The warship carrying Dadan had long since vanished across the sea. Garp still stood alone on the shore. Waves rolled in with the wind, breaking endlessly against the beach, as restless as his heart.
After a while, Garp suddenly clenched his fists. Those fists, which had driven Pirate King Roger into a corner more than once, cracked like a savage beast baring its fangs.
"Who's there?"
Garp sensed someone behind him and spun around, his eyes wide and commanding.
A man in a gray suit stepped out of the trees. He was lean, with a long, narrow face, and looked utterly ordinary. Like his drab suit, nothing about him stood out.
"Oh, it's you."
Garp sighed, and the tension in him eased. It was Bogard, the aide who had served him for years.
"Let me go. I'll bring that woman back."
Bogard took two steps forward. His voice was calm, as though he were talking about some trivial errand.
Bogard did not care that an entire warship of Kingdom Guards was escorting her. He had willingly spent his life as Vice Admiral Garp's shadow. He could see that Garp wanted to save Dadan, but Garp's position was too sensitive. If anyone found out, it would damage his reputation.
Garp hesitated. After a moment, he saw the cold glint in Bogard's eyes. He knew Bogard well enough to understand that he had decided to kill everyone aboard that ship.
Garp shook his head and warned him, "Just get her out. I know that young man Sterling just married a woman from the Royal House, and he's considered heir to the next king. You mustn't hurt him!"
"Yes, sir."
Bogard nodded without hesitation. As always, he said little, but there was something deeply dependable about him.
Sterling's ship had just reached Roland