Chapter 8: CPO and Carmel

"Whimper... Whimper..."

"Sister, why?"

"Weren't you going to find families to adopt us?"

"Why are we locked in cages?"

"Waaah, I don't want to go..."

"Sister, please save me..."

"Please, Sister, let me out! I promise I won't be naughty anymore!"

...

On a deserted island near Elbaf, a ship flying the World Government's flag was docked at the shore. A group of children, aged from a few years old to their early teens, huddled in cages, crying and struggling. They came from various races, including humans, the Longarm Tribe, the Longleg Tribe, and Minks. They were being guarded by CP agents, dressed in suits and armed with guns.

"Shut up, you brats..." Not far away, Sister Carmel stood holding a large suitcase, alongside a few masked figures also dressed in suits. Her usual kind and gentle facade had vanished, replaced with a sneer as she looked at the children she had just sold to the World Government with disgust.

Spitting out her cigarette, Carmel made no effort to hide her true feelings, glaring at the children with loathing. "I've put up with you long enough... Always making a fuss! If you weren't worth some money, I'd have choked the life out of you worthless trash long ago!"

"Sister—"

The children, who had once respected and relied on her, now stared at her in shock and disbelief. Their eyes were wide with tears as they saw her demonic expression, so different from the loving nun they had known.

"Heh, there's still one more prized lamb left..." Carmel licked her lips, eyes gleaming with greed and excitement. "Once I seal this last deal, I'll never have to face you brats again. I can retire in comfort!"

"A prized lamb?"

Hearing this, the leader of the CP0 agents, dressed in a white suit and wearing a mask, raised an eyebrow. Curious, he looked at Carmel and asked in a deep voice, "Mountain Witch, are you referring to... that kid with Lunarian and giant blood?"

"If we let him continue unchecked, that brat could become a huge threat!"

Carmel had previously sold valuable information to the World Government at a high price. About half a year ago, she had informed them that a half-giant with Lunarian blood had appeared in Elbaf—a monster invulnerable to weapons with immense strength. It was also rumored that he possessed a rare Zoan Mythical Beast ability.

This news was of great importance to CP0, but Elbaf, being the homeland of the giants and the world's strongest nation, was too sensitive a place to infiltrate. The World Government had recently mended its strained relationship with the giants, thanks to a staged play by Carmel. As a result, several giant warriors had joined the Navy, and the World Government didn't want to jeopardize that fragile peace by provoking the giants.

Even though they knew a surviving member of the Lunarian race, heavily sought by the World Government, was hiding in Elbaf, they couldn't simply send the Navy or CP agents in to capture him without risking the giants' wrath.

Carmel, greedy for more than the one billion Berries bounty, had been trying to lure the boy out so the World Government could capture him. However, the Lunarian boy seemed far more perceptive than most children and had evaded every trap she set. His strength and ability to fly, combined with the need to avoid alerting the giants, made him impossible to capture by force. The CP0 agents had been struggling to come up with a plan.

"Not sure if it's your luck or mine..." Carmel cackled. "Recently, another 'problem child' arrived in Elbaf. Though she's human, her size is like that of a small giant, just like the Lunarian-giant hybrid you're interested in. She's also a natural-born monster!"

"I saw her on the shore a few days ago. She stomped the ground and cracked it wide open. Then, she swatted a boar bigger than a giant to death with a single slap!"

"And she's only five years old!"

Over the past three days, Carmel had taken notice of Charlotte Linlin, and through subtle inquiries from Gerd, she learned that the girl was another natural-born monster like El. Watching Linlin's overwhelming strength had left her both shocked and elated.

But Carmel was bitter that El had gotten to Linlin first, stealing her prize. She had tried multiple times to convince El to hand the girl over to her, but he had firmly refused.

"What?" The CP0 agent's eyes widened in disbelief. He trusted that Carmel wasn't lying—after all, it would be foolish to try to cheat the World Government out of money. But a five-year-old with such monstrous power? What kind of potential did she have?

"Unfortunately, I was too late. That Lunarian brat snatched her away from me," Carmel growled, her voice filled with frustration. But then her expression turned vicious, and she grinned wickedly. "Give me a little more time, and I'll definitely lure them both out!"

"Is that so?" The CP0 officer nodded. "We'll see what you can do."

If such a natural-born monster really existed, it would be worth paying extra to acquire her. With proper training, she could become a Navy Admiral or even a Fleet Admiral. Or, if raised by CP, she could be the strongest shield to protect the Celestial Dragons.

"But the price will need to double," Carmel demanded, seizing the opportunity. "After all, that's the best merchandise I've ever come across in my entire career!"

"I'll see what I can arrange with the higher-ups," the agent replied.

"Wait, what's that?" another agent suddenly shouted.

"Is that an angel with wings?"

"No, his wings are black…"

"He's flying toward us!"

The shout caused a stir among the agents, who pointed toward the distant sky in shock. Carmel and the CP0 agents quickly turned their heads to look.

"That's..." The CP0 leaders gasped as they saw a figure rapidly approaching. It was a boy with black wings, resembling a fallen angel from myth, and his body was as large as that of a giant child.

"Yes, it's him, Kukulkan El..." Carmel gasped, startled at first, but then her shock turned to excitement. She grabbed the CP0 agent, nearly screaming, "I lured him here! You better pay me—you can't back out now!"

"El, help us! We've been tricked!" Carmel's demeanor suddenly shifted as if she were performing a complete face-change. She threw the suitcase aside and began waving her arms frantically toward El, who was rapidly approaching. "These children have been locked up by them!" she screamed, feigning desperation.

~~~

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