Chapter 17: 17. Wanokuni

A week later, early in the morning. Alex woke up in the spacious bed, guided by the natural rhythm his body had long grown accustomed to. With practiced ease, he stretched, then gently lifted away the slender(T/N: was jade-like) arms and long legs entwined around him. After dressing, he stepped out of the room, feeling a familiar sense of satisfaction. This indulgence, this taste of luxury, reminded Alex of a carefree feeling that he rarely let himself enjoy. In a world like this, such comforts were symbols of status, power, and identity—things countless people strive to attain. Even though his mindset had changed, Alex couldn't deny the allure of these things. Greed, after all, was a part of human nature, and Alex was no exception. He remembered his time as a jailer and how he endured that harsh environment for a year, driven by ambition. The desire for more fueled him, pushing him to claim the power necessary to grasp what he wanted. This ambition was the greatest motivator he'd carried through nearly four years with the Hell Brigade. Whether it be wealth, authority, or beauty, strength was the language of this world. Especially here in the New World, where the strong ruled as kings and the weak were trampled underfoot. Sabaody had been a stepping stone in his journey, and now, Wanokuni was on the horizon—a new stage for his aspirations. Whoosh! The door on the second level of the boat swung open, letting in a gust of fresh air from the open sky. Alex, feeling the satisfaction of last night's revelry, took a deep breath and felt his spirits lift. He stretched his entire body. Crack! A satisfying series of pops echoed as his joints loosened, his muscular frame ready for the day ahead. Walking to the ship's railing, Alex looked out over the endless ocean. A few nautical miles ahead, he could make out towering mountains rising from the sea—a sign that they were approaching a special sea area. "Lord Alex, at this pace, we'll reach the waters of Wanokuni shortly," Joe, who had kept the night watch, reported loudly upon seeing him. "Oh? We're there already?" Alex replied with a hint of interest. Joe quickly added, "All thanks to your skill, Lord Alex. We've made incredible time reaching Wanokuni!" Indeed, traveling through the air was far faster than by sea. They had covered the distance from the Sabaody Archipelago to the New World's second half in just a week, even without Alex pressing for more speed. Feeling the wind at his back, Alex nodded, satisfied, and said, "Since we're almost there, go wake Meyer." This was Alex's final gesture of goodwill toward them. Once they reached their destination, he would leave the ship to them, setting them free. He had also made a promise to the women still sleeping within the cabin—any who wished to leave would be allowed to do so, no questions asked. As a result, the three women chose to cling to Alex's side, each relying on their own unique strengths and charms to secure their place. The two men, however, seemed to recognize that this ship was merely a temporary means of travel. Knowing that once they reached their destination, they'd be outmatched in skill, they opted for freedom instead. Aware of the dangers that lurked in the New World, they had no interest in remaining in Wanokuni. So, with an indifferent shrug, Alex left the ship to them just outside Wanokuni's waters, letting them chart their own course to wherever they wanted to go. After all, it was only a ship he'd claimed by force, and Alex wasn't one to grow attached to mere transportation. With Wanokuni under Kaido's control, arriving by air was far less conspicuous than docking a ship. Lacking precise knowledge of Wanokuni's internal situation, Alex preferred to keep a low profile, minimizing the risk of jeopardizing his plans. Once they approached Wanokuni, the ship hovered over the waters nearby. Using his ability, Alex stepped onto a rock floating in the sea and, along with Lilith and the others, ascended into the sky once more. Within minutes, Alex, floating among the clouds, spotted the dramatic shift along the coastline as they entered the treacherous seas around Wanokuni. The waters here were notoriously perilous, with complex currents that could destroy any vessel unaware of their flow. Broken shipwrecks littered the towering stone pillars, while massive whirlpools churned like sea monsters. The intimidating sight would send a chill through any onlooker, a stark reminder of the danger of being swallowed by the merciless waves. This natural barrier protected Wanokuni, but for Alex, gifted with the ability to fly, no obstacle at sea could hinder him. He'd traveled here unimpeded. "It's incredible. Only Lord Alex has the power to ignore such a terrifying sea," Emily murmured in admiration, clutching his arm tightly as she soaked up his warmth. Seeing this, Lilith and Alice couldn't help but curl their lips in slight irritation. Over the past week, they had come to see that Alex wasn't cruel to those in his company. Without any external threat pressing down on them, the three had gradually relaxed, leading to occasional open but friendly competition for his attention. As the beneficiary of this rivalry, Alex had no reason to interfere. He also understood that each of them had suffered deeply as former slaves, and their friendly competition held no malice. To him, their rivalry was an enjoyable spice to life. After a few more moments of ascending into the sky— Boom! The sound of massive waves crashing resonated around them. From their vantage point, they could see a massive waterfall, hundreds of meters high, marking the end of the turbulent sea. And above it, beyond the wild cascade, lay a vast island, coming into view with increasing clarity. Alex fixed his gaze forward. Finally, at the sea's edge and towering above the crashing falls, Wanokuni awaited. His first goal since setting sail was finally within reach!