Chapter 5 – The Princess's Pact
Without hesitation, Lucien steered the Little Proverb toward the direction of Whiskey Peak.
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In a secluded forest just outside the desert town of Whiskey Peak, three figures were huddled around a small campfire.
Igaram, with his signature curled wig, grilled freshly caught fish while chatting with Princess Vivi and her loyal mount, Karoo.
Vivi, with her elegant figure, light blue hair tied in a high ponytail, and soft blue eyes, sat quietly holding a grilled fish—but she wasn't eating. Her expression was heavy, conflicted.
"Igaram... this can't be true. Crocodile has always been Alabasta's protector... How could he be the leader of Baroque Works?"
Her voice trembled with disbelief. Crocodile, a national hero in the eyes of her people, had been her final hope in a crumbling kingdom.
"I understand, Princess Vivi," Igaram said solemnly, "But the intel is solid. That woman—Miss All Sunday—is his partner. We've confirmed it. The one behind Baroque Works is none other than a Warlord of the Sea... Sir Crocodile himself."
Vivi's hands tightened around her hair, and the grilled fish slipped from her fingers, forgotten. Her heart sank.
Suddenly, the sky above them darkened—not from clouds, but from something massive overhead. Vivi blinked and looked up.
A ship—flying through the sky.
The Little Proverb descended from the heavens like divine judgment.
Before she could react, a sharp bolt of lightning struck with brutal speed. In a flash, Igaram spasmed and collapsed, black smoke curling from his wig. Karoo flopped onto his back, equally unconscious.
"Igaram! Karoo!" Vivi cried out in alarm, her voice breaking.
"They're not dead—just sleeping," came a calm, deep voice.
From a burst of static, Lucien stepped out. His black hair flowed in the breeze, his dark eyes calm but unreadable. He stood with the aura of a king and the presence of something more.
"A divine being..." Vivi muttered involuntarily, frozen in place.
Lucien observed her silently, using his Haki to gauge her emotional state.
"You... Why did you attack us?" Vivi asked, backing away warily.
"Princess Vivi, or rather, Miss Wednesday. I'm here to make a contract with you. Those two would've interfered, so I've removed them from this conversation—for now."
Vivi's heart raced. "You... know my real name?"
"Of course. You are the crown princess of Alabasta, currently trying to expose Baroque Works. Your mission is noble, but doomed."
His words were blunt. Vivi's eyes widened.
"What kind of contract?"
Lucien raised his right hand. His palm turned downward—and then he pressed it down.
"God's Judgment."
A colossal bolt of lightning descended from the sky, striking the nearby forest with a thunderous boom. The impact left a smoldering crater, and the heat washed over Vivi's skin, lifting strands of her hair in the static-charged air.
She gawked at the destruction, stunned.
[This isn't a dream… He really controls lightning? He might really be able to defeat Crocodile…]
"Crocodile? A Warlord?" Lucien scoffed. "He's a second-rate thug playing god. If you choose me, I'll erase him and his little circus from the map."
"You want me... to become your consort?" she asked, biting her lip.
"Yes. Join me as a divine concubine, and I will personally crush every threat to Alabasta. This is my vow."
Vivi's fists clenched. If giving herself to this man could bring peace to her war-torn kingdom… she would do it.
[For my people… I'll make this sacrifice.]
She raised her head, eyes burning with resolve.
"If I agree… you'll protect Alabasta, drive out Baroque Works, and bring an end to the civil war?"
"I swear it," Lucien replied, his tone absolute. "My word is divine law."
Vivi took a deep breath.
"Then I accept. I will become your divine consort… But not before you keep your end of the deal. Help Alabasta first—prove that your power is more than just lightning and words."
Lucien smiled faintly, as if everything was proceeding exactly as planned.
"Very well, Princess. You've made the right choice."
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To be continued…