"Rest assured, I have no interest in your throne or your kingdom." Roy's voice was soft and ethereal, as if it came from a distant sky, making Cobra and the others feel dazed, as if they were in a dream.
When they snapped out of their daze, they couldn't bring themselves to hate Roy's gaze.
Cobra thought to himself, "It seems that Roy is not the so-called thief who stole the country."
Igaram, however, was in a daze. "It seems that Lord Roy destroyed that giant sandstorm and saved the kingdom."
Pell and Jackal: "Perhaps only someone with power like Lord Roy could become the true guardian of the kingdom."
With Roy's Devil Fruit Ability, changing the minds of these people would be a piece of cake. Moreover, Nefertari, as the only member of the royal family who did not join the Celestial Dragons, might be hiding many secrets. Whether this mole works or not, it would be beneficial to Roy.
"Take me to your royal family's underground tomb," Roy ordered rather bluntly.
"Okay, please follow me." Cobra nodded, completely ignoring Roy's tone.
Crocodile the Sand and Robin were both startled. As people from the Dark World, they had a far greater grasp of human nature than ordinary people. Cobra had been speaking with resentment just moments before, but how did he suddenly become so respectful to Roy?
Could he have been frightened? But Cobra's previous behavior didn't seem fake. How could a king with such a resolute mind suddenly change so drastically?
The unknown is frightening, and in the eyes of the two, Roy was once again shrouded in an aura of mystery.
Descending the hidden staircase, a massive underground tomb came into view, with a square Poneglyph in the center, covered in inscriptions.
"So the Poneglyph were hidden here? How well concealed." Crocodile the Sand sighed inexplicably. He was about to learn Pluton's secret, but it was unfortunate that he was doing so while being someone else's prisoner.
"Finally, I can see... the Poneglyph again." Robin didn't know how to face them. The Poneglyph were the culprits that plunged Ohara into destruction, but they were also the dream she carried throughout her life, the belief that kept her alive amidst escape and betrayal.
"Robin, it's your turn now." Roy's eyes narrowed slightly.
Robin stepped forward, stroked the inscription on the Poneglyph, and slowly read aloud, "Kashira conquered Alabasta! That was in the 239th year of the Heavenly Calendar... In the 260th year, Tieyima ruled..."
"You're lying to me." Roy's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and a heavy aura filled the tomb space, making Robin feel as if she were facing an ancient behemoth, unable to breathe.
Robin perfectly captured a bewildered expression on his face; in his past life, that would have been Oscar-worthy acting.
"Nico Robin, I always thought you were a smart person, but I'm really disappointed in you." Roy's expression was quite unfriendly. He had already suffered a setback at Crocodile the Sand, but he didn't expect Robin to try to deceive him as well. So much for her Haki and the promise of having followers come to her.
Although she didn't know how Roy knew, the matter had already been brought up to this point, and Robin knew that arguing was useless, so she remained silent.
She is not afraid of death. Having carried too much burden of constant betrayal and deception, perhaps it is time for her to be free.
In truth, having walked the line between light and darkness, she was no longer a purely good person, and betraying Roy so quickly was not in her best interest.
However, the memories of her childhood remain etched in her mind. Archaeologists revealing Void Century do not hope to bring turmoil to the world, but rather hope to learn lessons from history so that people can cherish the peace they have now.
Moreover, Ohara was destroyed for "intending to revive ancient weapons and destroy the world," and if Ancient Weapon like Pluton fell into the hands of an ambitious man like Roy, it would undoubtedly make the destruction of Ohara even more ironic.
"So, Robin, do you want to die like this, disappearing into history with the endless regrets of Ohara?" Roy had tried to influence her with his Devil Fruit Ability, but who knows what she had been through? It was as if she didn't have any dreams at all; her mind was filled with endless nightmares.
Robin's pupils contracted sharply; clearly, Roy's words had some effect on her, but she still refused to speak.
Seeing that Robin remained tight-lipped, Roy was also a bit of a headache. Even without considering her ability to decipher the Poneglyph, Robin was still a rare talent.
Having achieved a perfect score to become an archaeology doctor at the age of 8, her intelligence is definitely top-tier in the Pirate World.
Years of experience on the run have made her not only adept at intelligence work, but also skilled at social interaction and networking. She could undoubtedly be a steward-like figure on the ship, which is exactly what Roy's ship needs.
"You didn't come to this thought of death because you felt you had nothing left to lose after seeing this Poneglyph, did you? There are nearly 30 Poneglyph in this world. Don't you want to uncover the real secret that destroyed Ohara? Don't you want the World Government to suffer the punishment it deserves?" Roy, like a devil from hell, was constantly tempting Robin to fall into depravity.
"If she still refuses to submit, then I will have no choice but to forcibly read her memories." Roy's eyes were cold. People whose memories are forcibly read never have a good ending. Most of them suffer a mental breakdown. Although he didn't want to see such an intellectual and mature woman turn into an idiot, there was only one path for those who blocked his way: death.
Even though Roy values Robin, Roy will never be timid or hesitant because of it. As for the idea that he'll be a future crew member of the protagonist, that's even more ridiculous. This is a real world where everyone is the protagonist of their own life.
Robin's expression was one of struggle, a battle between heaven and man, as if an angel and a demon were endlessly arguing within him.
"Don't give up, Robin! The man in front of you is far too dangerous. Even Crocodile the Sand is far inferior to him. If the Ancient Weapon really fall into his hands, this world will be in danger." In a daze, a little angel kept shaking her shoulders.
"Idiot, you pity this world, but who will pity you? You are the Demon Child. Follow your heart and unleash the demon within. Believe me, the fault lies not with you, but with this world!" The little devil grew stronger and stronger, and finally, with a "smack," he slapped the angel away.
"Well, have you thought it through? To live or to die shouldn't be a very difficult question for you, right?"
"Phew, Captain Roy, you're a devil who's good at manipulating people's hearts." Robin gave her answer with a bitter smile. She knew that from this moment on, she had completely abandoned her conscience.
"Heh, thanks for the compliment." Roy shrugged indifferently, then his eyes sharpened. "However, I need to remind you that the thing I hate most is betrayal, and you don't have a second chance."
Robin shuddered. She didn't know why, but even though she was no longer afraid of death, she still couldn't help but feel terrified when she heard Roy's words, just like the horror and despair she felt when she encountered Kuzan when she was young.
Robin gently bit her lower lip, looking resigned, which made Roy sigh that the road to taming a mature woman was long and arduous.