Lloyd withdrew his hand and lowered it to his side before speaking.
"Imu-sama, that barrier just now seemed similar to the power of the Barrier-Barrier Fruit. Could it be that you are a user of the Barrier-Barrier Fruit?"
Imu replied calmly,
"Have you encountered a user of the Barrier-Barrier Fruit before?"
"No. However, I have read the Devil Fruit encyclopedia preserved by the Figarland Family. I remember the description of the Barrier-Barrier Fruit quite clearly. Its users can create transparent barriers from thin air to defend against attacks, and their defensive capabilities are said to be extraordinary."
"You are correct. It is rare for someone to remember such details so clearly. However, I am not a user of the Barrier-Barrier Fruit. What you witnessed was merely the application of rules."
The moment the word "rules" entered his ears, a sharp light flashed through Lloyd's eyes.
"Imu-sama, could you elaborate?"
This time, Imu did not answer immediately. She slowly returned to the Empty Throne and sat upon it.
"To establish rules, control rules, and enforce rules, this is the power of a god."
Lloyd raised his eyes toward the Empty Throne.
"Then what of the D. Clan, who are known as the natural enemies of the gods?"
"They are destroyers of rules. The freedom Joy Boy constantly pursued is the destruction of existing order and the creation of a world without rules."
After speaking, Imu gently waved her hand.
The massive doors slowly opened.
The Five Elders standing outside immediately looked up. The moment they saw the scene within the chamber, their expressions changed dramatically.
Saint Warcury trembled inwardly.
How could Imu-sama permit Lloyd to stand so close to the Empty Throne? He belongs to the Figarland Family.
Yet what happened next shocked him even more.
Lloyd slowly turned around and looked down at the Five Elders kneeling outside the chamber.
Imu had already returned to her usual indifferent demeanor. Her voice echoed through the hall, ethereal and majestic.
"Until Joy Boy appears, no one except Lloyd may enter the Flower Room. The five of you shall obey Lloyd's orders."
A look of surprise briefly appeared in Lloyd's eyes.
The Five Elders widened their eyes in disbelief.
Even Saint Nusjuro, who was normally as steady as a mountain, raised his head toward the Empty Throne with a stunned expression.
Saint Warcury's face twisted with disbelief.
"What? Imu-sama, you want us to obey Lloyd?!"
The moment those words left his mouth, Saint Nusjuro's expression changed.
Idiot.
Suddenly, pain spread across Saint Warcury's face.
He collapsed onto the floor with a heavy thud, his body convulsing violently.
The remaining four Elders immediately lowered their heads to the ground, not daring to breathe too loudly.
Imu looked at Saint Warcury, who writhed in agony on the distant floor.
For the servant who had served her for centuries, there was not the slightest trace of pity in her eyes.
Her voice remained cold.
"You deserve death."
As those words fell, Saint Warcury's body suddenly stiffened.
Black smoke rose from his body.
His skin and flesh began to peel away at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Throughout the entire process, Saint Warcury released horrifying screams that echoed throughout the chamber.
Moments later, the screams ceased.
Only a pile of white bones remained where Saint Warcury had once stood.
The horrifying death of Saint Warcury completely intimidated the remaining four Elders.
None of them had expected Imu's punishment to be so merciless.
She had erased him without hesitation.
Lloyd silently observed everything.
He did not pity Saint Warcury in the slightest.
As far as he was concerned, the elder who constantly opposed the Figarland Family had received exactly what he deserved.
What truly interested him was Imu's purpose.
Was she killing Saint Warcury to establish his authority?
At that moment, Imu spoke once more.
"Lloyd, return and ask your uncle whether he is willing to assume the position of one of the Five Elders and fill Warcury's vacant seat."
Lloyd slightly raised an eyebrow.
Even he began to wonder whether Imu's intentions had changed.
Still, unusual circumstances often concealed deeper motives.
He deliberately answered vaguely.
"I will ask my uncle for his opinion. However, if he is unwilling to accept the position, I hope Imu-sama will understand. He remains the Supreme Commander of the God's Knights and carries the responsibility of protecting Mary Geoise. His duties are already considerable."
Imu gently waved her hand.
"I understand. If Saint Garling considers his responsibilities too burdensome, he may pass the position of Supreme Commander of the God's Knights to you. He has likely already considered doing so."
Lloyd was momentarily stunned.
Imu continued.
"There is no need to rush. You and your uncle may discuss the matter thoroughly."
Since Imu had spoken, Lloyd merely nodded and remained silent.
Meanwhile, the four remaining Elders remained frozen against the floor.
Listening to the conversation between Imu and Lloyd caused their scalps to tingle.
The contrast was simply too great.
Saint Warcury had merely voiced a question, yet he had been erased instantly.
In contrast, Imu displayed extraordinary patience toward Lloyd.
The four Elders had served Imu for centuries.
Never before had they witnessed her treating someone in such a manner.
Saint Saturn glanced at the still-steaming bones of Saint Warcury.
Although the two had often disagreed, seeing his companion reduced to such a state inevitably stirred a feeling of sorrow.
At the same time, he felt fortunate.
Fortunately, he had not behaved as foolishly as Saint Warcury, who had always regarded the Figarland Family as an enemy.
While Saint Saturn was still lost in thought, Saint Nusjuro suddenly straightened his body and respectfully bowed toward Lloyd.
"Saint Nusjuro is willing to obey all of Lloyd's commands."
His actions immediately stunned Saint Saturn, Saint Peter, and Saint Mars.
Saint Saturn looked at Saint Nusjuro, who had decisively taken the initiative.
His old face reddened slightly.
He was not embarrassed.
He was merely struggling to suppress his laughter.
Saint Peter and Saint Mars secretly regretted allowing Saint Nusjuro to seize the opportunity first.
Regardless of what had happened, Lloyd had clearly become Imu's chosen representative.
The two of them quickly lowered themselves and bowed toward Lloyd as well.
Saint Saturn was the final one to kneel.
He was also the calmest among them.
He understood Lloyd better than the others.
No matter how much Saint Nusjuro, Saint Peter, and Saint Mars attempted to display their loyalty, their standing in Lloyd's eyes would never surpass his own.
At the very least, he was confident of that.
After all, he had invested in the right person long before anyone else had realized Lloyd's true value.