As his first meeting with the Demon Queen, Eneru felt he couldn't tarnish the name of a god.
Although he was now in the clutches of the Demon Queen, it was precisely such a Demon Queen who could 'painstakingly''scheme' to capture him, a god.
Standing behind the Minister of Science, Eneru turned his body, trying not to look at Nero.
"Ah—Your Majesty, it's been a long time. You look... quite well, it seems?" The Minister of Science was a little bewildered.
Otohime, who was on the verge of death, had expected her Majesty to be unable to eat and look somewhat haggard these past two days, but why did she not only show no signs of fatigue but also seem radiant?
"Hmm, I feel very well now... Are this fellow's earlobes real? They look like the Buddhas in myths. Can I have them?"
Nero stared at Eneru's earlobes, finding them very novel, her collecting habit (compulsion to collect) stirring.
"Not yet. Eneru is an excellent energy source, having eaten the Rumble-Rumble Fruit. He is an important tool for Your Majesty's future Sky City project."
Eneru, still marveling at the terrifying aura lingering around him, trembled at these words. Is this the Demon Queen of the Blue Sea?
She demands ears as soon as she speaks, and the Minister of Science's words must be to protect him, right?
They had been together for so long, and he often helped charge his robots.
"Hmm, that's really a pity!" Nero reluctantly averted her gaze from Eneru.
Originally, she wasn't interested in such things, but ever since her 'release' on Fish-Man Island two days ago, her acceptance of things had increased considerably.
Or rather, a certain bottom line in her heart had lowered considerably... "Eneru's role is also evident now. The robot army I brought, this time, will all rely on Eneru for charging." Did the Minister of Science's words completely divert Nero's attention?
"Robots?"
"Ah, for the construction of the new Fish-Man Island this time, I plan to use them entirely. Loerke's people are all technical personnel."
"Hmm! Quickly, take me to see them!" Hearing 'robots,' Nero no longer cared about Eneru and quickly ran towards the ship.
Once Nero's figure disappeared, the Minister of Science, still standing in place, frowned. Nero had undergone another change.
Although it was mainly spiritual, he, as an old minister, could still see it.
Was it the inflation brought by power? The Minister of Science shook his head. Those old fellows from Niccus always indulged His Majesty.
Then he pulled Eneru aside: "Eneru, would you be interested in a small earlobe correction surgery?"
Eneru's face was cold, and he somewhat wanted to go back. He suddenly realized that the fellow named Holio might be the best one among this group.
The construction of the new Fish-Man Island officially began, proceeding in full swing under the leadership of Chief Engineer Nero... Meanwhile, in Alabasta.
Kuina, carrying large and small bags, followed Hathaway, leaving a row of varying footprints in the vast, boundless desert.
"Hey, Hathaway, aren't we there yet? I'm almost dying from the heat."
Sweat drenched her clothes; Kuina looked as if she had been pulled out of water.
The scorching sun, the luggage on her back, and the endless yellow sand—and to make matters worse, this cursed place had such a large temperature difference between day and night.
"As for water, we should have prepared quite enough, Kuina. You can use it freely."
Hathaway, holding a map, calculated the remaining distance. At this speed, they probably wouldn't arrive until tomorrow.
This wouldn't do; she had to increase their speed. Kuina's load had also lightened considerably.
"There's only half a bottle left! Hathaway used too much water bathing yesterday!"
"Under suitable conditions, a lady must clean her body thoroughly every day, especially since the wind and sand here are very damaging to the skin, so good care is even more essential."
Hathaway spoke eloquently. With a top-tier appearance-obsessed Majesty at home, she naturally paid more attention to this aspect.
"Bathing in the desert, does that count as'suitable conditions'?" Kuina was speechless. This maid was also a strangely extravagant person, only perfectly hidden because Nero was usually in front.
"Those were originally your burdens, Kuina. It's just that your speed wasn't up to par, and with important business this time, I had no choice but to lighten some of your load."
Hathaway's expression remained unchanged as she argued: "Originally, Kuina, you were supposed to cross the desert alone."
"...Are you really not treating me as a human?" Kuina was speechless. Making a little girl, barely ten years old and leaving home for the first time, cross the desert alone?
"This is also a form of cultivation. Humans, as a species, became strong initially to contend with nature."
Hathaway handed the special compass in her hand to Kuina: "Our destination is Rainbase ahead, which is one of the most prosperous areas in Alabasta. I'll wait for you there."
"Huh... Wait for me?" Kuina took the compass, still a little slow to react.
"Alright, then, see you in Rainbase." As her voice fell, a cloud of dust rose from the ground, and Hathaway's figure instantly vanished within it.
"Cough, cough... Wait... Really?" Choking, Kuina tried to reach out to stop her, but when the sand settled, Hathaway's figure was nowhere to be seen.
Squinting and looking up at the sun, the half-bottle of water on Kuina's waist also swayed twice. For some reason, today's wind and sand were particularly blinding... Meanwhile, just a few minutes later, Hathaway arrived at the gates of Rainbase.
They hadn't informed Robin about their visit this time; it was based on information provided by Niccus intelligence personnel here.
Crocodile and Robin were able to form an alliance due to historical issues.
The ancient weapons, the secret of the most ferocious battleship Pluton, were rumored to be in a corner of Alabasta, guarded by the royal family for generations.
What could a loser of the New World, Shichibukai Crocodile, achieve by associating with such a man?
Hathaway sighed. She and Nero shared the same view on this matter, feeling as if their rebellious little daughter was running around with a hooligan, proclaiming she would make a name for herself.
Such a choice was never part of Nero's plan.
According to Nero's idea, Robin would only transition briefly through the First Half of the Grand Line before heading to the New World.
From Sabaody Archipelago onwards, it was truly Nero's domain. Even if Robin hadn't mastered Haki, no fool would dare let anything happen to her on his territory.
Hathaway checked the time and decided to find a hotel first, then enjoy herself thoroughly.
As for Robin, they would talk about her after Kuina arrived tomorrow, as all the gifts were still with Kuina.
---------------------------------
If you'd like to read the next 70 chapters in advance, you can support me on Patreon.
I regularly post chapter previews there, so you'll always be up-to-date and won't have to wait too long.
patreon.com/SolyuraMT
And if you enjoy the story, don't forget to give me a Power Stone. Your support really motivates me to continue translating!