Admittedly, the demon known as Tot Musica was extremely powerful. It possessed strength comparable to an Emperor, and with its near-immortal and indestructible nature, even a single Emperor-level fighter would struggle to deal with it.
However, Lloyd was its natural counter.
The so-called dark demon was nothing more than a toy before Lloyd, a man who embodied darkness itself. This was not just strength, but a suppression that reached into the soul.
Lloyd's eyes turned pitch black as dark energy gathered around his right hand. His voice carried a low, commanding weight.
"King's Command, Dark Baptism."
As his words fell, the massive body of Tot Musica began to shrink rapidly, wrapped tightly by the dark energy. Within moments, it completely disappeared.
Lloyd's hand returned to normal, now holding a small doll no bigger than a fist.
He descended slowly and landed beside Shanks.
Shanks stared blankly at the doll in Lloyd's hand, still struggling to process what had just happened.
"It's just... over?"
Lloyd casually tossed the doll in his hand and let out a faint laugh.
"What else did you expect? Planning to keep playing with it?"
Shanks scratched his head awkwardly.
"Hey, I wasn't playing around. That thing was actually troublesome."
His face grew slightly warm. He had wanted to show some competence in front of Uta, yet he had failed to defeat Tot Musica on his own. It cost him some pride.
Lloyd noticed the embarrassment and gave a small smile.
"It was not an easy opponent. No need to dwell on it."
Seeing Shanks still looking down, Lloyd shook his head and flicked the doll toward him.
"Take it. It belongs to you now."
Shanks instinctively caught it. Looking closely, he realized it was a miniature version of Tot Musica.
Ignoring everything else, the doll actually had a rather unique appearance in this form.
Shanks blinked, then sighed.
"I'm nearly forty. Do you still think I need toys?"
Lloyd rolled his eyes.
"If you do not want it, give it away. Think of it as a gift."
As he spoke, Lloyd tilted his head slightly and glanced toward Uta.
Shanks froze for a moment, then understanding dawned on him.
"You mean... give it to Uta?"
Lloyd nodded, his expression carrying a hint of approval.
"When an opportunity is handed to you, make use of it. That is not just a toy."
With that, he gestured forward.
"Go on. I will come with you."
Shanks nodded and walked toward Uta, with Lloyd following behind.
Uta had already returned to her senses. Guilt filled her heart, and she lowered her head, unable to meet Shanks' eyes.
Shanks himself felt no less conflicted. He regretted being absent for so many years. If he had been there, perhaps Uta would never have been led astray.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Lloyd stepped forward and gave Shanks a firm push from behind.
Caught off guard, Shanks stumbled forward, nearly colliding with Uta.
Startled, Uta raised her head, and their eyes met.
Seizing the moment, Shanks quickly held out the doll.
Uta looked at it, momentarily stunned.
"This is... Tot Musica?"
Shanks nodded and gently shook the doll.
"That is right. It is a trophy. Now it is yours."
Uta tilted her head, confusion in her eyes.
"But I saw Uncle destroy it. Shouldn't it belong to him?"
Shanks immediately looked uncomfortable and glanced at Lloyd for help.
Lloyd gave a light cough.
"We defeated it together. Your father weakened it first. Without that, I would not have handled it so easily."
Uta looked back at Shanks, her voice soft.
"I see... I'm sorry, Dad. I caused you so much trouble."
That single word, Dad, struck deeply.
Shanks froze, his entire body stiffening as if struck by lightning.
Uta reached out and took the doll from his hand.
She examined it carefully, and soon a bright smile appeared on her face.
"It is really beautiful. Thank you, Dad."
Then she turned to Lloyd and smiled.
"Thank you, Uncle."
After everything that had happened, calling him Uncle came naturally to her.
Lloyd nodded slightly. He glanced at Shanks, who was still frozen, then crouched down and gently placed his hand on Uta's head.
With his height approaching three meters, the gesture looked almost overwhelming, yet his touch was steady.
Feeling the warmth, Uta spoke softly.
"The Fleet Admiral is actually my uncle... this feels unreal."
Even now, her thoughts were still unsettled. Lloyd had always been a distant, legendary figure in her eyes.
And the fact that an Emperor and the Fleet Admiral were brothers made it even harder to believe.
Lloyd tapped her nose lightly.
"Stop overthinking. Look at the doll."
Uta blinked and lowered her gaze.
Earlier, it had been smiling in Shanks' hand. Now, its face looked tearful.
Her eyes widened in surprise.
"Hey, why did its expression change? Is it alive?"
That thought made her uneasy. Her hand trembled slightly as she held it.
Lloyd immediately held her hand.
The moment his hand covered hers, a strong sense of security filled her heart.
With someone like Lloyd standing beside her, there was nothing to fear.
In a calm voice, Lloyd said,
"Do not be afraid. Try singing the song you used earlier."
Uta hesitated, but under Lloyd's steady gaze, she slowly began to hum Tot Musica.
As her voice echoed, a black light emerged from the doll. It floated out of her hand and hovered in the air, gradually increasing in size.
Uta's face paled. She quickly stopped singing.
The black light vanished instantly. The doll shrank back to its original form and fell gently into her hands.