In Alabasta, the capital of Alubarna, on the top floor of the mansion of national hero Sand Crocodile, in the grand library.
Nico Robin is sitting in front of countless historical documents, learning about Alabasta's past in detail and thoroughly.
The history of a country can never be fully explained in just a few books; one or two books can probably only explain what happened in the past.
If you want to know why those things happened, if you want to know why people did those things at the time, or if you want to investigate a series of issues such as people's livelihood and economy at that time.
The effort required would probably be about the same as that required for Nicole Robin at this point.
She was a professional scholar, the last heir of Ohara, the former capital of scholars who bore the Tree of Knowledge.
However, her bias as a scholar leans more towards that of a historian!
At this moment, she had absolutely no worries about Gawain, no matter what his Gawain was or how he would arrive in Alabasta.
Since Crocodile has assured her that nothing will involve her, she won't waste her energy thinking about Gawain's problem.
All she wants is to continue studying the history of one country after another, just like she does now.
Crocodile is not a good leader; he is sensitive and suspicious, possesses excellent acting skills, outstanding strength, and is sufficiently dangerous.
Regardless, he offered him a safe place to live, a vast collection of historical texts, and promised to allow him to investigate the hidden Poneglyph of Alabasta ...
With these reasons, Nico Robin had enough justification to stay under Crocodile's command.
As for the future, isn't that something to consider later?
When soldiers come, generals will block them; when water comes, earth will dam it.
Even if Crocodile intends to do something against me in the future.
But hasn't that been her way of life for the past seventeen years?
She is twenty-five years old this year, but she has been living a life of displacement since she was eight years old.
She's been hiding for seventeen years, like a lone fox, and has long since mastered the art of protecting herself.
Whether it's conspiracy or betrayal, she's long been used to that kind of life. As long as she remains carefree like this, no one will ever be able to catch her!
But in other words, if she has something to hold onto, then she's probably not far from being caught...
With that in mind, Robin placed the document in his hand, which recorded the history of the economic collapse of Alabasta 525 years ago, into the pile of books he had already read.
"What should I read next? What were the governance measures proposed by King Nefertari Disaiah of Alabasta 524 years ago to address the economic collapse?"
This content is in... approximately in...
Boom!!!
Thunder suddenly roared in the courtyard of the mansion, but Robin paid no attention; this was Alubarna.
Ever since Crocodile used the Dance Powder here, it rains lightly almost every day and heavily every three days.
As for thunder and such, that's perfectly normal, isn't it?
Thinking this, Nicole Robin just pulled out the book she needed...
She turned her head and heard a knock on the door!
Knock knock knock!
Three tones, neither too long nor too short, just right.
But in a split second, Nicole Robin suddenly stood up and headed towards the secret passage left at the back door of the library!
Crocodile, that disrespectful fellow, would never knock on this library's door!
Robin doesn't care at all who's knocking on the door. She's a seasoned sea fox who's traversed countless oceans, not a naive horror movie heroine!
So, after knocking, what Gawain saw through his Observation Haki Mantra was Nico Robin moving further and further away from the door...
Seeing this, Gawain sighed softly.
"They're really cautious..."
As soon as he finished speaking, he grabbed Crocodile and slipped through the crack in the door into Robin's room.
The next moment, before the fleeing Robin could even reach the entrance to the secret passage, a bolt of Inazuma and a handful of dust were slowly taking shape in front of her.
Upon witnessing this scene, Nicole Robin's heart clenched even tighter.
She never imagined that the intruder would not only come to her room, but he would also kidnap her boss!
Although Crocodile had no wounds or ropes on his body.
But if Crocodile hadn't chosen to surrender, why would someone have his clothes casually grabbed by the shoulder without any regard for his image?
While deep in thought, Nico Robin glanced discreetly at Gawain, who was transforming from Inazuma into human form.
The next moment, Gawain fully returned to human form, and the instant Nicole Robin saw Gawain clearly, she immediately knelt down in shock.
After kneeling down, Nico Robin looked at the floor with extreme nervousness. She couldn't believe that the big shot from the newspapers, the Celestial Dragon Saint Gawain, would come before her in this way!
Beside him, he saw Robin kneeling down, remaining silent.
Gawain took a deep breath.
Robin's posture was just like that of any ordinary person who had seen Celestial Dragon.
Not everyone has the courage to speak in front of the Celestial Dragon; most commoners, after kneeling down, will remain completely silent.
