
"Otherwise, even if we want to cause trouble, we wouldn't know where to start."
The two giants nodded repeatedly.
But honestly, doing nothing wouldn't be a problem either.
From the original story, Lola clearly has no interest in Prince Loki.
A noble daughter from a prestigious family rejecting the prince of the world's strongest country, and ending up marrying an officer from the Supernova pirate crew — now that's something special!
Besides, even if Lola really did marry Loki, Aunt Linlin probably wouldn't get her wish.
As everyone knows, the daughters of the Charlotte family all have rebellious streaks.
Chiffon is like that, Pudding too, and even Brûlée, who almost got married, is the same.
Lola is no exception—she's probably eager to break ties with the Charlotte family as soon as possible.
"So, there's no problem anymore, right?"
Solem laughed eagerly, unable to hold back, "Come on! Brother Dorry! Brother Brogy! Come and see my power now!"
"Gabababab! Then let's have a look, Dorry!"
Brogy laughed heartily, "Let's see what this kid can really do now!"
"Hehehe! It's about time this kid got a lesson! Brogy!" Dorry chuckled as well.
A fight was exactly what the giants were itching for.
So, shortly after—
On the wide open ground outside the Skull Building, Solem faced off against Dorry and Brogy.
Their friends immediately gathered to watch the excitement.
The island's pirates, of course, wouldn't want to miss it either.
"Is that Lord Solem and the two captains of the Giant Pirate Crew?"
The slender Durin's eyes gleamed with fanatic excitement, "This will definitely be a battle of dragons and tigers!"
"Let me see the true power of the giants!"
Flock pumped his fists excitedly, venting his fighting spirit.
Jinbe was much calmer, arms crossed, quietly watching, though even his eyes showed a spark of excitement.
"So, Solem," Dorry hefted his giant sword, "Who do you want to face? Me or Brogy?"
Solem suddenly grinned wickedly. "You two just team up against me then! Brother Dorry, Brother Brogy, hehe! I'll take you both on at the same time!"
Dorry and Brogy exchanged a glance, then both broke into sly smiles.
"That kid better not regret this!"
Since he said that so confidently, he must have some sort of trump card.
Dorry and Brogy didn't mind teaming up to give him a good beating.
"Hehehe! This is perfect!"
Solem laughed wildly. "Alright then, brothers! Here comes my attack!"
In the next moment, the golden aura around Solem exploded, breaking apart into countless specks of gold dust that quickly gathered into a raging storm.
A whirlwind of golden wind surged violently toward Dorry and Brogy.
From the sidelines, Ian shook his head in disbelief.
That Solem was truly a sneaky bastard.
The outcome was clear.
Dorry and Brogy raised their small round shields to block the golden storm, but such tiny shields were no match.
In an instant, the two were swallowed by the whirlwind.
Luckily, the storm was not as violent as it looked. Though it left their faces and clothes covered in gold flakes and dust, it caused no real harm.
The golden storm receded and returned to Solem's body, reforming into the golden ornaments he wore.
"What's going on?" Dorry asked, still confused. "Solem, is your technique all just for show?"
"Hehe, hehehe, hehehehehe!!" Solem burst into maniacal laughter. "Brother Dorry, Brother Brogy! It's already... over!"
With a casual snap of his fingers—
Dorry and Brogy's bodies froze in terror.
Their bodies suddenly began turning into gold!
From the neck down, they were almost completely transformed into golden statues.
Ian shook his head again.
The giants' raw combat strength was unquestionable.
But when faced with such strange and unpredictable abilities, all they could do was stand there clueless.
"Hee hee hee hee hee!"
Solem raised both hands high. "It's my victory!"
"Is... it over?"
Flock's expression fell.
This was nothing like what he had expected!
Not far from the Hive Island sea area, on a stretch of ocean, the Queen Mama Chanter cut through the waves as it sailed forward, humming a song.
Charlotte Linlin gently looked at the finely dressed girl before her, lovingly stroking her hair. "Lola, my dearest daughter, this time I'm counting on you."
Her beloved daughter's body was stiff, frozen in place, not daring to move.
**********
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