One Piece: The Celestial Dragons' Self-Cultivation

Page 100

Perhaps it's their ingrained way of thinking that they subconsciously believe a mere scientist couldn't possibly defy the world government.

But Satan didn't even consider that if he dared to secretly research ancient robots behind Im's back, why wouldn't Vegapunk dare to?

"Go ahead and do your research. Sooner or later, you'll cause trouble with your research."

Blake thought to himself, "I love watching the drama unfold."

He threw the newspaper in Betty and Ginny's direction:

"Look, your friends don't seem to be having much luck."

Betty quickly caught the newspaper; she had been eager to know what was happening outside.

In fact, the fact that Blake was still able to sit here and eat dinner quietly already told them that their original plan had definitely failed.

However, Ginny and Betty still hoped that Long and the others were strong enough to evacuate in time after discovering the problem.

Betty carefully picked up the newspaper with trembling hands, as if afraid that she would tear it to shreds if she used too much force.

Whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, the title did not describe the current situation of the revolutionary army, so she hurriedly scrolled down to find it.

Ginny supported Betty with her hand, already mentally prepared for the worst.

Bright lights illuminated the luxurious restaurant, the silver cutlery gleamed coldly, and the air was deathly still.

When Betty saw that "Revolutionary Army cadres Ivankov and Raven have been arrested and taken to Impel Down," she swayed slightly.

Suppressing my complex emotions, I continued reading.

He collapsed to the ground when he saw “the revolutionary army leader Long, cadres Lindbergh and Morrie were shot dead on the spot.”

Ginny, who had originally intended to comfort Betty, couldn't hold back any longer and collapsed onto the carpet with a dull thud, as if all the bones in her body had been removed.

The restaurant was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, with only the increasingly heavy, desperate breathing of the two people.

As Perona grew older, she gradually became more aware of the situation and dared not cause trouble at this time.

Tenzuki looked at them with a look of deep empathy, as if she were seeing her past self in them.

In the first few years after Blake brought her back, she was in a daze.

If it weren't for his only remaining daughter, Tianyue Shi would probably have already tried to end his own life.

Hancock, on the other hand, seemed indifferent; those unrelated people died, so be it.

Robin sighed softly; she could understand how this must have affected Ginny and Betty, just as it had affected her when she first learned of Ohara's destruction.

But Robin has been with Black for almost ten years now.

As her values ​​and beliefs were shaped and subtly influenced, she developed a superior mentality, making it difficult for her to empathize with the feelings of the two people.

Blake cut the lamb chops on his plate without even looking up:

"Pity."

Stella, who was sitting next to him, took out a handkerchief and wiped the corner of his mouth.

Blake's tone remained calm, as if he were discussing what to eat tomorrow:

"Whether it's you or Christopher."

"A group of idealists who went astray, this is just the end they deserved."

His words were like a key, suddenly unlocking the floodgates of Betty's memories.

She recalled how, when she and Ginny overheard information about the Celestial Dragons' internal strife and the Fishman Tiger's plans to attack Mary Geoise, they felt humiliated and resentful, yet secretly harbored a sense of ecstasy.

They believed they had overheard top-secret information through their exceptional skills and were convinced that this was a golden opportunity to severely damage the enemy and strengthen the revolution.

It wasn't until she saw Jinbe and his group off in Red Harbor that Black suddenly appeared before her, shattering her initial illusions.

"us……"

Ginny's throat sounded like it had been sanded, her voice hoarse and broken.

"We thought...that was something we overheard..."

"The intelligence was obtained by us..."

Betty's body trembled uncontrollably, and tears streamed down her face silently.

That wasn't sadness, but something much deeper, something much more suffocating—

She recalled how she had been unable to sleep because of this "unexpected gain".

At a meeting of cadres, he overruled dissenting opinions and persuaded others to believe in and participate in the operation.

"it's all my fault……"

Betty's voice was choked with sobs, each word sounding like it was being squeezed from her lungs:

“Clearly…clearly back then…the leader did have some suspicions…”

"it's all my fault……"

Blake finally raised his head, a barely perceptible smile playing at the corners of his lips:

"Overconfidence in one's own abilities is a fatal weakness."

He gracefully raised his glass:

"To...your contributions."

This statement became the final straw that broke the camel's back.

Ginny and Betty burst into tears like a flood, instantly sobbing uncontrollably.

It wasn't out of fear or pain, but out of remorse for what I had done, which spread like venom throughout my body in an instant.

