vncnus Page 31
Page 31
at this time--
Suddenly, a noisy yet orderly sound of footsteps and several rude shouts came from the street outside.
"...Search carefully! Don't miss any corner!"
"Yes, sir!"
"...Over there! Go check it out!"
It's the voice of naval soldiers! And it sounds like there are quite a few of them, going door-to-door checking houses!
Olvia's face turned deathly pale, and her body trembled uncontrollably. She instinctively gripped the thin blanket tightly, her nails almost digging into her palms.
They've come...they still found us!
Is it because of her? Or...?
Extreme fear made it hard for her to breathe. She looked sharply at Liu Jiu, her eyes filled with despair and a final plea.
Robin was also startled by the sudden noise outside. Her little face tightened, and she subconsciously moved closer to Liu Jiu, grabbing the hem of his clothes with her little hands.
"Uncle..." she whispered, her voice tinged with unease.
Chapter 31 Happy Times
Liu Jiu's face still showed no sign of tension or panic.
He didn't even glance out the window.
The shouts and knocking outside grew closer and closer, seemingly reaching the neighbor's house.
"People inside! Open the door! Navy search!"
A heavy knocking sound, accompanied by an impatient shout, came clearly in.
The next second, it will be their turn!
Olvia closed her eyes in despair, as if she could already see her tragic end, being dragged away in front of Robin.
However, the expected breach of the door did not occur.
Just as the shouts and knocking of the naval soldiers were about to shatter our eardrums—
An invisible yet powerful aura suddenly spread out from Liu Jiu's center, silently and like mercury spilling onto the ground!
This aura was cold and heavy, carrying an absolute pressure that transcended all living beings!
It has no real destructive power, but it is like the deepest night suddenly descending, directly affecting the depths of the souls of all living beings who perceive it!
Outside the door, the naval soldier who was about to kick it down suddenly froze. His raised hand stopped in mid-air, and the fierce expression on his face instantly solidified, replaced by an instinctive and incomprehensible extreme fear! It was as if he had been targeted by some prehistoric beast, and even his blood was freezing!
The other soldiers behind him were the same; each one seemed frozen in place, their faces deathly pale, pupils dilated, and cold sweat instantly soaking through their uniforms. They wanted to scream, but their throats felt like they were being choked, unable to utter a sound!
It's not just them.
The entire street, and even the area beyond, everyone who sensed this aura—whether it was the navy searching, the civilians hiding in their houses, or even the restless dogs in their cages—was plunged into a deathly silence and an indescribable fear at this moment!
Time seemed to have been paused.
Olvia suddenly opened her eyes and looked at Liu Jiu in horror.
Although she was weak, as a scholar of Ohara, she was very knowledgeable and instantly understood what that thing was!
Conqueror's Haki?!
And it's such a powerful and unrestrained Conqueror's Haki!
Who is this man?!
Robin also felt that chilling aura. Although Liu Jiu deliberately avoided her, the aftershocks still made her face turn pale, and she gripped Liu Jiu's clothes even tighter. She didn't understand what was happening; she only felt that the outside world had suddenly become eerily quiet.
Liu Jiu stood still, his expression unchanged, as if the terrifying aura that had just shaken the entire street had nothing to do with him.
He didn't even change the frequency of his breathing.
The terrifying pressure that enveloped everything vanished silently, just as it had appeared.
The street remained deathly silent for several seconds.
Then came the sounds of heavy breathing, like those of a drowning person being rescued, and suppressed sobs born of extreme fear.
The naval soldier who was frozen at the doorway almost collapsed to the ground because his legs gave way, but he was barely able to stay upright by his comrades.
"Sir...sir...just now..." His teeth chattered, and he spoke incoherently.
The lieutenant colonel leading the group was also deathly pale. He forced himself to remain calm and looked around, but found nothing. That chilling aura came and went quickly, leaving no trace.
"Retreat...retreat! Get out of here immediately!" The lieutenant colonel's voice trembled as he gave the order; he dared not stay any longer. This place was too eerie!
The naval soldiers, as if granted a pardon, helped each other up and practically tumbled and crawled away from the street as quickly as possible, ignoring the orders to continue the search.
The noisy footsteps and engine sounds quickly faded away, and the street returned to silence.
But this quiet had an eerie, deathly stillness to it, a feeling of having survived a catastrophe.
Olvia stared blankly at Liu Jiu, her chest heaving violently, her eyes filled with disbelief and lingering fear.
