The sun neared the horizon, casting the desert before them in a sheet of gold. The wave of heat rolling in made every breath feel like fire searing the lungs.
On deck, Nami—wrapped head to toe—squinted through the shimmering air to confirm their direction, then hurried straight back into the cabin.
"Ahh~ I'm alive again!"
The moment she stepped inside, she tore off her layers in a rush. The cool air washed over her, making her shiver all over.
Seeing everyone gathered around Kaya—now in her Snow Maiden form—Nami instantly leapt toward her.
"Kaya~ thank goodness you're here! I would've died without you!"
As the refreshing chill radiating from Kaya enveloped her, Nami sighed in pleasure.
The desert here was simply too hot. She couldn't handle even a little of it. How the locals lived in this furnace of a country was beyond her.
Kaya, caught in the sudden hug, stiffened. Her pale face flushed faintly as she gently pushed at Nami, her expression a little awkward.
When she first began using her power, she could barely control her own facial expressions, but after a few days of practice she'd gotten much better.
"It must be nice," Carmen said as she walked over with a tray of drinks, glancing at Kaya with open envy. "Just changing your form cools the air around you. You don't even need to do anything extra."
Kaya laughed, slightly embarrassed, then lifted her slender hand and gave a casual wave. Frost spread over the drinks on the table instantly.
Chopper, who'd been dozing beside the table, snapped awake, grabbed a cup, and chugged it in big gulps.
"So refreshing~! I thought I was going to die when we first entered the desert!"
As a reindeer, he naturally preferred cold climates, and his thick fur didn't help at all in this heat. Who would've thought a reindeer would one day end up in a desert?
So the moment they crossed into Alabasta, he'd nearly collapsed on the spot. The heat alone made it almost impossible to breathe.
Seeing Chopper's trauma-ridden expression, Robin reached out and gently patted his small head.
"You've been through a lot, Chopper~"
Then she looked toward Vivi, whose face was dark with worry and who had stayed silent for a long while. Robin's eyes flickered in understanding.
"Vivi, don't worry too much. We'll make it in time. We're all here to help you."
"I-I'm fine! Sorry… I made everyone worry!"
Vivi trembled slightly, then forced a smile when she noticed their concerned gazes.
"Come on, put your heart at ease. With us here, there won't be any problems." Nami said, patting her own chest confidently after finishing her drink.
This girl always kept everything inside. Even when she was terrified, she refused to say it out loud.
Ever since receiving the news at the port that the rebel army had suddenly mobilized, Vivi had grown silent and withdrawn, often staring blankly into the distance.
Everyone understood how she felt, so they silently increased their flight speed.
Alubarna, Royal Palace.
Sitting on the throne, Cobra looked troubled. He, too, had received news of the rebels rising all at once.
Yet beyond ordering his soldiers not to attack the rebels, he had no other choices.
He knew someone was pulling strings behind the scenes, but all this time, they'd found no clues.
Below, Chaka, vice-captain of the royal guard, stepped forward anxiously.
"Your Majesty, the rebel forces grow larger by the day. We must take action!"
"No. They're innocent civilians misled by lies. I cannot raise a hand against my own people!"
Cobra's resolve did not waver. He believed that one day, the truth would be revealed.
He would never harm his citizens. Even if he had to give his own life, he would restore peace to this kingdom.
"Your Majesty! But at this rate—"
"Enough, Chaka. My mind is made up."
"Go maintain order in the capital. Ensure the refugees are properly taken care of."
After dismissing his guards, Cobra walked out onto the grand balcony, staring at the distant sky as his thoughts drifted.
In the quiet stillness, images of Vivi's emotional pleas flashed through his mind.
"Father, someone is behind all of this. Their goal is clearly to destroy this country!"
Thinking of his long-missing daughter, Cobra's eyes filled with worry.
"Are you well, Vivi…?" he murmured.
"Where are you, and what are you doing…?"
At that moment, he was not a king—just a father worried for his child.
But the silence did not last long. Panicked footsteps approached from behind.
A guard rushed in with barely concealed excitement.
"Your Majesty, Sir Igaram has returned! He says he has important information to report!"
"What?!"
"Hurry—let him in!"
Cobra began pacing anxiously—excited that his daughter's escort had returned, but terrified that Vivi was not with him.
Moments later, Igaram's tall figure appeared. Before he could salute, Cobra grabbed him.
"Igaram! Why have you returned alone? Where is Vivi?!"
"Your Majesty, please be at ease. Princess Vivi is safe, and I came back under her orders."
Igaram wiped cold sweat from his brow, still stunned.
The king he remembered was always composed, calm, never shaken by anything.
But then again, his only daughter was out there alone. Any father would worry.
He steadied himself, then began his report.
"Your Majesty, at Whiskey Peak, we encountered…"
As he recounted everything, Cobra's expression shifted repeatedly—shock, anger, pain—one after another.
At the end, he sighed deeply, his shoulders slumping.
"Crocodile… I never imagined it would be him."
"Vivi, she…"
He covered his face with a hand, voice thick with emotion.
"She's suffered so much… I've failed as her father…"
"Your Majesty, you know better than anyone that Princess Vivi loves this country with all her heart. Seeing it fall into chaos hurts her more than anyone."
Igaram didn't know how to comfort him. He felt the same pain.
He had watched Vivi grow up. In his heart, she was like his own daughter.
"Please don't worry too much, Your Majesty. Perhaps… Princess Vivi's situation isn't as bad as it sounds."
"That man's character might… maybe… possibly…"
"M-maybe he's not as lecherous as the rumors say…"
"..."