They not only lost their comrades-in-arms, but also became accomplices in the destruction of the revolution.

The lighting remained warm, and the food remained exquisite.

But the two had already fallen into an endless hell.

In this opulent cage, they will spend the rest of their lives grappling with the despair of this moment, never to be free.

Blake never intended for these two staunch revolutionary fighters to serve him.

Unlike Robin and others who were raised from childhood, Black has a fundamental conflict of interest with the Revolutionary Army.

Unless the same brainwashing methods Im used on Junko are employed, it is almost impossible to reverse the situation.

But even if Blake didn't have such means, he wouldn't want to use the method of turning people into robots.

After all, whether now or in the future, Blake will never lack the fighting power of the two of them.

He would rather see a group of slaves with distinct personalities, even if they were unwilling and dared not resist.

So his decision to bring the two of them to his side was more out of a Squirrel Party mentality, or simply out of lust.

After all, Betty's appearance was so memorable that her pictures couldn't be posted on most novel websites.

Blake, who is known for his double standards, is always more tolerant of beautiful women.

Well... that only applies to keeping them from dying on the battlefield, but keeping them by my side as slaves.

Blake's attitude toward Ginny and Betty was similar to that toward Amatsuki.

They're just nice to have around, so just stay put and don't cause any trouble.

Chapter 132 A Day Full of Hope

Blake actually quite admired Betty and Ginny's attitude.

Black and the others were, after all, on opposing sides. Even though the consequences of inducing the Revolutionary Army to attack Mary Geoise were severe, they were more annoyed that they hadn't seen through it sooner.

There was certainly resentment in his heart, but he did not adopt the attitude of "I am not wrong, it is all other people's fault" like those scholars in Ohara.

To be fair, those who actually take up arms are much more resilient than others.

So Blake brought Betty into the room that very night.

"You were once a soldier."

In the dimly lit room, the candlelight flickered on Blake's face:

"Now you are one of my spoils."

Betty didn't speak, but simply stared silently at the flickering flames in the fireplace.

On the hearth are porcelain from White Porcelain Island, divination reeds from the Tarot Kingdom, and a dagger inlaid with gemstones...

Each piece, like her, is a symbol of being conquered.

Moonlight poured down the corridor like quicksilver, and Blake's fingers traced the collar around Betty's neck:

"Your idealism is touching, but also naive."

"History is always written by the victors."

"You can defeat me, defeat the revolutionary army."

Betty's voice was like a candle flickering in the wind:

"But it can never defeat the indomitable spirit in people's hearts."

Upon hearing Betty's words, Blake smiled—the kind of smile a hunter gives to a prey that is powerless to resist.

His fingers gently traced Betty's back:

"Although I have heard that even the hardest rocks can be worn down by flowing water, I have never wanted to defeat anyone's soul."

"Your souls will remain your own."

"But the rest... are all mine!"

The moon that night was unusually full, with an ominous blood-red halo, but it was blocked out by the heavy curtains.

The air was filled with the scent of expensive spices mixed with the fragrance of books, and an oil painting depicting a hunting scene hung on the wall.

It was a lion, tearing at a fallen deer.

"Look at you."

Blake's fingers gently stroked her cheek:

"You are so beautiful, yet so stubborn."

"Actually, I still hope that you can let go of the past and serve me wholeheartedly from now on."

Betty closed her eyes, letting her thoughts drift away.

She recalled the wheat fields of her hometown from her childhood, where golden waves stretched all the way to the horizon.

I recall my mother humming a lullaby, as gentle as a summer night breeze.

I recall the laughter of the revolutionary soldiers, sharing simple food and grand dreams around the campfire.

The reality is the cold touch of velvet sheets.

It was the soft click of metal buckles when a robe was unfastened.

It was the suffocating feeling of a heavy body pressing down on you.

Blake's breath brushed against her ear:

Forget the past; it was just a dream.

"You will experience the joy of being a superior person in the future, just like I did."

Blake casually made up a few things, hoping it would have an effect, but it wouldn't matter if it didn't.

Betty bit her lower lip until she tasted blood.

She didn't shed tears, because tears are reserved for those who still have hope.

When pain tears her body apart, she only sinks deeper into the refuge of memories, where spring never fades and light never fades.

As dawn broke, the maid entered the room to help her change, avoiding looking at the bruises on her body and the marks on her wrists.

Betty remained silent and let them do as they pleased.

Blake is gone; his scent still lingers on the pillow.

There was a book of poems with a leather cover on the bedside table.