Chapter-15 Princess of Subjugation?

In the quiet of the study, Argus and Newgate sat shoulder to shoulder, locked in another long conversation.

They'd wracked their brains for hours.

But in the end…There was still no solution.

No island they could truly call safe.No sanctuary fit for the growing family they were trying to protect.

So, for now?

They shelved the issue.Priorities first.

And today's priority?

Princess shopping.

That Same Night

"Husband?"

The voice was soft—gentle as a breeze drifting through the paper lanterns.Serena stood at the study door, her hands resting lightly over her midriff.

Argus glanced up, mildly surprised. "Serena? It's past midnight. What are you doing up?"

She giggled. "Hehe~ What, did you think I'd turn into a pig the moment I got pregnant? Eat, sleep, repeat?"

She made her way over and eased onto the sofa beside him, elegant and poised despite the slight swell of her belly.

Argus chuckled and rubbed his forehead. "Alright, fair. That's on me. Guess I'm still getting used to all this."

Honestly, he'd half-expected her to turn sluggish by now—but no, Serena was still sharp. Still composed. Still... Serena.

She handed him a small tray of cut fruit, freshly prepared by one of the maids, and studied his face.

"What's keeping you up this late?" she asked.

Argus hesitated, then gave her the rundown.

About the search.About the dead ends.About Newgate's newest idea—buying a safe haven for their children through power and coin.

Serena listened in silence. Then, slowly, she smiled.

"We should really thank Big Brother," she said softly. "He's crass, but he means well."

Then her eyes narrowed slightly, glinting with something mischievous. "But... if you're looking for a safe island... I might have a lead."

Argus tilted his head. "A lead?"

"Not confirmed," she clarified. "Just a fuzzy memory. Something I heard as a child. Let me dig into it first. If it checks out, I'll let you know."

Argus laughed. "Alright. I'll trust your instincts."

Even if it amounted to nothing, he appreciated the effort. Serena was royalty, after all—her instincts were political gold.

And if she remembered something worthwhile?

Even better.

The Next Day

The Edward Brothers set sail once more.Destination: the black market.

Contrary to popular belief, the underground emperor didn't operate from a single location.There were eight major black market islands in the New World alone, each a fortress of commerce and cruelty. Expansion was ongoing.

The Grand Line?Eighteen islands—and counting.

The Four Blues?Hundreds. Smuggler's paradise.

But in the New World, things were different.Brutal.Unpredictable.Hostile.

Any pirate worth their bounty could burn a black market outpost to ash just for sport.Even the emperor of the underworld knew his limits.

But abandoning the New World altogether?

Unthinkable.It was the underworld's beating heart.

Which meant one thing:You could still find subjugated princesses here—if you knew where to look.

One Such Island – Slave House #27

Inside the dark, velvet-curtained hall, the scent of incense masked the cold air of captivity.Men whispered behind gilded masks. Chains clinked softly in the back rooms.

Argus leaned forward at the merchant's podium.

"Do you have any princesses? Fallen kingdoms."

The store manager, already bowing nearly in half at the sight of the Murakumogiri resting at Newgate's side, answered instantly.

"Of course, honored sirs! We currently have ten subjugated princesses in stock—all aged seventeen to eighteen. Virgin. Educated. Refined. Prime condition."

Newgate didn't even look up. "They clean?"

The man stiffened, puffing up with pride. "Cleanliness is a baseline requirement, great one! Every girl undergoes cleansing and examination upon intake. I wouldn't dare offer you filth—our house has standards."

Reputation was the black market's only form of currency.Outside? You could betray, stab, or murder your client and still sleep well.Inside? Trust was law.

"You said ten?" Argus asked.

"Yes, sir! But if you wish, I can have more delivered within ten days. With royal certifications, if needed."

"No need," Argus said casually. "We'll take the ten."

"Y-Yes, sir!! Right away!"

The manager almost fell over himself in gratitude. These weren't low-rung slaves or criminal stock.They were princesses—spoils of war, pawns of fallen thrones.

Premium-tier merchandise, just below rare races like mermaids, Kuja, or Lunarians.

And to buy ten at once?

Only the Edward Brothers could afford to blink at the cost.

"Total comes to five hundred million Berries. The documentation is prepared."

Argus signed with a flick of the pen. Newgate didn't even glance at the receipt.

And just like that—The princesses were bought.The harem grew.

Faster than Newgate could count.

"Gurararara~~!" the old man cackled, slinging Murakumogiri onto his back. "At this rate, little brother, you'll repopulate the damn world before I find the One Piece!"

Argus sighed.

"Let's just hope they don't start fighting over nursery space."

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________Patreon- HeckTon496 for Advanced Chapters