Saint Garling rubbed his forehead lightly and spoke in a calm voice.
"Alright, you may return now."
Dr. Vegapunk nodded respectfully. After bowing to Saint Garling, he slowly stepped backward toward the door before leaving the room under the escort of two Golden Armored Guards.
Once Dr. Vegapunk departed, silence settled over the hall.
Only then did Saint Garling shift his gaze toward the entrance, where Spandine had been standing quietly the entire time. He had been waiting there for quite a while, barely daring to breathe too loudly.
Saint Garling looked at the object in Spandine's arms and spoke with mild curiosity.
"What are you holding?"
Spandine immediately stepped forward while carrying the iron cage. He stopped several steps away from Saint Garling and carefully lowered the cage onto the ground.
The cage was not light at all.
By the time Spandine had carried it all the way into the residence, sweat had already soaked through his clothes and his breathing had become slightly uneven. However, standing in front of Saint Garling left him no opportunity to rest.
Without hesitation he removed the black cloth that covered the iron cage.
Saint Garling glanced inside.
A young girl was lying quietly in the cage.
She appeared to be asleep.
Her long black hair flowed around her like a waterfall, spreading gently across the floor of the cage. She wore clothing with a rather unusual design that clearly did not belong to the people of the Holy Land.
Despite her young age, her face possessed striking beauty.
Among the young slave girls that other Celestial Dragons often purchased, Saint Garling had never seen one with appearance comparable to hers.
Only Lucia from years ago could truly be compared to this girl.
However, Saint Garling had never been interested in women. A child like this held even less significance to him.
After only a brief glance, he withdrew his gaze.
Meanwhile Spandine looked extremely pleased with himself, as if he were presenting a priceless treasure.
"Saint Garling, this is a gift I prepared for Saint Lloyd."
He pointed proudly at the girl inside the cage.
"My men captured her from the Kuja Pirates. I have already investigated her identity. Her name is Boa Hancock, and she is eight years old."
Saint Garling gave a slight nod.
He was familiar with the Kuja Pirates.
Their members all originated from Amazon Lily, an island inhabited solely by women. Their previous leader, known as Flaming Flower, had once sailed under the banner of Rocks D. Xebec. That woman possessed quite formidable strength during that era.
Capturing a child from such a crew certainly required some effort.
Saint Garling looked back at Spandine.
"Did Saint Lloyd personally instruct you to capture this Boa Hancock?"
Spandine's face stiffened instantly.
Saint Lloyd had never given such an order.
This had been entirely Spandine's own idea.
He only wanted to please his master.
In front of Saint Garling, however, Spandine did not dare lie. He immediately lowered his head and honestly explained his intentions.
Saint Garling listened without interruption, his expression remaining calm throughout the explanation.
After a moment he suddenly spoke again.
"Spandine, are you aware of Saint Lloyd's current condition?"
Spandine silently nodded.
He had clearly heard everything Dr. Vegapunk said earlier.
Saint Lloyd remained in a deep sleep.
This condition was clearly the aftermath of his battle with Gol D. Roger.
Nearly a full month had already passed since that fight, yet Saint Lloyd still had not awakened.
From what Spandine knew, the voices within the Navy urging Saint Lloyd to become Fleet Admiral were growing louder each day.
Originally Admiral Sengoku had been the most likely candidate to assume the position.
However, after Saint Lloyd defeated the Pirate King in front of the entire world, Sengoku's chances had completely vanished.
Everyone understood the situation clearly.
If Saint Lloyd woke up and returned to Marineford, he would almost certainly become the next Fleet Admiral.
More importantly, he would receive full support from the World Government.
The reason was simple.
Saint Lloyd's achievement was simply too extraordinary.
He had personally slain the Pirate King.
The entire world witnessed that battle through live broadcast.
There was no exaggeration, no rumor, no fabrication.
It was undeniable truth.
Spandine himself had watched the entire battle between Saint Lloyd and Gol D. Roger.
Even now, recalling the power displayed during that fight made his heart tremble.
Saint Lloyd's strength could stir the ocean itself with a single movement.
For someone like Spandine, who had never truly understood power before, that sight left an unforgettable impression.
During the broadcast, Spandine had been watching together with his son.
More than once he had proudly pointed toward the screen and said,
"That man is your father's master, Saint Lloyd."
It truly was a case of father like son.
Spandine's son had not felt embarrassed in the slightest. Instead, he watched the screen with deep admiration.
He repeatedly begged his father that if an opportunity ever appeared, he must introduce him to Saint Lloyd.
He wanted to follow in his father's footsteps.
Spandine agreed immediately with great satisfaction.
He had always felt that his service to Saint Lloyd was not yet enough.
If another loyal helper was needed, then who could be more suitable than his own son?
Spandine's loyalty toward Saint Lloyd was genuine.
It was not simply because of Lloyd's terrifying strength.
What truly convinced Spandine was Saint Lloyd's character.
Unlike most Celestial Dragons, Saint Lloyd treated his followers extremely well.
Spandine had personally witnessed this countless times.
Saint Lloyd protected his people fiercely and never hesitated to reward them generously.
Spandine would never forget the moment when Saint Lloyd stood up to Vice Admiral Garp on his behalf.
Nor could he forget how his own career had advanced at incredible speed ever since he began serving Saint Lloyd.
When he heard that Saint Lloyd had not awakened yet, Spandine never once considered abandoning his master.
Instead he only felt worried.
He desperately wished to visit Saint Lloyd personally.
Unfortunately he understood his own position.
Only those with extremely close relationships were allowed to visit Saint Lloyd under the current circumstances.
Spandine simply lowered his head and waited silently for Saint Garling's words.
Saint Garling studied him for a moment.
Then he spoke again.
"Spandine, Lloyd once asked Dr. Vegapunk to create two interesting items."
He paused briefly.
"He said they were intended for you and your son."
Spandine's head snapped upward in surprise.
"I... Saint Garling, Saint Lloyd actually..."
Saint Garling raised his hand slightly, signaling him to remain silent.
Then he called one of the Golden Armored Guards and instructed him to retrieve the items.
A short while later the guard returned.
He carried a tray in both hands.
On top of the tray rested two exquisitely crafted long swords.
One sword possessed an orange hilt.
The other had a green hilt.
Saint Garling gestured toward them.
"Choose one and test it."
Spandine nodded quickly and stepped forward.
He carefully picked up the sword with the orange hilt.
Holding the weapon felt strangely comfortable in his hands.
Slowly he drew the blade from its sheath.
A sharp cold glint flashed along the steel.
Saint Garling leaned back on the sofa and spoke casually.
"Both of those swords were forged using fragments of the Golden Lion's swords, Oto and Kogarashi."
He continued calmly.
"The one you are holding has also consumed a Devil Fruit."
Spandine's eyes widened.
Saint Garling gave a simple instruction.
"Drop a little blood onto the blade, then swing it."
Spandine immediately obeyed.
He cut his finger slightly and allowed a drop of blood to fall onto the sword.
The blood vanished into the blade almost instantly.
Then Spandine swung the weapon forward.
At that exact moment the sword in his hand transformed.
The metal body twisted and stretched, becoming a massive orange serpent.
The snake's fangs were sharp and terrifying.
Thick purple venom dripped slowly from its mouth. Each drop struck the ground with a faint sizzling sound.
Spandine froze.
He stared at the living weapon in complete disbelief.
A moment later his body trembled.
Two lines of tears slid quietly down his cheeks.
In a hoarse whisper he muttered,
"Saint Lloyd..."
^_________^
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