Karl carefully lifted the smooth arm draped over his chest and tried to move away quietly.
Still—
Hancock stirred.
"Mmm… Darling… is it morning already?"
"Yes," Karl chuckled. "Wake up, you little lazy pig."
Hancock puffed her cheeks and burrowed back into his arms.
"Hmph! I'm not a pig!"
After another round of shameless cuddling, they finally got up.
The cloud-bed was incredibly soft—far more comfortable than anything from the Blue Sea.
Hancock suddenly tilted her head.
"Why is the lamp glowing? Is it… out of electricity?"
She pointed at the shell embedded in the lamp post.
Karl laughed.
"Skypiea doesn't use electricity. These are Dial shells—this one stores light during the day and releases it at night."
He paused.
Then his eyes lit up.
Holy Light… was also light.
What if—
He immediately condensed a small sphere of golden Holy Light and pressed it toward the lamp shell.
At first—
Nothing happened.
Karl almost tried stuffing it directly inside.
No response.
He was about to give up—
Then he noticed sunlight pouring through the window.
"Wait…"
He drew the curtains.
The room dimmed instantly.
Only the golden glow in his palm illuminated the space.
And then—
The Dial reacted.
If his Holy Light were smoke—
The Dial became a vacuum.
It absorbed strand after strand of golden radiance until the entire sphere vanished.
Then it fell silent again.
Karl slowly grinned.
He handed the shell to Hancock.
"Press that."
Hancock gently pushed the small switch-like protrusion.
Click.
Blazing golden light exploded outward.
The entire room was bathed in radiant brilliance.
Hancock covered her mouth in shock.
"Darling… this light… it has your power."
"I feel… slightly stronger."
Karl felt it too.
The Dial's output carried roughly 63% of his Holy Light's effect.
Considering his direct amplification reached about 75%—
That was astonishing efficiency.
A grin spread across his face.
"If we gather enough of these… we can manufacture Holy Light Dials."
"And Healing Dials."
He had already named them.
Holy Light Dial – enhances physical strength.
Holy Healing Dial – restores injuries.
Temporary combat boosts.
Life-saving restoration.
In other words—
Hard currency.
Absolute monopoly.
Only the Holy Light Fruit could produce them.
Karl threw his head back and laughed.
"Hancock—we're going to be rich."
Hancock's eyes sparkled.
"You mean… we can sell these?"
Karl nodded.
"Tell me—what's the price of a second life?"
She thought carefully.
"Maybe… one million Berries?"
Karl waved a finger.
"Too small-minded."
"Ten million wouldn't be unreasonable."
"After all—life only happens once."
Hancock blinked.
"Ten million? Who would buy that?"
Karl smiled.
"This world has no shortage of wealthy people."
"And the World Government would absolutely want these."
"One contract with them—steady income."
Hancock, however, cared little for money.
If asked to choose between Karl and all the Berries in the world—
She'd choose Karl.
Still—
She was excited.
Angel Island
Below, Gan Fall hovered in the sky atop his peculiar flying horse.
Citizens gathered, whispering anxiously.
"Isn't that Gan Fall?"
"Isn't he afraid the 'God' will strike him down?"
"Wait—listen!"
Gan Fall raised his voice.
"People of Skypiea!"
"From this day forward, Enel and his priests have left this land!"
"You are free!"
An uproar erupted.
"He left?!"
"Impossible!"
"But… there's no thunder…"
"No divine punishment…"
Gan Fall waited for the murmurs to quiet.
He then explained everything—
About Karl.
About the transfer of authority.
About the coming transition.
To the people, it was simple:
One god had left.
Another would come.
But perhaps this one was not a tyrant.
Gan Fall bowed deeply.
"Until the new guardian arrives, I shall temporarily oversee Angel Island."
"If I am unworthy—choose another."
Voices immediately rose in support.
Gan Fall still held respect among them.
He clenched his fist.
"I swear—you will no longer live in fear."
Cheers followed.
Back at the Inn
Karl observed from afar and smiled faintly.
"Gan Fall is a decent man."
Hancock nodded.
"Yes."
"But his strength is insufficient."
"To maintain peace—one must possess the power to protect it."
She lowered her gaze slightly.
"If I were as strong as you…"
"Amazon Lily wouldn't need to relocate."
Karl stepped closer.
He lifted her chin gently.
"Strength isn't measured only by power."
"You already protect your people."
"With your will."
"With your resolve."
"And with your love."
Hancock's eyes softened.
But Karl's expression shifted slightly.
And a new thought formed behind that calm smile.
Skypiea.
Holy Light Dials.
A hidden base in the sky.
A steady revenue stream.
And—
A growing power network beyond Marine oversight.
The God-Slaying Plan had begun.
But perhaps—
This sky island would become something even greater.
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