"I see... so you've secured the Pure Gold," Dr. Acier murmured after finally calming down. We had just explained our successful retrieval of the treasure.
"Still, I must say, I spent a few centuries on those three trials. I thought they were quite the masterpiece of security."
They weren't exactly insurmountable... though I suppose the difficulty level fluctuates depending on whether or not the challenger can bench-press a dinosaur or kick the air.
"My apologies, Doctor, but it's a necessity," I said firmly. "We'll be taking the Pure Gold with us. I hope you don't mind."
Acier's expression turned serious. "…I understand. But may I ask why? Depending on your answer, I might have to try and take it back by force—frame notwithstanding."
I gave him the same summary I'd given Olga: the tragedy of Flevance and the Amber Lead syndrome. Then, I laid out my proposal.
"That is why I need it. And Dr. Acier, I have a request for you. I would like you to come to Fausse Island, where we are treating the victims.
You are a world-class metallurgist; the fact that you successfully refined Pure Gold proves your genius. I believe someone with your expertise could be instrumental in finding a permanent cure for Amber Lead poisoning.
Of course, I'll hire you officially—competitive monthly salary, full benefits, and high-end housing provided."
I still had plenty of treasure left over from what I... ahem... 'found' in the Flevance Royal Plaza.
Acier stroked his tangled beard, deep in thought, before nodding. "…Very well. If it's for such a cause, the Pure Gold is yours.
Besides, even if I left this stomach, I have nowhere else to go after two hundred years. If you'll have me, I shall lend you my strength."
We exchanged a firm handshake.
"Right. Settlement reached. Let's get out of here."
"And how do you plan to do that?" Acier asked logically. "We have no ship, and I still haven't figured out how you two arrived in the first place."
Instead of explaining, I pulled some heavy-duty rope from my pouch and began wrapping it around the Doctor and the crates of research materials.
"W-What are you doing?!" he shrieked as I hoisted the whole bundle—man and luggage—onto my back and lashed him down with more rope. I tucked Olga and Robin under my arms once again and kicked off into the sky.
Olga and Robin were pros by now, but Acier's screams echoed through the stomach until I barked, "Doctor! Keep your mouth shut, or you'll bite your tongue!"
That silenced him quickly.
We retraced our steps, blasting through the esophagus and out past the rows of giant teeth. The moment we hit the water, I deployed a massive Bubbly Coral shield.
"Hieee!! What is this?! Are we underwater?"
"Rear Admiral Krieg... where exactly are we?" Acier asked, breathless.
"Ten thousand meters below the surface," I replied, waving a hand toward the massive sea beast waiting in the distance. "Near Fish-Man Island."
As the father and daughter marveled at the deep-sea scenery, our sea beast mount paddled steadily back toward the Ryugu Kingdom and our waiting ship.
Once aboard the galleon, I handed the two over to the ship's doctor.
"The man is Acier, 30 years old. The girl is Olga, 6 years old," I stated, keeping the '200-year' secret under wraps to avoid a headache.
"They were shipwrecked during a picnic a few years back. They were separated, so their diets differed wildly—Acier lived on meat, while Olga ate fish and fruit.
They look healthy, but give them a full workup. I don't want any surprises."
While they were being examined, I made a final round to say my goodbyes to the locals who had helped us during our stay.
At the Mermaid Cove, I bid farewell to Ishilly, Melo, and Lira. The initial tension had long since melted away, and we were on friendly terms.
At the Mermaid Cafe, I thanked Maria Napone for her stunning performance at the banquet, telling her she'd be a sensation on the surface if she ever decided to travel.
In the Fish-Man District, I tracked down Willy—a killer whale fish-man and rival to Arlong—and Shyarly, who was preparing to move from the district to the island proper.
Shyarly's fortunetelling was already famous; she'd given me an ominous prediction that "a day of a great choice will eventually come." Since then, we'd bonded over talks about Arlong's whereabouts, and she'd become quite close with Robin, given they were closer in age.
On my way back, a group of black-masked thugs tried to jump me. I made short work of them. "I'm heading back to the surface," I told their tied-up forms. "Try this again and I won't be so gentle. See ya."
Finally, at Ryugu Palace, King Neptune was too busy for a formal audience, but we exchanged a few words. "Come back anytime, mon!" he boomed as I departed.
I stocked up on local delicacies—Sea Beast Ham, smoked shellfish, and other supplies—before reaching the docks. The ship was fully coated, the Kuuigos blocks were installed, and we were cleared for departure.
As we pulled away, I waved back at the mermaids and fish-men lining the shore.
"Wow... actual mermaids," Olga whispered, leaning over the railing. "I thought they were just legends, sa. I'm sad we didn't get to walk around the city."
She had a small bandage on her arm from a shot. The ship's doctor had identified her "incurable" illness as South Blue Emperor Fever.
Two hundred years ago, it was a death sentence; today, it's a common ailment cured by a simple injection. She'd be fine in two days.
"I expected the Grand Line to be more terrifying," Acier remarked, looking at the peaceful glow of the reef.
I suppose that's the image people had 200 years ago, I thought. I released the Kuuigos blocks, and the ship began its long, buoyant ascent toward the sun-drenched waves of the surface.
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