The hustle and bustle of the street didn't change because of this little interlude.
After playing for a while longer, Gölz held a marshmallow—still small to her, but the largest the shop could make—and licked it carefully, her face brimming with a satisfied, innocent smile.
"Out of the way! Move aside!" An old, panicked voice called out from a narrow alley nearby.
A white-haired old man with a very long beard rushed out. Seemingly in a blind panic, he ran straight toward Gölz's massive lower leg.
Given Gölz's size and strength, the old man's collision was like an ant trying to shake a tree. However, being kind-hearted, she extended a massive finger and gently blocked him, steadying his stumbling figure.
"Old Grandfather, are you alright? What happened? Why are you in such a hurry?"
Gölz lowered her head, her booming voice filled with concern as she looked at the white-haired, wrinkled old man before her.
His anxious and helpless appearance, especially that floor-length white beard, reminded her of Grandpa Yoruru, who had died because of her.
Like a drowning man clutching at a straw, the old man grabbed Gölz's thick finger and pleaded through tears:
"Giant lady! Please, help me! My grandson... my only grandson is gone! He got lost right around here!"
"He's so small... there are too many people, I can't find him! You're so tall and can see so far, you must be able to help me find him! Please!"
The old man wept and wailed, clutching Gölz's finger tightly, refusing to let go.
She turned her head hesitantly toward Charlotte Linlin, her massive eyes filled with inquiry and entreaty.
From behind her sunglasses, Charlotte Linlin's gaze calmly swept over the "grief-stricken" old man, a faint, imperceptible curve tugging at the corner of her mouth.
She gave a lazy wave of her hand, her voice tinged with nonchalance:
"Go ahead and do what you want; I'll wait for you here. I feel like taking a break anyway."
However, just as a look of joy appeared on Gölz's face, Charlotte Linlin added pointedly, her gaze seemingly piercing through her sunglasses to stare directly at the old man:
"But Gölz, remember, no matter what you do, 'don't let your guard down'."
As her gaze swept over him, the old man's body stiffened almost imperceptibly. Fine beads of cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and he was inwardly horrified:
Could it be... that this princess found out? Impossible! My acting was perfect!
"Mhm! I definitely won't let my guard down!"
Gölz nodded vigorously, promising with full confidence. She clearly didn't fully grasp the deeper meaning in her Captain's words, taking them as simple concern.
"Let's go, Old Grandfather, I'll help you find your grandson!" Gölz said to the old man.
"Ah! Good! Good! Thank you, thank you so much! Now I'll surely be able to find my grandson!"
The old man reacted quickly, his face full of gratitude, but a glint of cunning from a successful scheme flashed deep in his eyes. He hurriedly led Gölz toward a relatively sparsely populated area.
Watching Gölz's massive silhouette disappear around the corner with the "frail" old man, Charlotte Linlin crossed her arms, supporting her ample bust, and thought with interest:
Hmm? Using an old man with a lost grandson to gain sympathy? That's a bit more creative than those idiots who just charge in. Interesting.
It's just that... after this, I'm afraid Gölz will put even old men on her blacklist.
This long-bearded look... he must have been observing us for a long time. Right, Gölz is exceptionally patient whenever she sees an old man with a long beard... Is she thinking of that giant named Yoruru?
Well, a Gölz who hates old people... Although it's a bit heartless, it's better to let her see the dark side of humanity for herself. Otherwise, I wouldn't feel safe letting her go out on missions alone in the future.
After all, even Dorry and Brogy, Captains of the Giant Warrior Pirates who are much stronger than the current Gölz, have the precedent—no, the future example—of being easily dealt with by Mr. 3's schemes and traps. I must make sure these two inexperienced girls are careful.
By the way, is Mr. 3 even born yet? And where are those two battle-maniacs, Dorry and Brogy? They should be on that route in the East Blue, right? If only I'd watched a few more episodes of the anime back then.
Charlotte Linlin tapped her forehead in slight frustration.
In the time it took for Charlotte Linlin's thoughts to wander and for her brief conversation with Gölz, Ripley on the other side also encountered a "situation."
A man dressed as a waiter with a pleasant smile approached Ripley, carrying a tray that was quite large by human standards.
It was filled with various specialty delicacies and snacks that looked enticing and smelled fragrant.
"Honorable Giant lady!"
The man greeted her warmly,
"Our little shop just opened and we're holding a free tasting event! These are our shop's signature dishes—absolutely fresh ingredients and top-notch flavor! Would you like to try some? It's definitely a unique taste of Dressrosa!"
As he spoke, he pushed the fragrant tray forward a bit more. The complex aroma of grilled meat, spices, and desserts hooked into Ripley's nostrils.
Ripley looked curiously at the various foods before her; some of the dishes were in styles she had never seen before. She wondered if she could learn how to make them.
Perhaps sensing Ripley's curiosity, the man added:
"We can also take you into the kitchen to observe the unique techniques used to create these delicacies."
"Gölz, I'm going to take a look first. You stay with Linlin and keep looking around!"
She called out without looking back, completely unaware that Gölz behind her had already left with the "Old Grandfather."
At this moment, her entire mind was captured by that platter of "free" food. Her massive body followed the waiter carrying the delicacies down another fork in the road.
Watching this scene, Charlotte Linlin's eyelid twitched slightly.
It seems Gölz isn't the only one who needs to experience the dark side of humanity; you, as her teacher, Ripley, need it even more!
Even though my strength is indeed good, she's currently a "weak and powerless" princess, hey! It's embarrassing that both her guards were so easily lured away.
They really are too naive, getting tricked by such simple traps.
Charlotte Linlin withdrew her gaze from the direction where Ripley had disappeared and shook her head helplessly.
However, deliberately leading those two away from me... A cold light flashed in Charlotte Linlin's eyes behind her sunglasses.
Is the target... me?
As soon as this thought arose, as if to confirm her suspicion, the originally bustling crowd around her seemed to be pushed aside by an invisible hand, quickly clearing an area.
Immediately after, a fierce-looking man with several hideous scars on his face and half a cigarette in his mouth, leading a dozen thugs with ill intent and weapons, surrounded her from all directions, blocking all of Charlotte Linlin's possible escape routes.
The scarred man in the lead spat out his cigarette butt, crushed it with his foot, and then raised the shiny long gun in his hand, pointing the muzzle directly at Charlotte Linlin with a threatening air.
He pulled a sinister grin as if he were in total control and said in a raspy voice:
"Honorable 'Princess' Highness, our master would like to invite you as a guest. If you're smart, you'll come with us quietly to avoid any physical suffering."
Click!
The moment his words fell, all the thugs around him moved in unison. The sound of guns being cocked echoed through the surroundings, producing a crisp and heart-pounding metallic clatter that sounded exceptionally harsh on the suddenly quiet street.
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