RNP Page 70
Page 70
Marigold, however, was petite and delicate, a stark contrast to the plump figure described in the original story.
Saying she's prettier than Hancock might be a bit of an exaggeration, but the two are definitely comparable.
Grossis stepped forward and looked him up and down:
"Is this the rare slave produced by the Kingdom of Women? It's really rare that you managed to get your hands on one."
Hancock quickly shielded her two younger sisters, her back ramrod straight, and watched Grossis warily in front of her.
Marigold gripped her sister's clothes tightly, her knuckles turning white.
Sandasonia stood close to Hancock, her chin slightly raised, but she couldn't stop her eyelashes from trembling.
Roswald stepped forward and proudly introduced:
"The area where they live is in the Calm Belt, and it's not easy to get in."
"I finally managed to capture my slave traders during their voyages at sea."
The other Celestial Dragons attending the banquet also gathered around, pointing and whispering about the three Boa sisters.
To these people, the slave's appearance, personality, strength, potential... are all unimportant.
What they value is novelty and scarcity.
Clearly, this rare identity from Amazon Lily has piqued everyone's interest.
Blake tapped his scepter lightly on the floor and spoke:
"You're saying this is a prize? Looks like you've also planned some kind of program?"
Roswald clapped his hands, and his servants immediately stepped forward to clean the area.
"Since everyone is satisfied, let's use traditional rules to decide their fate."
The Celestial Dragons are all extremely self-centered individuals, and in the course of long-term interaction, disagreements inevitably arise over the ownership of certain things.
If the Celestial Dragons were to personally intervene, it could be dangerous and could easily create irreconcilable hatred.
Over time, a set of methods for determining ownership of items was formed.
It's very simple: each of them sends out one slave to duel.
Even if the loser is the one who loses, they will only think about finding a stronger slave so they can win back the losses next time, and the conflict will not escalate to the Celestial Dragons.
In fact, if Musegard had expressed that he also had his eye on Shirahoshi and had won the duel...
Even if he released Shirahoshi afterward, it wouldn't have resulted in him losing his life.
Upon hearing Roswald's words, Black did not respond immediately. Instead, he slowly walked towards the iron cage, gently tapping the bars with the tip of his scepter, producing a crisp sound.
Hancock looked up and met his gaze.
Blake smiled at her.
Grossis, who was standing to the side, couldn't wait to say:
"Alright! Since that's the case, then I'll let 'Blood Axe' have some fun with you!"
"My 'Blood Axe' has won thirty consecutive matches in the arena!"
Grossis revealed a smug look, glanced around at everyone, and acted as if he had the upper hand.
A barely perceptible hint of disdain flashed in Blake's eyes, which Hancock, who was secretly observing him, noticed.
The gladiatorial arena in Mary Geoise was only slightly more prestigious than the modern-day Colosseum in Dressrosa.
Fisher Tiger might be considered the most powerful slave in Mary Geoise in recent decades.
The World Government's methods of controlling slaves have their limits. Once a slave becomes too powerful, neither Seastone nor explosive collars can completely restrain them.
If the chains are too loose, powerful slaves can easily escape.
If you lock yourself up too tightly, won't you become a prisoner?
What use is a slave who can't do anything?
Blake ordered his servants to go to his estate and bring Mandy over.
Mandy's current strength is definitely slightly inferior to Kuzan's, but it is still a waste of his talents to deal with these slaves.
Soon, Mandy arrived at the banquet hall, and Blake waved to her.
When the other person came closer, Blake whispered a few words in her ear.
She was instructed not to reveal the Ice-Ice Fruit's power, and not to easily defeat her opponent; it would be best to fight back and forth first.
Concealing one's strength is one aspect.
On the other hand, Blake was also thinking about whether he could use Mandy to trick them into doing something else next time.
Soon, Grossis's slave 'Blood Axe' appeared in the banquet hall.
Grossis looked at Blake smugly:
"How about it? This is my slave, 'Blood Axe'."
"Black Saint, why don't you just admit defeat?"
He glanced at Mandy, who stood expressionless beside Blake:
"Such a beautiful female slave shouldn't die in a place like the arena."
Blake chuckled softly:
"It's alright, I still have some confidence in my slaves."
A space had been cleared in the center of the banquet hall, and Mandy and Blood Axe walked forward together.
The sight of beauty and the beast before them elicited a gasp from the onlookers.
Mandy's height is not short for a woman; she is close to two meters tall.
But it appeared exceptionally slender in front of the five-meter-tall, muscular Blood Axe.
"Woman! You dare stand in front of me?"
