At the highest peak of the world, besides Imu and the other four Gorosei, who didn't speak to him with utmost respect? When had he ever suffered such humiliation?
But his eyes swept over Nero in the hall, and he felt helpless. Forget it, one more time wouldn't make a difference today.
"Hmm, Lord Holio truly understands my heart. To entertain my guests, I've prepared to bring out my best hidden treasures this time!"
Nero's words successfully made Holio's expression stiffen, but he quickly reacted, 'Rosinante, I'm counting on you today!'
Satan Saint also chimed in, "Since His Majesty Nero has said so, then I shall look forward to it."
Since it was all about building connections, the closer their relationship, the better. Nero's pirate status had been revoked, and she had joined the World Nobles, not to mention her terrifying abilities.
Satan Saint himself naturally hoped to have a good relationship with Nero.
Although he was aligned with Imu, if he established a friendly relationship with Nero, his own importance to Imu would also greatly increase.
When Nero heard this, she finally gave him her first good look of the day, two small dimples appearing on her cheeks as she smiled: "Hmm, then you should look forward to it!"
This reaction made Satan Saint feel even more certain that he hadn't made a mistake. It seemed he would have to come down to the lower world from time to time in the future to maintain their relationship.
"Then, Lord Satan Saint, please make yourself at home and look forward to the afternoon's activities."
Holio, standing nearby, said the same thing, but a hint of pity flashed in his eyes?
Satan Saint shook his head, thinking he had misread it and didn't pay attention, merely shifting his gaze to a blond man.
Rosinante, it seemed he was doing quite well in Nicuss?
Satan Saint swirled his red wine glass. Currently, Rosinante was surrounded by a large group of people, whom he observed were all the top nobles of Nicuss.
The Nicuss nobles, who usually acted superior to outsiders, appeared so approachable when facing Rosinante, their eyes as gentle as if they were looking at their own promising junior.
He wondered what method this kid had used. Satan Saint seriously considered whether to restore his former Celestial Dragon status.
His bloodline was undeniable, but his family had left so resolutely back then, which led to many dissenting voices in the Holy Land today.
However, for him, a Gorosei, it was just a small matter. His connection with Nero also needed a strong bond.
If Rosinante had that potential, he wouldn't mind pulling a few strings.
Draining the red wine in his glass, Satan Saint's gaze towards Rosinante took on a thoughtful meaning.
"Hmm, are you all satisfied with today's meal?"
Feeling that enough time had passed, Nero wiped her mouth with a napkin and asked in a loud voice.
"Satisfied! Extremely satisfied! Praise Nero Claudius Palace!"
"The specialties of Nicuss are truly unparalleled in deliciousness!"
"Ah, it's so delicious I can't help but want to pack some to take home for my family to try."
No one expressed dissatisfaction. Everyone present was a shrewd individual and had noticed that Nero enjoyed flattery.
Some people directly added a phrase praising Nero at the end of each sentence. Regardless of whether it was useful or not, it certainly wouldn't be wrong.
And no one expected that this behavior would, in the future, become something akin to a catchphrase in the Nicuss Empire.
"Hmm, if that's the case, then let's move on to the next activity! Welcome to our nation's proud landmark, the Golden Grand Theater!" Nero spread her arms, her voice full of passion.
"Oh!" xN
The others also cheered cooperatively, only the nobles of Nicuss seemed a bit stiff in their movements for some reason, and even more people gathered around Rosinante.
And the other bewildered people quickly understood why, as they personally witnessed what hell was... the Golden Grand Theater.
After Nero's three songs, everyone was a bit dazed, clapping mechanically and numbly.
Even Satan Saint was no exception. Sitting in the special box, his gaze towards Rosinante finally held a hint of understanding.
And the people of Nicuss were even more teary-eyed, moved by Nero's performance. Although they couldn't hear the sound, the charm conveyed by her body language was simply too elegant, too artistic!
It definitely wasn't because Nero's voice was blocked!
Absolutely not!!! xN
Thunderous applause erupted in the interval after Nero finished a song. The people of Nicuss were particularly fervent, even startling Nero.
But after she reacted, she immediately became even happier. She gestured downwards, and the hall quickly quieted down.
The moment she picked up the mic, Rosinante's Devil Fruit ability activated, and the nobles of Nicuss once again enjoyed a peaceful silence.
Because of this, they couldn't hear Nero's subsequent words.
"Hmm, have you all felt the charm of music?"
Nero raised her head, full of confidence.
'Is this art? The boundary between life and death, I have already seen it...'
'Is this truly the whisper of an ancient god? Or the chant of the God of Death?'
'Is the art of Nicuss truly so brutal?'
A series of thoughts murmured in everyone's hearts, but no one dared to actually speak them aloud. They simply looked at the Nicuss nobles' expressions of enjoyment, marveling at them!
"With the accumulation of time, I am also progressing, becoming even more perfect! Music is the extension of the mind, the cry of the soul!"
Nero began to express her insights on music: "And in the New World, there is a similar manifestation, recognized as a standard for the strong!"
"Hmm! That is Haki! In the past, Haki was used in combat to strengthen the body or weapons, but through my unremitting efforts, I have finally developed a new usage!"
"That's right! It's sound! It can express even more passionate emotions, making the voice from the soul truly become a shout from the mouth!!!"
Watching Nero put down the microphone, Rosinante once again deactivated his Silence-Silence Fruit ability. Although he wasn't sure what His Majesty had said, the nobles knew it was time to applaud and cheer.
The applause quickly spread throughout the venue, and cheers were incessant.
Eyeing Nero about to pick up the microphone again, Rosinante's ability once more unfolded.
Holio shifted into a comfortable position and slowly poured himself a cup of tea. This was a rare moment of leisure, and doing this occasionally was quite nice.
He glanced at the other nobles; everyone was also conversing harmoniously in small groups, and life instantly became pleasant.
Then, the demonic sound descended. Rosinante, the Silence-Silence Fruit user, couldn't last a second and silently fainted.
A powerful sound wave struck, even more intense than before, and the venue became chaotic.
One person left their seat, then it became a group of people. The door symbolizing despair was tightly shut, and the scroll of hell officially unfurled... Satan Saint, sitting in his bedroom, suddenly woke up, his plump face covered in cold sweat.
He surveyed his surroundings, and only after confirming it was his own bedroom did he let out a sigh of relief.
He picked up the red wine on the table to moisten his throat before recalling the recent anomaly.
Was it the future? An Observation Haki warning?
If so, then he couldn't be the one to go to Nero's coronation ceremony. He had to find a way to quickly decline this matter.
Stepping out of the bedroom, he instantly froze in place, the living room having become a ruin.
He scanned the area, surprised to find that the method used to create this ruin was very similar to his own.
Just as he was about to reprimand the guards, he discovered something that sent shivers down his spine.
That was a clock with a calendar. Such clocks were not only expensive but also highly accurate and had an unadjustable feature. He had been using it for many years.
But he stared blankly at the date on the clock—three extra days???
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