Chapter 13- Princess Magarett

Third Pov

The streets of Camelot Kingdom bustled with life as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the cobblestone roads. Lucius strolled leisurely, a sack of groceries slung over his shoulder, a list crumpled in his other hand.

"Let's see... Milk, bread, apples... and Kenny wanted—what is this? Goat cheese? Ugh, that guy has weird taste," Lucius muttered, shaking his head as he turned a corner.

The market was finally closing down for the night, the vendors packing their goods as lamps flickered to life along the streets. As he passed by an alleyway, a hooded figure suddenly darted out, nearly colliding with him.

"Oi, watch where you're going—"

The figure grabbed his arm, pulling him deeper into the alley. Lucius nearly dropped his groceries.

"Hey! What the—?!"

The hood lowered, revealing a young woman with blue eyes and long golden hair tucked messily into her cloak.

"You're Lucius, right?" she whispered, her breath slightly ragged from running.

Lucius blinked. "Who's askin'?"

She hesitated before straightening up, her gaze firm. "I am Princess Magarett of Camelot Kingdom."

Lucius stared for a long moment. Then, he snorted. "Pfft—Yeah, right. And I'm the Pirate King."

Magarett sighed. "I'm serious! Listen, I don't have much time. I need your help."

Lucius tilted his head. "Help? With what?"

She took a deep breath before gripping his sleeve tighter.

"I need you to help me dethrone my brother, King Arthur III."

Lucius immediately pulled his arm back.

"Ohhh no. Nope. Absolutely not."

Magarett stepped forward. "But—"

"Listen, lady, I just came here to buy goat cheese, and somehow, that has turned into treason. I am NOT looking to overthrow any kings today!"

"Lucius, please—"

"Nope. Nada. Goodbye, your royal—er, former royal highness," he said, waving her off dramatically before walking away.

But before he could take another step—

Back in the palace 

"YOUR MAJESTY!" A breathless guard burst into the grand throne room of Camelot Castle, his armor clanking with every step. King Arthur III, still seated in his golden throne, didn't even glance up.

"What is it?"

"It's... It's Princess Magarett! She's missing!" the guard stammered.

Arthur III let out a slow sigh, rubbing his temple. "Again? How troublesome."

With a wave of his hand, he gestured to the shadows near the hall. "Send in No. 6."

A tall, muscular man stepped forward. His crimson cape swayed as he adjusted his heavy gauntlets. Short black hair, a scar cutting through his eyebrow, and a perpetual look of mild irritation marked his features.

"You called?" No. 6, the sixth elite knight, yawned as he stretched. "Please tell me this isn't another 'chase the princess' mission."

Arthur III smirked before opening his eyes. "It is. But this time, she's with a Marine recruit named Lucius."

No. 6 scratched his chin. "A Marine, huh? Sounds fun. Alright, I'll bring her back. Want me to break anything while I'm at it?"

Arthur III chuckled. "No need for unnecessary damage. Just make sure Lucius understands his place."

No. 6 grinned. "Got it."

Back in the city

Magarett was still pleading her case.

"Lucius, my brother is a tyrant! He rules through fear and manipulation. If he sees you as useful, he'll make sure you belong to him, whether you like it or not!" she insisted.

Lucius groaned. "Look, lady, I get it, bad king, bad life. But I'm a recruit! I mop decks for a living! What do you think I can do?"

Before Magarett could answer, a deep voice cut through the air.

"Oi. Princess. You're coming back with me."

A shiver ran down Magarett's spine. She turned slowly, and Lucius followed her gaze to see No. 6 standing a few feet away, cracking his knuckles.

Lucius blinked. "Who's the grumpy guy?"

Magarett paled. "That's No. 6! One of my brother's knights!"

Lucius sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Great. Just great."

No. 6 rolled his shoulders. "Look, kid. You can walk away now, and I won't have to break you."

Lucius raised a finger. "Okay, first of all, I don't even know what's happening anymore. Second, break me? That's rude."

Magarett grabbed his sleeve again. "Lucius, please! I need your help!"

Lucius groaned. "I hate my life."

No. 6 wasted no time. In a blur, he closed the distance, throwing a punch. Lucius barely dodged, feeling the force of the wind against his cheek. Fast!

Lucius retaliated, swinging a kick, but No. 6 caught his leg midair. With a smirk, he slammed Lucius into the ground.

"GAAAH!" Lucius gasped. "Okay—ow—let's talk about this!"

No. 6 didn't let up. He reared back and sent a black colored fist as lucius saw straight into his stomach.

Lucius choked on air. Why does it feel like my organs just got replaced with bricks?! And why was he able to hit me? Does this Mf know how to use Haki!?

Magarett gasped. "Lucius!"

Lucius coughed. "Still... alive... but I think I saw my grandpa for a second..."

No. 6 sighed. "You're not even worth my full strength."

Lucius wheezed. "You mean that wasn't your full strength?!"

With one final hit, No. 6 sent Lucius crashing into a pile of crates, knocking him out cold.

Magarett gasped as No. 6 dusted off his hands. "That's that. Let's go, princess."

"You didn't have to go that hard on him!" she snapped.

No. 6 shrugged. "What? He needed a reality check."

Later, back at the castle

No. 6 knelt before Arthur III.

"I retrieved the princess."

Arthur III smiled. "And Lucius?"

No. 6 cracked his neck. "Oh, he got wrecked."

Arthur III chuckled. "Good. And yet... he still interests me."

No. 6 frowned. "Why? He was weak."

Arthur III smirked. "Perhaps. But he's also stubborn. And stubborn people are entertaining."

As Arthur III laughed to himself, far across the city, Lucius groaned, still sprawled among the broken crates.

This is the first time I got bitch smacked since Jiro, Hahahahaha! I'm still weak huh!? Lucius then stood up holding his stomach and picking up the grocery bag as he walked back to the base.

"Note to self... Never pick fights with dudes named 'No. 6.'"

To be continued...