Chapter 53: Warning

"Rosinante, do you have something else to say?"

After finishing the barbecue and returning to the captain's cabin on the Tang Jicade, Captain Doflamingoar spoke up when Pika closed the door.

"Is it that obvious?"

Rosinante nodded, "Yes."

With a snap of her fingers, she cast a 'soundproofing barrier' over the cabin. Rosinante, being a spy, had an instinct to protect against eavesdropping.

"While I was tracking the lord of this country, I unexpectedly discovered that CP3's agents are also lurking in this city."

"CP?"

The expressions of everyone changed.

CP's reputation in this world was enough to make children stop crying!

Offending nobles and the navy might not be terrifying; one could become a pirate if things got tough at sea. At worst, you'd die from cannon fire or bullets. But offending CP was a different level of terror. Having your head cut off while you slept was commonplace!

Bribery, kidnapping, poisoning, assassination – CP would resort to any means.

"Furthermore, trouble is brewing. CP3's agents are planning to unite several pirate crews and launch an attack on this city. The leader is 'White Dragon' Barfu Tani."

?!

Now, even Doflamingoar's expression turned serious.

Toribor had spoken extensively about the 'achievements' of 'White Dragon' Barfu Tani during the barbecue. Just the thought of potentially facing that ruthless and formidable pirate... no one felt at ease.

"I mean, why do those gentlemen always think these things up?"

An impatient Toribor was aggressively questioning the government officials of Odense.

"In any case, all the cargo must be loaded within the day. We're setting sail tomorrow. Got it?!"

"Sir, this is quite challenging..."

"That's why I'm paying you double your wages!"

It had to be said, Toribor had exceptional negotiation skills. Under his command, both government officials and dock workers were running around busily, increasing their efficiency by thirty percent.

While the others dispersed to gather information, Rosinante prepared to visit the 'White Sands Orphanage'.

After discreetly wandering around, she discovered...

"It really is a sunny and harmonious orphanage."

There was no human trafficking, no secret experiments, not even any conventional brainwashing to instill concepts of loyalty and patriotism into the orphans. It was merely an orphanage dedicated to nurturing healthy children.

Inside the office of the orphanage's director, after finally prying open a safe, she found a large photo album inside. The album contained pictures of 'Joira' and numerous young boys and girls. They appeared to be children who had grown up at the orphanage, preserved as mementos.

Turning page after page, she saw Joira's transformation from a 'naive' child into a mature lady. Only the smiles of the boys and girls around her remained unchanged.

The safe also contained a multitude of letters with different handwriting styles. A quick glance revealed that they were all greetings and well-wishes to Director Joira, originating from all five nations of the 'Entegrain Alliance'. It didn't look like forgery.

This was too surreal.

Could it be that 'Polyxiano Joira' was also a good person?

"It's a pity..."

No matter how you looked at it, all of this was about to be destroyed.

"Are you... the kid from yesterday?"

Having just exited the director's office and walked down the corridor, Rosinante was taken aback. The elegant lady before her instinctively adopted a defensive posture, placing her hand on her waist.

At some point, the noblewoman named 'Joira' had silently stepped into Rosinante's alert range.

"Perfect—"

A flicker of movement, accompanied by a sweet breeze wafting into her nostrils, and two hands embraced Rosinante from both sides.

Oh no!!!

Rosinante's eyes sharpened as she quickly pulled out her dagger from her waist and lunged toward the woman's neck—

Smack!

"I was worried you wouldn't come here for help."

But the expected attack never landed. The woman simply embraced Rosinante gently. If Rosinante hadn't deflected the dagger at the last moment, she would've already killed this woman.

Is this woman insane?!

Rosinante's brain froze for a moment due to the unexpected hug, then she snapped back to reality.

"Polyxiano Joira, stop pretending!"

Swoosh!

She evaded the woman's embrace and faced her, admitting that she was having trouble understanding her.

"You should've realized long ago that I'm no longer a child..."

"No, you're just a child."

The woman seemed unfazed by the dagger in Rosinante's hand and extended her own hand.

"I told you, you can seek help here no matter the difficulty—"

...

Facing this 'white lotus' woman, Rosinante was almost starting to suspect if she was a master of acting or a user of some kind of 'performance fruit' ability.

?

"Everyone, come quickly!"

"Don't bully Headmistress Joira!!"

Just as Rosinante was uncertain about the true nature of 'Joira,' a tumultuous sound of footsteps approached. A group of boys and girls rushed forward, wielding various household items like mops, rulers, and brushes. Their faces were united with determination, and Rosinante couldn't help but feel annoyed.

Why did it seem like she was the villain now?!

"Never mind. I shouldn't be surprised that you found me. I can only blame my inadequate stealth skills."

She sheathed her dagger and kicked off the ground, propelling herself into the air.

Turning, accelerating, leaping—before the children could react, Rosinante was already atop the orphanage's wall.

"That's enough. I won't continue gathering information about you."

Glancing back at the woman surrounded by the children, Rosinante couldn't help but add one more sentence.

"If you truly cherish all of this, be cautious of the pirates—"

Swoosh!

Leaping down from the orphanage wall, Rosinante quickly departed from the scene, heading toward the dock area.

"Tch, have I been overwhelmed by sudden 'sympathy' because of her influence?"

After a brief sprint, Rosinante stopped in a deserted park. After hesitating for a moment, she took out her Den Den Mushi, dialed the nearby Marine base's number, and then...

'Ring, ring... click,'

After emitting a 'requesting call' sound, the Den Den Mushi's eyes closed as it entered rest mode.

This indicated that either there was no answer on the other side or, more likely, "As expected, the Den Den Mushi signal has been jammed."

In this world, there existed a 'horned Den Den Mushi' that could interfere with Den Den Mushi communication within a certain range. A spy organization like CP3 would certainly possess such a device.

"Since that's the case, I realize I can't influence this matter."

Putting away the Den Den Mushi, Rosinante shook her head.

Perhaps it was the photo album she had seen earlier, or perhaps it was the children who stood in front of Joira...

Rosinante had indeed been influenced by the 'naive' Joira. She had actually attempted to change the plans involving over a dozen pirate crews, hundreds of millions of pirates, and CP3's involvement.

"Hey..."

Just as Rosinante was feeling inexplicably melancholic, a young and tender voice exclaimed from nearby.

This... wasn't this the little girl who had 'enlightened' her about Joira's identity at the auction yesterday?

Observing the little girl running toward her, Rosinante glanced around.

"Where are your parents?"

"Hmph, they're discussing business. But you, you just left without a word yesterday. I was just about to explain the truly great aspects of Miss Joira..."

"Stop, stop, stop."

Seeing that the little girl was about to launch into her 'perfect Miss Joira' speech again, Rosinante raised her hand to interrupt her and patted her head.

"Hurry home. It's best if your parents take you out of this city..."

Oh well, she was just a little girl she had met twice.

Rosinante shook her head and turned to head toward the dock.

Leaving behind a thoroughly bewildered little girl.

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(End of this chapter)