The forest was dense, with moonlight only managing to slip through the gaps between leaves, scattering patches of light across the moss-covered ground.
Bahr leaned casually against the thick trunk of an old camphor tree, his fingers idly playing with the white wings on Conis's back. The smug look on his face might as well have had "successfully schemed" written all over it.
As the old saying goes: "If she's inexperienced in the ways of the world, show her all its wonders." For an angelic girl like Conis, pure as a blank sheet of paper, just telling her some strange tales from the East Blue was enough to make her eyes widen like a child listening to bedtime stories.
With their back-and-forth conversation, the two naturally grew closer.
It had to be said—angelic girls gave off a unique feeling. Especially when he'd confirmed one thing: when an angel girl got excited, those wings on her back really would flutter rapidly, as if powered by tiny motors.
Bahr stroked the soft feathers of Conis's wings, finding her more and more amusing the more he thought about it. He decided to just come out with it: "Conis, how about coming with me to see the world?"
Having tasted the sweetness of spending time with her, he had already made up his mind—keeping this innocent angel girl by his side would surely add plenty of amusement to his journey.
Conis's cheeks were still flushed, as if she'd had a bit too much wine. At his words, she froze momentarily before lifting her gaze to meet Bahr's. Her long eyelashes fluttered like tiny fans as she bit her lower lip and whispered, "The wonders you speak of, Mr. Bahr... I'd love to see them more than anything. But I still want to stay here."
In this brief exchange, the fantastical sights Bahr described had indeed stirred ripples in her heart.
But more importantly, the debt she owed him for saving her father weighed as heavily as a mountain. Her half-hearted acceptance of his closeness was, in part, driven by a sense of gratitude.
Yet the thought of leaving behind the familiar Sky Island and her aging father to follow Bahr to distant lands was something she simply couldn't bring herself to do.
"What a shame," Bahr shrugged, the disappointment on his face genuine—though he didn't press further. A smirk tugged at his lips as his fingers lightly brushed the tips of her wings again. "Well, I'll be staying on this island for a few more days anyway. If you want to hear more stories, come find me anytime."
Conis's cheeks instantly bloomed with two bright spots of red, like clouds dyed by the setting sun. Her eyelids lowered as she let out a soft "Mm," her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her skirt.
Though pure of heart, she wasn't entirely naive. Stories were one thing, but those casual touches—how could she not understand their meaning?
Still, with the life-saving favor hanging over her, she didn't dislike this closeness. And she knew full well that this man with his perpetual smirk was merely a fleeting passerby in her life.
Moonlight filtered through the leaves, landing perfectly on Conis's face and making her already rosy cheeks glow like ripe apples, the flush spreading all the way down to her neck.
Bahr felt a sudden impulse and leaned in closer. "Conis, it's still early. Let's continue—"
Conis startled violently, her eyes going round. The blush drained from her face in an instant, leaving her deathly pale.
Hadn't they just settled down? Why was he starting up again already?
But before she could speak, Bahr covered her mouth, reducing her to muffled whimpers. The surrounding forest suddenly came alive with noise—the deafening chorus of insects seeming to provide chaotic accompaniment to the scene.
...
Early the next morning, just as the sun peeked over the horizon.
Bahr and his group arrived at the eastern coastline. In the distance, the Ark Maxim hovered above the sea of clouds, its golden hull reflecting the morning sun in a dazzling display.
The group stepped onto the ship via a barrier walkway, but froze the moment they reached the deck.
Good grief—the deck was packed with hundreds of people.
Enel was sprawled across the Golden Divine Seat, lazily munching on an apple with one leg crossed over the other, not even bothering to lift his eyelids. His voice was languid: "They are all this god's servants. I plan to take them to the Blue Sea to embark on a new journey."
Bahr scanned the crowd and immediately recognized Ohm's iron mask, Shura's long blade, as well as Gedatsu and Satori. The rest were guards bearing the sheep-head insignia—clearly Enel's old subordinates.
In the pirate world, people rarely died in fights. These guys had probably lost their battles, had nowhere else to go, and jumped at the chance when they saw their boss's ship arrive.
"Fine, whatever floats your boat." Bahr shrugged, indifferent. The ship was huge anyway; having a few hundred extra hands to handle chores might actually make things easier.
Just then, as if suddenly remembering something, he raised his voice: "By the way, how's the ship's condition?"
"The keel's intact, but the main sail's torn." Enel casually tossed the apple core onto the deck and tapped the armrest of the Divine Seat with his fingertips. "This god has calculated—five days are enough for these servants to repair it."
"Alright, that's your job then." Bahr let out a big yawn, his eyes glistening slightly with drowsy tears as he stretched. "I'm gonna catch some more sleep. Don't bother me unless it's important."
With that, he led the way toward the cabins.
Miss. Valentine immediately swayed her hips and pressed close, her perfume mingling with the cloying sweetness of lemon candy as she deliberately drawled, "Boss~ I'm scared sleeping alone in that big room. Can I squeeze in with you?"
Without turning his head, Bahr casually wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her into his embrace. "Suit yourself."
He didn't mind this clingy "lemon fairy" cozying up to him. After all, the way her eyes sparkled with a plea for affection when she acted spoiled was admittedly flattering.
A woman who knows how to act coquettishly gets the best treatment!
Miss. Valentine instantly beamed like a flower in bloom, practically hanging off Bahr's arm, her nose almost brushing against his neck. "I knew you'd be the best to me, Boss~!"
See? That angel woman was nothing but a passing cloud. The way the boss held her with such indulgent ease—she was clearly his favorite.
The four God Enforcers and guards stared at the retreating backs of Bahr's group as they entered the cabins, their eyes filled with unease.
Last night, their "god" Enel had explicitly mentioned forming an alliance with the Blue Sea people. But this scene didn't sit right at all—that Blue Sea man spoke to Enel with such casualness, without a shred of reverence for a god.
Ohm subconsciously adjusted his sunglasses, his brows furrowed.
Earlier, when the Blue Sea man said, "You handle the ship," their "god" had merely grunted lazily in response, not even pausing as he bit into his apple!
Shura's knuckles turned white around his iron spear. He stole a glance at Enel on the Golden Divine Seat, but the latter didn't seem the least bit bothered by Bahr's domineering attitude.
Gedatsu and Satori exchanged a look, both seeing the same confusion reflected in each other's eyes.
What kind of alliance is this? Clearly, that Blue Sea dweller is the one giving orders.
Could it be that this Blue Sea man called Bahr is even more powerful than their "God" Enel? Would their leader now be replaced by this man from the Blue Sea?
"Hmm."
A light hum came from the Golden Divine Seat, its trailing tone carrying a lazy yet oppressive authority. The four God Enforcers and guards immediately fell silent, not daring to even breathe loudly.
Enel glanced at them, completely indifferent to their reactions. He leaned back on the divine seat, crossed his legs, and continued munching on the apple in his hand, not caring as juice dribbled down the corner of his mouth.
"A bunch of ignorant fools," he muttered inwardly, feeling it would be a waste of time to explain anything to them.
He simply couldn't be bothered to argue with Bahr—it wasn't worth getting worked up over such trivial matters.