Why Have You Come

Of course, while Shirakawa, Shanks, and Buggy were far stronger than ordinary soldiers, the three of them alone couldn't handle the hundred or so enemy troops.

In the end, they still needed the Kingdom of Mol's soldiers to step in and finish them off, but Shirakawa and the others didn't wipe them out completely. Since the enemy was already defeated, it didn't matter whether they stayed or not.

This battle also changed General Green Mountain's impression of Shirakawa. He had witnessed Shirakawa's ability to fight dozens alone—something even he couldn't do.

"I was wrong earlier. Your strength deserves our respect." General Green Mountain apologized to Shirakawa, his tone and attitude very sincere.

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

"Princess, I'll have someone quickly escort you back to the capital. While you were away, the King has been frantic and is already preparing to formally declare war on the Kingdom of Kolun."

"How can that be? I need to return to the palace immediately." Kaiser Lynn didn't want to be the spark that ignited a war between two countries. That would be a disservice to her people and even more so to the soldiers who might die for her.

"Princess, rest assured. I'll arrange a carriage for you right away and send a small squad of soldiers to escort you back to the capital."

"Just prepare the carriage. No need for soldiers. Your princess has us by her side."

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

"Tell him not to let anyone follow you," Shirakawa said to Kaiser Lynn, knowing he couldn't convince the stubborn general himself.

"Mm."

Kaiser Lynn pulled General Green Mountain aside. No one knew what they were discussing, but the general's expression shifted several times in that short span, as if he were on a roller coaster.

When he finally returned, he agreed to Shirakawa's proposal, but the look in his eyes toward Shirakawa was strange.

"Hey, what did you tell him?"

"Secret." Kaiser Lynn gave a mischievous smile.

Since Kaiser Lynn didn't want to say, Shirakawa didn't press further. For him, it probably wasn't anything good anyway.

In the end, General Green Mountain still wanted to invite Kaiser Lynn to stay the night, but she refused. Now that she was back on her country's soil, she couldn't wait to see her father.

Since the princess had declined, General Green Mountain couldn't force her. He prepared a very large and luxurious carriage and let them leave.

"General, what did Princess Kaiser Lynn tell you? How could you agree to let a group of strangers take her back to the capital?" Watching the carriage grow distant, the general's adjutant asked him.

Hearing this, General Green Mountain's expression shifted. "Secret. Don't ask about it again."

On the road back to the capital, things were naturally much easier than when they had left the Kingdom of Kolun. Not only did they not have to travel on foot, but they could pass through every city without issue.

Moreover, the lord of each city presented them with exquisite gifts and delicious food.

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

"Tell me, what's different?"

"Your country's peace and harmony are genuine, not just a facade. The Kingdom of Kolun is different. Their cities look the same on the surface, but it's just a cover for their dark side."

"That's right. The Kingdom of Mol really is good," Buggy chimed in, his body covered in gems. These were gifts from the people of Mol to the princess, but she had given them all to Buggy since she didn't need them.

Buggy, however, needed them badly. Having received all these benefits, he naturally spoke up for her.

"If I could, I'd want to stay in this country forever." Buggy sank into a deep fantasy, imagining himself draped in gold and silver, standing on a mountain of treasure from all over the world.

"Then stay. No one's stopping you. I'm sure the captain would agree too."

Hearing this, Buggy snapped back to reality and denied his own words. "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 even believe what you're saying?"

"Why wouldn't I? Let me tell you, Shirakawa, you can insult my character, but you can't insult my dream."

"Alright, alright, I believe you." Seeing Buggy about to get worked up, Shirakawa quickly went along with him. He hadn't expected Buggy's dream to actually be that grand.

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

After half a month, the group finally reached the capital. Along the way, they had encountered several ambushes, but Shirakawa and the others had dealt with them all.

"It seems someone really doesn't want you to return to the capital safely," Shirakawa said. Earlier, Kaiser Lynn had mentioned that there was a traitor in her country, and this situation only confirmed her words.

By now, the news that Princess Kaiser Lynn was returning to the palace was no longer a secret. It had spread widely, and those with ill intent could easily and accurately track their location.

As soon as they entered the capital, an army cleared the way for them, leading them straight into the palace.

"Your capital is truly prosperous."

This was Shirakawa's first time expressing such admiration. The scene before his eyes was incredibly unique—three-story buildings were everywhere, and he even spotted a fountain that shot water high into the air.

"I'm not bragging, but our capital is definitely the most prosperous of the three kingdoms."

The carriage stopped in front of the palace, as carriages were not allowed inside, and even the King himself had come out to greet them.

"Father!" Seeing her father, Kaiser Lynn cried out and threw herself into his arms with excitement.

"Good, good, my little princess. You've suffered." Seeing Kaiser Lynn, the King's eyes also grew moist.

"Oh, Father, they are the champions who escorted me back," Kaiser Lynn said, not forgetting to introduce Shirakawa and the others to her father.

"Thank you, thank you." He tried to bow to Shirakawa and the others in gratitude, but Shirakawa stopped him. Accepting a bow from a king was something he couldn't yet bear.

"Someone told me the princess would return safely, and I didn't believe it. But now I do."

"Someone told you? Who?"

"It was me." At that moment, two people stepped out from the shadows. The one speaking was the man in front.

"Captain? First Mate?"

Seeing these two, all three of them—Shirakawa, Shanks, and Buggy—exclaimed in shock. None of them could believe that these two were here.