First of all, it must be said that Alice is an extraordinarily beautiful and sexy woman, especially with her cold demeanor which can evoke a strong desire to conquer in some powerful men. However, it is obvious that this woman has some issues, as Rosen has realized before that fear can trigger a kind of erotic psychology. This is a phenomenon that often arises in the aftermath of life-and-death situations, but Rosen does not believe that this woman fears death. In other words, it is unlikely for her to feel fear; therefore, if she expresses this thought, it must be her true belief, perhaps as a result of efforts to create a super soldier since childhood? What kind of values has this woman accepted over the years?
Rosen feels no attraction at all and has not even contemplated if there is any love in the pirate world, which is greatly related to the trends of the times. In the Age of Pirates, life and death have become commonplace; wealth, fame, and strength dominate priorities while love appears trivial, or in other words, in this world, few are willing to spend time on matters of love. If everyone in the pirate world were gamblers, then love would merely be the cup of water they sip occasionally during gambling. After securing wealth, fame, strength, and other accessories, one can obtain love and allegiance effortlessly. This point can be confirmed by observing that many of the world's powerful figures remain single to this day, showing that the pursuit of strength and wealth has become the mainstream of this era.
Apart from feeling somewhat differently about Robin, Rosen has not yet developed any interest in other women, based on his realizations and emotions before crossing over.
"What? You're planning to have children with Sister Alice? Then what about me? Sister Alice, will you still teach me how to use daggers? I still have so much to learn!" Natalie glanced back and forth between Rosen and Alice, sensing some sort of crisis.
"Don't listen to her nonsense." Rosen said, exasperated. Moreover, the child is only concerned if she can learn more, shouldn't one considered inheritance have any real secret teachings?
"Alice, you…" Lisa and Hodman looked shocked at Alice, who appeared to expect this as something entirely reasonable. With Alice's strength and appearance, many suitors eager to establish a family and raise strong offspring exist, but no one dares to bring it up unless they seek their doom. Yet Alice has brought it up herself and was met with disdain instead of rejection—it was far more humiliating.
"I realize this may be hard for some to accept in an instant, but with time…" Alice maintained her icy demeanor, yet to her, this seemed quite normal. Cultivating strong warriors is the only pathway for Lantis to eventually break through the Navy's blockade and attain freedom. Take Natalie for instance; once she reaches around ten years old, she would head to the Queen's base, namely Garden Nine, for bloodline strengthening—awaking potential and augmenting strength. This matter has always been prioritized by the Queen and their military branch. In reality, they, along with a few strong allies, could break through the Navy's blockade fairly easily.
However, Lantis Island is not populated solely with top-tier warriors but also numerous survivors and civilians whom the Queen cannot abandon, nor can Alice.
"If there's nothing else, please leave. Your service as a subordinate can be considered, but as a partner, let it go; we're not suited for that." Rosen said unperturbed, without internal tremors.
Indeed, if one purely considers combat capability, Alice could definitely be a super powerhouse as a subordinate. But to have a child solely to create a super soldier holds no interest for him—he feels completely detached.
"That won't do; you're not the Queen, and only Her Majesty is fit to be our leader." Alice declared resolutely, her eyes fervent.
"We shall take our leave now." Hodgman noticed that Rosen had issued a dismissal, so they didn't linger, but he couldn't help smiling slightly; he would be pleased if Alice happened to find a suitable match. However, no matter how one views it, such a union was virtually impossible. Alice's emotions continue to wane, leading him to wonder if she might one day become a fighting machine devoid of all feeling; this is a concern he harbors.
Before calamity struck, Alice was not even a warrior, merely a delicate young lady from an affluent background. Her transformation into a fighter possessing this current strength did not come easily; she sacrificed far too much.
"Hmph, remember not to die tomorrow, at least not so swiftly." Alice shot a glance at Rosen, leaving that parting words, and exited along with Hodgman.
Is this concern? No, certainly not, based on her inability to conceal her true feelings, it evidently reveals her unwillingness to abandon her ambitions to create super soldiers. This woman certainly has some quirks; the less contact they have in the future, the better to avoid any troublesome entanglements. Nevertheless, it leaves him puzzled if he could steal away this powerhouse instead; they still need more combat personnel on the ship.
Meanwhile, what occupies Rosen's thoughts is a plan that Alice has hinted at: the super soldier! He isn't quite sure what that entails, but it is definitely related to the Queen and has influenced the mindset of the Queen's guards, willing to pay any price, even for their bodies or lives.
His impression of the Queen revolves solely around her strength and her ruthless decisiveness. Currently, he has no other insights, but she is definitely a formidable adversary. Additionally, some of the actions she has taken have drawn his attention. Control over the bloodline factor technology and her command over external trade from Lantis Island can almost be described as wielding the lives of all survivors; now there's news of a super soldier plan?!
Does this reflect an overwhelming desire for control on her part? Or is it harboring some deep secret? No matter the circumstances, this is a woman that must not be underestimated.
"Uncle, how do you think my bandaging turned out?" Natalie finished wrapping up Rosen's arm.
In truth, there are other injuries, but they aren't serious. The impacts from the collision with Charles cause an internal shock, but with some relaxation, the activated X2 would lend its healing capabilities. However, the arm's wound is slightly deeper, though not vital; still, recovery takes time, and it could progress more swiftly with medication.
"That's acceptable, huh? What about the wraps…?" Rosen observed the bandaged arm, seemingly fine, about to loosen his grip.
"Um, I forgot to secure it…" Natalie hurriedly rewrapped the ends of the bandage tighter.
---
Out on the surface of Lantis Island, within densely packed hills, a troop of a hundred freely maneuvers undisturbed. Regular zombie tides cannot keep pace with their speed and ferocity. All lone threats in their path are swiftly eliminated.
"Your Majesty, there are no traces of Charles. Getting any closer brings us to the gap of the Abyss." Morad's face was serious, his ears slightly twitching.
He possesses the abilities of the Hearing Fruit, which grants him sense capabilities on par with Observation Haki. By using his ears, he can detect movements from nearby creatures; from breaths, airflow fluctuations, and sounds transmitted by air reverberations, he can perceive anything unheard by others and make precise judgments.
He can determine the number of individuals afar just from the air tremors—even distinguishing male from female from basic hissed breaths; yet tracking Charles remained elusive.
"What an excellent opportunity we've missed." The Queen, Hathaway, frowned, gazing at the blood mist and the dense fog cloaking the Abyss. That place isn't somewhere she dares to venture lightly; it is verily Charles's territory, possibly instigating the emergence of powerful undead as his subordinates at any time. What's more, these night operations are nothing less than deployments with a new breed of horned demon which originally came from mermaids. Could it be that Charles is considering an escape from Lantis Island?
If the main base is attacked, anything other than herself might face total defeat, ending up fruitless from pursuit this far.
"Your Majesty, we should return; the night does not seem peaceful, and unexpected incidents may occur in the Ninth Garden," Morad advised respectfully, bowing his head.
Suddenly, Hathaway's gaze turned icy as she focused intently on Morad: "It won't be peaceful, Commander Morad; once you arbitrarily take men off of Lantis Island, you're aware of what that signifies, aren't you? You shouldn't still be living."
"Your Majesty!!" Morad hurriedly flicked his head toward Queen Hathaway.
(End of Chapter)