As the second son of the Charlotte family, Katakuri knew Charlotte Linlin quite well.
Not only because he was born early in the family order, but also because of his strength—he was sometimes taken by Charlotte Linlin to undergo training and experience various trials.
Compared to those children with mediocre talent, he had more opportunities to interact with her.
Charlotte Linlin had a habit: she showed unusual gentleness toward children under the age of ten.
She wouldn’t even mind if they used her arm as a slide.
If the children had any ideas, she would also listen—provided that she herself had not yet decided what to do about the matter.
When Charlotte Linlin had already made up her mind, however, she would not accept the children’s opinions, nor would she consider what they thought.
If it had been other siblings like Nanamo, they would have long since been knocked unconscious by a slap from Charlotte Linlin and brought home to reflect properly.
Maybe having a father… wouldn’t be such a bad thing?
The thought flashed through Katakuri’s mind, but he quickly dismissed it.
Katakuri actually had some understanding of why Charlotte Linlin behaved this way.
Based on her actions and some things Nanamo usually told him, he had formed his own conclusion.
Nereus still respected his daughter’s freedom of choice.
If she chose to live with Charlotte Linlin in the future, he would not stop her.
That was roughly how Katakuri understood it—and it wasn’t far from the truth.
Since she could not defeat Nereus and could not simply take the child away by force, Charlotte Linlin began using a “softer approach.”
“Listen carefully—you all must respect this eldest sister just like you respect me!
When she comes here to play in the future, you are all to go along with whatever she says!
And from today onward, none of you are allowed to tell Nanamo about this!”
These were words Charlotte Linlin had said in the past to her older children when Nanamo was not present.
She also instructed them to keep an eye on the younger ones.
When her eating disorder wasn’t flaring up and her mind was clear, Charlotte Linlin was actually quite calculating.
Plotting schemes and tolerating certain things came naturally to her.
As for Nanamo herself, she didn’t think that far ahead.
First of all, because of the power gap, she had been raised by Nereus from the beginning, so she naturally felt closer to him.
Nereus also didn’t forbid Nanamo from interacting with Charlotte Linlin.
After all, on this vast sea, it was no small feat for a child to have both parents alive and even recognizable.
Moreover, life on Nereus’s side was actually far more comfortable for her.
She was his only child, and the mermen and fish-men who followed him treated her well because of him.
Just like Hermes calling her “Princess Nanamo,” she truly lived like a little princess there.
As for Charlotte Linlin’s side… the number of children was another matter entirely.
Even Nanamo herself couldn’t keep track.
Charlotte Linlin’s rate of childbirth was described by Gloriosa as being like “popcorn”—every year, new half-siblings would appear.
Playing around like visiting neighbors was fine, but if she really had to live in such a large household, Nanamo felt overwhelmed just thinking about it.
After that, nothing particularly noteworthy happened.
After checking on the injured Brûlée and playing for a while, Nanamo returned to Nereus’s side.
After Nanamo left, however, Charlotte Linlin suddenly turned to her son beside her.
“Katakuri, in your opinion, who is stronger right now—you or Nanamo?”
“Mama… you know the situation with big sister.
If I really fought her… I probably wouldn’t even be able to break through her defense.”
Katakuri was momentarily at a loss for words at the question.
Against the talent known as the “Iron Balloon,” he, still in his growth phase, had no way to deal any real damage.
The damage he could inflict amounted to zero.
Katakuri couldn’t imagine how he was supposed to win against that older sister at his current level.
“Mamama~ Mamama, well, she is the only child who inherited my defensive strength.
That’s only natural.”
Charlotte Linlin’s response was exactly what Katakuri expected; at this moment she almost sounded like an ordinary mother praising her daughter.
But as she continued speaking, her tone gradually turned sharp, almost grinding with irritation.
“A child belonging with her mother is only natural, isn’t it?
That damn Nereus… if it weren’t for you… Nanamo would never have chosen you…”
Katakuri didn’t respond.
Even though Charlotte Linlin hadn’t yet become the crazed old “mad woman,” this was still not a topic he could easily step into.
After all, no one could truly predict her thoughts.
One wrong word could easily provoke her displeasure.
Not long after, at Nereus’s base, Nanamo had already returned and found Nereus in his study.
The bookshelf was lined with numerous books and illustrated volumes.
A closer look revealed titles like The Legend of Dracula, Dark Night, and Hotel Transylvania, along with many other covers—most of them vampire-themed.
Compared to the slight unease she felt when interacting with Charlotte Linlin, Nanamo now appeared completely relaxed.
With a light push of her hands, she sat right on Nereus’s desk.
“Dad, I’m back.
Did something big happen?
On my way here I saw a lot of people preparing supplies for departure.”
There were quite a few pirates on the island, but they usually operated independently.
Seeing this kind of coordinated activity was rare.
“Yeah, you could say that.
This time… it’s the end of an era, and the beginning of a new one.”
“An era?”
The word seemed to confuse Nanamo.
She couldn’t quite grasp its meaning, but it still sparked a sense of excitement in her, as if she wanted to be part of it.
“It’s too early.
That’s not something you should be stepping into right now.”
“What?
I’m strong, you know.
If you don’t believe me, go ask anyone.
Today, Katakuri and I took down an entire pirate crew together!”
“Nanamo, that place is different.”
Even Nereus himself didn’t know all the details of God Valley.
He only understood what he had learned in his previous life—the outcomes and fragments of what was going to happen.
With his own abilities, he wasn’t afraid of that place.
But bringing Nanamo along raised the risk far too much.
“…I understand.”
Seeing Nereus’s expression turn serious, Nanamo didn’t press further.
His attitude made it clear—he would not change his decision.
“Don’t be discouraged.
You still need more time.
You’re too young right now.
When the time comes, I’ll take you to witness the pinnacle of the world.”
“I’m going to hold a small meeting next.
I’ll arrange what happens after this.
You can stay and listen in too.”