"I can't worry about that—I already have the lovesickness. If I can't stay by Lady Milim's side, I probably won't live much longer." Gloriosa was completely unconcerned about her "illness." In fact, because it gave her a reason to cling to Milim, her eyes were filled with unconcealable glee.
"Damn it! You're being completely irresponsible!" Shakky frowned in frustration, but there was nothing she could do. Gloriosa's words hit the nail on the head; afflicted with this "illness," it was impossible for her to stay away from Milim.
The two were still arguing heatedly when Milim, who couldn't stand the tense atmosphere, had already slipped out of the palace. The ever-carefree girl had no intention of getting involved in the aftermath.
The argument had barely paused for a few seconds when Gloriosa frowned, sharply realizing she could no longer sense Milim's presence in the palace.
She couldn't be bothered to argue with Shakky anymore. She shot up from the bed, the anger from their dispute instantly replaced by urgency and excitement. Without another word, she rushed out of the palace to search for Milim all over the Island of Women.
Milim walked the streets of the Island of Women and found it was exactly as the legends described: only women, not a single man in sight.
As she strolled, she got a clear picture of the environment, mentally comparing it: compared to the Island of Women, Totto Land could be considered a truly advanced nation.
The people here seemed to live in a primitive society; some women were even clad in animal skins.
But then she reconsidered. Gloriosa and the others were dressed exquisitely, so perhaps those in animal skins simply preferred that style.
As she wandered, a commotion drew her to a bustling location—the arena.
At that moment, two women were clashing fiercely in the center of the arena, their weapons coated in pitch-black Armament Haki. Sparks and shockwaves filled the air.
Curious, Milim found an empty seat and watched the battle below.
Although to Milim, the fight looked like children roughhousing, she did get to see Kuja Island's unique brand of Haki.
The aura was not strong, in fact, it was exceptionally weak. Even a newly awakened Armament Haki would be a trace stronger than theirs. This was likely the flaw in Kuja Island's training method.
She mused to herself: Armament Haki was a power that typically only Marine Vice Admirals and above could master, yet most of the women on Kuja Island could use it.
If everyone truly had the strength of a Vice Admiral, why would the World Government be the ones ruling the seas? Kuja Island would have conquered the Grand Line long ago.
Although she saw the shortcomings of the Kuja's Armament Haki, it didn't mean this unique training method was worthless.
Just then, the fight on the stage suddenly stopped. The two women left, and then two completely unexpected figures walked out.
The current empress of the Island of Women, Gloriosa, and the vice-captain of the Kuja Pirates, Shakky, entered the arena together.
Gloriosa looked up at Milim, who was sitting in the audience, a smile in her eyes. Shakky sighed deeply, looking at Gloriosa with a complicated expression.
While Gloriosa was searching for Milim, the two had continued their debate. In the end, Shakky truly understood that a woman in love is beyond reason.
In the end, Shakky finally relented.
On the Island of Women, the standard of beauty was strength. The stronger a woman was, the more beautiful she was—a fact acknowledged by everyone on the island.
Therefore, to become the next empress, one had to defeat the previous empress in front of everyone.
Gloriosa was eager to give up her position as empress today. This wasn't just because she was blinded by love.
It was also because she knew her position as empress wasn't entirely convincing. Shakky surpassed her in every aspect.
It was only because Shakky didn't want to be the empress that the position had fallen to her. There was a fire in Gloriosa's heart as well.
Her love for Milim had ignited that fire. Handing the Island of Women over to Shakky would not only grant her freedom but also give the nation a more brilliant empress.
It was a win-win situation, and Gloriosa had no reason not to do it.
Shakky looked at Gloriosa with a complicated expression. "Are you really sure about this? You're going to abandon your position as the empress of the Island of Women."
"Shakky, you know I'm not skilled in combat; my true talent lies in fortune-telling. In the past, no matter how many times I performed a divination, the result was always the same: I would never win the love of the person I desire." Gloriosa's brow furrowed slightly. This expression of a weeping beauty made all the spectators' hearts ache.
Shakky's expression was unreadable as she looked at Gloriosa, not understanding what she meant by this.
The tearful expression on Gloriosa's face instantly brightened. "Even now, I still believe in the results of my divination. I will not obtain the love I desire."
"Then why are you still going to leave with her?" Shakky's confusion deepened. She didn't understand. Was the magic of love really so powerful that it could make such a rational person so foolish?
"Even without romantic love, it doesn't matter. I will stay by Milim's side, and in the end, I will gain something that transcends love. We will truly become family." Gloriosa looked at Milim in the audience, the tenderness and affection in her eyes practically overflowing.
"Sigh!" Shakky slapped her forehead. "I really don't know what kind of curse our empresses are under. After just a few meetings, she can be so full of love for someone."
A relaxed smile appeared on Gloriosa's face. "Maybe when you become the empress, you'll also meet the one who will ruin your life."
"I don't want that. That's too foolish." Shakky couldn't imagine herself being like Gloriosa, giving her all to love someone she had just met.
Sitting in the audience, Milim's dragon ears, for once, didn't fail her. She heard every single word the two of them said.
"Is that so!" Milim murmured softly, a complex light in her eyes. Then, a happy smile immediately appeared on her face.
"Looks like I'm getting another family member!"
On the dueling stage, the two figures flickered, and a variety of gorgeous and beautiful martial arts were continuously displayed in the arena.
From the moment they saw the two begin to fight, everyone on the Island of Women understood what this meant.
The previously restless crowd grew quiet, and everyone watched the battle below with great seriousness.
As the fight continued, anyone who wasn't blind could see that Shakky was overwhelming Gloriosa.
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