Robin isn't that ordinary, so she really just made hiding it a habit...
Gawain gently shook his head, released Crocodile, and then spoke to Robin.
"It seems you know who I am, but you don't know who you are."
Arise, remnant of Ohara.
Just as knowledge and culture should not kneel before anyone, how can one be considered an outstanding cultural figure without the backbone of aristocracy and the unyielding spirit of capitalism?
At this point, Gawain smiled and reached out his hand, gently helping Robin up as Gawain suddenly tensed up.
After helping Robin up, Gawain led Robin to a table piled with books.
As they walked, Gawain spoke to Crocodile.
"Crocodile, could you please prepare some snacks and drinks for me and Robin?"
Sandwiches, a not-too-sweet cake, and coffee and black tea.
Hard."
Standing to the side, Crocodile, listening to Gawain's instructions, swallowed hard, looking completely bewildered.
Have you already started skillfully instructing yourself?
This Gawain is surprisingly confident!
Isn't he afraid I'll poison him?
Or should I cut a piece of another Devil Fruit's flesh and put it in the cake for him to eat?
How can he be so confident?
Thinking this, Crocodile nodded heavily.
"Yes, Gawain!"
As he spoke, he walked out of the room, deep in thought.
Because he understood Gawain's confidence all too well; this confidence was entirely based on a thorough understanding of it!
He knows himself too well!
That's why he's so fearless!
On the other hand, after Crocodile left, Gawain pulled Robin, whose muscles were taut and ready to strike at any moment, to the chair she had just been sitting in.
Gawain then sat opposite Robin.
After glancing at the books around him and recognizing their titles, Gawain smiled and said...
"There are history books everywhere here. You seem to really like history and know a lot about it, right?"
"Yes, my understanding of history is roughly the same as your understanding of me."
My favorite foods are sandwiches, cakes with less sugar, strong coffee, and black tea...
These are things that even I haven't systematically summarized, yet you can easily recite them."
Nicole Robin responded with a sound, then took a deep breath.
Something terrible has happened!
Because she had unknowingly been exposed to such detailed information by a Celestial Dragon!
Being noticed by the Celestial Dragon because of one's status is definitely not a good thing!
Across from him, looking at Robin's gentle and elegant face, and then at the deep unease and tension hidden in her elegant and calm eyes.
Gawain chuckled and shook his head.
"Don't worry, Robin."
Once you hear me out, you'll understand that my concern for you isn't a bad thing.
Before I bring those things up, let me reintroduce myself to you.
"I am Gawain, captain of the Dark Bird Ship, a... guy with absurd dreams."
He sat there, smiling, and extended his hand to Robin.
Robin frowned slightly as she met Gawain's hand, and at the same time, she placed her palm in Gawain's hand.
Notice that her hands are clasped together, with the backs of her hands facing upwards...
Seeing this, Gawain was confused for a moment, then he chuckled and bent down.
When Robin saw Gawain hesitate for a moment, she immediately realized what was happening and quickly shook her and Gawain's hands gently.
Well, Gawain leaned down and kissed her soft, swaying hand on her palm...
Looking up, Gawain released Robin's hand and smiled, pursing his lips.
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize you thought it was a hand kiss."
"I didn't expect that you originally planned to shake hands..."
Robin blushed slightly and responded softly. Then, without changing her expression, she started talking to Gawain about other topics.
"I never expected you to be so kind. We've met before..."
"I'm different from many of the Celestial Dragon you've met, aren't I? I've heard that from far too many people."
Gawain smiled and picked up on Robin's words. Then he glanced behind him and saw Crocodile outside the door, holding a tray and gently tapping the door with sand.
"Enter!"
Gawain said, Crocodile walked in immediately, placing the items between Gawain and Robin. Crocodile, carrying a tray, stood awkwardly to the side.
Gawain ignored Crocodile; he simply picked up a cup of black tea, savored it for a moment, and Gawain let out a soft sigh.
"Alabasta has recently been transformed into a peculiar place by Crocodile."
Except for the capital Alubarna, there was no rain throughout Alabasta.
This phenomenon is very interesting because Crocodile's actions reveal a very real social problem.
That is, some people die of drought, while others die of flooding.
Just like the rebellion in Alabasta some time ago, why did the people of Alabasta launch a righteous attack against the Cobra after only six months of drought?
