The situation in Czar was unique.
But unlike them, far away in Morgany, things were truly looking up!
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-Estate of 'V,' Empire of Abian-
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The land was vast and rich, with numerous hills and shores running a mock.
The owner of the place had a love for his mares, designating an entire hill with trees, streams, stony structures, and a few well-built stables for them.
The horses were all intelligent and used to living in the space.
They knew where everything was and even knew how to get back to their stables to avoid the rains or the complicated weather.
They were free to do as they wanted.
And the stable bots would always routinely check their needs day, ensuring they didn't have injuries.
And as per most, if not all, noble estates, it too had 3 major sectors.
The ease was grand and very luxurious.
Everywhere one looked, they would see workers busy with their chores, as well as various wagons going in and out.
This was a typical lifestyle here.
However, on this day, many worked extra hard.
It was obvious.
The master of the estate was finally coming back.
And who was he?
Well, he was nine other than the current Head and Leader of the Pirate Organization!
Lord, Master!
No one knew the master's name or what he looked like, apart from a few.
As pirate leader, so many people wanted him dead. His identity was always shrouded in mystery.
There was little to no sound in the estate, yet everyone was moving... Moving, not talking.
Time... Time...
They didn't have time to talk!
His pillows had to be fluffed, his bath water ready, his food ready, with the tasters all lined up too.
Everything needed to be perfect for when the master arrived.
But it wasn't just them, as the master's 7 wives also got busy.
"Dammit! Where are my crescent pearls?"
"You there, get me the beauty potion #5! The lord is coming back. Do you want that b**ch to look better than me? I MUST HAVE THE LORD TONIGHT!"
(*×*)
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The wives took out their best attire from this season's shopping and even had bees and insects sting their Lips to plump it up.
The life of a noblewoman was so tasking.
They could only see their husband one or maybe even 4 times a year if they were lucky.
There was no helping it.
Their husband was the head of the pirate organization.
He had many hidden estates, not just in Abian, but in the other 2 Morg empires.
He also jumped back and forth between the 3 empires in secret, with no one knowing his movements.
Even his arrival at this time was unexpected.
A messenger had ridden to say he would be coming in 2 hours.
Goodness!
Every place was helter-skelter.
The women yearned for their husband, wanting to quench the fire that had burned them for months now... Though they also knew that their husband should've probably quenched his fire with those many vixens around the continent.
Of course, they would never blame their husband.
The vixens were to blame, coming to a married man who already had 7 wives.
How shameful!
Hmph!
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"Come now, girls, prepare fast! Your family is on his way!"
The daughter of the many wives all dresser duo as well.
As for the sons, they had long been away from the estate, undergoing rigorous training to become great pirate members in future.
Only the oldest and second sons were qualified for Heir training.
If one would recall, when a current pirate leader turns 50, he has to step down and become an elder.
And during that side, a new heir is chosen, taking his place as the leader.
He must be a minimum of 25 years old... No less!
It should be said that 860 applicants get chosen from the age of 7.
From then on, the competition between them would only become fiercer and fiercer, until at 24 or so, only one would emerge victoriously.
The rest who survived the long 16-year tournament of training, poison adhering, and brutality, would then be posted to other pirate positions.
Zain had his first 2 sons sent in for Heir training.
As for his other 2 sons, they popped out a little too late
After all, by the time he was 50, some of them would still be 20 or 21.
With 7 wives, and a few illegitimate children from his escapades, Zain had a total of 4 sons and 29 daughters.
Most of his daughters were married off, and he didn't even know them.
What he cared about were his 4 sons!
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~Gallop. Gallop. Gallop.~
The many carriages processed closer and closer.
And in one of them, a burly aide was currently talking with his master on serious events.
"Leader... According to our estimates, it shouldn't be long before the investigation groups arrive Pyno and Veinitta."
"Hmmm..." His master replied with a cold glint in his eyes.
Pressure… Pressure…
The aide felt it hard to breathe.
Whitebeard... The Baker... Who would dare to kidnap the leader's blood brothers?
With the leader's supernatural powers, that person would definitely die a cruel death!
"Go on."
"Right! Leader. We are only staying here for 2 months.
In another week or so, the Holystone should be approaching one of the coastal cities here in Abian.
If we leave in 2 months, we should more or less arrive about the same time it arrives in the Capital city.
Even though the pirate research unit is also stationed in the Capital, our presence there is a must!"
Zain nodded his head, agreeing with his aide.
According to the very hard-to-find information left by his predecessors, the Holystone is the root of power.
According to the legend, the stone should have keys that unlock its potential.
He and many didn't know what the keys were.
However, a few ancient clan names were roughly mentioned.
So if they could locate those coming from their families, wouldn't they be one step closer to solving the mystery?
Did ancestral generations pass down these keys as family heirlooms?
Zain didn't fully understand this matter.
However, he knew he had to capture these people!
Only they had the answer to unlocking the stone's potential!