Meanwhile on an island, a woman was dressed in a thick white suit with medal-like knobs which supplies her with oxygen to save her sharing the same air as commoners. The collar of her suit has a flower-like pattern with lace at the top. The flower pattern on her suit repeated at the sides of her skirt. Her dirty blonde hair inside the bubble is styled upwards, forming a curl above her head. She wore a veil over the lower half of her face and light orange tinted shades over her eyes. She also wears heart-shaped earrings.
She was being carried atop a grand golden palanquin. "All kneel before Saint Shalria," a man shouted. Sharlria reclined lazily, her cruel smile out on display. Four men in chains bore the heavy palanquin on their broken shoulders, their faces pale with exhaustion, their bodies trembling with every step.
A group of Marines and her Guards were escorting her. "They were not allowed any sleep," the Marine said.
"She made them run up and down because she felt a bump yesterday," another Marine said.
Shalria looked in front of her. She thought the Auction will be starting soon. Her brother and father will be there. She thought she would need new slaves. These were old and worn, she thought.
She was being carried through a small town on the island. The streets were all made of cobble. She looked at a small family. There was a humble mother, father, and their young child all kneeling down.
"Mummy, where are we kneeling down?" the child asked. His knees were hurting from this position.
"Don't talk now," the mother responded as she was petrified. There was sweat dripping from her forehead. She wondered why she was here.
The little boy's legs gave away and he stumbled and fell forward, landing on his knees with a cry.
Shalria heard the cry. Her eyes darkened with fury. It was a horrible sound. She looked at the kid who was in her path as well now.
"How dare you fall in my presence?" she spat.
The father instinctively stepped forward, shielding his son, his hands raised in apology. Shalria didn't wait for words. She drew a small, ornate pistol from her belt and shot him coldly in the chest. He collapsed instantly, blood pooling beneath him.
"No," the mother screamed, rushing to her husband's side, only to be met by a second gunshot. She slumped over him, lifeless.
The child wailed in terror, clinging to his mother's lifeless body.
Around them, the crowd froze in horror, but no one dared move. No one dared speak. It was suicide to challenge a Celestial Dragon.
Shalria simply laughed, amused by the despair and fear in the air. She thought these insects should not get in her way.
The Marines stood quietly and in shock. "Keep going," she ordered.
Her palanquin continued on. She looked around to see this boring town. She wondered why she came here. Then she saw a young woman kneeling near a market stall. She was a beautiful woman with soft hair and frightened eyes.
Shalria smirked. "She'll make a lovely new slave," she said aloud, snapping her fingers.
Her guards moved without hesitation, seizing the woman roughly by the arms. People kneeled quietly and closed their ears. "Leave me," she said. She looked terrified.
A man rushed to defend her. "Leave her," he shouted in anger. Without hesitation, one of Shalria's guards shot him down where he stood. He fell to the ground in a pool of blood. There was a loud thump.
"No," the woman cried out, tears streaming down her face as she struggled uselessly.
Shalria frowned, annoyed by the sound. "I don't like noisy slaves," she muttered, drawing her pistol once more. A single shot echoed.The woman got hit in the stomach. She fell, lifeless at her captors' feet. Shalria sighed dramatically. "Another disappointment," she said, waving a dismissive hand as her palanquin continued toward a grand restaurant up the road.
It was specifically created a day ago for her. She walked inside the lavish establishment, Shalria was seated immediately. She reclined back in her private booth. She looked at the newspaper and saw a picture. It was a man with sharp black claws. His back sprouted black wings, a black tail, and two small horns were on his head. His eyes were red and had no pupils. He had a handsome face. His fist glowed.
"Demon King Ben," she read. Shalria licked her lips, intrigued.
"My, my... what an interesting man," she purred. "A shame he isn't already one of my slaves. He will be my personal slave. That will be arranged," she whispered, a wicked glint sparking in her eyes. She leaned back in her chair, already plotting how she might make this "Ben" kneel before her.
Meanwhile, aboard the Miss Love Duck, the afternoon sun bathed the ship in warm, golden light. The soft roar of the ocean surrounded the sleek vessel as it sailed smoothly across the calm waters.
Ben stepped out onto the deck, his hair still damp from his shower, wearing a red shirt and black pants and black boots. He had a nice black cape as well. He wondered who got this for me. The fresh sea breeze tousled his hair as he made his way across the deck.
Near the railing, he spotted Nojiko, Vivi, and Kaya gathered together. They were looking at something out at sea. "You see something there?" Nojiko asked. "You have some good eyesight," she added.
Ben approached them. "What are you looking at?" Ben asked.
Nojiko pointed out toward the horizon. "There's a ship, I think there," Nojiko said.
"There is one but it does not look good," Vivi said.
Ben looked in the direction. He saw a horrifying sight. A massive hull, splintered and broken, floating helplessly in the water. With a loud, violent crack, the remaining structure gave way, splitting clean in half. The shattered remains of the ship began to sink beneath the waves, swallowed.
"What could have caused that?" Kaya murmured.
Ben thought that as well. "Must be a storm?" Ben questioned.
"There was one here a day ago," Nojiko responded.
Vivi's eyes narrowed in concern. "There might be survivors," she said firmly. She looked at Ben. "We should check," she said.
At that moment, Robin came towards them. "What is going on?" Robin asked.
"There is a ship sinking and Vivi said we should look for survivors," Nojiko said.
"Princess had a good heart," Robin responded. "But Ben, this could be a trap," Robin warned.
"You are right however Vivi you still want to check it out?" Ben asked.
"I do," Vivi responded. "I think we should help," she added.
Robin chuckled. "Be careful," she said.
They all nodded. Ben, Kaya and Vivi transformed into their hybrid and beasts for respectively.
Without wasting time, they headed towards the wreckage. "Remember to keep your eyes open," Ben said. Kaya and Vivi nodded.
As they drew closer, the smell of salt and blood filled the air. Pieces of wood and shattered cargo floated on the surface. A few torn sails drifted like ghosts on the current. There was blood-stained water. They saw bodies on the deck. Some of them looked like children.
"This is cruel," Vivi said.
Kaya looked around. "I don't see or hear any movement," Kaya said.
Ben, Vivi, and Kaya carefully scanned the area, their hearts heavy.
Floating among the debris, Ben spotted a chest. It bobbed up and down, somehow still sealed tight despite the violence that had just occurred.
"Over there!" Ben called out.
"A treasure chest?" Kaya asked.
"Why is it here?" Vivi asked.
"Let's take it for now, maybe it has answers," Ben responded. He grabbed the chest. The three of them flew back to the Miss Love Duck. It hit the deck with a solid thud.
"What did you bring back?" Nojiko asked.
Robin looked suspiciously at it.
"Let's gather all the girls and then we can open it," Ben responded.