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Seeing Robin and her father leave, Vivi turned to look at Allen, who was casually eating at the table. Her eyes were filled with a mix of grief and anger.
The two guards who had watched her grow up were dead, and their murderer was sitting here, eating and drinking without a care in the world!
"Why? Why did you do this?"
Allen gestured for Vivi to come closer. She hesitated for a moment but eventually obeyed, sitting down beside him.
Allen reached out and pinched Vivi's smooth cheek, chuckling softly.
"There's no reason. I just like you, so I want to take you with me. Isn't that simple enough?"
Vivi was stunned.
Could someone really say something so outrageous with such confidence?
"But... I don't want to go."
"Then that's too bad. In this world, strength is everything. Right now, I'm strong enough to crush Alabasta if I want to. So, you'll have to listen to me."
Allen shrugged, popping another piece of meat into his mouth. He then traced a small arc in the air with his finger, pointing at Vivi.
It took her a few seconds to understand what he meant. She forced a smile, her head bowing in defeat.
"Is it because we're weak? Is that why you and Crocodile can bully us as you please?"
Vivi's voice was soft, but Cobra, who had returned with Robin, heard her from the doorway. His face twisted with anger, his chest heaving as he struggled to contain his emotions.
How he wanted to summon the palace guards and fight Allen right then and there. But he didn't dare.
He couldn't risk the destruction of his kingdom.
"Although I'm not thrilled you're comparing me to that weakling Crocodile, I'll tell you this: yes, it's true. In this world, weakness is a sin. If you're weak, you'll be bullied."
This was something Allen, Robin, Nami, and Nojiko all understood deeply. They'd lived through it themselves.
"How strong are you? If I go with you, will someone stronger come and take me away?"
Vivi suddenly looked up, her eyes locking onto Allen's.
"Me? There are only one or two people in this world who can beat me. How strong do you think I am?"
When it came to strength, Allen had absolute confidence.
After a moment of silence, Vivi took a deep breath and forced a smile.
"I'll go with you. But I want to grow stronger with you. And please... don't harm the people of Alabasta."
Allen tilted his head, his expression calm.
"Honestly, I'm not interested in Alabasta. As for you growing stronger, that depends on your performance."
"Understood."
Vivi stood up and moved behind Allen, her demeanor shifting to that of a maid. Though she'd never served as one, she'd seen how the palace maids behaved. If she was going to do this, she'd do it properly.
Seeing his daughter like this, Cobra took a step forward, his resolve hardening.
"Sir Allen, I've taken Miss Robin to see the Poneglyph. But Vivi... I cannot agree to this. The royal family of Alabasta will never allow it! If you insist, the palace has 100,000 soldiers. You can—"
"Father!"
Vivi cut him off, but Cobra's face was filled with pain.
First, because of his incompetence as a king, Vivi had to risk her life as an undercover agent to investigate Baroque Works. Now, she was being forced to sacrifice herself again to protect Alabasta from Allen.
She might be called a maid, but Cobra wasn't blind to the way Allen looked at her.
As a father, how could he accept his daughter being taken away like this?
Unfortunately, Cobra hadn't been on the tower with Vivi and the others earlier. He hadn't seen Allen knock out millions of rebels with a single burst of Conqueror's Haki.
So he didn't know that, in Vivi's heart, she was certain the 100,000 soldiers wouldn't even slow Allen down.
If the outcome was inevitable, why increase the casualties?
"Father, as the princess of Alabasta, it's my duty to give everything for my kingdom, isn't it?"
Vivi smiled, but the expression only deepened the sorrow in Cobra and the royal guards.
"Princess Vivi, you don't have to do this! No matter how strong he is, we'll fight to protect you!"
"Princess Vivi, let us defend you!"
Several guards couldn't hold back any longer. They drew their weapons, their eyes filled with murderous intent as they glared at Allen.
"How touching. Robin, since you've seen the Poneglyph, let's go."
With that, Allen stood and walked out, Robin following with a faint smile.
Vivi and Cobra exchanged glances. Since Allen hadn't called for her, should she follow?
Thud... Thud...
With each step Allen took, another guard collapsed, their eyes rolling back as they lost consciousness. By the time Allen reached the door, nearly every guard in the room had fallen.
Allen had no interest in watching their heartfelt displays of loyalty. If they didn't want to follow willingly, he'd make them.
"Stop! Please!"
Vivi screamed, rushing to Allen's side. She wiped her tears and followed him, her voice trembling.
"I'll go with you! I was just distracted earlier. I'm willing to follow you!"
"Vivi..."
Cobra tried to speak, but Vivi turned and glared at him fiercely.
"Father! Please, don't be stubborn!"
"With Alabasta at stake, what are you doing? And... Master Allen is right."
"In this world, strength is everything. If you don't have it, you have no right to be angry!"
Vivi's sharp rebuke stunned Cobra. He stood frozen, watching as Vivi followed Allen further and further away, unable to form a response.
Allen glanced back at her, intrigued.
The aura of a royal princess was fascinating. But seeing her play the role of a maid? That contrast was what truly captivated him.
"Little princess, if you're trying to act indifferent, you've got a long way to go."
With that, Allen took Robin's hand in his left and Vivi's in his right, leading them out of the palace.
The way Vivi bit her lower lip, trembling from fear or shyness, was the perfect stimulant for Allen.
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