On a certain deserted island, a beautiful dragon girl was breathing fire, precisely aiming at the woodpile beneath a huge, makeshift grill.
Watching the leaping and rising flames, Ripley, who was nearby processing a giant piece of Sea King meat, sighed with a hint of envy.
"What a convenient ability. If only I could control the size of the flames more finely. For us chefs, lighting the fire and controlling the heat is always a challenge every time we cook."
Charlotte Linlin released her dragon form, returning to her tall human stature of nearly nine meters, and patted the soot off her hands.
"Controlling flames... the Mera Mera no Mi? Don't worry, I'll definitely find you a Devil Fruit that can control fire in the future!"
"After all, a good chef truly needs precise heat control to create the ultimate deliciousness."
Ripley, who was flipping the roast meat, let out a hearty smile upon hearing this: "Then I'll thank the Captain in advance!"
Seeming to remember something, she asked with a bit of hesitation: "By the way, King Harald... did he really agree to let me leave that easily?"
Charlotte Linlin immediately recalled the scene when she went to "take her leave"—the banquet hall was filled with giants lying helter-skelter, passed out drunk. Thunderous snoring rose and fell, and the air was thick with the smell of alcohol.
Having a slight obsession with cleanliness and a tendency toward misandry, she was unwilling to even step into that battlefield "strewn with corpses." She simply gathered her breath at the entrance and shouted inside:
"Harald! This old lady is taking Ripley from your country with her!"
Her voice echoed in the empty hall. Aside from a few drunks who had been disturbed and turned over grumpily while muttering in their sleep, there was no other response.
Standing at the door, Charlotte Linlin curled her lips helplessly. Ultimately, she left a scribbled note, turned back to pick up Ripley—who had already packed her bags—and flew directly away from Elbaf.
"I told him, and he didn't object," Charlotte Linlin said with a straight face and a very certain tone, automatically filtering out some unimportant details.
"By the way, what's in that big bundle? It looks quite heavy." She pointed to a huge, square-wrapped bundle next to her that was almost as tall as a person.
Ripley glanced at it and continued to focus on the roast meat in her hands: "Oh, that's a pack of medical books. Didn't you tell me about Gölz's experience? This is prepared for that girl."
"Her medical studies aren't finished yet; she needs to continue her education. After all, I am still her teacher in name!"
Previously, Charlotte Linlin had told Ripley about Gölz's encounter and current situation. Since they were future teammates, she needed to resolve any potential grievances in advance.
"Tsk~ Such a strict teacher, chasing down her student to kill them! I am truly sinful."
Charlotte Linlin laughed mischievously. She could already imagine Gölz's miserable face when confronted with this pile of heavy medical books.
"Here, it's done. Try it." Ripley tore off a large piece of steak, charred on the outside and tender on the inside, sizzling with oil, and handed it to Charlotte Linlin.
"Give me an evaluation of the skills of this Giant Race culinary graduate."
Charlotte Linlin took it and took a bite. The meat was tender and juicy, the seasoning just right. She immediately gave a thumbs up.
"As expected of someone professionally trained, the taste is great!"
"Of course~" Ripley raised her chin proudly.
Just as Charlotte Linlin was enjoying the food, a familiar yet strange blessing suddenly rang out in her mind.
The familiar part was the tone and format of the blessing, while the strange part was its specific content:
「May the lightning of another world bless and protect her, granting the company of eternity.」
Her movements paused slightly, and a name surfaced in her heart.
Elysia? But why would Raiden Mei's trial reward be Elysia's blessing? As expected, Kiana needs a... green hat... "What's wrong? Is it not to your taste?" Ripley asked, tilting her head as she noticed the pause.
"No, it's delicious. I just suddenly thought of something else."
Charlotte Linlin shook her head and continued eating, but she was still thinking about this sudden blessing. However, with this completely unfamiliar blessing, she couldn't figure out the specific effects for the moment.
Sigh, it seems I can only figure it out slowly later. If only there were a system panel or something, it would be clear at a glance, saving me from all this guessing.
After some fruitless thinking, she had to give up for now.
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