NOVEL NEXT Chapter 22: Banquet 2
After the two pirate ships faded into the distance, vanishing beyond the horizon, the tranquil surface of the sea began to stir with an eerie commotion. From the murky depths arose massive, shadowy forms, shrouded in darkness, drawn by the scent of death lingering in the water. These colossal silhouettes, like sinister guardians of the abyss, converged upon the lifeless form of the sea king, tearing into its flesh with relentless fervor.
As the ships charted their course across the expanse of the ocean, Nicholas, stationed on the deck, caught sight of a distant spectacle unfolding on the horizon. An island, veiled in mist, loomed into view, its contours blurred yet intriguingly distinct against the azure sky. Two towering horns adorned its crown, one imposing and the other diminutive, casting an eerie resemblance to the skull of a mammoth rhinoceros. Strangely, these colossal horns, devoid of verdant life, jutted skyward, fashioned only from rugged rock formations that stood sentinel over the isle.
Drawing nearer to the enigmatic landmass, the two pirate vessels sought refuge in a sheltered bay, dropping anchor amidst the tranquility of the island's embrace. As Nicholas and his crew ventured inland, they beheld a spectacle that defied belief, their eyes widening in wonder and disbelief. Before them sprawled a vast circular lake, encircled by verdant grasslands teeming with life. Majestic creatures, reminiscent of ancient legends, quenched their thirst at the water's edge, their elongated necks and robust frames evoking an aura of primordial majesty.
"These... Brontosaurs?" Stussy gasped in astonishment, her voice tinged with incredulity, her scholarly demeanor momentarily forgotten amidst the breathtaking sight.
"The sea is a realm of boundless wonders," Roger remarked with a hearty laugh, his eyes sparkling with the thrill of discovery and adventure.
"Let us explore further. I recall a delectable delicacy that resides here," Roger continued, his anticipation palpable as saliva pooled at the corners of his mouth.
Meanwhile, Rayleigh and his comrades set about the preparations for an impromptu feast, unloading crates of wine and provisions from the ship's hold.
Undeterred by the imposing presence of the Brontosaurs, Stussy approached the majestic creatures, her curiosity piqued by their remarkable resurgence. Yet, her scholarly musings were met with a stern warning from one of the colossal beasts, its low rumble echoing a silent admonition.
Undeterred, Stussy persisted in her pursuit of knowledge, inching closer to the towering creatures in defiance of their silent rebuke. Yet, as she ventured too close, a warning bellow from one of the Brontosaurs brought her perilously close to danger's edge.
"Buzzzzzzz"
As the tension mounted, suddenly a new threat emerged from the dense foliage surrounding the grasslands, the air alive with the ominous hum of impending danger. A tide of insects, vibrant and iridescent, poured forth from the depths of the forest, their kaleidoscopic hues a harbinger of peril.
"Ah, bad luck. We've encountered a swarm of bugs," Roger remarked, surprised by the sight, though his crew seemed less astonished, apparently accustomed to such occurrences.
The insects rushing out of the forest varied greatly in species, but they all shared one common trait: their vibrant colors.
In the natural world, brightly colored insects often carried potent toxins, and these bugs, combined with the unpredictability of the One Piece world, were undoubtedly poisonous, and highly toxic at that.
With a wave of insects descending upon them, Nicholas summoned forth a crackling barrier of lightning, its sizzling tendrils repelling the relentless onslaught. Yet, even as the Thunder Net crackled with volatile energy, the insects pressed on undaunted, their relentless advance undeterred by the searing embrace of Nicholas's defense.
With crackling sounds, the insects that touched the Thunder Net were instantly charred.
But even so, the insects, seemingly insane, continued to rush forward.
Quickly, a thick layer of bug carcasses piled up at the bottom of the net.
Meanwhile, Stussy, covering her nose, stood before the net, carefully observing the poisonous insects.
Some of the insects were still releasing their venom, creating a colorful poisonous mist in front of the net.
Seeing this, Roger and the others returned, watching the scene with interest.
Nicholas, feeling somewhat annoyed by the situation, waved his hand forward.
"Thunder Wall!"
As Nicholas spoke, the Thunder Net before him transformed into a wall of lightning, pushing back against the swarm of bugs.
Crack! Crack! The Thunder Wall swept through the swarm, turning the bugs into ashes.
"Ah, what a find! These bugs are rich in protein, and they taste just like crispy chicken," exclaimed Gaban, squatting on the pile of bugs, picking and eating.
"Hey, Gaban, you sneaky eater!" Roger exclaimed, rushing over to compete for bugs with Gaban.
Then, the feast continued, with the main dish being not only roasted meat and wine but also many juicy and flavorful bugs, expertly prepared by Gaban, the self-proclaimed entomologist.