With a crisp click of machinery, the massive blue crystal finally separated from the wall.
Blake reached out and held the mountain-like crystal in his hand.
Even observing it at such a close distance, Blake still couldn't discern the origin of the feeling he had experienced earlier.
So, he stopped pondering and decided to get it onto the sanctuary first before researching it further.
He handed the blue crystal to Koala; despite her young age, the little girl possessed considerable strength.
Koala carefully lifted the massive blue crystal high above her head, the energy flowing within the crystal illuminating her small face with an ethereal blue glow.
"So heavy..."
She mumbled softly, but relying on her powerful physique, her slender arms remained as steady as a rock.
"Rami!"
Blake continued to instruct:
"Go find Remus and tell him to bring some men over to transport this thing to my sanctuary."
"Understood!"
Rami responded with a crisp voice, her agile figure quickly disappearing into the passage they had come from.
Watching her receding figure, Blake's thoughts about the Ope-Ope no Mi deepened.
Although Rami appeared to be completely recovered now, the treatment she received using the medicine developed by Viktor and his wife might not be entirely foolproof.
However, now was not the time to dwell on such thoughts; given Rami's current condition, there was no need to be overly anxious.
Soon after, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed on the metal stairs, and Vice Admiral Remus, clad in a Marine coat, personally led a team of capable Marine soldiers, rushing to the scene.
As soon as this resolute-faced Marine officer stepped into the core area, his gaze instantly froze—
Not only because the crystal embedded in the metal wall had been removed, but also because Dr. Carson and his researchers lay sprawled unconscious on the ground.
Remus's sharp gaze swept across the scene, finally landing on Blake, and he tentatively spoke:
"Saint Blake, what... happened here?"
He had believed there were no outsiders on this island, and the interior of the abandoned boiler room was completely empty, which was why he had confidently stood guard outside.
If anything were to happen to Blake because of this, his responsibility would be significant.
Blake did not look at the unconscious individuals; he merely waved his hand dismissively, his tone flat:
"Perhaps they were too engrossed in their research and became exhausted."
"There have even been cases of scientists, so focused, forgetting to eat and resorting to licking their watches."
"This should be a common occurrence among researchers; there's no need to worry too much."
Blake spoke utter nonsense with a straight face, while Remus wore an expression that clearly said, "Are you kidding me?"
However, the person before him was, after all, a noble Celestial Dragons; if he didn't want to elaborate, Remus had no way to press further.
So, he nodded, indicating that he believed him, and then turned to instruct his soldiers to take over the crystal.
Subsequently, the well-trained Marine soldiers immediately sprang into action, placing the crystal onto a specially designed cushioned stretcher and beginning an orderly evacuation.
Working together, everyone finally managed to transport this precious core component safely and securely back to the sanctuary.
Blake's journey, however, did not end there.
Due to this blue crystal, he developed a slight interest in this ancient island and decided to stay for another day to see if there were any other surprises.
Unfortunately, during this extra day, there were no thrilling adventures, nor were any special items discovered.
Blake strolled leisurely on the island with his maids, exploring some irrelevant peripheral ruins and admiring the unique, secluded seascape.
Perona was still running around with boundless energy. Stella, Kozuki Toki, Scarlett, and others prepared a sumptuous feast for everyone.
Robin, meanwhile, used this time to search the island for anything that might be related to the Ancient Kingdom, meticulously documenting her findings.
The next morning, the rising sun cast a golden glow upon the Mechanical Heart.
The sanctuary had completed its resupply, and the blue crystal had been placed on the deck.
At the dock, the sea breeze carried a slightly salty scent.
The sanctuary's massive sails, emblazoned with the World Government emblem and the Hilbert family crest, were already unfurled, and the Slaves were busily making the final preparations for departure.
Vice Admiral Remus and the now-awake but still somewhat pale Dr. Carson stood side by side, seeing Blake off.
"Farewell, Saint Blake, and may you have a smooth journey."
Remus, clad in his Marine coat, spoke with a steady voice.
He bowed slightly, showing just the right amount of deference.
"I'll leave this place to you all."
Blake's steps did not falter; he merely gave a flat reply and directly boarded the sanctuary to depart.
The gangway was retracted, and the sanctuary slowly sailed out of the harbor.
Remus and Carson remained standing silently on the dock until the ship's silhouette became a tiny speck where the sky met the sea.
Only then did Remus's tensed shoulders subtly relax, and he let out a long sigh:
"Phew... at last, he's gone without any major incident."
He muttered softly, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
"Indeed..."
Dr. Carson also let out a long breath, a truly relaxed expression, the first in days, appearing on his face:
"Although the process was convoluted, the outcome... is good, after all."
The two looked at each other in silence, yet both saw the same relief in the other's eyes.
No one liked to face someone who could go crazy at any moment, especially when you couldn't stop them when they did.
Fortunately, however, Saint Blake, who came to the Mechanical Heart this time, was not such a madman... On the distant sanctuary, the blue crystal stood silently on the deck, its interior glowing with a faint light, just as before.
Blake sat opposite it, repeatedly testing it with several different methods—
Probing with energy, probing with Haoshoku, sensing with Observation Haki, even making blood contact... But the results were all the same: he found absolutely nothing.
That momentary surge of excitement and desire felt as if it were merely a tiny error produced by a temporal intersection, leaving no trace that could be followed.
Blake closed the book in his hand, temporarily abandoning his futile research.
Perhaps some important clue was missing, or perhaps the time was not yet right.
The answer to this mystery was clearly not something that could be unveiled at this moment.
Just then, the patter of footsteps sounded behind him.
Blake turned his head to see Hancock approaching him with her unique elegant gait, a slight hesitation in her steps.
Blake watched her with interest; it was quite rare to see Hancock looking so nervous.
"Saint Blake..."
Hancock came closer, a hint of almost imperceptible unease in her voice:
"Did what happened earlier... not disrupt your plans?"
Her beautiful eyes, usually disdainful of all beings, now secretly observed Blake's expression, her fingertips unconsciously twirling a strand of hair:
"That... Kalifa and the others..."
Blake's gaze fell upon her face, without the slightest hint of blame, but rather with a playful smile:
"Compared to this stone..."
"I never knew you would also feel uneasy about such matters."
Blake's tone was gentle, as if carrying a peculiar magnetism:
He took a step forward, tucking a strand of Hancock's hair, blown onto her face by the sea breeze, behind her ear:
"That actually makes you seem... even more captivating than before."
Hancock's cheeks instantly flushed crimson.
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