Chapter 151: Departure (Patreon)

Chapter 151: Departure

In the room.

Viola's fiery red dress had long slipped down to her waist, her bare back resembling warm jade bathed in moonlight, each inch of skin shimmering with a seductive glow as she swayed. The curves of her body flowed enticingly in the dim light.

Her hands were clasped behind her neck, her long hair whirling wildly with each spin, the tips brushing against her shoulders. The mesmerizing sight before her rose and fell with her movements, dazzling even in the darkness.

Bahr leaned against the headboard, a cigarette dangling from his lips, watching Viola's dance—far more uninhibited than before—with a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Just days ago, this woman had been restrained, almost resistant. But tonight, she was like a different person. The deliberate sway of her hips, the flushed corners of her eyes as she tossed her head—every breath she took was laced with carefully crafted allure, soft and panting.

"You're quite enthusiastic today," Bahr remarked, blowing a smoke ring that dissipated over her bare shoulders. "Not like before."

Viola's movements faltered for half a beat, her lashes trembling, but she didn't slow down. "The Young Master instructed me to... 'take good care of our guest.'"

Bahr chuckled, stubbing out his cigarette with a careless flick. "Doflamingo must be desperate to get me to take you with me."

His words were like a needle, piercing through Viola's forced seduction.

She bit her lower lip, the already flushed flesh darkening further. Her voice carried a resigned bitterness. "This is the Young Master's arrangement. I... can't refuse."

Bahr caught the fleeting humiliation in her eyes and understood. This wanton display was nothing more than a performance forced upon her by Doflamingo.

"Fine," he said, reaching out to trace the hem of her dress at her waist. "I'll take you with me."

After all, Doflamingo needed a liaison—who it was hardly mattered. And this woman was undeniably alluring, her body supple as water. Keeping her around would be no hardship.

As for trust... he wasn't foolish enough to let his guard down around one of Doflamingo's people. He knew where to draw the line.

Viola's eyes brightened instantly, but instead of the expected joy, she leaned in closer, pressing her lips to Bahr's in a sudden, desperate kiss.

It was trembling, eager to please—until Bahr cupped the back of her neck, prompting her to pull back slightly, her nose brushing against his jaw. "Then... could I ask for one more thing?"

"What is it?" Bahr's voice was rough from the kiss.

"That girl who was taken from the hall earlier..." Viola's fingers clenched, her knuckles whitening. "Could you... take her with us too?"

Bahr studied the plea in Viola's eyes and finally understood why she had been so unrestrained tonight.

That pink-haired girl—Scarlett's daughter—was her niece. Blood ties like that couldn't be severed, no matter how much they were suppressed.

"She's of royal blood. Keeping her would only bring trouble," Bahr said coldly, testing her reaction.

"She won't!" Viola quickly lifted her head, her crimson eyes flashing with urgency, her voice trembling. "The Young Master values you so much—if you ask, he won't refuse. If you help me this once, I... I'll serve you even more diligently in the future."

She didn't even dare mention their "aunt-niece" relationship, only pleading in the most humble manner possible.

From the moment Rebecca was dragged away before her eyes, she hadn't stopped calculating. Doflamingo saw the royal family as thorns in his side - if Rebecca fell into his hands, her fate would be even worse than Scarlett's.

Yet she herself had no freedom. Her only hope was this man before her, whom Doflamingo treated differently. If he would just speak up, Doflamingo would likely give him some face.

Even if it was later discovered she had begged for mercy, as long as she still had value, her father would remain safe for now.

Bahr looked at Viola's reddened eyes and remained silent for a moment.

Taking along a little girl would indeed be troublesome, but... He glanced at Viola's tense profile, recalling the stubborn look in Rebecca's eyes beneath her pink braids as she was dragged away in chains.

Though young, the girl's figure already showed promise. In a couple years, she'd be even more alluring than Viola.

An aunt-niece pair - one mature and charming, the other young and thorny... It did sound rather interesting.

"Well, I'll try," Bahr pinched Viola's chin, watching as her face instantly brightened with a smile. "But no guarantees."

"Thank you..." Viola's voice choked with emotion as she suddenly threw herself into Bahr's arms, actively pressing her lips to his.

This kiss carried genuine delight, even the sway of her waist lacked its previous artifice. The ends of her hair brushed against his neck with a ticklish warmth.

Holding the soft body in his arms, Bahr watched the snow-white neck revealed between Viola's strands of hair, a playful smirk curling his lips.

Bringing one more person along was nothing. Having this aunt-niece pair by his side would only make things more amusing.

Early next morning.

