Mariejois is vast.

  At this moment, Cudius was strolling through the Social Square of Pangaea Castle. This square rimarily used for hosting emissaries from various nations and served as a pce of iion during the World Summit, held every four years. It was where the royal families from across the globe gathered to unicate with one another.

  After passing through Pangaea Castle, one would see an imposing high wall. This high wall faced the mairance of the castle and was guarded by heavily armed soldiers. The gate in this wall was called the Gate of the Celestial Dragons. Once you passed through the Gate, you've ehe sacred residence of the Celestial Dragons in Mariejois, also referred to as the "nd of the gods."

  This area was strictly off-limits to anyone except Celestial Dragons, their sves, and their immediate families. It was often regarded as the heart of Mariejois and was sometimes called the "House of God."

  Within this divine abode, all kinds of facilities were avaible: top-tier hospitals, world-css opera houses, and even a Colosseum where sves fought for the amusement of the nobles. Essentially, one could live here for aire year without ever feeling the o leave.

  "Has Zephyr ever visited the House of god?" Cudius asked with a casual smile as they walked.

  Zephyr shook his head and replied, "I've been to Mariejois many times, but I've never set foot in the House of god. It's a pce reserved for you Celestial Dragons. Only those summoned by you enter. Most of us don't have that privilege."

  "Hahaha, 'god's own nd'? That's the first time I've heard it called that!" Cudius ughed heartily. After a short pause, he added, "god or not, it's all just talk. If we were truly gods, I wouldn't have nearly died out there in the New World. But since Zephyr has never been inside, how about you e visit my home now? I really appreciate all the care you've shown me during this time."

  Zephyr was surprised. He had assumed his duty would end once Cudius was safely delivered to Mariejois, but with this personal invitation from a Celestial Dragon, it would be impolite to dee. Nodding, he said, "Since you've extehe invitation, it would be an honor to see it with my own eyes."

  As they approached the Gate, the guards statiohere looked uain at first, reizing Cudius but hesitant to firm his identity. Then, one of the servants trailing the group shouted, "Saint Cudius has returned! Opee!"

  Immediately, the guards verified Cudius's identity, and the Gate swung open. No one dared stop Zephyr or Kuzan from entering alongside Cudius.

  Led by Cudius, Zephyr and Kuzaered the House of god for the first time. As they walked, they took in the opulent surroundings, a testament to the wealth and privilege that came with being a Celestial Dragon. After a brief jourhey finally arrived at Cudius's pace.

  Despite Cudius's youth, the pace he lived in was massive. It was inally the residence of the Donquixote family patriarch. When Homing became the head of the family, he didn't move in, nor did he relocate Cudius to another home. So, Cudius had always lived here, and for now, he had no pns to move out.

  "Go inform the house officer to send me a new butler," Cudius instructed an attendant nearby.

  The attendant quickly nodded ao carry out the order.

  Once seated in the grand living room, Cudius, Zephyr, and Kuzan began to chat. Just as Cudius was curious about the outside world, Zephyr and Kuzan couldn't help but be intrigued by the inner ws of the Celestial Dragons' lives. Though they wouldn't openly admit it, the luxury and mystery of the House of God sparked their curiosity.

  Their versation flowed easily, and after a while, Zephyr handed over his Den Den Mushi taumber to one of Cudius's attendants. This way, Cudius could reach out whenever he had questions or needed advice. Zephyr also handed over the basic trainihods he had piled during the journey, ensuring that Cudius could tinue his exercises after returning to Mariejois.

  With that, Zephyr and Kuzan prepared to take their leave.

  "Are you sure you don't want to stay for dinner? I'm not exaggerating our food here is truly excellent," Cudius said with a smile.

  Zephyr waved his hand and deed politely. "No, thank you, Saint Cudius. After your long journey, you must be tired. Get some rest, and we'll be on our way."

  Just then, an attendant walked in respectfully and announced, "Yhness, Saint Homing and Saint Dofmingo have e to visit you."

  Cudius smiled. "It seems dinner will have to wait. Zephyr, Kuzan, we'll catch up aime."

  Zephyr nodded. "We'll let you get back to your family matters."

  Cudius gestured toward atendant and instructed, "Escort Zephyr and Kuzan out through the side door. I'd rather they not run into my... troublesome cousin. Things might get awkward. I sider these two my esteemed guests, so make sure nothing goes wrong. Uood?"

  "Yes, Saint Cudius!" the attendant responded promptly.

  "Thank you for your hospitality, Yhness," Zephyr said, grateful for the siderate gesture.

  With that, Zephyr and Kuzan quietly exited through the side door, led by the attendant. Not long after, a otion could be heard at the frorance, making its way into Cudius's ears.

