Chapter-6 Cunning Wife

Argus laid out the priorities with calm precision.

"First, recruit experienced midwives and female doctors.Second, stock up on everything the baby will need.Third, gather proper nutritional supplements."

Newgate nodded eagerly—like a boy on his first raid, despite being two years older. The sheer excitement bubbling out of him was almost absurd.

"Right! Right! I'll take care of it—wait!"

He stopped mid-stride, turned back, and scratched the back of his head with a sheepish grin.

"By the way, Argus… Serena's pregnant now, yeah? So she can't make any more babies for a while. Shouldn't you, uh... get a few concubines?"

"…Seriously?"

Argus stared at him, deadpan. "Do I look like some stud bull to you?"

"Hey! I'm just reminding you of your own words," Newgate shot back, crossing his arms and puffing out his chest. "'I build the foundation. You expand the legacy.' Remember that?"

Before Argus could fire back, Newgate had already swaggered out of the room, still laughing.

Later that night...

Serena's fingers gently traced over her still-flat belly, her expression soft and serene. No bump yet, but her eyes glowed with maternal warmth. She lay beside Argus, voice quiet but resolute.

"Husband… I think you should start considering other women."

Argus blinked, startled. "What?"

"I'm pregnant now. For a time, I won't be able to share your bed. You and Big Brother are trying to revive the Edward bloodline… You'll need more children. More heirs."

She met his gaze without jealousy, without fear.

"I don't mind," she said plainly. "My own father had multiple wives. I accepted this would happen from the moment I chose you."

Argus looked at her—this noblewoman who had left comfort and status behind to stand beside him—and felt a deep, quiet respect. Strong, intelligent, loyal. She embraced her role in this brutal, bloodline-driven world with eyes wide open.

He sighed, giving her a wry smile.

"We'll see."

The next morning...

Newgate was already up at dawn, a whirlwind of activity—organizing shipments, inspecting doctors, barking orders at half-awake pirates. But when Serena approached him in private, his ears perked up.

"You're talking about helping Argus find other wives?" he asked, raising a thick brow.

Serena nodded once. "He needs a family, not just a child. I can't do it alone."

Newgate grinned.

"Gurararara~~~! You're really something."

His respect for Serena only deepened. He wasn't blind—he saw the strategy in her words—but that only made him admire her more. Loyalty, foresight, humility. She had all the makings of a true matriarch.

Still, as she turned to leave, he muttered to himself:

"Where in the world am I supposed to find a proper concubine?"

Right then, a young pirate cleaning the deck nearby piped up.

"Lord Whitebeard! Should we find maids for Lady Serena too?"

"Good idea!" Newgate nodded immediately. "Make that a priority!"

The same pirate hesitated before adding, "And for concubines… maybe check the black market? They sometimes trade rare women—ex-nobles, princesses, special bloodlines…"

Newgate rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"The black market, huh…"

It wasn't ideal. But it was a lead.

"Alright. You handle the midwives and household staff. I'll talk to Argus."

Later that day…

The door burst open without warning.

"I found a plan!" Newgate announced, grinning like a lunatic. "Let's hit the black market for concubines!"

Argus didn't even flinch. He just looked up from his maps and sighed.

"You're still on this?"

"Dead serious," Newgate said, dropping into a chair. "If they've got any worthwhile women there—noble blood, rare heritage—we'll take one. If not? Hell, we'll storm a palace and snatch a princess ourselves!"

Argus blinked. "You're not joking."

"Course not."

Argus leaned back in his chair, thinking.

"Fine. I don't care where she comes from. But don't bring me anyone worthless. I won't have low-grade blood weakening our line."

Newgate laughed, loud and wild.

"Gurararara! That's more like it! We're doing this right, or not at all!"

Argus hadn't set foot in the black market before—not personally. In the month and a half since he'd left Sphinx Island, his attention had been locked on growth, training, and strategy.

But now?

Now he would explore the underworld for what it offered: not weapons, not treasures—but legacy.

And if there was value buried in that shadowed bazaar, he would dig it out—no matter how deep he had to go.