After examining Meiser thoroughly from head to toe, Granny Nyon said, "Just how much wealth did you plunder from those Celestial Dragons?"
Spending in units of billions right from the start... This was simply too extravagant!
"Hmm..."
Meiser thought carefully for a moment before replying, "If some antiques can fetch good prices, it should be around a hundred billion."
His words immediately drew shocked expressions from everyone in the room.
A hundred billion?
That was absolutely terrifying!
"Did you empty out all of Mary Geoise?!" Granny Nyon exclaimed in astonishment.
"Impossible." Meiser shook his head. "This is just the wealth from seven Celestial Dragons."
If he had truly emptied Mary Geoise, the unit would have been in trillions.
"Even so, that's still outrageous..."
This was one hundred billion we're talking about!
"No wonder they're Celestial Dragons..." Sandersonia swallowed hard. "They're just so wealthy."
At this moment, Sandersonia fully understood what true extravagance meant.
"They're indeed wealthy." Meiser nodded. "It's just a pity I couldn't kill a few more Celestial Dragons, otherwise I could have gotten even more."
Hearing Meiser's words, Granny Nyon showed a hint of helplessness on her face. Was he still not satisfied?
This boy was truly greedy...
"Brother-in-law, what about our gifts?" Sandersonia asked cautiously.
"Right here."
Sandersonia was momentarily stunned. Right here?
Did he mean that pile of gifts or the gold and jewels?
"Didn't you hear what your brother-in-law said?" Hancock pointed at the treasure pile. "Go pick what you like from there."
"Yes, thank you, Brother-in-law! Thank you, Sister!" Sandersonia said.
She then pulled Marigold toward the distant treasure pile.
However, they didn't take things like gold, showing more interest in gems and weapons instead.
"This long sword looks quite impressive, I'll take this one!"
"Then I want this big blade!"
Listening to the conversation between the Marigold sisters in the distance, Merry looked up and asked, "Can I go too?"
"Of course."
Meiser crouched down and ruffled Little Merry's hair. "Go ahead."
Getting the affirmative answer, Merry immediately showed a delighted expression and trotted over to where the Marigold sisters were. "Does Merry have anything she likes?"
"Let me see..."
Merry looked up for a while before pointing at a bluebird necklace. "I want that one!"
Hearing this, Marigold glanced in the direction she was pointing, then reached out to get it for her before helping Merry put it around her neck.
Looking at the bluebird necklace, a smile appeared on Merry's face. "Hehe, it's so pretty~"
"I think so too~" Marigold laughed.
"That necklace is truly exquisite." Sandersonia nodded, then picked up the sword in her hand and said, "But this sword of mine is quite remarkable too!"
"Indeed it is."
Listening to the three girls chattering in the distance, a smile appeared on Meiser's face. He then turned to Granny Nyon and said, "Granny Nyon, aren't you going to pick something out?"
"I'm not particularly interested in these gold and jewels." Granny Nyon shook her head.
At her age, what use did she have for such treasures?
Seeing Granny Nyon's stance, Meiser didn't press further. Instead, he walked over to the mountain of gifts piled nearby and said, "Then take a look at these, Granny Nyon."
As he spoke, Meiser retrieved some gifts he had originally intended for Granny Nyon from the pile and gestured for her to examine them.
After glancing at the gifts in Meiser's hands, Granny Nyon's lips curved into a smile. "These are quite nice. I like them."
Tobacco, alcohol, sweets, and tea... they suited her tastes perfectly.
"I'm glad you like them," Meiser said with a laugh.
He held great respect for this elder.
After selecting a few items she particularly favored, Granny Nyon turned and headed outside.
Noticing this, Meiser picked out some gifts he had prepared for Hancock and signaled for her to follow.
"There are gifts for me too?" Hancock's face lit up with surprise.
"Of course," Meiser nodded. "How could I forget you?"
Hearing this, Hancock's eyes shimmered with emotion. Having a man like this... was truly wonderful!!
Meiser chuckled at her reaction, then turned to Sandersonia and the other two. "Remember to take these gifts with you when you leave. They're for you as well."
"Understood, thank you, Brother-in-law (Meiser)!"
"Mm, keep browsing."
"Alright!"
The three of them continued circling the treasure pile, searching for items that caught their interest.
Shaking his head slightly, Meiser led Hancock—who seemed lost in thought—away from the scene.