  "You idiots! My cousin's been missing for two weeks, and none of you thought to report it to my father?!"

  A young boy with short blond hair, wearing small e sungsses and dressed in vish clothes, marched into the living room, berating the attendants as he entered with an air ance.

  Trailing behind him was a middle-aged man with a kindly face, smiling warmly.

  There was no mistaking them: the first was Cudius's cousin, Donquixote Dofmingo, and the sed atriaring of the Donquixote family.

  Dofmingo, even as a young boy, was already domineering. Given that Cudius's former self had also been an arrogant troublemaker, it wasn't surprising that the two cousins had been thick as thieves, causing havoc wherever they went. They had been quite close.

  "Cousin! I'm so gd you're alright! If something had happeo you, I wouldn't have ao py with. Rosinante is no fun at all; he's always getting in my way. You treat me better!" Dofmingo shouted excitedly as he rushed toward Cudius.

  Watg the se, Cudius felt a bit exasperated. Every time Dofmingo called him "cousin," Cudius had the urge to call him something far less polite. He couldn't help but think to himself, My predecessor was really a fool to be so close to you. Rosinante may be a bit shy, but he's a genuinely good person. You, oher hand, are a brat with no trace of your parents' kindness.

  "Cudius, are you alright? You've lost weight. You must've suffered out there, huh? I've already had plenty of supplements sent over to help you recover," Homing said with a gentle smile.

  Judging by his expression, Cudius realized that Homing still had no idea what had truly happened, probably thinking it was nothing more than an unfortunate shipwreck.

  Cudius didn't want t things out up past grievances, so he smiled and replied, "Thank you for your , Uncle Homing."

  After exging a few pleasantries, Cudius quickly grew tired of talking to Homing, whose unrealistic ideals grated on him. Meanwhile, Dofmingo kept boasting about his ret exploits, including a new sve he'd acquired a captain, no less—whom he wanted Cudius to watch fight in the Colosseum.

  Cudius could only groan internally.

  "I'm gd you made it back safely," Homing said, his tourning serious. "There's something I want to tell you. I've made up my mind to leave Mariejois. Regarding the Donquixote family, your father and I..."

  Before he could finish, Cudius interrupted him.

  "Uncle Homing, I have no iion of being the head of the Donquixote family," Cudius said ftly.

  Homing was taken aback. "What are you saying? You're the most legitimate heir to the Donquixote family..."

  "I think being the patriarch is too much work and no fun at all. I'd rather leave it to someone else," Cudius said, pying the role of a capricious child. He rambled off a string of excuses, but the message was clear: I won't be the patriarch.

  Homing, ever the simple and kied man, finally sighed aed. "If that's how you feel... Well, there were some who opposed the idea anyway. I'll give the position to La instead."

  "Great! That works for me!" Cudius replied quickly.

  Donquixote La was a much more petent and clever individual than Homing, at least in Cudius's eyes. If the Donquixote family were to be handed over to La, perhaps the family could thrive iure. And if that were the case, Cudius could still be from it without the burdens of leadership.

  Dofmingo, however, didn't seem pleased. "Why do we have to go live down in the Lower Realms? I don't want to live among those filthy oners..." he muttered, his tone full of disdain.

  Homing, ever the optimist, smiled warmly at his son and said, "Doffy, living with your mother, father, and younger brother will be a wonderful experierust me, it'll be iing."

  For now, Dofmingo fell silent. He was still too young to fully uand what was in store for him. At this age, he still believed his father's words and thought that living in the Lower Realms wouldn't be all that different from life in Mariejois.

  Little did he know, his time in the Lower Realms would expose him to the harsh realities of the world struggles and suffering that would shape the monster he would ter bee.

  After a few more exges, Dofmingo insisted that Cudius join him in watg the sve fights at the Colosseum in a few days. Apparently, he had acquired a fresh batch of sves, including a captain, and was eager to show them off. Cudius, tired of his cousin's antics, agreed just to get through the versation.

  "Well, I'm gd you made it back safely," Homing said, smiling softly. "There's something else I wao talk to you about..."

  Cudius, not ied in rehashing the past, waved his hand dismissively. "Uncle Homing, I really don't care about all that. Let's leave it at that."

  After sending away the na?ve and sweet Homing, Cudius finally felt a sense of relief.

  "Now that I've deed the role of family head and La's likely to take over, I shouldn't have to worry about internal threats anymore," Cudius murmured to himself. "That should settle most of the mess in Mariejois."

  After thinking for a moment, Cudius raised his void spoke to the empty room, "Brihe best world map you find and hang it right there on that wall."

  His voice had barely finished eg when an attendant standing outside the door quickly responded, "Yes, Saint Cudius!"