Chapter 51: The Battle With Lucia

Carl stood still for a moment, staring at his hands in disbelief. He clenched his fists, expecting the familiar weakness—but instead, he felt nothing but strength. The dark energy coursing through his body had grown even more potent.

Garling chuckled at Carl's dazed expression and stepped forward.

"How do you feel? Satisfied with your new condition?"

Carl nodded, still flexing his right hand. The sword-shaped mark on the back of his hand shifted, and black streams of energy seeped from his fingertips, coalescing into his palm. Slowly, the darkness solidified into the shape of a sword.

With a flick of his wrist, the once-liquid darkness hardened, forming the demon sword Muramasa, its blade gleaming with an ominous black light.

Holding Muramasa, Carl could feel his dark power surging, more intense than ever. If not for the sacred relics in the secret chamber, he would have unleashed its full force right then and there.

He had a suspicion about why the Seastone hadn't affected him. Looking down at the sinister blade in his hands, he asked,

"Uncle Garling… is it because of this sword?"

"That's right." Garling nodded. "Muramasa doesn't just enhance the Dark-Dark Fruit's power—it also masks your Devil Fruit aura. From now on, neither the sea nor Seastone will be a threat to you."

Carl's lips curled into a grin. When he and Garling stepped out of the chamber, he turned and activated *Universal Pull.* The massive Seastone doors, responding to the force, slammed shut with a resounding *boom.*

Garling retrieved the key, locking the doors before the two of them left.

###

Outside the palace, Lucia had dismissed the golden-armored guards and remained alone, waiting.

As soon as Carl and Garling stepped out, Lucia's sharp amber eyes immediately locked onto Carl.

Carl waved, and in the blink of an eye, Lucia appeared before him.

"Young Master," she greeted, her voice gentle and melodic.

Carl took her hand lightly. Lucia's large amber eyes sparkled, but she hesitated.

"Young Master… I am just your slave. This is too intimate…"

Despite her words, she showed no intention of pulling away. In fact, she subtly moved closer.

"Stop calling yourself a slave," Carl said. "You know I've never seen you that way."

With a flick of his hand, the *Dark Bible* appeared, and Carl retrieved a sword.

Lucia looked at it curiously. Even in its sheath, the weapon exuded an extraordinary presence. The scabbard was elegantly crafted, its golden patterns shaped like petals, while the hilt was a striking crimson wrapped with dark gold engravings.

Even without drawing the blade, the faint aura it emitted was enough to showcase its sharpness.

"Is this a gift from Lord Garling?" Lucia asked.

Carl shook his head.

"No. This is the gift I chose for you. Its name is *Kōrō no Hikari.*"

Lucia's eyes widened. "This… this is for me?!"

Realizing what he had just said, she quickly waved her hands in protest.

"Young Master, this is too precious! I don't deserve it!"

Carl's expression darkened as he scowled. "Who decides that? If you don't think you're worthy, then don't follow me anymore."

Lucia instantly fell silent. She knew Carl was probably bluffing, but she wasn't about to take that risk.

Timidly, she reached out and accepted *Kōrō no Hikari,* whispering,

"…Thank you, Young Master."

Carl smirked. "That's more like it. It's just one of the 21 Great Grade Swords—accept it with confidence."

Lucia's face lit up with a radiant smile, her eyes curving into crescents. A warm feeling spread in her heart.

Garling, on the other hand, rolled his eyes. *This brat… He's just giving away something from the family vault and acting like it's his own gift. Unbelievable.*

Before Carl could continue chatting with Lucia, Garling interrupted, his tone carrying an unmistakable authority.

"Carl, have you already forgotten what I told you back in the chamber?"

Carl barely glanced at him. "Hmm? What do you mean, Uncle Garling?"

"You brat…" Garling's eyes narrowed. "I said I wanted to see how strong you've become. Now, you and Lucia, follow me to the training room."

Without waiting for a response, he turned and strode away.

Carl sighed, shaking his head as he pulled Lucia along to follow.

###

The so-called "training room" turned out to be enormous—far larger than even the Marine Academy's training grounds.

Its walls and floors were riddled with countless sword marks, evidence of past battles.

As soon as they entered, Garling didn't waste any time.

"Alright," he said. "You and Lucia will fight. Show me what you've learned in the Marines. If I'm not satisfied, you'll stay here training until I *am.* Also—no Devil Fruit abilities allowed."

Before Carl could even respond, Lucia spoke hesitantly.

"But… I don't want to attack the Young Master…"

Garling's expression darkened. *A Celestial Dragon's slave… daring to refuse an order?*

"You're quite bold." His voice was chilling. "What, are you afraid you'll hurt Carl?"

"No, Young Master is definitely stronger than me, I just—"

"Lucia."

Carl cut her off, his voice firm.

"Let's fight. Don't hold back. I'm much stronger than you think."

Lucia hesitated. She could tell that Garling was running out of patience.

And Carl knew that if he hadn't been there, Garling wouldn't have hesitated to kill her for disobedience.

Garling's kindness only extended to his own kin. To everyone else, he was a Celestial Dragon—an untouchable, indifferent god.

Carl had just saved Lucia's life.

She swallowed hard and nodded. "Understood, Young Master."

The two stepped into the center of the training room.

Lucia unsheathed *Kōrō no Hikari.* The moment the blade left its scabbard, a chilling radiance gleamed along its edge.

Carl summoned *Muramasa,* its dark surface pulsating with energy.

He smirked. "Lucia, Uncle Garling told me you have a Devil Fruit ability. Show me."

Lucia immediately obeyed. She closed her eyes, and in an instant, deep purple flames ignited around her body.

Carl's eyes widened as a pair of black wings unfurled from her back. Her golden armor, exposed to the dark flames, darkened in color, taking on a more ominous sheen. Strange black patterns emerged along its surface.

Carl whistled.

"Well now… this just got interesting."