[Throne Hall.]
"She didn't answer?" Head Milan was stunned, her voice a hushed whisper in the suddenly tense hall.
"Try again!" Zinmo urged, his voice sharp with impatience.
Xenor nodded, a flicker of hope in his eyes, and tapped 'sent' once more.
Everyone watched, their breaths held, as the green caller logo on the holographic screen vanished, replaced instantly by Josephine's face. A collective gasp, barely audible, swept through the hall.
Xenor exhaled in profound relief, a soft smile gracing his lips. "My love, where have you been? We are all worried." He spoke in a tone he hoped conveyed tenderness and concern.
"Xenor... I am not your love, but your queen, speak to me with respect!" Josephine's voice sliced through the air, cold and sharp, stunning everyone in the hall into shocked silence.
"Huh? Why? But you are my mate! The moon goddess never lies!" Xenor stammered, his soft demeanor crumbling into bewildered frustration.
"When did I accept that bond? I didn't let you ma—"
"—Hmm... My Queen, everyone is here, worried about you!" Xenor interjected quickly, cutting Josephine's words short. He dared not let her finish that sentence. 'No! I can't do anything now! I told the whole wolves' clan I marked her to chase the wolves away... If they know... No! When she gets back, that will be the first thing I will do! Then we will know how you will leave me.' he thought, a cold calculation forming in his mind.
"So everyone is present? And this call is on public?" Josephine asked, her voice still laced with an unsettling chill. Xenor nodded his head frantically.
"Yes my Queen! Where are you? Do you want us to come get you? Did the Wendigos capture you?" Milan piped up, her voice dripping with a carefully constructed, fake worried expression.
"You all don't have to worry, I will be back tomorrow, make sure all senators and top families are present, I want everyone there to welcome someone." Josephine announced, her gaze sweeping over the silent faces on the holographic screen.
"Someone?" a confused murmur rippled through the hall.
Before they could press further, the call disconnected. The holographic screen went blank again, leaving behind only confused silence.
"...?!"
Everyone present looked at one another, a shared bewilderment etched on their faces.
"Who are we welcoming?" Zagreb asked, his brow furrowed in confusion, while another Senator just shrugged, equally lost.
_______
[Back to Sunny.]
Josephine switched off the screen, the holographic image dissolving into nothingness. She turned to Sunny, still comfortably perched on his lap.
"Why don't you want me to reveal your position?" She asked, a hint of genuine confusion in her voice, her earlier coldness towards Xenor replaced by curiosity.
"Come on now, if you do that, there won't be any fun... Let's just wait and see." He lowered his head to hers, a playful glint in his eyes. Before he could deepen the moment with another kiss, the metallic door behind them slid open, and Nioh stood at the entrance, his gaze fixed on the back of Sunny's chair.
"My King, the Dwarves' king and his entourage are here." Nioh's voice was calm and respectful.
"Thanks... I'll be there." Sunny replied, not turning around, his attention still on Josephine.
Nioh tilted his head slightly, registering Josephine's position on Sunny's lap. He gave a brief nod of understanding, turned, and quietly walked away.
The Dwarves' King, his Advisor, and his Commander stood just outside the imposing starship, their gazes fixed on Nicolas and Blood Eye, who sat casually on the stairs leading up to the starship's entrance.
"Where is your king? It's not good to keep us waiting!" The Commander yelled, his voice booming across the open space, but the King stopped him with a raised hand.
"Calm down general... This young man has the money to get anything in this galaxy, not only that, he bought equipment costing one trillion... He isn't someone simple." The King stated, his tone measured.
"The king is right, although you are hot-headed, this isn't the time and place to act rashly." The Advisor added, his expression stern.
The general, chastened, nodded and took a step back, grumbling under his breath.
"I see the king is sensible." Nicolas remarked, a sly smirk playing on his lips as an elite class dagger materialized in his hand, which he began spinning expertly between his fingers.
"You guys know who we are... Right?" He asked, his eyes glinting mischievously.
"You two?" The King snorted, a hint of disdain in his voice. "Both of you are pirates' lords... You have been one of our headaches these past few years." He then pointed directly at Blood Eye: "Especially you, you stole an EMP from my military camp... If I may, when do you plan to pay me back?! Or hand it over!"
"Fufufufu! You should be lucky, that EMP came in handy, so I will only give you 1,000 galaxy crystals." Blood Eye chuckled, a dry, unsettling sound.
".....?!"
The King and Advisor were stunned, their mouths agape.
"One... One thousand?! That EMP cost more than 10 million!" The King yelled, his composure finally breaking.
"Why are you shouting? You just told your general to be quiet, and besides... Our Queen already bought 100,000 EMPs... What is the big deal losing one when you have hundreds?" Blood Eye asked coldly, her gaze unwavering.
"This?" The King was speechless, rendered utterly mute by the sheer audacity of the statement.
"Enough with your chatters." Sunny's voice cut through the awkward silence.
The two pirates looked over their soldiers as Sunny, Josephine, and Nioh walked out of the starship, stopping at the top of the stairs.
Nicolas and Blood Eye jumped to their feet, instantly snapping to attention and standing at the side as the three descended the stairs.
WHOOSH!
Hearing the distinct sound of rapidly moving air, the three Dwarves instinctively raised their heads towards the starship. Perched gracefully on its hull was Star, hugging a long, purple elite class sword. Her presence, though silent, commanded attention.
"What is your decision?" Sunny asked, stepping off the last stair.
"I won't beat around the bush..." The King turned to his Advisor, who stepped forward and stretched forth her hand towards Sunny. A detailed scroll appeared in her palm.
Nioh stepped forward, his movements fluid, and took the scroll from the Advisor. He then turned to Sunny and unfurled it for him.
Sunny and Josephine, who stood just behind him, read all the intricate details within the scroll, nodding slowly in understanding.
"Are you sure about this?" Sunny asked, turning his gaze back to the Dwarves' King.
"Yes... I will send you warships! They are a lot bigger than mere battleships! You can take them and pay 10 million each, that is just for your deal you told me in the castle." The King smiled, a shrewd glint in his eyes. "You offered a million for one battleship, but I offer you one warship for ten million! What do you say?" he pressed.
Sunny thought for some seconds, his brow furrowed in consideration. He then looked over his shoulder at Josephine, who gave him a slow, deliberate nod.
"Ok... I accept." He said, a decision made. With a flick of his wrist, a new, intricate signature, adorned with the fierce logo of a wolf's head, appeared on the scroll.
"Deliver the first shipment tomorrow at the Beastify nation." He turned around and began walking back towards his starship, then paused. He looked over his shoulder, his voice echoing with finality:
"Don't forget the battleship. Money isn't the problem, just keep sending more warships, battleships, and all vehicles... And more artillery weapons."
With that, he turned around and walked back inside the starship.
WHOOSH!
The Dwarves looked up again. Star had vanished, her presence completely gone, as if she had never been there.
'His sister is just like him.' The King thought, a new respect dawning in his eyes. He then turned around and began walking away, his entourage following.
Sunny stood inside the starship, watching the cars below as they rose into the air and shot away into the distance. He pressed a button, and opened his mouth:
"Nioh... A word."