"That was an interesting perspective."
Ross looked at Robin, a trace of surprise on his face.
Even he had not expected that a single blow would make Robin align so completely with Doflamingo's way of thinking.
Doflamingo's words—"Justice will prevail? Of course it will, because only the victors are justice"—had left a deep impression on many people.
Robin's current thinking was essentially that only victors could write history, already far beyond the simplistic historians of the Pirate World.
"Do you know how the World Government will record Ohara's history?"
Ross liked the thoughts taking root in Robin's mind, so he intended to brainwash her while the iron was hot.
"How will they record it?"
Robin asked instinctively, though she already had a guess in her heart.
"In Marineford Era 1500, the historians of Ohara violated the World Government's prohibition and attempted to alter history in order to overthrow the World Government. All those who intended rebellion were executed by the World Government as insurgents, while their base, Ohara, was erased by Admiral Sakazuki."
Ross was not speculating. He was stating a fact.
It was obvious, and the wording had already been prepared, waiting to be entered into the World Government's historical records.
Hearing this, Robin fell silent.
After a long while, a thoughtful look suddenly appeared in Robin's eyes.
"Saint Ross, I want to make a deal with you."
She truly could not bear to watch Olvia continue researching true history as usual. She wanted to see Olvia suffer retribution, to see her despair at the very end.
For that, she was willing to abandon herself.
Robin did not know what Ross thought of her, but their recent interactions had made her bolder.
It seemed that whenever they discussed serious matters, Ross was willing to make a deal with her or give her several choices.
No matter what Ross wanted to gain, as long as he could help her achieve her goal, she would do anything.
"Let's hear it."
Ross was intrigued.
Robin had brought this up sooner than he expected. He had thought she would not mention it until years later.
He just did not know whether the terms of her deal would match his guess.
"I want to alter true history! To fabricate a history that never existed!"
Robin looked at Ross seriously and voiced her own idea.
If she wanted Olvia to despair, she first had to give her limitless hope.
She knew that even if Olvia wanted to research true history, she would be under Ross's and the World Government's surveillance.
Since that was the case, then she would be the one to fabricate true history.
"And the price?" Ross neither agreed nor disagreed.
To be fair, Robin's proposal would absolutely tempt the Five Elders.
But it held little meaning for him. He could accomplish all of that himself.
Robin's offered price lacked the one thing he wanted most.
Hearing Ross's calm words, Robin pressed her lips together.
The two stared at each other in silence for a long time.
In the end, Robin's eyes still dimmed.
For Olvia, she was willing to do anything!
"I'm willing to have the Celestial Dragon Hoofprint branded on my face."
As she said those words, Robin seemed to lose all her strength. If Ross had not been holding her, she would have nearly fallen into the sea.
The Celestial Dragon Hoofprint was another mark the Celestial Dragons gave their slaves.
Having it branded on her face almost meant that she would be a slave of the Celestial Dragons for the rest of her life—and Ross's slave as well.
"It doesn't need to be on your face. It would be a shame to mark such a beautiful face."
Ross gently stroked Robin's hair, a smile on his lips.
"I'll carve the Jaygarcia Family's exclusive Celestial Dragon Hoofprint onto your arm. From the moment it is carved, you will be my maid."
"I understand..."
Robin's face was ashen, as though despair had swallowed her whole.
"When you've made up your mind, just find Stella. As for true history, I'll explain the details after I return from the South Blue."
"Yes... Mas... Master."
Hearing Robin's barely audible reply, the corners of Ross's lips quietly rose. Once he made sure she could stand steadily, he strode toward the cabins.
After watching Ross leave, Robin silently dropped her earlier despairing expression, revealing bottomless indifference deep in her eyes.
When she practiced her abilities yesterday, she had considered countless reasons why Ross had not killed her. She had even dreamed about them in her sleep.
Her offer to become Ross's slave was merely one of those possibilities.
This was fine too.
Becoming Ross's slave had been within her expectations all along.
Whether Olvia or Ross, both were her enemies. She could never forget them.
She did not hate Ross for driving a wedge between her and Olvia. Even without Ross, someone else would have done it. One day, Olvia would always abandon her for true history.
What she hated was that Ross had killed Professor Clover, and that Ross had killed Sauron.
Once she had taken revenge on Olvia, Ross would be next!
Inside the cabin, Ross was heading toward Olvia's room, a smile always hanging on his lips.
"Still too inexperienced. That fake expression was almost exactly the same as the expression she wore when she pretended to submit to me."
"She can disguise her words, movements, demeanor, and even her eyes, but there are subtle physiological reactions that even she cannot notice."
"Robin, when I touched you, you resisted far too much."
As Ross thought this, the smile on his face grew even more delighted.
If Robin became an obedient little maid, there would not be any fun in it.
He truly wanted to see how Robin planned to take revenge on him.
Or rather, whether Robin would fall first, or whether her grand revenge plan would reach its final step first.
"Saint Ross."
Zany appeared at Ross's side. She had already finished contacting the Holy Land, but she had not shown herself while Ross was speaking with Robin. Instead, she had hidden in the shadows according to Ross's instructions.
"Did you sense it just now?" Ross asked with a smile.
"Yes. Nico Robin developed killing intent toward you six times. Whenever Olvia was mentioned, it was accompanied by malice and hatred."
Zany lowered her head slightly and respectfully reported Robin's emotional fluctuations.
She was the owner of the Succubus-Succubus Fruit and possessed an innate ability to sense the emotions of others.
Unless they possessed Conqueror's Haki or had profound Observation Haki, she could easily see through their emotions.
For a little girl like Robin, even from hundreds of meters away, Zany could discern every emotion in her heart.
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