She finally understood why this man dared to "casually" save her from under the nose of the World Government, even knowing the consequences.
I understand that his earlier statement about "not wanting to do anything" might actually be true.
Because he possessed absolute power that made it utterly insignificant for him to deceive her.
Robin sensed that the unsettling noises outside had stopped and cautiously peeked out through the crack in the door.
"Uncle, those people in white... seem to have left?" She turned around and whispered, a little bewildered on her face.
Liu Jiu looked down at her, then raised his hand and gently patted the top of her head.
"Well, let's go."
His tone remained as calm as if he had merely shooed away a few noisy flies.
As Olvia watched this scene, and saw Robin seemingly finding a sense of security beside Liu Jiu, she was filled with mixed emotions, a complex and indescribable feeling.
She slowly released her grip, which had almost drawn blood from her pinch.
Perhaps it would be much safer for Robin to stay with this man than with her mother, whose life was already precarious?
This thought was like a poisonous thorn, piercing her heart with a sharp pain.
But she had to admit that this might be a harsh reality.
The next three days were calm.
The navy seemed to be completely frightened by the inexplicable terrifying atmosphere that day, and did not appear in this area again. Even the patrols on the island were much less vigilant.
The atmosphere inside the small house was somewhat different.
Olvia recovered quickly and was able to get out of bed and walk slowly. She spent almost all her waking hours with Robin.
They would sit together by the window basking in the sun, and Olvia would point out the flowers, plants, and trees outside, telling Robin about the historical stories and legends behind them.
When they ate together, Olvia would put the better food from her bowl into Robin's bowl, watching her eat it with eyes so tender they could melt.
They even read together—the notes and manuscripts Robin brought out from the Tree of Knowledge. Olvia was amazed by her daughter's talent and knowledge in archaeology, patiently answering all her questions. The mother and daughter were immersed in the ocean of knowledge, occasionally discussing academic issues in hushed tones, creating a warm and harmonious scene.
At night, Robin would still habitually sleep next to Olvia. Olvia would gently pat her back and hum an old Ohara lullaby until she fell into a deep sleep.
These three days were a period of peace and happiness that Olvia had never longed for in years. She greedily savored every moment spent with her daughter, forcibly suppressing all her worries, fears, and uncertainties about the future deep in her heart.
She didn't want to think about tomorrow; she just wanted to seize this stolen moment of warmth.
However, what is destined to come will eventually come.
Chapter 32 The True Intentions of the World Government
On the evening of the third day, after dinner, Robin, tired from reading all day, fell asleep early next to Olvia.
Olvia tucked her in and gazed at her peaceful sleeping face, reluctant to look away.
Finally, she took a deep breath, as if she had made up her mind, gently got up, put on her coat, and walked out of the room.
Liu Jiu was sitting in the only old chair in the outer room, wiping his knife, which he never parted with. The dim light outlined his silent profile.
He didn't look up when he heard footsteps.
Olvia walked up to him and stopped.
The room was quiet, with only the faint sound of Robin's even breathing coming from the inner room.
“Mr. Liu Jiu,” Olvia said, her voice low and trembling slightly, “my injuries… are almost healed.”
Liu Jiu continued wiping the blade without pausing, only giving a faint "hmm".
Olvia clenched her fingers, mustered her courage, and continued, "I...I want to go back."
Liu Jiu paused in his wiping motion.
He slowly raised his head and looked at Olvia. Under the lamplight, his eyes were calm and still, yet they seemed to see right through people's hearts.
"Go back where?" he asked, his tone unchanged.
“Ohara.” Olvia met his gaze, her eyes filled with an almost tragic resolve. “I can’t… I can’t just stand by and watch the Doctor and the others… watch everyone on the island get hurt. I have to go back.”
Even knowing it's a dead end, she must go back. That's where her roots are, where the beliefs and companions she swore to protect reside.
Liu Jiu stared at her silently for a few seconds.
Then, he lowered his head again, continued wiping the blade, and calmly stated a fact that could devastate anyone:
"Going back won't help."
"Ohara will be erased."
Olvia's body swayed violently, and her face instantly drained of all color, as if she had been struck by lightning!
Erasure...erasure?!
She certainly understood what those two words meant!
The Buster Call?! Or something even more terrifying...
She stared at Liu Jiu in disbelief, her lips trembling, but no sound came out. A wave of immense fear and despair washed over her instantly.