Chapter 192: Chapter 192
Carl, who had just beaten up King Neptune in the Ryugu Palace, was finally escorted out with gratitude by Otohime and others.
Just after stepping outside the gate of the Ryugu Palace, Carl paused and looked up at a dark silhouette beyond the bubble film above. It was Noah, known as the Ship of Promise.
Following his gaze, Otohime asked, "Saint Carl, are you looking at Noah?"
Carl cast her a fleeting glance and replied, "That ship is really in ruins. It's an eyesore."
Otohime smiled awkwardly. Being part of the royal family, she knew certain secrets—like how Noah had been left behind by Joy Boy eight hundred years ago. It's said he had intended to help the Fishman Island people reach land, but for reasons unknown, he never succeeded.
Otohime's own ideals were influenced by this history, giving her a favorable impression of Joy Boy. However, given Carl's background as a descendant of one of the twenty kings from centuries ago, she thought it wise to withhold her admiration for Joy Boy in his presence. After all, Joy Boy and the twenty kings had been bitter enemies.
Reflecting on this, Otohime felt a chill. If Carl saw Noah, preserved by Fishman Island, as a relic of the past dynasty, wouldn't that make her people seem like remnants of an old enemy?
Otohime's newfound anxiety was quickly interrupted as Carl simply turned his attention from Noah and addressed Tiger.
"Tiger, take me to Fishman Street. I hear it's something of a unique place on Fishman Island."
Before Tiger could respond, Otohime interjected nervously,
"Wait, Saint Carl! You might want to avoid that area."
"Why?"
"The folk customs there are... a bit rough."
"Perfect. I like places with some grit."
"But...," she hesitated.
Carl fixed her with a cold look. Flustered, Otohime swallowed and stammered,
"Then... please be careful, Saint Carl."
Only then did she realize her remark had sounded rather foolish. It was the residents of Fishman Street who would need to be cautious around Carl!
Carl nodded. "Very well, I will be careful."
With that, he lifted Shyarly onto his shoulder and strode off without another glance. Otohime hastily nudged Tiger, urging,
"Tiger, what are you waiting for? Go with Saint Carl, and take Jinbe, too. Most of the fishmen there listen to you both. Make sure no one offends him!"
Understanding the gravity of the situation, Tiger immediately grabbed Jinbe, who seemed a bit dazed, and hurried to catch up with Carl.
Though Carl appeared to be strolling, his strides were surprisingly swift, and Tiger had to keep up his own pace to avoid falling behind. Soon, they reached the edge of Fishman Street.
The atmosphere here was vastly different. Even the bustling street where Carl had first arrived seemed luxurious in comparison. A sharp, pungent odor hung thick in the air, mingling with various strange and unpleasant scents.
Looking around, Carl noted that most of the fishmen on the street were dressed like gangsters, with some wearing flowered shirts or going shirtless, their postures slack and care-free.
The moment Carl stepped onto Fishman Street, the residents' chatter ceased, and their eyes turned to the stranger in their midst. Most of these stares were filled with undisguised hatred and hostility.
Carl ignored them, his gaze fixed toward Noah. Visiting Fishman Street had only been incidental, as it was the nearest route to the ancient ship. However, the place's squalid conditions had already made him lose interest.
Yet, someone here seemed interested in him. Despite the presence of Tiger and Jinbe, a fishman child suddenly leaped forward, blocking Carl's path and shouting,
"Human! This is not the place for you!"
Tiger and Jinbe froze in horror, with Jinbei snapping angrily,
"Hody! Get back here!"
Tiger could only think that Hody was in serious trouble.
Hody, however, bared his teeth at Carl, oblivious to the terror on Tiger and Jinbe's faces. Known for his dangerous temperament, Hody was feared for his ruthlessness, sparing neither friend nor foe.
Carl continued to walk forward, completely ignoring the young fishman. This cold disregard only enraged Hody further. He had resolved to sink his shark-like teeth into the human's leg.
Many fishmen watched with amusement, some even cheering for Hody.
As Carl neared Hody, the latter's face twisted into a cruel grin, his teeth grinding in anticipation.
Then, in an instant—
Poof!
Hody's body exploded, and blood from the shattered figure floated toward Carl's outstretched hand. In full view of the horrified fishmen, Carl clenched his fist, dispersing the blood in all directions. It splattered across the stunned crowd, covering every face in Fishman Street with red droplets.
The already grimy street now resembled a vision of hell.
With a sudden sweep, black wings unfurled from Carl's back, spreading into bat-like appendages. The fishmen could only stare, too shocked to even wipe the blood from their faces.
Then, with a single powerful beat of his wings, Carl shot into the air, piercing the bubble membrane above and hovering before Noah. Gazing at the ancient ship, he raised his hand, his palm shrouded in darkness.
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