Lucia fastened the last button on Lloyd's coat, then stepped back a few paces, examining him carefully from head to toe.
"Lloyd San, you look incredibly handsome in this outfit," she said, her voice soft but sincere.
Lloyd slipped on a pair of black boots and approached the full-length mirror. In the reflection, he was all in black, tall, slender, and imposing.
Lucia moved behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist. Lloyd naturally placed his hand over hers. The two shared a quiet, intimate moment before leaving, mindful of the important matters awaiting them.
When they encountered Garling again, he too wore black attire of the same style. Behind him trailed a broad, golden-armored guard with a helmet.
The guard bowed respectfully to Lloyd.
"Saint Lloyd, I am Carlos, captain of the first guard team," he said.
The Figarland Family maintained five guard teams in total. Teams one, three, and five were under Garling's command, while two and four were assigned by him to Gulando. Team three had effectively been handed to Lloyd, though the captain of that team was Lucia, so the transition was seamless.
Garling sized up Lloyd, noting his transformation, and a look of approval crossed his face.
"Good. This is how a member of the Figarland Family should present themselves."
Lloyd put a hand in his pocket and said casually,
"I expected some fat white sack with a fishbowl on the head."
Garin's eyes narrowed. "Don't speak nonsense. No one here wears such trappings. That kind of outfit… is acceptable!"
"Uncle Garling, you hesitated just now, didn't you? I've never seen you in that attire. Doesn't it suit you?"
Garling glared. "You should be thankful you are my nephew. Even in Mary Geoise, few dare speak so freely to me."
Yet, he failed to intimidate Lloyd. The young man merely laughed.
"But who made me your nephew? Uncle Garling, you'll just have to endure it."
Lloyd stepped forward, and Lucia hurried to keep pace.
"Lloyd San, do you know the way?" she asked.
Garling, watching his nephew's back, gradually relaxed. He shook his head lightly and chuckled,
"This feeling is… quite pleasant."
Carlos, captain of the first team, stole a glance at Garling, astonished. Saint Garling, always formidable and awe-inspiring, had a side no one had seen before.
Garling clasped his hands behind his back, appearing formal yet still in his prime. He seemed to recall something and murmured softly as Lloyd's figure began to fade from sight,
"It would be even better if that boy could always be by my side."
---
Inside the Celestial Dragons' Council Hall, a dozen Celestial Dragons dressed in futuristic suits sat around a rectangular table, all eyes on the small boy standing at one end.
The boy had short blond hair and oval sunglasses perched on his face. Though young, he held himself with defiance. A faded shirt, marked with stubborn bloodstains, clung to him.
He gripped a severed head in his hand, standing alone under the mocking and contemptuous gazes of the Celestial Dragons.
Saint Saturn, expressionless, stood behind the table, arms folded.
The boy's hand trembled slightly as he lifted his head and croaked,
"Are you going to let me return, or not? Haven't I done enough?"
No one paid him attention. The Celestial Dragons were distracted, displaying the new slaves they had acquired that day.
Just as the boy felt despair creeping in, Saint Saturn spoke, voice measured,
"Doflamingo, you should wait patiently. Your matter cannot be settled until Saint Garling arrives."
"Why!?" Doflamingo roared, his frustration bubbling.
"Because you killed a Celestial Dragon. Should he find you guilty, you will not only be barred from Mary Geoise, but will also… be executed on the spot."
A cold shiver ran down Doflamingo's spine. He already regretted returning. The sensation of his fate being controlled by others was unbearable, each second torturous.
Then, measured footsteps echoed through the hall. The doors opened, and a burly man in golden armor entered.
Doflamingo swallowed nervously. Though he had heard Saint Garling's name from Saint Hognom while in the Holy Land, he had never seen him.
For a moment, he thought the armored man was Garling, but the figure merely stood at attention by the door, waiting.
The previously noisy Celestial Dragons fell silent. A few craned their necks curiously.
Tap, tap. Two slender figures entered the hall—Garling and Lloyd, uncle and nephew.
Carlos, the golden-armored guard, had opened the door earlier and now withdrew respectfully. Lucia remained outside.
The Celestial Dragons were stunned. They whispered among themselves, speculating on Lloyd's identity.
Garling did not speak. He led Lloyd to two vacant seats at the lower left of Saint Saturn.
Saint Saturn's gaze lingered on Lloyd before he addressed Garling,
"Saint Garling, you've finally arrived. Shall we introduce the person beside you?"
Garling crossed his arms and glanced at Lloyd.
"This is my nephew, Lloyd of the Figarland Family."
Lloyd crossed his arms, nodding slightly, acknowledging the introduction.
Their casual demeanor contrasted sharply with the formal, tense atmosphere, creating a stir among the Celestial Dragons.
Whispers spread rapidly:
"Saint Garling's nephew? That makes him the sole heir of the Figarland Family."
"Oh my god! I almost forgot he had a nephew. I never expected to see him today!"
"Saint Lloyd is young, and bears a striking resemblance to Garling, though his hairstyle is ordinary."
"Let's introduce ourselves to him later. He'll likely be the next commander!"
Several Celestial Dragons moved closer, eager to speak with Lloyd.
Doflamingo, meanwhile, remained frozen, jealousy and envy burning within him as he watched Lloyd effortlessly draw attention from the powerful Celestial Dragons.
_____
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