Stunned by Perona's beauty, Hera couldn't even find the words to describe her at that moment; she simply nodded blankly.
Perona looked at the dazed Hera and burst into a giggle.
Startled back to her senses by Perona's laughter, Hera's face instantly flushed red. She crossed her arms to shield her face, saying, "Don't laugh at me, I was just... dazed for a moment."
Perona leaned in close, brushing aside Hera's hands. She pressed herself toward the seated Hera, wrapping her other arm around Hera's waist to keep her from falling backward.
Despite having plenty of experience, Hera still felt a bit shy when facing her beloved.
Perona knelt on the edge of the bed, one hand securing Hera's waist while the other moved to her chin, tilting her head up.
The distance between them closed. Hera felt as if she could see her own reflection in Perona's gazing eyes.
Looking at the petite and adorable Hera, and feeling the elven charm radiating from her, Perona could no longer restrain herself. she leaned in and kissed the blush on Hera's fair, tender cheek.
Feeling Perona's passion, Hera momentarily forgot how to breathe. Feeling breathless, she began to resist with her hands, trying to push Perona away.
But how could such a small resistance move Perona, who was already swept up in her emotions? Perona pushed Hera directly down onto the bed, and only after a long while did she lift her head.
Feeling the fresh air flow back in, Hera gasped for breath, shooting Perona a sharp glare with eyes that were already somewhat glazed over.
"Really... I couldn't even breathe."
Hera's voice was reproachful, but in this situation, to Perona, it sounded less like a scolding and more like she was acting spoiled.
Perona lowered her head and gently nibbled on Hera's ear. "Then this time, remember to breathe through your nose."
Then, under Hera's shocked gaze, she leaned in again. Her hands moved restlessly up and down, seizing control of Hera's weak spots.
A night filled with a rosy atmosphere passed quickly. The next morning, Hera and Perona woke up to the sound of other Crew members knocking on the door.
While calling out "Come in," Hera nudged the still-sleeping Perona, trying to wake her up.
Perona grumbled, "Really, let me sleep a bit longer..." As she blearily opened her eyes, she saw the rest of the Argo crew already entering.
Kuina asked Hera mischievously, "I tried it out yesterday too, and it seems an Elf shouldn't have any problem even without breathing, right?"
Hearing this, Hera's face turned beet red instantly. She lowered her head and stammered, "I... I didn't notice at the time, I just instinctively felt it was hard to breathe."
She then secretly resolved that next time, she must expand the City of Devouring Time immediately. Why did her Crew members all love eavesdropping so much?
Ain clapped her hands and said, "Alright, we're here because our destination, Elegia, is almost here. Are we going over on this ship, or using the Argo?"
Hera thought for a moment. Meanwhile, with a flash of spiritual power, she was already fully dressed.
"Let's take the Argo. We'll switch ships in a bit. How much further is it?"
Ain continued, "At this ship's speed, it might take until evening. But with the Argo, it'll only take a few dozen minutes."
Eager to see her childhood playmate, Hera immediately decided, "Then let's set off now and head straight there."
Nami seemed to want to say something. Earlier, Carina had found her, wanting to partner up to steal the treasure in the Gold City.
Nami was still a bit conflicted about whether to tell Hera about Carina's matter.
Hera sensed Nami's emotional fluctuations and said, "Don't worry. After we pick up Uta, we'll come back to celebrate. It won't be too late to talk then."
Hearing this, Nami breathed a sigh of relief. She eventually decided to tell Hera about Carina after they returned. With her own plea for mercy and the fact that Carina hadn't started yet...
It shouldn't lead to anything life-threatening; at most, she'd just be driven away. Besides, with Hera and the newly joined former CP9 members, Nami felt Carina's plan was a bit unrealistic.
Setting aside her worries, Nami stopped dwelling on it and nodded. "Then we'll talk after picking up Uta."
Perona, lying beside Hera, finally couldn't help but snap, "You guys! If you're done talking, get out already! I need to change!"
The others finally realized that Perona had also just woken up and didn't have Hera's spiritual power to change instantly. They hurried out of the room.
Perona looked at Hera, who was dressed but still on the bed, and said fiercely, "And you! What are you still doing here?"
Hera quickly scrambled out from under the covers and left the room, muttering, "Really, you weren't this shy last night."
Hearing Hera's grumbling, Perona grabbed a nearby pillow and threw it toward her. Hera caught the pillow and quickly made her escape.
After this little interlude, Perona soon changed into her classic black western-style dress, gathered with the others, and boarded the Argo.
The black-and-gold Argo sailed out of the Gold City, heading toward Elegia at extreme speed.
Uta, who was running to train her stamina, seemed to sense something. She turned her head toward the coastline, but seeing no movement, she let out a sigh.
Suddenly, a shadow rapidly approached her position and soon stopped right in front of her. Before she could even look up, a person dropped down from the sky.
"Uta, I've come to get you!"
Hera's excited voice rang out from the sky. In the next second, a figure familiar to Uta appeared before her. Then, Uta felt her feet leave the ground as she was picked up and spun around.
"I missed you so much, Uta! It's all that bastard Shanks' fault. He lost you after just one trip out to sea and didn't even tell me where you were. I'm definitely going to give him a beating when I see him again."
Shanks, who was currently holding a banquet on his ship, suddenly sneezed and rubbed his nose.
The surrounding Crew members laughed. "Captain, don't go catching a cold now!"
Shanks raised his cup and laughed. "Hahaha, how could I catch a cold? Someone must be thinking of me!"
The image of Makino, the tavern owner far away in Foosha Village, surfaced in his mind, and a trace of a smile appeared on his lips.
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