"She really is quite an impressive little companion."
Robin watched Lily's every move from atop the stone pillar.
She still had not figured out exactly how Lily was attacking, but she was confident that if the little creature tried anything against her, she could restrain her first. Her Devil Fruit was especially effective against this kind of long-range opponent.
Below, Vivi looked up at her and demanded, "Who are you? Why are you here? Were those bad men sent by you to capture me?"
"Who I am is not important. Why I'm here is not important either." Robin rested her chin on one hand, and spoke with a lazy tone. "What matters is that a very dangerous person has set his sights on you. Or rather, on your entire country."
That made Vivi more confused.
"But why are you telling us this? Aren't you with them?"
"Aren't I?" Robin gave a faint smile. "Maybe I simply don't want to see another peaceful kingdom dragged into suffering."
For the first time, her voice dimmed a little.
Something about Vivi, standing there frightened but refusing to collapse, reminded Robin of herself as a child. And perhaps because she had already seen one tragedy like that with her own eyes, she did not want to watch another unfold if she could avoid it.
She had joined Baroque Works for the poneglyphs, nothing more. At heart, she was still not the kind of person who could stand by and feel nothing.
"As long as I'm here, Alabasta won't fall so easily," Vivi said, stepping forward despite the fear still written all over her. "I'm not afraid of you."
"hahaha... what a strong little girl." Robin covered her lips lightly as she laughed. "I do rather like that. But I think you're directing your hostility at the wrong person."
Then she added, "Don't worry. I didn't come here to take you back. I'm not your enemy. But I'm not your friend either."
Her gaze shifted then, moving away from Vivi and settling on Lily.
"That little companion of yours is adorable. How about selling her to me?"
That was not what Amon had expected to hear.
"Sorry, she's not for sale." His smile thinned a little. "And if I'm not mistaken, you're Nico Robin, the survivor of Ohara."
Robin's eyes changed.
"The survivor of Ohara?" she repeated softly. "Most people call me the Demon Child of Ohara. A woman who brings misfortune wherever she goes."
Then she looked at him with open curiosity.
"And yet you know my name and still aren't afraid. Aren't you worried I might devour all of you?"
For years, the reaction had always been the same. The moment people learned who she was, terror followed. Some trembled, some ran, some broke down on the spot.
But Amon stood there without the slightest trace of fear.
That made him interesting.
"What would I have to fear from you?" Amon said. "That title was nothing more than a lie the World Government spread to cover its own ugliness, and to bury..."
He paused for a moment, then finished quietly.
"The lost century."
Robin's expression sharpened.
"How do you know that?"
The change in her was immediate. Years of being hunted had turned her into a drawn blade. The slightest disturbance was enough to make her wary.
Amon only shrugged and answered in her own tone.
"Who knows?"
Robin stared at him for a second, then laughed again.
"hahaha... what a fascinating man. If I didn't have to leave, I might have stayed to talk to you longer."
She rose to her feet atop the pillar, then glanced back over her shoulder.
"Since I have a favorable impression of you, let me offer a warning. Leave this country as soon as possible. Staying here won't do you any good."
"Thanks for the warning, Miss Robin," Amon said. "But I know what I'm doing. And by the way, my name isn't 'man.' It's Amon, a Jar merchant. Interested in opening one? Only a hundred thousand berries."
Robin blinked.
Of all the things she expected to hear, a sales pitch was not one of them. At a time like this, he was still thinking about business.
"A Jar? A hundred thousand each?" She smiled, genuinely amused now. "Interesting. Unfortunately, I didn't bring any money with me today. Next time, perhaps. If we meet again."
"Goodbye, Nico Robin."
As she leapt down onto the back of her smoking turtle mount, Amon waved after her.
Robin turned and returned the gesture with perfect grace.
"Goodbye, Mr. Amon."
Only after she had gone some distance did she lower her gaze and murmur to herself, "What an interesting man..."
When he said that the Demon Child of Ohara was nothing more than a lie invented by the World Government, something in her chest had tightened.
In the ten years since Ohara fell, Amon was the first person who knew her name and did not fear her, the first who seemed to understand what she truly was.
If she had not been unable to stay any longer, she really would have wanted to speak with him a while more.
"I hope we meet again."
With that final quiet thought, Robin disappeared from Amon's sight.
Only after she was gone did Vivi let out the breath she had been holding.
Once she heard Robin's identity, she was frightened. The Demon Child of Ohara was a name that could make anyone uneasy.
Amon laughed softly and crouched a little so he was closer to her height.
"Vivi, the so-called Demon Child of Ohara is just another filthy lie made by the World Government."
"She's actually a very gentle, kind lady."
Vivi looked up at him, still shaken.
Amon could not help smiling a little.
She really was a strong child. She had been terrified the whole time, but she still forced herself to look calm in front of everyone else.
That kind of composure in someone so young was enough to make anyone feel for her.