The so-called 'Land of Gold' was none other than 'Shandora', the ancient civilization that had vanished eight hundred years ago.
Legend had it that the entire city was built from gold. When the setting sun hit the ruins just right, they glowed with a warm, brilliant light, looking like a vast city forged entirely from pure gold.
That was Rojen's true destination.
"Is there really gold hidden somewhere on this island?" Rojen asked again.
This time, Garrido laughed. "Haha, you'd better stop asking about that, my friend. Even if there really was gold, after all these years every God who came before would have mined it long ago. And besides... a legend is only a legend. It's history that's already been carried away by the wind."
"That's true." Rojen nodded with a smile. "I suppose you're right."
After that, he didn't bring up Shandora again. Instead, he casually asked about Skypiea's history, customs, and daily life.
Garrido was an exceptionally courteous man. Whatever Rojen asked, he answered patiently and in detail. The two chatted for another couple of hours before calling it a night.
Garrido's men gathered more firewood and fed it into the campfire. As the night grew deeper, everyone gradually fell asleep.
Rojen leaned against the trunk of a large tree, closing his eyes to rest. Garrido's squad handled the night watch with practiced professionalism.
'Crack.'
A log burst in the fire, sending sparks dancing into the air.
No one noticed that, not far from the campsite, a shadow had been silently watching them for quite some time. Only after observing them carefully did the figure quietly retreat and disappear into the darkness.
---
"There's no mistake. That man is Garrido, God's personal bodyguard. His entire squad is camped in the Upper Yard. I've already confirmed their exact location."
In the dead of night, inside a hidden hideout, a man's deep voice broke the silence.
"Kamakiri, are you sure?" A young woman shot him a warning look, silently telling him not to get carried away before speaking aloud.
"I'm certain! I saw them with my own eyes, resting near the shore." Ignoring her warning, Kamakiri continued excitedly. "Chief, this is our chance! If we kill Garrido, our chances of taking back Shandora will increase tremendously!"
The chief, a man in his forties or fifties with feathers decorating his head, remained silent, deep in thought.
Then a tall, dark-skinned man standing nearby finally spoke up. "If Kamakiri is telling the truth... then this really is an opportunity."
It was Wyper.
"Garrido is extremely powerful. Gan Fall relies on him for many important matters. If we eliminate him, God's forces will be severely weakened."
"Wyper!" The young woman called out anxiously. She had been nearby when Kamakiri spotted the group and had seen everything as well. "There weren't just Garrido and his men. There was another group with them. They're the ones we should really be paying attention to."
"Raki." The chief finally spoke. "Tell us about the others."
"They aren't Skypieans." Raki took a deep breath before looking directly at the chief. "Kamakiri wasn't looking closely enough. He ignored them completely. But in my opinion... they're the ones we need to watch."
Kamakiri immediately protested. "Raki! They just looked like a bunch of weaklings. What's so special about them?"
Wyper spoke up as well, waiting for her explanation. "It doesn't matter where those people came from. We can ignore them."
The chief swept his gaze across the group. He knew these young warriors all looked to Wyper for leadership, but Raki was observant and thoughtful. Whenever she voiced a concern, it was worth taking seriously.
After a long silence, the chief finally made his decision. "If that really is Garrido... then he is indeed worth targeting."
His words immediately lit up the eyes of Wyper and the others. They were young, hot-blooded warriors. If there was a chance to fight, they would never choose to wait.
"However..." the chief continued, "...the group Raki mentioned also deserves our attention."
Raki described Rojen and his companions once more in detail, and a look of surprise flashed across the chief's face.
"If my guess is correct... they are the 'People of the Blue Sea' spoken of by our ancestors. In other words... they are our distant kin."
His quiet words caused everyone's expressions to change. The Shandians' ancestors had never originally belonged to Skypiea; their homeland had once been the world below.
"So... our kin?" Wyper chuckled softly. A moment later, his eyes turned sharp again. "If they're smart, I won't make things difficult for them. But if they interfere with our mission to eliminate Garrido... then no matter who they are, they're our enemies."
His words rang with unwavering conviction. Although Wyper was only seventeen or eighteen years old, his height, strength, and combat ability far surpassed most grown men. Among the younger generation, he had already begun to emerge as a natural leader.
"Wyper's right!" Kamakiri shouted in agreement. "At sunrise tomorrow... we attack. This is the best opportunity we've had. I won't let it slip away."
With that, Wyper turned and strode toward the exit. The young Shandian warriors immediately followed behind him without hesitation.
"Wyper," the chief's voice stopped him. "Remember. Probe them first. If things go badly... retreat immediately."
"Chief!" Raki cried anxiously. She still believed attacking now was reckless. They knew nothing about the mysterious People of the Blue Sea, and charging in blindly could easily invite disaster.
"Raki," the chief gently interrupted her. "Say no more. Some lessons can only be learned after hitting a wall."
His eyes grew distant as he looked out into the night sky. "Anyone capable of reaching Skypiea from the Blue Sea... is no ordinary person."
Raki's expression changed instantly. If even the chief believed that, then Rojen's group was undoubtedly far more dangerous than they appeared.
"You'll lead another squad," the chief added. "Follow behind Wyper's team and provide support if necessary. And if the situation changes... withdraw immediately."
"Understood." After receiving her orders, Raki quickly turned and left.
The chief watched both groups disappear into the darkness, a trace of exhaustion flashing across his face. Leading young people like them was never easy. Their passion was admirable, but it also made them impulsive. And on the battlefield, recklessness could cost lives.
Fortunately... Raki was there to keep them grounded.
---
The next morning, the sun quietly rose above the horizon, warm rays filtering through the trees and falling across Rojen and his companions.
"Heh... heh... Hmm... Hrr..." Chaporos smacked his lips in his sleep, mumbling incomprehensible nonsense.
A few crew members rolled over and continued sleeping.
Garrido's squad, however, looked exhausted. They had stood watch through the entire night and were finally reaching their limits.
"It's morning..."
(End Of This Chapter)
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