It's not because they can't get food or water.
It's because, at a time when even a sip of water requires fierce competition and scrambling to obtain, that's the situation.
The people in their capital city, however, have an inexhaustible supply of drinking water...
On what grounds? Just because it's the capital, does that give its people the right to squander what others dream of and pursue their entire lives?
What they lack, others have so much of!
"It's not scarcity that's worrisome, but inequality; it's not hardship that's frightening, but disparity—that's the core of all the current contradictions in Alabasta!"
At this point, Gawain turned his head and gave Crocodile a deep look.
Crocodile swallowed hard, meeting Gawain's gaze.
Sure enough, Saint Gawain knows far too much, far too much!!!
Hearing Gawain's words, Robin's eyes widened slightly. She was already an intellectual beauty, but now she had become an adorable, clueless intellectual beauty.
Surprisingly, they're pleasing to the eye.
However, what Gawain valued was never her looks. Gawain smiled and said to Robin.
What are you surprised about? Do you think I shouldn't say anything profound?
I think that someone who is well-versed in history should not hold biased ideas, because true history should always be fair and unbiased, shouldn't it?
"Indeed, sir!"
At that moment, Robin on the other side suddenly became excited. After the brief interaction, she finally truly understood what kind of person Gawain was!
She couldn't see the whole picture of Gawain, but what she did see was the part that Gawain was willing to think about and summarize.
As someone who also enjoys thinking and reflecting, Robin felt like he had found a kindred spirit!
Robin then spoke to Gawain with a hint of excitement.
"I apologize for my previous prejudice, Gawain. I shouldn't have guessed about everyone based on my impressions."
History has long proven that if human actions could truly be predicted, how could history be so fascinating and diverse?
Therefore, I am now genuinely interested in your dream!
You just said you're a dreamer, so may I have the honor of hearing you talk about your dreams?
I'm even more curious about the connection between my status as a wanted criminal by this World Government and your dreams!
"Oh?"
Upon hearing this, Gawain smiled and nodded, then waved his hand gently.
Instantly, under the influence of the magnetic field, the fork picked up a small piece of cake and brought it to Robin's mouth.
Looking at the fork and cake floating in front of me, and then at the... cartoon hand-shaped current sticking to the fork handle.
Robin couldn't help but swallow, and her complexion, which had just been slightly flushed, became even more rosy.
Fortunately, during her year and a half in Alabasta, she got quite tanned from the desert sun.
Thinking this, she carefully took the fork and took a small bite of the cake.
Meanwhile, Gawain continued speaking to Nicole Robin with a smile.
"My absurd dream can be traced back to Alabasta in its present form."
In Alabasta today, the rain is so heavy that even clothes can't be dried.
On the other hand, due to water shortages, even a few hundred milliliters of water are contested.
What I want to do is to completely solve this problem of scarcity and inequality.
The reason I say it's impractical is because I want to solve not just the problem of Alabasta, but the problem of the whole world, the entire ocean and every island on it, and the problem of every race!
But the problems I need to solve go far beyond just the water shortage!
What I need to solve is a series of problems related to inequality, from money and power to social status!
At this point, Gawain looked intently at Robin.
As for Robin, she didn't even have the strength to swallow the cake!
She asked Gawain incredulously.
"I feel like there's something wrong with what you've said..."
Because you are Celestial Dragon, you and your other clans are the most numerous people in the world!
You have almost everything. You are high above, able to wage war at will, and even issue Buster Call!
You are... the most privileged class in the world!
"In that case, the problem you... you want to solve is actually to solve... the problem of privileged classes like yourselves, isn't it?"
"Ha ha!"
Hearing Robin's words, Gawain nodded with satisfaction.
"As expected of Robin, what she sees is different from what my other companions see. They see my enemies, the ways I achieve those things, and the future I might create."
But what you see is the core of my philosophy for solving all problems."
At this point, Gawain gently waved his hand.
"However, haha, even if it's just casual conversation between you and me, those things are really too far removed from our lives. Let's talk about something more practical."
Whatever kind of light I want to shine on the world, I first need to unite the whole world!
By now, you should understand what I want to do.
I want to unify this world, so that people of every race and every nation can become people of the same country, at most just different ethnicities!
This is certainly a grand ambition, but fortunately I have plenty of time to plan and a wealth of experience to draw upon.
And you are a very crucial link in that chain!