The warehouse was filled with the scent of metal and dust. Hundreds of wooden crates were stacked like a silent fortress - the top layers nearly touching the beams while the bottom ones were slightly deformed under the weight, their metal clasps clinking faintly against each other.

Doflamingo stood at the center, his pink feather coat standing out starkly against the gloom.

He patted the front row of crates, producing a dull echo: "Fufufu... All the weapons are here. Sea Stone Bullets, special longswords - not a single item missing. I've already arranged for ships to be prepared, they'll be fully loaded within half a day."

Bahr glanced at the "crate fortress," a faint smile playing on his lips as he raised his hand, palm lightly pressing against the outermost crate wall.

In an instant, Spatial Ripples spread outward from his palm like ripples from a stone thrown into water. The heavy crates seemed to be swallowed by invisible mouths, disappearing one after another into thin air, even the dust beneath them swept into the ripples.

In less than half a minute, only scattered straw remained across the empty warehouse floor.

Doflamingo's pupils contracted slightly, his tongue unconsciously licking his lips as a flash of greed passed behind his sunglasses. "Your ability really is convenient."

He'd known Bahr's ability was special, but never imagined it could reach this level. Even as a former Celestial Dragon, he'd never heard of such bizarre Spatial abilities.

Bahr shrugged noncommittally, offering no response.

Seeing this, Doflamingo raised an eyebrow and wisely dropped the subject. Everyone had their secrets - pressing when the other party didn't want to talk would only cause displeasure.

"By the way," Bahr suddenly spoke, his tone as casual as discussing the weather, "That pink-haired girl you caught yesterday was quite something. How about handing her over to me?"

Doflamingo's smile froze for half a second before his gaze behind the sunglasses abruptly shifted to Viola standing beside Bahr.

A flicker of panic flashed through Viola's crimson eyes, quickly masked by deliberate calm.

Doflamingo chuckled lightly, "Fufufu... She's a remnant of the royal family. Keeping her around would be troublesome."

"You planted people around me, and I didn't say a word," Bahr interrupted with a hint of mockery, "Yet you're making a fuss over one little girl. Where's your sincerity in our cooperation?"

The words struck Doflamingo's smiling face like a stone. His brows instantly furrowed, the air around him growing heavy, "Bahr, don't push your luck."

"I know what you're worried about," Bahr remained unfazed, speaking leisurely, "Just afraid her royal blood might complicate things for you. Don't worry—once I take her away, she'll never set foot in Dressrosa again. Won't cause you any trouble."

Doflamingo fell silent for a moment, studying Bahr intently before suddenly laughing again, "Fufufu... Since you asked, of course I'll give you this favor. But don't disappoint me."

"I'll start preparing to move against the Golden City once I return—regarding the Gold-Gold Fruit," Bahr shrugged, his tone flat yet firm.

Only then did Doflamingo nod in satisfaction, tilting his chin toward the guard behind him, "Bring that girl from yesterday."

The guard obeyed and soon returned dragging chains.

Rebecca's pink braids were tangled messily, her white slip dress stained with fresh marks, the iron collar around her neck rubbing red. She shrank back at the sight of Bahr, her eyes full of wariness—until Viola quickly stepped forward, crouching to soothe her in a gentle voice. The frightened gaze softened slightly.

"Let her stay with her aunt," Bahr glanced at the two, speaking to Viola, "Explain things clearly to her."

He knew Viola, as Rebecca's aunt, could ease her fears far better than a stranger like himself.

Viola shot Bahr a grateful look before leading Rebecca to a corner of the warehouse. As they spoke in hushed tones, Rebecca's shoulders gradually relaxed, though her occasional glances at Bahr still held traces of caution.

As the group left the warehouse for the docks, a man in soldier's uniform slowly unclenched his grip on a sword hilt from the shadows of the corner.

Watching Viola and Rebecca's retreating figures, complex emotions flickered in his eyes.

The toy soldier was Kyros. He had planned to break Rebecca out amid the chaos but changed his mind the moment he saw Viola.

He didn't know who that man was, but he recognized Viola. Perhaps leaving with them was the safest way to keep Rebecca out of danger.

Kyros melted deeper into the shadows, his clenched fists bulging with veins. Now, he could focus entirely on dealing with Doflamingo—without restraint.

The ship at the docks was already prepared. Viola led the hesitant Rebecca aboard first, with Bahr following behind. As he passed Doflamingo, the latter suddenly lowered his voice, "Fufufu... Make me regret letting this girl go."

Bahr didn't turn his head, merely waving his hand before his figure swiftly disappeared through the cabin door.

Doflamingo watched the receding sails, the coin spinning rapidly between his fingers. Behind those sunglasses, schemes and ruthlessness churned in his eyes.