Loyola didn't have any ulterior motive when she confiscated the locket from Shiro. In fact, she just removed it from his neck while wondering what it could have been.

Of course, one could say that it was out of pure interest in the object that she took it, but it seemed as if the reason was entirely different in the first place.

In fact, she was actually thinking about him even at that time when she had not even accepted him as his son.

As mentioned, the area was not that good and the people were also quite poor. Due to that, their minds had been affected and that was why they were acting like bullies.

They would often steal or beat someone. Other times they would harass many people because they couldn't repay their debt or sometimes they would even do a false claim.

All those people were completely corrupted and if they had laid their eyes on this gleaming beautiful locket, then without a doubt they would try to get it and become greedy hyenas.

So she took it and kept it with herself as she didn't want any problems with Shiro but little did she know that the locket wasn't some ordinary item.

It was something that many would try to get it. Even if they sold many things and paid a hefty price, there still would be ambiguity if they would get this or not.

And that was the main reason why many wars had happened in order to gain the locket but only after attaining that did they realize that all their efforts were in vain.

It was because the Locket could have only one owner in its entire usage and only the owner could pass it to the next generation.

Since Randy was the previous owner of the Locket, it did a good job in protecting him but the moment he voluntarily removed it from his neck and put it on Shiro's neck, the rightful owner was Shiro now.

So unless it's passed down and given voluntarily or unless the owner dies, the Locket wouldn't reveal its power when someone else wears it.

That was why it seemed like an ordinary gemstone attached to a piece of thread. She just put it in a secret locker.

Loyola did think of selling it after which she could have gotten enough food to eat and live for many days without any problems, but she didn't want to literally throw away the one thing which Shiro had before meeting her.

She didn't want to monopolize everything from Shiro. All she wanted was for him to be happy. She knew that he might be having someone waiting for him out there and the locket might have been some important thing that might act as a connection between them.

That was why she just preserved it instead of throwing or selling it.

After doing that, she too went to sleep after dimming the light of the fire lantern a bit.

MEANWHILE...

'CLANG CLANG CLANG' *sounds of iron shackles clashing against each other*

Some pirates and criminals were being brought down from the marine Sea federation ships.

They were being transported to one of the biggest jails in the world.

All the prisoners had their hands' shackled which surrounded their necks.

They were just normal prisoners who were being sent, but there were other special prisoners too who had the blessings of Gods to use weird powers.

All the people of the very ancient era believed in Gods and it was thought that the Gods actually had pawns.

The so-called pawns were none other than humans through which they would channel their powers and gift them.

Only a handful of them was selected and only a very few of them would be able to actually use those powers.

The humans were free to use those powers and could gain whatever they wanted but there was something else that was mentioned in the ancient tale.

The treasure which the Gods possessed was invaluable!

It was said that the one who attains that treasure would stand above all the rest and would eventually ascend to become a God!

The famous story - The tales of the sea hero - was probably a fabricated tale because no one knew if it was actually true.

Regardless, this was the story that inspired many to become pirates

'A story about a boy facing all the trials to become God!', though simple it may be, it was exciting and this excitement started the Era of Pirates!

"Walk faster!!!", the officers were whipping some of the prisoners who were quite ordinary and asked them to move as soon as possible.

Many more pirates were brought by other ships. None of them had any sort f powers since being a chosen one was a rare thing in itself.

A chosen one has various powers and would be a pro at different things based on the God that has to lend him his powers.

So in order to capture such Pirates or criminals, the 'Devil Stone' was used. It was named in such a way because that was the only thing that could cancel out the connection between a chosen one and the God due to which they wouldn't be able to use their powers.

Since it worked essentially against Gods, it was called the Devil Stone!

The prisoners were being whipped again and again despite the fact that they were listening to their commands.

All the prisoners were treated badly but the last guy who was brought was literally dragged all the way just because he was unconscious.

The dragging was leaving the mark of bloodstains and even other officers were scared in seeing that but it didn't matter to the one who was dragging as he was enjoying it.

"Put him at the 3rd sector!", said the high-level officer.

"Yes sir!", a thin-looking officer saluted and then pulled the man towards sector 3.

And while he was being dragged even inside, he regained his consciousness.

His head was a bit dizzy but even at that stage, he just said one word - 'Shiro.'