"I'll chop you up right now!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the giant axe in his hand slammed down fiercely towards Mandy with tremendous force.
Mandy, however, moved her feet slowly and deliberately, the movement almost imperceptible.
This one step was all it took to avoid the Blood Axe's attack.
The giant axe cleaved the ground, shattering the banquet hall floor. Shards of metal splattered all over Mandy, but she didn't even blink.
The two then began to fight back and forth on the field.
Blood Axe wields a massive, three-meter-long, broad-bladed axe, his moves are wide and powerful, each strike carrying immense force.
Roswald’s banquet hall was quickly reduced to a wrecked state, and it was clear that it would have to be demolished and rebuilt after this.
As instructed by Blake, Mandy did not use any powerful moves.
Instead, just like when he faced Cyrus in Dressrosa, he kept inflicting wounds on his opponent.
The sword's edge continuously drew arcs of light.
A thin line appeared on Blood Axe's left cheek, and before the blood could drip, wounds burst open on his right shoulder and left knee.
Each sword strike penetrated only three-tenths of an inch into the flesh, like a surgeon's measuring ruler.
Blood Axe was furious at Mandy's agility and roared:
"You damn flea! Is all you can do to run?"
Upon hearing this, Mandy's eyes narrowed.
Blake told me to let him go, and I gave him a little more time to live, and you still dare to curse me?!
Just as Blood Axe raised his broadsword high above his head, gathering all his strength to strike Mandy, the latter's figure suddenly appeared in front of him.
With a flash of sword light, a small bloodstain appeared between Blood Axe's eyebrows.
Those around them saw Mandy slowly sheathing her sword and Blood Axe crashing to the ground, and they didn't understand what had happened.
Blake stepped forward and chuckled at Grossis:
"It seems I was luckier this time."
Chapter 92 Isn't this a waste?
The Shepard family is extremely powerful.
As far as Blake knew, there was one of the Five Elders and one member of the Knights of God.
However, regardless of the power of the other party's family, the Celestial Dragons are equal in principle.
Furthermore, while the various Celestial Dragon families are not exactly united, there is little infighting among them.
Even if it were just a minor conflict over slaves, or even a public brawl, the Shepard family would not cause trouble for Black.
Grossis, his face dark, cursed under his breath at Blood Axe's corpse:
He then left the banquet hall without looking back.
Blake pursed his lips:
"What a petty person. He's already leaving. I was hoping he'd find another slave and gamble with me on a few more Devil Fruits."
If Black hadn't appeared, the three Boa sisters would most likely have fallen into Grossis's hands.
Therefore, the Sweet-Sweet Fruit is most likely in their hands as well.
Black would prefer Hancock to eat the Rumble-Rumble Fruit or a Devil Fruit that would greatly enhance her physical abilities.
However, if the Sweet-Sweet Fruit were left with Grossis, who knows, he might just give it to one of his talentless slaves someday.
Isn't this a waste?
Feeding my slaves is the best way to make use of them!
But there's clearly no such opportunity right now, so we'll have to wait until next time.
Just then, Roswald swayed up to Blake, covered his mouth, and chuckled softly:
"Congratulations, Saint Black, these three rare slaves are now yours."
Blake snapped out of his daze and, forcing himself to suppress his nausea, nodded to Roswald.
"Then thank you very much, Roswald... Palace."
After giving a perfunctory reply, Blake led Mandy and the three Boa sisters away from Roswald Manor.
After leaving the house, Blake let out a long sigh of relief:
"This is so agonizing, I just want to punch this guy in the face."
Mandy's eye twitched, but she didn't answer.
Hancock followed closely behind with her two younger sisters.
It was late at night when they returned to the manor. Blake handed the three women over to Stella for arrangements, and then took Mandy back to their room.
As always, we can't rush the new slaves. Given time, they will naturally lower their guard.
The next morning, after breakfast, Blake lay in the yard sunbathing, while the three Boa sisters stood neatly to his side.
They clearly hadn't slept well last night, and looked somewhat haggard.
Blake glanced in their direction and pointed at Sandasonia:
"I don't like you. You're much less attractive than your older and younger sisters."
"Are you really sisters? How come you look so different?"
Robin, who was reading a book not far away, curled his lip, already used to Blake's double standards.
Upon hearing these words, the three sisters looked at Blake in horror, their bodies trembling involuntarily.
They had witnessed firsthand how the Celestial Dragons treated slaves; slaves who were disliked might be killed on the spot.
Blake smiled and waved to Hancock.
Hancock gritted her teeth, released her sisters' hands that were clutching her clothes, and slowly moved to stand in front of Black, bowing her head.