Chapter 62: Chapter 62: New Paths
Hesitation lingered in Alex's mind, a dark shadow cast by the recent disaster of the Corrupted Spinosaurus. He sat in his study, reports of Tonryuu's affairs spread before him, but his thoughts kept drifting back to the mist-shrouded battle that had claimed Kaelen and Akane.
Erza, fully recovered and moving with her usual effortless grace, entered the study, her Exceed, Happy, trotting silently beside her. She settled onto a nearby chair, sensing his mood. "Alex," she began softly, "you're thinking of the summoning, aren't you?"
"It's hard not to, Erza," Alex admitted, leaning back. "That creature... it was my own power, turned against us. I'm hesitant. The risk of another failed summon..."
Olvia entered then, carrying a fresh stack of reports. She paused, sensing the somber atmosphere. "If I may," she interjected, "the hesitation is understandable, Alex. But perhaps the location of summoning could be controlled. We can designate a highly secure, isolated area within Tonryuu, perhaps even underground. A place where, if a summoning fails, the corrupted entity can be contained or disposed of without risking the city or its people. We have the resources now to build such a facility."
Alex considered this, a flicker of hope in his eyes. "That's a sound strategy, Olvia. A very sound one." He looked at Erza. "That addresses some of my concerns. Speaking of new allies, Erza, Happy is quite remarkable. You should spend time bonding with him, training him." Erza nodded, acknowledging the importance.
Soon after, Tsunade entered the study, ready to discuss the day's infirmary schedule. "Alex, Erza, how are our recovering Warriors?" she asked, her gaze sweeping over them. Satisfied, she nodded. "Good. I'll go check on knights now."
She gave Alex a knowing look, a playful warning in her eyes, before heading towards the infirmary, leaving only Olvia and Alex alone in the study.
The room settled into a comfortable silence, punctuated only by the rustle of Olvia's scrolls. Alex's gaze drifted to her, her sharp intellect and composed demeanor a constant comfort. He remembered his first days after reincarnating in the One Piece world, how lost and disoriented he had been, and how Olvia, despite her own burdens, had been the first true, steady hand to guide him. She had been his anchor, a beacon of calm amidst the chaos.
"Olvia," Alex began, his voice low, pulling her attention from her work. "Do you remember that first day? How confused I was? You were the first to truly help me navigate that bewildering new reality."
Olvia smiled, a genuine warmth in her eyes. "Of course, Alex. You were quite a sight then. A Lord, seemingly from another world, with no idea how to boil water." She chuckled softly. "It feels like a lifetime ago. But you know," her expression grew more thoughtful, "I'm much older than you think. Under normal conditions, far older than I appear."
Alex's brow furrowed, intrigued. "Older? How much older? And you mentioned a daughter to Tsunade... who was her father, if you don't mind me asking? I find myself... quite curious about your past." He tried to keep his tone casual, but a possessive curiosity laced his words.
Olvia's lips quirked into a teasing smile, noticing his sudden possessiveness. "Oh, my, Alex. Curious, aren't we?" she chuckled, finding his possessiveness endearing, if a little amusing. "Very well. It was during my time. I traveled with the Roger Pirates for a while. We were investigating a ruin for a Poneglyph."
Alex leaned forward, fascinated. "The history stones? You knew about them, even then?"
"Indeed. With their help, I quickly found what I was looking for. I journeyed with them for a time. It was during that period I eventually gave birth to a girl." Olvia's eyes held a distant, fond look. "When it was time, we went back to my hometown, and I entrusted her to my relatives and close friends, asking them to look after her."
"The Roger Pirates... that means you knew Gol D. Roger himself?" Alex asked, astonished. "And Silvers Rayleigh, too?"
"Yes. And later, we had new companions join the crew – Kozuki Oden and his wife, Toki." Olvia's smile turned wry. "Oden was... a free-spirited man, truly. I saw him and Toki together a few times. It was always funny how Toki, despite her gentle nature, seemed to take control of him, subtly guiding his wild energy." She paused, a flicker of a darker memory in her eyes. "Later, I often joked with Toki and used to tease her. Eventually, Toki became pregnant. Of course, with how frequent they were..." she trailed off with a knowing glance at Alex.
