Chapter 106: Human Sacrifice [First Update]

[My wife also has a beautiful singing voice.]

The melody of the harp drifted through the air, and the song came to an end.

"Sui!"

The cloud fox let out a lazy murmur, curled up into the arms of the graceful figure, and closed its eyes to rest.

Shu Mingyuan clapped his hands and smiled, "What a marvelous performance, Miss. Please forgive my intrusion; I didn't mean to disturb you."

"Oh? You don't have wings... you aren't from Sky Island?" the young woman asked in surprise.

Shu Mingyuan rubbed his nose, "Ah, that's right. I just arrived here from the Blue Sea below."

"Welcome, traveler from afar. My name is Conis. It is a pleasure to meet you." Conis set her harp aside, stood up with the cloud fox in her arms, and walked toward Shu Mingyuan. She offered her hand with a sweet, gentle smile.

"Shu Mingyuan. It’s a pleasure to meet you, too." The young man nodded with a smile, and they shook hands.

"You are from the Blue Sea? The Kingdom of God sits ten thousand meters above the clouds. May I ask how you managed to reach the Sky Island?" Conis asked, puzzled.

"Uh... I suppose you could say I arrived with the help of the Knock-Up Stream."

"That monster current? You are truly incredible!" Conis exclaimed in shock.

The young man embarrassedly rubbed his nose. He was likely the only person in history to have reached Sky Island in such a reckless and direct manner. Only he knew the sheer peril and difficulty involved.

"What are your plans while you are here?"

"I intend to stay for a few days to experience the customs and scenery of the Sky Island, which are so different from the Blue Sea. I have long heard of the wonders of this place, and seeing it with my own eyes now... it is truly as beautiful as paradise. I believe only a place like this could nurture a person as remarkable and elegant as you, Miss Conis."

Conis covered her face and chuckled softly.

"If you don't mind, Miss Conis, I would like to trouble you for a few days of lodging. I will, of course, provide ample compensation." Shu Mingyuan smiled. He had taken quite a liking to this kind-hearted and sweet-voiced resident of the Sky Island.

"No, no, please, there is no need for such formalities. It is an honor to host a guest. You are welcome to stay as long as you like. I have always yearned to hear about the wonders of the Blue Sea, so please don't be offended if I ask many questions."

"I shall tell you everything I know. Besides, I have many questions about the Sky Island that I hope you can help me with."

The two walked toward Conis's cottage on Angel Island, chatting and laughing.

...

Beneath the sea clouds, a stealthy divine soldier gradually emerged.

"Reporting to the Almighty God and the priests: that Blue Sea man has gone to Pagaya's house. I will continue to keep a close watch!"

"If we want to pass a 'Divine Judgment' on him, we need an excuse. He already paid the entrance toll, which makes things difficult... Very well, then, we shall strike at those around him."

"As you command, Almighty God!"

...

At Conis's home.

Three days passed in a flash. During this time, Shu Mingyuan fully appreciated how the Sky Islanders utilized the clouds and various dials. Everything he saw opened his eyes, and the strange tales he shared in return fascinated Conis.

"Miss Conis, thank you for your hospitality over the past three days. I would like to gift you this Devil Fruit I happened to acquire. You may choose to eat it or sell it—the choice is yours. In the Blue Sea, a Devil Fruit is worth at least one hundred million Berries, which I believe is equivalent to one trillion Extols here."

Shu Mingyuan placed the last remaining Devil Fruit on the table.

"One trillion Extols?"

Conis gasped. She had never seen such a vast amount of money. She had heard of Devil Fruits—that they granted unimaginable power to the eater but also cursed them to never swim again. However, compared to the immense benefits, that seemed insignificant.

"This black thing with the strange, swirling patterns is a legendary Devil Fruit? No, no, this is too valuable. I cannot accept it."

"Miss Conis, it is yours. It is what you deserve. However, it would be best not to let others know you possess it, or you may invite unwanted greed and unnecessary trouble," Shu Mingyuan warned kindly.

"Then... where are you going now?"

"Ah... I think I'll go take a look at the Holy Land," Shu Mingyuan replied casually. He could not stand the fact that Enel, that lunatic, planned to destroy the Sky Island once he departed for the "Fairy Vearth" on the moon.

"The Holy Land?" Conis exclaimed. "That is forbidden ground! Except for the priests and divine soldiers who serve God Enel, no one is allowed to enter. Anyone caught will face 'Divine Punishment'!"

"Divine Punishment, is it?" Shu Mingyuan chuckled softly. "Thank you for the warning. I will be careful."

Seeing that Shu Mingyuan’s mind was made up, Conis shook her head with a bitter smile. Since he could ride the Knock-Up Stream to reach the sky and casually give away such a rare treasure as a Devil Fruit, he was surely no ordinary man.

"I wish you... stay safe. But I must warn you again: God is omnipotent. No one who has ever defied his laws has returned alive." Conis’s voice trembled with fear. In the six years since Enel took power, many had defied him, but without exception, they were all dead.

"Haha, well, that's perfect—I am an atheist."

Conis watched as Shu Mingyuan’s figure receded into the distance, a look of worry in her eyes. Ever since Enel had defeated the former God, Gan Fall, and all his guards six years ago to rule the island, he had not only turned the holy ground of Upper Yard into a forbidden zone—calling it God's Island—but also enacted a series of strict laws to impose high-pressure control. Any violation was met with immediate judgment.

For Conis, Shu Mingyuan was now a criminal. According to the laws of the sky, if she were seen being too close to a criminal, she would be punished by association. The moment Shu Mingyuan stepped onto the Holy Land, their three days of friendship were destined to fracture.

"I hope he stays safe."

Conis clasped her hands to her chest and prayed for him. Then, with a complicated expression, she looked at the Devil Fruit on the table and carefully tucked it into a box. Unbeknownst to her, all of this had been observed by a pair of hidden eyes.

"Reporting to the Almighty God Enel: that Blue Sea man has left the last Devil Fruit at Conis's house and is heading toward the Holy Land. Should I pass judgment on him?"

"Oh? It has been six years since anyone dared to defy my divine authority. Very well... the moment that Blue Sea man steps into the Holy Land, brand Conis with the crime of communicating with a criminal. What kind of execution should we choose for her?"

"Heh, I have it. Take her, along with that Devil Fruit, to the sacrificial altar as an offering."

"A living sacrifice—I believe the 'Sky Boss' will be quite interested in that, don't you think? Hahahaha!"