After completing his inspection of the battlefield, Lloyd ordered all Marine soldiers, with the exception of Lucia, to return to the warship anchored near the shore. Accompanied by the villagers of Foosha Village, Lloyd and Lucia entered the village.
As soon as they arrived, Lloyd turned to Village Chief Woop Slap and said,
"That's enough. Let the villagers return to their homes. Lucia and I would like to walk around the village for a while."
Woop Slap immediately began organizing the crowd. Although he was advanced in age, his efficiency remained impressive.
Before long, the gathered villagers dispersed in small groups.
Throughout the entire process, Lloyd's gaze remained fixed on Makino.
Lucia naturally noticed it as well.
In a low voice, she asked,
"Young Master, is there something special about that green-haired woman? You've been paying attention to her this entire time."
Lloyd replied,
"You'll understand soon enough. For now, keep an eye on her. Honestly, she's pregnant, yet she was walking so quickly just now. We need to watch her carefully."
Lucia blinked in surprise.
Lloyd's concern was unusual enough to make her draw certain conclusions.
However, even if her suspicions were true, she would not feel jealous. Monet and the others had all been personally selected and trained under her supervision. More than anything, she was simply curious.
Makino returned alone to her tavern.
After closing the door, she walked behind the counter, pulled over a chair, and sat down while taking shallow breaths.
Just then, the tavern door creaked open.
Hearing the sound, Makino instinctively looked up.
"Sorry, we're not open right now... Huh?! Fleet Admiral Lloyd?!"
The moment she saw Lloyd and Lucia entering, she was so startled that she nearly tipped backward off her chair.
Swish!
Lloyd instantly appeared behind her and steadied her body.
Makino's face turned pale from fright.
After regaining her composure, she hurriedly turned around and repeatedly thanked him.
Lloyd's expression darkened.
Truthfully, even he had been startled by her reaction.
After carefully helping Makino sit back down, he let out a breath and frowned.
"You're close to giving birth. Why are you still getting startled so easily? And why were you walking so fast earlier? What if something happened to the baby? You're in a very delicate condition right now. Do you understand?"
The words poured out one after another.
By the time Lloyd finished speaking, his voice had become noticeably louder.
Only then did he realize that both Makino and Lucia were staring at him in astonishment.
Makino nodded blankly.
"Y, yes, Fleet Admiral Lloyd. I understand. Thank you for your concern..."
Lloyd also realized he had become somewhat emotional.
Clearing his throat twice, he closed his eyes briefly before speaking again.
"It's good that you understand. Be more careful from now on."
After all, the child in Makino's womb was his niece.
The Figarland Family was not particularly large, making every family member important.
For a moment, an awkward silence settled over the tavern.
Makino carefully broke it.
"Um... let me prepare some drinks..."
Lloyd immediately raised a hand.
"No need. I'll do it."
Lucia stepped forward.
"Young Master, allow me."
But Lloyd had already begun moving.
He quickly poured a glass of juice for Lucia and a glass of red wine for himself. Then he fetched a cup of warm water and placed it in front of Makino.
"For pregnant women, warm water is the best choice. Remember to drink more of it."
Makino felt overwhelmed by the treatment.
At the same time, a sense of confusion grew within her.
Why would the Fleet Admiral treat an ordinary village woman with such care?
Was it simply because she was pregnant?
Yet when she thought of the child's father, guilt surfaced in her heart.
She lowered her head and quietly held the cup with both hands before taking small sips.
Seeing this, Lloyd nodded with satisfaction.
He then walked behind the counter and sat beside Lucia.
In a soft voice, Lucia said,
"You've worked hard, Young Master."
Lloyd casually wrapped an arm around her waist and smiled faintly.
"I only poured a few drinks. That's hardly hard work."
After taking a sip of red wine, he looked toward Makino.
"What are you thinking about? Shanks?"
Makino instinctively nodded.
"Yes... I'm very worried about him..."
Halfway through her sentence, she froze.
Her eyes widened as she stared at Lloyd in shock.
"N, no! I don't know any Shanks! I was just daydreaming!"
The hurried explanation only made her look more suspicious.
Lucia tilted her head slightly.
"Shanks... I see. So that's how it is."
Lloyd raised a hand to stop her.
"I already told you not to be so nervous. Shanks has acknowledged his relationship with you. There's no need to hide it anymore."
Makino felt as though thunder had exploded in her mind.
Her lips trembled.
"How... how is that possible? Did something happen to Shanks?"
Lloyd glanced at her.
"What are you thinking about? He's my brother. Why would I do anything to him?"
Another shocking revelation landed.
Makino's mind went blank.
"W... what?"
Lloyd studied her reaction and frowned.
"Don't tell me you know nothing about my relationship with him."
Makino stiffly shook her head.
"Shanks never told me anything about you..."
Lloyd raised an eyebrow.
"That brat. Fine if he kept quiet before, but he never mentioned it during the last six months either?"
Makino hesitated.
"Actually... Shanks and I haven't seen each other for almost half a year."
Lloyd paused.
"You don't stay in contact? No Den Den Mushi calls?"
Makino lowered her gaze.
"Shanks told me that frequent communication through a Den Den Mushi could attract the attention of the World Government's intelligence agencies. He said it would put me in danger."
Only then did Lloyd's expression ease somewhat.
Shanks' reasoning had been entirely sensible.
After a brief moment of thought, Lloyd reached into his pocket and took out a Den Den Mushi decorated with a distinctive tuft of red hair.
He placed it on the table.
Then, without hesitation, he dialed the number.
After several rounds of the familiar "Buru Buru" sound, a voice emerged from the Den Den Mushi.
"Brother, what made you contact me today?"
The instant Makino heard that voice, tears filled her eyes.
Unable to hold herself back, she shouted,
"Shanks!"
The Den Den Mushi froze.
A moment later, its expression transformed into one of complete shock.
"Makino?! Is that really Makino?!"