Her expression then hardened slightly. "Due to her state, Oden grew pent up. One day, when we were docked on an uninhabited island, he... he tried to mingle with me, forcefully. When I refused, then he wanted to take me away. But he wasn't able to, thankfully. Roger, Rayleigh, and Toki herself intervened. Toki was shocked and saddened by what Oden tried to do. I reassured her, but she was still very hurt by his actions."
Alex listened intently, a complex mix of shock, admiration, and a growing possessiveness swirling within him. So, Olvia had seen so much, known legends, endured such trials. And a daughter... "So, the father?" he pressed, his gaze firm.
Olvia met his gaze, a mischievous glint in her eyes, enjoying his barely contained curiosity. "The father was... a one-time fling. It was on a pirate island in the New World, during a grand party we threw after finding a very important Poneglyph. I'd had a little too much to drink, and most of the crew ended up at a brothel. But Roger... he sensed my reluctance to join them and took me back to the ship. As it was dangerous to be alone, especially on a pirate island of the New World, we both ended up in a fling. Afterwards, noticing my mood, Roger gave me space and joined his crew."
Alex processed this. He found himself incredibly turned on by Olvia, by her past, her strength, her beauty. He rose again, closing the distance between them.
He reached out, his hands moving, gently cupping her breasts. Her eyes widened, a soft gasp escaping her lips. Alex leaned in, his gaze searching hers, and then his lips found hers. It began softly, tenderly, a question more than a demand. Olvia stiffened for a moment, surprised, then her lips parted slightly, responding with a hesitant sweetness. Alex deepened the kiss, continuing to cup her breasts. He could feel her heart pounding against his chest.
His touch grew more insistent, his passion rising. He began to move his hand lower, his intention clear.
"Alex, wait!" Olvia suddenly pulled back, her hands pressing against his chest, stopping him. Her face was flushed, her breathing ragged, but her eyes, through clouded with desire, held a clear resolve. She gently pushed him away, giving him space.
Alex, surprised by the abrupt halt, slowly calmed down, his own rising heat ebbing slightly. He retreated, running a hand through his hair, and sat heavily in a nearby chair, trying to regain his composure. Olvia, her hands trembling slightly, smoothed her dress and adjusted her disheveled hair, regaining her composure.
She looked at him, her gaze steady now, the playful blush gone, replaced by a thoughtful earnestness. "Alex," she said softly, "what you confessed to Tsunade... your desire for a harem. It is understandable, especially after... everything. But you must approach it with thought, not just impulse." Her voice softened further. "You cannot simply... lash out at any woman you desire like a horned dog, especially not here, in front of everyone, or with those who are not ready. This world is different, and the women here, even those who might eventually come to care for you, need more than raw desire. You need to form your harem with the understanding of what it entails, for all involved." Her words were a gentle reprimand, but also a guide, a warning given with genuine care.
As night fell, a different kind of anticipation filled Alex. He showered, donned fresh nightclothes, and felt a pleasant excitement. He had planned to spend the night with Erza, their first truly private night since their recent marriage, a chance to deepen their bond away from the chaos. He walked to his bedchamber, picturing Erza waiting for him.
He opened the door, and froze. Someone else entirely was in his room.
A slender figure sat on the edge of his massive bed, her back to him. Her head was bowed, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs. It was Rui, the former wife of Sei Kyou, dressed in a simple, silken nightgown.
Hours earlier, Tsunade had made a visit to Rui's detention. Rui, defiant and furious, had hurled insults at her, cursing Alex's name. Tsunade's background as a ninja, her sheer aura of power, helped immensely. She threatened Rui, painting a vivid picture of her utter powerlessness and the bleak future that awaited her if she defied Alex. Tsunade was able to quickly make her comply, crushing her spirit and making her understand her new reality.
