Night fell, and the bright moon generously scattered its light, as it always did, illuminating this barren land.
Most of the rooms in the royal palace had gone dark. Only one still shone brightly, and it was anything but quiet inside.
A group of people had gathered around, watching the three players in the middle as their decisive game neared its end.
"Rocket bomb! And my last play is a pair of aces. Hehe, I win!" Vivi laid down her pair of aces with a smile, then eagerly reached out for the money.
"What the heck, Zoro? You actually let the landlord win!"
Luffy paid up with great reluctance and shouted indignantly, "I always lose when I'm the landlord!"
"Who do you think you're teamed up with when you lose, you idiot?!"
"Hahaha!"
Zoro shouted back, pulled out his money pouch, and handed Vivi a few coins.
The others burst into laughter.
Nami kept teasing Luffy. "Isn't it only natural for someone like you, who relies on luck to play cards, to lose?"
"What's that supposed to mean? I've won plenty of times!"
"Hehehe, thanks!" Vivi cheerfully accepted the money and neatly gathered up the cards.
She tucked her long, sky-blue hair behind her pale ear with a slender finger, straightened her skirt, and rose to her feet with a smile.
"That's enough for tonight. We're setting sail tomorrow, so we should all get some rest."
As soon as she finished speaking, the lively room fell silent. Everyone lowered their heads, and no one said a word.
Their expressions varied, but each of them looked a little downcast. No one knew what the others were thinking.
Gradually, the mood grew awkward.
After a moment of silence, Zoro seemed unable to stand the atmosphere any longer. He got up and