“What is that?”
Boa Hancock noticed the subtle shift in Cassian’s expression and asked without holding back.
Her curiosity toward this man continued to grow.
He had appeared out of nowhere, possessed strange abilities, and spoke as if he knew things he should not.
“Nothing.”
Cassian waved it off and drained the remaining wine in his glass.
“Just remembered a few old acquaintances and some past events.”
He paused briefly, then looked at her again.
“Oh right, do you know someone named Gild Tesoro?”
“And a little girl called Koala, around seven or eight years old.”
At the mention of Tesoro’s name, Hancock’s eyes flickered slightly, clearly recalling something.
“Gild Tesoro… I know him.”
“He is also a slave of the Celestial Dragons.
He survives by pleasing them.”
Her tone grew colder.
“Compared to most slaves, his life is slightly better.
But that’s all he is, still nothing more than a plaything.”
There was a trace of disdain in her voice.
Whether it was directed at Tesoro’s way of survival or at the cruel system itself, even she might not have known.
“As for Koala…”
Hancock shook her head.
“I have never heard that name.”
“There are too many slaves in Mary Geoise, especially children.
New ones arrive constantly, and many… don’t last long.”
Her voice softened at the end, and sadness flashed across her eyes.
The fact that she and her sisters were still alive was nothing short of luck.
Cassian nodded, having confirmed what he needed.
Tesoro was still here, still trapped in Mary Geoise, surviving through calculation and submission.
As for Koala, either she had not been brought here yet, or she was held somewhere else.
“That means there’s still time.”
A faint smile formed on Cassian’s lips.
“I might as well do a good deed.”
In his mind, the plan was already forming.
Tesoro would later become the Golden Emperor, a powerful but twisted figure shaped by trauma.
If he could be taken out early, maybe his future would change.
And Koala…
She would grow into an important member of the Revolutionary Army, someone genuinely kind and resilient.
Saving her was a worthwhile move.
“What are you planning?”
Hancock’s eyes narrowed slightly.
She had learned one thing already, nothing good followed that smile of his.
“Rescue mission.”
“I’m bored anyway, so I might as well find something interesting to do.”
He looked directly at her.
“Lead the way.
Take me to where the slaves are kept.”
Hancock immediately refused.
“No.
That area is extremely complex, and there are Celestial Dragons and guards everywhere.
Going there carelessly is too dangerous.”
Even though she had seen his strange ability, she still felt uneasy.
In this place, a slave’s life meant nothing.
One mistake could lead to torture or death.
Cassian raised an eyebrow and stepped closer, looking down at her with a casual smile.
“Dangerous?”
“With Imu around, what danger is there for me?”
He tilted his head slightly.
“Actually, you probably don’t even know who Imu is.”
“I’ll tell you.
Imu sits on the Empty Throne and rules over everything from the shadows.”
Hancock froze.
That masked figure from earlier… was the true ruler of the world?
The revelation shook her completely.
Cassian casually patted his own arm.
“See this body?
It’s tough enough.”
“Even if I get cut or beaten, I’m not the one feeling it.”
“And if a Celestial Dragon dares to touch me, who do you think will suffer for it?”
Hancock fell silent.
His logic was absurd, yet impossible to refute.
With that strange connection, Cassian really could act without restraint.
Still, using Imu as a shield so openly felt completely insane.
“Come on, Little Maid.”
Without waiting for agreement, Cassian grabbed her hand and started walking.
Hancock reacted instantly, pulling her hand back as if burned.
Her face flushed red with anger and embarrassment.
“What are you doing?
Let go!”
She had always been proud.
Aside from the humiliation of being captured, she had never been handled so casually by a man.
Cassian only grinned.
“Relax.
He added deliberately,
“Besides, your hand is pretty soft.”
“You shameless man!”
Hancock’s eyes flared with anger, her entire body trembling.
If looks could kill, he would already be full of holes.
But she knew she could not deal with him.
Suppressing her emotions, she walked ahead quickly, clearly putting distance between them.
Cassian chuckled as he followed behind.
So this was the future Pirate Empress at fifteen.
Still immature, still emotional.
Her arrogance was there, but underneath it, she was far from the untouchable woman she would become.
As they stepped outside, several imposing figures stood guard at the door, members of the God’s Knights.
The moment they saw Cassian, they moved to stop him.
“Lord Cassian, where are you heading?”
Cassian answered casually.
“Take me to the slave quarters.
I need to find someone.”
Hearing this, the tension in the knights eased.
“Understood.
Please follow us.”
They immediately led the way.
As they walked through Mary Geoise, they encountered many Celestial Dragons and officials.
Seeing Cassian dressed in luxury and escorted by the God’s Knights, none of them dared to act carelessly.
Even without knowing his identity, the implication was obvious.
Still, when their eyes landed on Hancock, many of them revealed greedy expressions.
Desire and cruelty flickered openly in their gazes.
Under normal circumstances, she would have been dragged away without hesitation.
But with the God’s Knights present, none dared to step forward.
Hancock felt those disgusting stares and instinctively moved closer to Cassian.
Even if she disliked him, he was the only barrier between her and them right now.
Cassian noticed and smirked slightly.
He slowed his pace to match hers and spoke in a low voice.
“Relax.
As long as I’m here, no one’s touching you.”
He added with a hint of amusement,
“If they try, I’ll make sure Imu pays the price for it.”
Hancock stiffened.
For a moment, she seriously considered whether standing next to him was actually safer.
This man was completely unrestrained.
And completely insane.