"Are we having another banquet today?"
"Banquet?"
Overhearing a warrior's remark, Enishida paused for a moment before murmuring, "That's possible... Last time Lord Meiser returned, Lady Hancock ordered a banquet. She might do the same again this time."
The thought sparked a glimmer of anticipation in Enishida's eyes.
Just then, Hancock's voice echoed from inside the chamber.
"Enishida, come in!"
"Yes, Serpent Princess!"
Snapping to attention, Enishida turned without another word and hurried inside.
Upon entering the Chamber, Enishida asked, "Serpent Princess, what are your orders?"
"Fetch some wine for me," Hancock commanded.
"At once, Serpent Princess!"
Without hesitation, Enishida turned and departed to carry out the task.
"Why the sudden urge for wine?" Granny Nyon asked, giving Hancock a puzzled look.
"I was thinking Meiser hasn't rested properly in days. Wine will help him sleep," Hancock explained.
If he drank tea, he might struggle to fall asleep, so wine was the better choice.
"That makes sense," Granny Nyon agreed with a nod.
Wine truly did aid sleep.
At that moment, Meiser showed a strange expression as he recalled the special drink Shakky had given him earlier.
'If I drink this... I probably won't be able to sleep,' Meiser thought to himself.
Never mind, I'll deal with it another day.
"What are your plans for these two years?" Granny Nyon asked Meiser.
Hearing Granny Nyon's question, Hancock also turned her attention to Meiser, wanting to hear his thoughts.
"I plan to learn Haki from Rayleigh first," Meiser said.
"Learn Haki from him?"
Hancock was momentarily stunned, then showed a displeased expression. "Why learn Haki from that old man? I can teach you too."
Although her Haki skills weren't as good as Rayleigh's, they were still quite impressive.
"Learn from you..."
"Yes, my Haki is very strong too!" Hancock nodded seriously.
As she spoke, she demonstrated her Armament Haki to Meiser, adding, "You should know how powerful my Haki is."
"That's true."
He did indeed know how strong Hancock's Haki was - after all... he had personally experienced its power with his own body!
So learning both types of Haki from her wouldn't be a problem.
"Then you're willing to learn from me?" Hancock said excitedly.
"I..."
Before Meiser could finish, Granny Nyon interjected, "I don't think that's appropriate."
Hearing this, Hancock's face immediately fell, and she looked at Granny Nyon with a displeased expression, as if saying: What good does it do you to separate me from Meiser?
Ignoring Hancock's gaze, Granny Nyon looked at Meiser and said, "Hancock is indeed very strong, but her Haki skills can't compare to Rayleigh's."
"If you want to become a top-tier fighter, it would be best to train with Rayleigh for some time."
Opportunities to learn from top-tier fighters like this were rare, and she hoped Meiser would make the most of it.
Meiser fell silent for a moment upon hearing this, then nodded. "That's true indeed."
To train his Haki to its strongest potential, it would be best to train with Rayleigh for some time.
Of course, it would be even better if he could learn Conqueror's Haki Infusion.
Thinking this, Meiser said, "Then I'll go train with Rayleigh for a while first."
"But don't worry, it won't be more than a year at most."
This last sentence was clearly directed at Hancock.
Hearing this, Hancock frowned - she really didn't want to be separated from Meiser.
But since Meiser had said so, she couldn't object further, so she nodded and said, "Alright... then I'll personally see you off when the time comes."
"Okay."
Meiser nodded, then smiled. "It would be even better if I could learn Conqueror's Haki Infusion within this year."
If he couldn't, he would return and focus entirely on researching other Ninjutsu to see if he could develop Wood Release.
"Conqueror's Haki Infusion?"
Granny Nyon was stunned, then looked at Meiser in shock. "You've awakened Conqueror's Haki?!"
"Huh?"
"Didn't I mention that before?"
"No, you didn't."
Meiser: ...
Thinking back carefully, he realized he hadn't actually mentioned it during their earlier conversation.
"You have Conqueror's Haki too, Meiser." Hancock propped her chin, gazing at Meiser with infatuation as she said: "As expected of my man!"
Seeing Hancock's lovestruck expression, Granny Nyon shook her head helplessly before turning to Meiser: "When did you awaken your Conqueror's Haki?"
"During that fight at Mary Geoise," Meiser replied. "That's when I awakened it."
