Why Are You Here?

Of course, although Shirakawa, Shanks, and Buggy were far stronger than ordinary soldiers, the three of them alone couldn't deal with the more than a hundred soldiers on the other side.

In the end, they still needed the soldiers of the Kingdom of Mol to help defeat them. But Shirakawa and the others hadn't wiped out the enemy completely. They had already lost, and whether they stayed here or not made no difference.

This battle also changed General Green Mountain's opinion of Shirakawa. He had witnessed Shirakawa taking on dozens of opponents by himself—a feat even he couldn't manage.

"What I did earlier was wrong. Your strength deserves our respect." General Green Mountain apologized to Shirakawa with great sincerity.

"Since you've apologized so sincerely, I'll forgive you."

"Princess, I'll have someone escort you back to the Royal Capital right away. While you were gone, the king was frantic with worry. He was even preparing to officially declare war on the Kingdom of Kolun."

"How could that be? I have to get back to the palace right away." Kaiser Lynn didn't want to become the spark that started a war between the two countries. She couldn't bear to let her people suffer, let alone the soldiers who might sacrifice their lives for her.

"Your Highness, don't worry. I'll arrange a carriage for you and send a small squad of soldiers to escort you back to the Royal Capital."

"Just prepare the carriage. We don't need the soldiers. We're enough to protect your princess."

"How can that be? The princess must be escorted by our own people." Hearing Shirakawa's words, General Green Mountain immediately objected.

"Tell him not to let anyone else accompany you," Shirakawa said to Kaiser Lynn. He knew there was no way he could persuade the stubborn general himself.

"Okay."

Kaiser Lynn pulled General Green Mountain aside. No one knew what they talked about, but his expression changed several times, as if he were riding a roller coaster.

When he came back, he agreed to Shirakawa's suggestion, though he gave Shirakawa a strange look.

"Hey, what did you say to him?"

"Secret." Kaiser Lynn smiled playfully.

Since Kaiser Lynn didn't plan to tell him, Shirakawa didn't press her. Whatever it was, it probably wasn't good news for him.

In the end, General Green Mountain still tried to persuade Kaiser Lynn to stay the night, but she refused. Now that she was back on her own kingdom's soil, she could hardly wait to see her father.

Since the princess had refused, General Green Mountain couldn't force her to stay. He prepared a large, luxurious carriage and sent them on their way.

"General, what did Princess Kaiser Lynn say to you? How could you agree to let a group of strangers escort her to the Royal Capital?" Watching the carriage grow smaller in the distance, General Green Mountain's deputy asked him.

At the question, General Green Mountain's expression changed. "It's a secret. Don't ask me again."

The journey back to the Royal Capital was much easier than their journey out of the Kingdom of Kolun. They didn't have to travel on foot, and they could pass through every city without trouble.

The lord of each city also presented them with exquisite gifts and delicious food.

"Your country really is different from the Kingdom of Kolun," Shirakawa said as he sat in the carriage, watching the scenery and people along the way.

"How is it different?"

"The peace and harmony in your country are genuine, not just a show. The Kingdom of Kolun is different. Its cities may look the same, but that's just a cover for the darkness underneath."

"That's right. The Kingdom of Mol really is wonderful," Buggy chimed in. He was covered in jewels, all gifts the people of the Kingdom of Mol had given the princess. She didn't need them, so she had given them to Buggy.

But Buggy certainly needed them. After getting all those benefits, of course he'd speak in her favor.

"If I could, I'd stay in this country forever." Buggy sank into a beautiful fantasy, imagining himself decked out in gold and silver, with treasures from all over the world piled at his feet.

"Then stay. Nobody's stopping you. I'm sure the Captain would agree, too."

At those words, Buggy immediately came to his senses and took back what he'd just said. "How could I get caught up in such petty gains? My dream is to follow the Captain and conquer the Grand Line!"

"Haha, Buggy, do you really believe what you're saying?"

"Why wouldn't I? Listen, Shirakawa, you can insult my character, but you must never insult my dream."

"Fine, fine, I believe you." Seeing Buggy getting worked up, Shirakawa hurriedly played along. He hadn't expected Buggy's dream to be so grand.

At least Shirakawa himself had little interest in conquering the Grand Line.

After half a month, the group finally reached the Royal Capital. They were ambushed several times along the way, but Shirakawa and the others dealt with the attackers each time.

"It seems someone really doesn't want you to make it back to the Royal Capital safely." Kaiser Lynn had told them earlier that there was a traitor in her kingdom. Now, what was happening only confirmed it.

It was no longer a secret that Princess Kaiser Lynn was on her way back to the palace. Word had spread, and anyone determined to find her could pinpoint her location with ease.

As soon as they entered the Royal Capital, troops cleared the way for them, escorting them straight into the Royal Palace.

"Your capital really is prosperous."

It was the first time Shirakawa had been so impressed. The scene before him was full of unusual sights: three-story buildings stood everywhere, and he even saw a fountain that shot water high into the air.

"Not to brag, but our capital is definitely the most prosperous of the three kingdoms."

The carriage stopped in front of the Royal Palace, since carriages weren't allowed inside. Besides, even the king had come out to greet them.

"Father!" The moment she saw him, Kaiser Lynn burst into tears and rushed into her father's arms.

"All right, all right, my little princess. You've suffered so much." The king's eyes grew misty when he saw Kaiser Lynn.

"By the way, Father, these are the heroes who escorted me back." Kaiser Lynn didn't forget to introduce Shirakawa and the others to her father.

"Thank you. Thank you so much." He wanted to bow to Shirakawa and the others, but Shirakawa stopped him. He wasn't ready to accept a king's bow.

"Someone told me the princess would make it back safely. I didn't believe it then, but now I do."

"Someone told you? Who?"

"It was me." Just then, two people stepped out of the shadows. The one in front was the one who had spoken.

"Captain? First Mate?"

Seeing the two of them, Shirakawa and the others all cried out in surprise. The three of them couldn't believe those two were here.