Chapter 46: Awakening! Conqueror’s Haki!

Lucia was momentarily startled but quickly realized who the "he" Carl was referring to.

She gripped Carl's hand tightly and said firmly, **"Young Master, because of your identity, it's difficult for you to take action. But if the time comes, I will kill him for you!"**

Carl shook his head as black energy began to rise from his body. His voice was calm yet resolute. **"From the moment he experimented on me, he was no longer my father. His life must be taken by my own hands."**

Lucia fell silent at his words. Without saying anything more, the two continued forward until they arrived at the **Figarland family estate**.

Though called a **family residence**, the sheer scale of the place surpassed even the palaces of kings in the outside world. Under Lucia's guidance, Carl walked for a long time before reaching the inner depths of the estate—**the palace of the Figarland family's leader**.

Standing at the entrance was a **middle-aged man** with a distinct crescent-shaped beard and hair. His presence exuded authority and an almost overwhelming sense of power.

Despite his peculiar hairstyle, his facial features bore a striking resemblance to Carl's—as if he were looking at an **older version of himself**.

This man was **Saint Garling Figarland**—the reigning head of the Figarland family.

---

### **The Test**

The moment Carl stepped onto the palace grounds, Garling's eyes narrowed, and an overwhelming pressure erupted from him.

**Boom!**

The golden-armored guards behind Carl **instantly collapsed to their knees**, unable to withstand the sheer force of Garling's presence.

Lucia, who was significantly stronger, clenched her fists, her face twisted in pain, barely managing to stand.

Carl, on the other hand, remained upright—but **beads of sweat** had already begun forming on his forehead.

Watching Carl withstand his aura, Garling stepped down the stairs slowly, his deep voice booming:

**"Carl, is this all you've got? Is this the result of your training at Marine Headquarters? Didn't you just say you wanted to take revenge yourself!?"**

Carl's eyes widened.

He had spoken those words outside the estate—how had Garling heard him from deep inside?

For a brief moment, Carl even wondered if Garling possessed the **Rumble-Rumble Fruit** and could control sound waves. But then, he remembered—**Observation Haki manifests differently for different people**. Some could predict the future, others could hear the voices of all things.

Garling had clearly honed his **Observation Haki** to a terrifying level.

And now, with every step he took, the pressure Carl felt intensified.

Behind him, **Lucia bit her lip, trembling, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth**. Seeing this, Carl's expression darkened.

**"Lucia…!"**

Without hesitation, he **pulled Lucia into his arms**, and from his back, **dark tendrils of energy** surged forward, reaching toward Garling.

Garling didn't stop his approach. With a mere **cold snort**, his aura **flared once more**, and the dark tendrils were **obliterated on impact**.

Carl felt like he had been **struck by an invisible force**, while Lucia almost collapsed from the sheer weight of the pressure.

Standing before him, Garling looked down and said **contemptuously**,

**"Is that all?"**

---

### **The Awakening**

Carl's vision blurred, his body trembling under Garling's overwhelming Haki.

But despite the pain, **he refused to fall**.

Garling, watching him endure, felt a flicker of admiration.

He hadn't seen Carl since the **Valley of Gods**, and this was meant to be a **test**. Though his expression was impassive, deep down, he was **very satisfied**.

His **Conqueror's Haki** was not just a **mental shock**—it could cause **actual physical damage**.

After all, **Saint Garling Figarland** was one of the **strongest fighters in the world**. His achievements in **Conqueror's Haki** might even surpass those of **Red-Haired Shanks**.

The fact that **a sixteen-year-old Carl could withstand it** proved that he possessed the **qualifications of a king**.

Just as Garling was about to withdraw his Haki, Carl—who had been hanging his head—**suddenly spoke** in a low murmur.

**"How could it be like this…? It's over…!!!"**

At that moment—

**Something deep within Carl's soul shattered.**

A **jet-black aura**, crackling with **lightning**, erupted from him.

**BZZZT!**

Lucia, who had been barely holding on, **suddenly felt light**—the suffocating pressure **vanished**. She lifted her head and saw a **black, semicircular barrier** surrounding her and Carl.

Her **amber eyes widened in shock**.

**"Young Master! You've awakened Conqueror's Haki!?"**

Carl exhaled, a slow smile forming on his lips. He straightened his posture and met Garling's **surprised** gaze.

**"Uncle Garling, was this supposed to be my welcome gift?"**

---

### **A New Home**

Garling, momentarily taken aback, quickly masked his surprise. With a faint smirk, he withdrew his Conqueror's Haki and said,

**"Yes. This is the birthright of the Figarland family. Welcome home, Saint Figarland Carl."**

Carl was about to respond when **Lucia suddenly let out a soft groan**.

Startled, Carl quickly looked down at her.

**"Lucia! Are you hurt!?"**

Lucia's **face flushed red** as she glanced up at him, her voice barely above a whisper.

**"I-I'm fine… It's just… Young Master, you're holding me too tightly… I can't breathe…"**

**"…Huh?"**

Carl froze.

Then he realized—his arms were still wrapped **firmly around Lucia's chest**, pressing her against him.

**"…!!"**

Feeling the soft sensation beneath his arms, Carl coughed awkwardly and moved to let go.

But before he could, **Lucia suddenly pressed down on his hand**, lowering her head as she murmured shyly,

**"Master… Just a little longer… My body still feels weak…"**

Carl hesitated, then simply **shifted his hold to her waist**, supporting her against his body.

**"Then just stay like this."**

Lucia's heart skipped a beat.

**"E-Eh? I can actually stand now…"**

Carl's voice was firm.

**"No. You're my subordinate. I won't allow you to refuse."**

Those words struck Lucia harder than Garling's Conqueror's Haki. Her entire body **went limp**.

Watching the scene unfold, **Garling said nothing**. He simply turned around and said,

**"Let's go. I have something for you—consider it my homecoming gift to you."**

Carl's gaze darkened. **A homecoming gift…?**

He had a feeling that this was just the beginning.