Chapter 76
They didn't meet, which means Ace hadn't strayed here because of chasing Blackbeard, or Ace couldn't come here because of the butterfly effect because he was looking for him.
Ethan could easily win Moda's heart as long as he started with her parents.
"How could it be... You look like a well-behaved and sensible girl. I can't imagine what kind of person would have the heart to abandon someone as lovely as you."
"Thank you..." Moda felt Ethan's kindness and gradually relaxed.
"Moda, have you been here alone all these years?"
Moda nodded and picked up the milk bottle beside her with some embarrassment.
*[Will he think I'm pretending to be pitiful...]*
After a moment of silence, Ethan flew in front of Moda, half-squatted, and put away his imposing demeanor. With his handsome face, he looked gentle and approachable, making it easier for Moda to let down her guard.
"You've been waiting for your parents to return all these years and working so hard just to survive… It's been very difficult, hasn't it? But it's all over now. Moda, come with me. From now on, I will be your family."
"Ah?" Moda's eyes flashed with surprise and emotion, but she lowered her head, feeling unworthy.
"But, is it really possible? I... People like me would only become a burden to others..."
Ethan chuckled. "I am the god and emperor of a country. Even if there were millions like you, I could support them all."
Thinking that someone as self-reliant as her might be reluctant to accept kindness, he added:
"If you feel uneasy about it, you can be my secretary and help me handle certain 'troubles' in my life."
"I… can I? But I'm afraid… What if my parents come back and can't find me? What if they're heartbroken?"
"Do you know where your parents went?"
"I do. Before they left, they said they were going to work at the 2nd Branch Base of the Navy GL, and they promised to send money and letters every month. But after two letters, I never heard from them again."
At this, Moda's eyes became red, though she had learned not to cry easily after living alone for so long.
She suddenly looked at Ethan with hope in her eyes. "I see you can fly… Are you really a god?"
*[If he is truly a god, then he must have the power to let me see my parents… even if it's just once…]*
Ethan smiled and said frankly, "You will know soon. Come along. You'll be able to see your parents tonight."
Moda's eyes lit up. As an ordinary girl from a humble town, she had no reason to doubt him.
The next moment, a sweet milky fragrance reached Ethan's nose, and his cheeks felt soft and warm for an instant.
Moda had thrown her arms around him, giving him a kiss of thanks. Even the milk bottle in her hand was tossed aside in her excitement.
Ethan took the opportunity to hold Moda's back, picking her up so that she bashfully hid her face in his chest.
"Moda, where is your home?"
Despite her shyness, Moda raised her head, hesitating. Seeing that she couldn't get away, she muttered softly, "Brother Ethan, put me down. I'll lead you there..."
"Just point in a direction, and I'll take you."
Moda turned awkwardly and muttered, "But I haven't grabbed my milk bottle yet..."
"Look behind. What's that?"
Moda turned to see her milk bottle floating above their heads, thanks to Ethan's powers.
"Woo~" She gave up, raised her hand to point in the direction of her home, and buried her head back in his chest.
Ethan didn't tease her further. He lifted her gently, carrying her in a princess hold.
They flew for only a short while before arriving at a small cattle farm. Moda's walking speed hadn't allowed her to venture too far.
Landing near a modest house, Ethan asked, "Moda, do you have any photos of your parents?"
"Yes~ Inside."
Ethan nodded, opened the door, and carried her inside.
The house was simple and sparse but very clean, with a cozy warmth that reflected Moda's care. Perhaps this was how she comforted her lonely heart.
Her parents, however, were another story. They had left her here alone to look after the cattle farm, which felt irresponsible.
Once Ethan put her down, he followed her to the bedroom, where she retrieved a photo of herself and her parents from her bedside table.
The photo was very clean; she obviously wiped it regularly.
"Brother Ethan, here it is!" Moda held it with both hands. Her parents had taken this photo so she wouldn't miss them too much.
Ethan looked at the picture, noting her parents' honest, ordinary faces.
With no stools in her home, he sat on the small bed with Moda. His tall frame occupied most of the space, making them sit close together.
Moda's hopeful eyes made Ethan smile knowingly. He playfully pinched her cheek, then took out a Den Den Mushi from his storage space, calling Shura in front of her.
Moda marveled at his ability to summon items out of thin air, thinking, *"It would be amazing to be a god… I wonder what a child with Brother Ethan would look like."*
After handing Shura the photo, Ethan ordered calmly, "Shura, take the God's Guard and bring the couple in this photo from the Navy GL 2nd Branch Base back to the Kingdom of God."
The Navy GL 2nd Branch Base was northeast of the Kingdom of Lulucia. Moda's parents worked in the naval cafeteria, so locating them would be straightforward.
Navy Branch Vice Admiral Gumier, an aging dual-sword swordsman known for his "calm justice," led the base. However, he was well past his prime, and Shura and the others would have little trouble handling him.
*(Somewhere, Garp and Tsuru scoffed: "Come find me if you dare!")*
With everything arranged, Moda's happiness showed on her face. She knew no way to repay Ethan, so she offered him another sweet, milky kiss of thanks.
Ethan accepted it cheerfully, enjoying her sweetness for a moment before turning to business.
"Piao Piao·Earth Dragon Turbulence!"
Moda's dairy farm lifted off the ground, ascending toward the sky island.
Milk was valuable here. In this world, its properties could heal broken teeth, fractured bones—almost anything. Truly, it was supreme milk.