Chapter 111: Sunahime, Nefertari Vivi
The Kingdom of Alabasta, The Royal Palace in Alubarna.
Two days had elapsed since the insurgents' offensive had waned, and the reason was clear—Crocodile had altered his tactics. It was evident that our recent clash had left both of us in a more vulnerable state. As long as I'm here, he and his group will never lay claim to the throne.
At night, when darkness shrouds us most, Crocodile cannot defeat me, just as I cannot defeat him during the day, given this country's composition of pure sand which gives him immense advantage.
Crocodile appeared to have grasped this, opting for a different, and arguably more sinister, approach. For the past two days, the city had experienced tremors varying in intensity.
"Now, this is a significant concern," I murmured, removing my glasses and pushing my chair away from the ancient Nefertari records I had been reading. It was challenging to concentrate with the ground shaking every few minutes.
"I don't think we should take this lightly, Lady Robin!" Princess Vivi admonished.
Princess Vivi, her father Cobra, Pell, and several guards stood beside me, their expressions fraught with anxiety, awaiting my response.
"Well, in a way, this might be a positive development," I suggested. "Crocodile believes that the ancestral weapon is somewhere underground, so he's focusing on digging rather than attempting to overthrow your family. Isn't that a good thing?"
They exchanged glances, uncertain if this was a fair trade-off. Nevertheless, I sensed their ongoing concerns. The military was struggling against the insurgents, but with Baroque Works no longer involved, they had some breathing room.
Understanding Crocodile's tactics, I suspected he still intended to attack the capital to divert my attention from his excavation. I rubbed my temples, feeling the situation grow increasingly complicated. Although I could clone myself, I couldn't be in two entirely different places simultaneously.
"Is there a way to alleviate the burden on the citizens?" Nefertari Cobra voiced his main concern. "If this continues, we won't be able to meet the national tribute this year." The prospect of failing to meet their obligations disgusted me deeply. I had contemplated annexing Alabasta into the alliance with Veyron, but I had reservations.
'The main issue with aligning Alabasta under Veyron's banner is its geographical location. It's too far away' I thought.
Rusukaina served as Veyron's primary base of operations, and he spent most of his time there. While Veyron could move between islands at lightning speed, his army of liberators couldn't. Amazon Lily, Shandora, and Rusukaina each had their own armies, primarily handling minor matters. Veyron rarely got involved unless they faced an enemy they couldn't handle alone. He spent most of his time in his workshop, and we all respected that.
Alabasta was different due to its remote location, making it challenging for Veyron's army to reach in a timely manner. Furthermore, I couldn't discern any significant strategic interest Alabasta held for Veyron. Exploiting labourers or taking advantage of the situation didn't align with his principles. He liberated the oppressed, not exploited them.
'He'd be proud of me if I liberated this country, regardless of the method,' I mused, my doubts mounting. It was never my intention not remain this long in Alabasta, my original plan was to read the poneglyph and sail back with Crocodile, but that seemed impossible now.
Someone approached me and broke off my train of thought.
"Big sis... I want to become stronger."
"Vivi..."
"I don't want to remain weak forever! Please, help me get stronger."
Vivi's voice brimmed with determination, though it lacked depth. In her eyes, she was the only one in her family who could step forward as the heir to resolve the crisis.
"Becoming stronger is no easy task," I cautioned. "It requires self-sacrifice, cunning, and sometimes, challenging your own moral standards. It's not something a princess like you can achieve overnight, Vivi."
My words seemed to strike a chord with her. "I've never been afraid to get my hands dirty, big sis. I don't want to, but I have to. It's not fair for you to bear this burden that doesn't belong to you. You're helping us because you want something from us, right?"
I fell silent, admitting to myself that I sought their historical knowledge. While I had uncovered essential information about the Nefertari Family, the void century remained shrouded in mystery. There were hints that cast doubt on their true intentions.
"You mentioned that you're allied with the Lightning God of the East, your and Crocodile's teacher, yet you haven't called him to aid us. That makes me think you have reservations."
Vivi's astuteness impressed me. "I don't know the extent of your ancestors' involvement in the void century," I confessed. "Your Nefertari family is part of the 'D' Clan, but they were also the only 'D' clan family that joined the twenty kingdoms that formed the world government today, overthrowing the ancient kingdom"
My concerns were clear: did they safeguard the Poneglyph from evil or hide it from those seeking true history? The Poneglyph held the location of the Ancestral Weapon, Pluton, in Wano. This information was invaluable, and concealing it could have dire consequences.
"Lady Robin..."
As I turned to look at her, Vivi knelt in front of me, her father, and even her pet, expressing their desperation. Flames of civil war continued to ravage their land, and they were helpless, unable to find solutions for the war, drought, and impending financial crisis that might prevent them from paying tribute to the world nobles.
"I don't know what my ancestors may have done," Vivi said. "But I want to prove that the Nefertari family is worth saving. Please help me become stronger. If you're not planning to save my people entirely, at least allow me to become strong enough to do it myself."
Robin sighed and helped her to her feet. Her determination was undeniable. Once spoken, my words couldn't be taken back.
"There was once a boy who saw potential in me, just as I see potential in you now. Very well, but I won't go easy on you," I warned.
If I want to reach greater heights, perhaps it is my time to stop working alone too.
Vivi's expression shifted as she hugged her pet, Karoo, filled with happiness. "I'll do my best!"
I smiled faintly, placed the records back in the darkness, and donned my coat. "Let's go."
"Eh? Where are we going?"
Vivi seemed surprised by my swift action, but time was of the essence. Delaying further would only result in more suffering and death in this drought-stricken land. I needed to contact Stussy and ask for a favour on behalf of her beloved master.
"We're going to try to stop Crocodile," I replied. "He's digging underground in Alubarna, and if he creates a massive hole, the city could collapse. Aren't you going to help me stop that?"
Vivi gulped, realizing this was no game. It would be just the two of us against Baroque Works. I would teach her everything I knew and help her obtain a valuable Devil Fruit.
"We won't return to this palace in Alubarna until the civil war is over," I added. "We have numerous issues to address, including the drought. If anything happens, you know how to contact me via Den Den Mushi."
With that, I bid my farewells and began walking away. Since Crocodile had no immediate plans to attack Alabasta, we could focus on other pressing matters.
Vivi collected her belongings and placed them on her pet before turning to her father with a charismatic gaze.
"D-Dad, I'm leaving now."
"Travel safely, my daughter! I'm proud of you!"
With determined steps, she followed me into her new destiny. The next time Vivi returned to this palace, she would be forever changed.
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