Alex closed the door softly, his heart a mixture of surprise and... a strange delight. He hadn't expected this particular turn of events. He remembered Tsunade and Olvia's suggestive conversation. So this is the 'initiative,' then. Very well. A wave of warmth, and a wicked satisfaction, spread through him. Let's see what this brings.
He approached the bed slowly, his footsteps soft on the plush carpet. Rui, hearing him, flinched, pulling her knees to her chest, her sobs turning into choked whimpers. She looked up, her eyes red and swollen, filled with terror and a profound sadness. She was in the room of the man who had killed her husband, the man who now held her fate in his hands.
"Rui," Alex said, his voice gentle, devoid of the harshness she expected. "Look at me." When she slowly raised her gaze, he continued, "Tell me what happened. Why are you here?" He already had his suspicions, but he needed to hear her speak, to understand her emotional state.
Rui, hesitant at first, slowly recounted Tsunade's visit, the threat, the sheer, overwhelming pressure that had broken her will. Her voice was thin, trembling.
Alex listened, a satisfied grin growing wider internally. Tsunade, you cunning minx. This is perfect. He decided to play his part. "I see," he said, his voice still gentle, but firm. "I understand your fear. Your husband was... an enemy. But you are here now. You are safe. I promise you no harm, if you comply." He offered her his hand. "Come. Let's not dwell on the past. The future begins now." He slowly brought her hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles softly.
Rui, still trembling, allowed him to slowly bring her to the bed, to sit beside her. He began to comfort her, his touch light, his words soft, coaxing, reassuring. He traced patterns on her arm, his presence a strange mix of power and tenderness. He continued sweet-talking her, slowly but surely easing her fear. Her sobs began to subside.
"You're still scared," Alex murmured, noticing her continued apprehension. He reached over, and with a soft click, extinguished the candles and lamps, plunging the room into near-darkness, illuminated only by the faint moonlight from the windows. "Perhaps this will help. No need to be afraid in the dark."
He continued with his work, his hands moving with gentle reassurance, slowly removing Rui's clothes. She offered no resistance, her body passive, her eyes still tearful in the dim light. He moved above her, his gaze still on her face. He saw her crying, truly crying, not in defiance, but in scared resignation. He continued coaxing her with soft words, whispers of comfort and reassurance.
Then, with slow but firm movements, he entered her. He was surprised to find a soft but firm resistance as he moved in – her hymen. With a deliberate thrust, the resistance wall was torn apart. Alex continued, surprised that Rui was still a virgin, and pleased by this fact.
Rui gasped, a choked cry escaping her lips, then a series of muffled moans as he began to thrust, steadily, firmly. The room was filled with the scandalous sounds of wet slapping and two bodies hitting and colliding together.
As Alex moved in and out, Rui unconsciously had her hands on his back, her nails digging in slightly. She was surprised why she was not resisting Alex, why her body was betraying her fear with rising pleasure.
She felt herself losing consciousness, her strength draining away, a complete bliss washing over her, yet at the same time, she found Alex's movements inside her too much. She began twitching with his every thrust and every touch, her body overwhelmed by the new sensations. It seemed the invading army had indeed conquered new lands, claiming them utterly as their own.
After finishing inside Rui, Alex pulled her close, cuddling with her. He talked softly, comforting her, tracing patterns on her back. "You were incredibly brave, Rui," he whispered, his voice warm. "And now... you are mine. And I will protect what is mine." He sweet-talked her further, promising her a place, safety, and a new future within his household.
Gradually, her sobs ceased, replaced by soft sniffles, and a tentative trust. Now it seemed the army that had invaded had indeed conquered these new lands.
After a while, he coaxed her for more action. This time, she was less terrified, though still clearly not as active as Alex, following his lead, her body slowly beginning to respond more freely to his touch and movements. Again, the room was filled with the scandalous sound of wet flesh slapping and moans, a testament to the night's unfolding passion.