"Yohoho..."
Brook's distinctive laughter echoed through the forest.
"So that's how it was."
Only after hearing Lola and the others' account did Brook learn the whole story.
"So the swordsman and Moria were both defeated by that black-haired boy..."
Brook looked toward the two severed arms on the ground in the distance.
Lola and the others hadn't witnessed Ryuma being defeated by Maud, but they had seen that the weapon Maud wielded was Ryuma's sword. That was why they dared to be so certain.
Brook had no reason to doubt them and started walking toward the castle.
"Where are you going?"
Lola and the other pirates watched Brook's tall, slender back.
"Yohoho..."
Brook merely left behind a burst of laughter.
The pirates present couldn't help exchanging glances.
Several seconds later, Lola clenched her fist and said, "Let's go too. We'll go thank the handsome guy... I mean, express our gratitude."
"..."
Inside the castle.
The hall by the main entrance.
Maud threw the unconscious Moria onto the carpet.
Seeing Moria bleeding profusely, Maud ultimately gave him some simple first aid to stop the bleeding.
Afterward, Maud sat cross-legged on the floor, facing the castle's entrance as he waited for Lafitte and the others to arrive.
Before treating Moria's wounds, he had already informed Lafitte and the others of the situation through a Den Den Mushi.
Even without a call, Lafitte and Luo would have learned immediately that Moria had been defeated.
Several minutes passed.
Philo, who had already been inside the castle, was the first to reach the hall and reunite with Maud.
"Are you hurt?"
Maud looked up at Philo as she came down the stairs.
He had to admit that he had been rather worried when he sent Philo alone into the castle to sweep away the zombies.