Recalling the earlier events, a faint smile appeared on Meiser's face as he said: "This counts as an unexpected gain."
Seeing Meiser's smile, Granny Nyon also showed a smile.
Then she remarked with emotion: "With this, you've obtained the qualification to reach the pinnacle of this world!!"
As someone who had lived through the previous era, she understood perfectly what Conqueror's Haki meant to top-tier fighters.
"Conqueror's Haki Infusion, you mean."
"Correct." Granny Nyon nodded. "It's an extremely powerful force. If you can master it... defeating an Admiral wouldn't be impossible!"
Hearing Granny Nyon's words, Meiser's eyes began to gleam.
"Defeating an Admiral..."
That's quite tempting.
At that moment, Hancock asked: "Can I learn this power too?"
"That's unclear." Granny Nyon shook her head. "Whether one can master this power mainly depends on individual talent."
While there were quite a few people on the seas who possessed Conqueror's Haki, those who could actually use Conqueror's Haki Infusion could be counted on one hand, so she couldn't say for sure whether Hancock could do it.
Hancock fell silent for a moment upon hearing this, then said: "Then I'll ask Rayleigh when we go to him."
If she also had this qualification, she could train there together with Meiser... that way... she wouldn't have to be separated from Meiser!
Thinking this, Hancock's eyes showed a smile again, and her entire being became more energetic than before.
"Then you can ask him when the time comes," Granny Nyon said.
If Hancock truly mastered this power, their Kuja Island wouldn't need to worry about enemies at the level of Marine Admirals anymore.
Just then, Enishida entered carrying drinks, respectfully placing the vessels on the table.
"Try this," Hancock said as she poured Meiser a drink. "This is my usual favorite wine."
Meiser took the cup and tasted it, his eyes lighting up: "The flavor is really good."
Very smooth - as this thought surfaced in Meiser's mind, he instinctively glanced at Hancock, and the same two words appeared in his eyes.
"Right? It's quite delicious~"
A smile appeared on Hancock's face as she poured herself a cup too, taking an enjoyable sip.
Enishida, who had witnessed everything, fell completely silent.
The Serpent Princess not only poured wine for herself, but also poured wine for Lord Meiser?
The Serpent Princess has really changed so much...
"Stop spacing out."
Granny Nyon patted Enishida and said: "Help me bring these things over to my place."
With so many items, it would be difficult for her to carry them all, so she might as well have Enishida help handle it.
Enishida glanced at the gifts Granny Nyon pointed to, then nodded. "Yes, I'll go right away."
Seeing Enishida about to leave, Hancock set down her wine glass and said, "Enishida, go prepare the bath for Meiser."
Enishida paused briefly before nodding. "Understood, Serpent Princess."
The woman then took Granny Nyon's gifts and left.
"Taking a bath now?" Meiser turned to look at the sky outside. Wasn't this a bit too early?
Hearing Meiser's words, Hancock's expression suddenly became somewhat unnatural.
Then she said in an exceptionally gentle tone, "An early bath means an early rest~"
"A bath would be good," Granny Nyon agreed with a nod. "It'll help relieve fatigue."
Meiser probably hadn't rested properly these past few days, so a bath was indeed a good choice.
"Well..." Meiser thought for a moment before nodding. "Alright."
A bath would be good, that way he could rest earlier too...
Hmm?
Was there something unusual about Hancock's expression?
After watching Hancock for a while, a phrase suddenly popped into Meiser's mind.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder!
At that moment, Meiser seemed to understand what Hancock intended to do.
But... this was exactly what he wanted too!
Just then, Hancock drained her glass in one gulp.
She stood up and said, "Come, Meiser, I'll personally scrub your back~"
Hearing this, Meiser's lips curved upward. "Alright~"
It seemed he wouldn't have any free time for a while. But never mind, he'd just treat it as taking some time off. Meiser then picked up his glass, finished the wine, and followed Hancock as they left together.
"Let's go!"
"Alright!!"
"Hmm?"
Granny Nyon, watching the two depart, clearly had several question marks floating above her head.
Were those two speaking in some kind of code just now?
Thinking this, Granny Nyon fell into deep contemplation.
Unable to figure it out, she decisively shook her head, then turned and walked away with her Serpent Cane.
"Off I go~"
"Time for some tea at home~"