The scene shifted to the private quarters of the Beatrice. It was time to pull the strings and settle this.
"First, Nico Olvia, this is for you. Don't worry, I haven't read the contents," I said, handing her the letter from Professor Clover.
"…What is this?" she asked, her expression guarded and suspicious. But as she took the envelope and saw the handwriting on the address, her face went rigid.
"Sorry for the cramped quarters, Vice Admiral Saul," I said, turning to the giant.
"No, no, don't mind that at all, dere-shi! More importantly, I want to hear the rest of what you were saying earlier!" Saul leaned his massive frame forward, eager for answers.
"I'll tell you both what I know. First, the 'Poneglyphs.' It is a fact that deciphering them could lead to the resurrection of Ancient Weapons."
"…So you say the same as the Government," Saul grunted.
"Don't misunderstand me; the story doesn't end there. I said it could lead to them, but deciphering history and resurrecting weapons are not the same thing.
The scholars are trying to unearth the past, but they have no intention of bringing those weapons back to life."
"Tosh... that's true. Whenever I saw them, they only seemed interested in the stories of the past."
"Yet, the Government refuses to tolerate this movement to learn history. Why? Officially, it's to prevent the resurrection of those weapons.
And sure, there's a chance a third party might use that knowledge for evil. But what the Government truly fears isn't the weapons—it's the history itself.
I don't have all the details, but it seems there's something in the 'Void Century' that is incredibly inconvenient for the World Government."
"May I speak?" Olvia interrupted. She had finished the letter while we were talking.
"I don't know how you managed to get the Professor to write this, but as you said, we archeologists have no interest in weapons.
We just want to bridge the gap in our history. The fact that the Government won't allow it only proves they are hiding something. That is the consensus among us."
"Exactly," I nodded. "If there were no inconvenient truths, and if the research were truly 'dangerous,' the Government should be leading the project to ensure it's done safely, right? Wouldn't that make more sense, Vice Admiral Saul?"
"When you put it that way, dere-shi... It's exactly right. I always thought if it was so dangerous, we should be helping them do it the right way."
"And here is what will happen if Nico Olvia is officially 'captured' and processed..."
I laid out the same grim prophecy I had given Clover: the show trial, the escalation, and the eventual destruction of Ohara.
"…No!!" Olvia gasped.
"That's going too far, dere-shi! Why must they go that far just for people wanting to know the past!?"
"As I said, it's a warning to the rest of the world. They are terrified of what you might find. So, Vice Admiral Saul, I'm asking you to turn her custody over to me. I'll have her disguised and get her back to Ohara safely."
"…I see. I believe your words, Captain. I'll report to headquarters that Olvia escaped my grasp, dere-shi."
"Thank you, Vice Admiral. I ask that you keep this matter strictly between us. Olvia, are you alright with this?"
"…I don't exactly have a choice, do I? Also, stop calling me by my full name. Just Olvia is fine."
"Understood. Then, Saul, I'll leave the rest to you. I'll be in touch soon."
"Right. What about the exploration ship? Should I tow it to Ohara?"
"Personally," I said, glancing at Olvia, "I'd prefer it if you sank it. If the Government finds it, they might trace it back to Ohara and use it as evidence."
Olvia looked down, her eyes clouding with grief. "Yes... If they search it, they'll find proof of where we came from. Besides... I can't leave my fallen comrades exposed like that..."
"…I did what I had to do, but I am truly sorry for my actions," Saul said, bowing his massive head.
"If I said I didn't hate you, I'd be lying," Olvia replied softly. "But I know you were just doing your job."
With the handoff complete, I led Olvia toward the inner cabins of the Beatrice.
A Promise Kept
"By the way, Olvia," I said as the ship set its course for West Blue. "I believe you have a daughter?"
The exploration ship was sinking behind us, a silent tomb for her friends.
"You've clearly done your research. She has nothing to do with this! Did you... did you use Robin as a hostage to make Professor Clover write that letter!?"
"Whoa, hold on! That's a massive misunderstanding," I raised my hands. "Don't you want to see her?"
"…How could I face her now? I essentially abandoned her to go to sea. She must hate me..."
"So you want to see her, but you're afraid?"
"…Yes. And she doesn't know anything. As long as she's healthy, that's enough. I chose this path; I can't drag her into being the daughter of a criminal."
"Let me tell you something," I said. "That girl has been studying history every single day just so she could be like you.
She told me, 'I want to go to sea with her.' She's been chasing your shadow for six years. From what I've seen, she doesn't have a single drop of hatred for you."
Olvia covered her mouth, tears finally spilling over. At that moment, a soft knock came at the door.
"Mister? Is your talk with the guest finished?" Robin's voice drifted in.
Wait, now!? I'd planned a grand, emotional reveal for later!
"Robin! Just a second! We're still talking, so stay there like a good girl!"
"…Robin?" Olvia whispered, her head snapping up.
Robin pushed the door open anyway. "Mister... making a lady cry? Should I go tell the Lieutenant on you?" She stopped, her eyes landing on Olvia. She froze, staring intently at the woman's face.
"Are you... My mother?" Robin asked.
Olvia began to sob openly.
"You've grown so much, I almost didn't recognise you... But you're Robin, aren't you?
Are you really my mother...?"
"Are you still going to say you can't name yourself as her mother?" I whispered to Olvia.
"I wanted... I always wanted to go on a journey with you!" Robin cried, tears streaming down her face. "That's why I studied so hard! Are you my mom!?"
I gave Olvia a gentle nudge in the back. "Robin, this is Nico Olvia. Come on, Olvia, be honest with yourself."
"I missed you! I missed you so much! Please... don't leave me alone again!!!" Robin screamed, throwing herself into Olvia's arms and clinging to her with everything she had.
I decided my presence was no longer needed. I stepped out and closed the door, leaving the two of them to cry and hold each other. I walked out onto the deck and took a deep breath. Promise kept, kid.
Farewell at Ohara
A few days later, under the cover of night, the Beatrice arrived at Ohara.
"…Thank you. Truly," Olvia said as we stood on the shore. She had cut her long white hair short and dyed it black to hide her identity. Robin was clutching the bag I'd given her years ago as if it were a treasure.
"Don't mention it. I did it for the kid."
"Mister, you're talking all formal again. It's weird," Robin chimed in.
"Well, Olvia, what's your plan now?"
"I'll meet with Professor Clover and decide. I have Robin to think about now, so I'll take it slow."
"I'm happy as long as I'm with Mom!" Robin said, hugging Olvia's leg. I patted Robin's head one last time.
"I'm glad you found her, Robin."
"It's all thanks to you, Mister! ...But you're leaving, aren't you?"
"Yeah. My promise is fulfilled, and I still have a lot of work to do."
"Then... then when I grow up and become a great archeologist, will you take me with you?"
"I can't make that promise, kid. But I appreciate the sentiment."
In truth, I wanted her to stay safe and live a peaceful life—or perhaps follow her destiny with the Straw Hats later.
"…I wonder what you're planning, trying to seduce my daughter like that," Olvia teased.
"Hey! It's not like that!"
"Anyway," Olvia's expression softened. "You should drop the formal act. You're much more yourself when you talk to Robin. Thank you for everything."
"Mister, I'll never forget this! I'll be a great scholar, just wait and see!"
"Good luck, both of you. I'll come back to visit someday."
I turned my back to them as they waved and headed back to the ship. I'd done what I could for Ohara. Whether my meddling would be enough to fool the World Government forever, I didn't know. But for now, a mother and daughter were home.
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