"Funing, this is Mr. Norton, the man who saved your father's life. Thanks to him, I made it back alive from this voyage," the Duke said.
"Really? Thank you!"
Only after thanking Norton did Funing belatedly register what her father had said. "Dad, you ran into danger on this voyage?!"
"Yes..." Still looking shaken, the Duke recounted everything that had happened along the way, leaving out the part about Norton taking his ship and treasure.
Funing listened obediently, worry repeatedly crossing her beautiful face. Several times, she hugged the Duke tightly and wept, looking so heartbroken that it tugged at their hearts.
The Duke immediately grew flustered and began comforting Funing instead.
Norton and Nami quietly exchanged glances, the same phrase popping into both their minds.
Doting Father!
It took quite a while for Funing's sobs to gradually subside.
The Duke wiped the tears from the corners of Funing's eyes and said tenderly, "Sweetheart, don't cry. Daddy's back, isn't he?"
Only once Funing had completely calmed down did the Duke get down to business.
"The White Pearl is almost finished, isn't it?"
"Yes, Dad! We can hold the launching ceremony very soon!" Funing looked excited.
The Duke sounded worried. "I wonder what mishap we'll run into this time."
"It'll be fine, Dad! Whatever the challenge, the White Pearl can overcome it!" Funing said.
On this subject, Funing was more optimistic than the Duke, her eyes shining with confidence in the White Pearl.
"That would be wonderful..." The Duke nodded, then told Funing, "Mr. Norton saved my life. Because of that Sea King, he needs a new ship."
"Why don't we entrust the White Pearl to Mr. Norton? I've seen his courage for myself. He's a man who can stand against fate!"
Funing froze. "But... His Majesty the King has already reserved this ship."
"When did that happen?" The Duke was taken aback. How had he not known?
"While you were away these past few days, His Majesty visited our castle in person and reserved the ship with me..." Funing explained the whole story.
"How could this happen?" the Duke muttered dejectedly. "Then there's nothing we can do..."
If the King himself had stepped in, even a duke like him could do nothing. The King had taken the previous ship in exactly the same way.
Rank trumped everything.
"My apologies, Mr. Norton. If His Majesty has reserved the White Pearl, I can't give you this ship. But don't worry, I'll find you another one..."
Norton interrupted the Duke's apology, his smile blazing like a flame. "What are you talking about? The White Pearl can only belong to me!"
"Only I can handle this ship. Anyone else would be out of their depth!"
The Duke hastily tried to stop him. "Mr. Norton, don't act rashly! His Majesty's will cannot be defied!"
"Just like fate?" Norton grinned. "The King took the previous ship, didn't he? But in the end, even that couldn't save it from being destroyed."
The Duke fell silent. That was indeed what had happened. If the King hadn't reserved the White Pearl, he would absolutely have persuaded Funing to entrust it to Norton.
But His Majesty the King had already reserved the White Pearl.
Norton patted the Duke's shoulder. "Unlike you, I'm not going to cower before the King's power. Whatever I want, I'll get! Take me to your king. I'll persuade him my own way."
"Don't do anything reckless!" The Duke seized Norton's fist in agitation.
He had seen how Norton operated, solving every problem with his fists!
The Duke knew perfectly well what Norton intended to do.
"I'll take you to see His Majesty, but I won't offer any help. Whether you can get him to give up the White Pearl is entirely up to you!"
The Duke's expression turned stern. "And I have one condition. You must not use force against His Majesty!"
"I know, I know." Norton waved dismissively. "I know where to draw the line."
Meanwhile, inside the royal palace.
The King stood meekly beside the throne. Seated upon it was a man wearing a transparent, hemispherical bubble helmet. His hair stood straight up, curling at the tips, and he wore a pure white one-piece outfit resembling a spacesuit.
"Is that ship finished yet? Bring it here at once! I only came to the Lower World because I heard about that bad-luck woman. Don't waste my time!" the man in the bubble helmet shouted.
The King bowed and scraped. "Right away! I've already sent someone to fetch it. Saint Ari, please wait just a moment!"
Even the King hadn't expected the shipbuilding exploits of the Duke's daughter, Funing, to attract one of the Celestial Dragons, the world nobles who resided high above in the Holy Land of Mary Geoise!
Saint Ari snorted in displeasure.
If that fellow Jose hadn't spent all day showing off the ship he had bought in Sabaody, he would never have come all the way down to the Lower World just for some lousy ship!
A cursed ship built by a bad-luck woman has to be rarer than that treasure ship Jose bought! Just you wait! I'll make you cry with envy, Jose! Saint Ari thought.
Elsewhere, after inspecting the ship, the Duke led Norton and Nami back to the castle.
"Funing said that if this White Pearl gets destroyed too, she'll give up this profession and agree to work for the Church. I once recommended that to her," the Duke said as they walked.
"Isn't that exactly what you wanted?" Nami asked curiously.
"But more than having my wishes fulfilled, I'd rather see Funing doing what she loves. A shipwright's work may be lowly, but her enthusiasm and smiles when she works are genuine. She's my daughter. A father has a duty to protect his daughter's dreams," the Duke said softly.
Nami fell silent, moved by the depth of his fatherly love. She had never experienced a father's love. She was an orphan, with neither father nor mother, and Bellemere had raised her.
"Aren't you afraid the other nobles will laugh at you anymore?" Norton gave the Duke a searching look.
"I am a duke. In this country, only the King stands above me. No one would dare mock my daughter to my face." The Duke gave a low huff, looking proud.
Hearing that, Norton's opinion of the Duke rose.
Though he was weak, the Duke had made good use of his authority to shelter his daughter as she grew up.
Just then, the Duke's daughter, Funing, caught up with them from behind.
"Dad, His Majesty's envoy wants to see you!" Funing said.
The Duke perked up at her words. "Funing, show Mr. Norton and Miss Nami around for now. Daddy will be right back."
After a pause, the Duke added to Norton, "Please rest assured, Mr. Norton. As soon as I've finished, I'll take you to see His Majesty."
With that, the Duke turned and left.
Following her father's instructions, Funing took Norton and Nami on a tour of the castle.
Along the way, Nami and Funing chatted happily. Norton, on the other hand, couldn't get a word in.
Suddenly, the sound of shattering glass rang out. The three looked up to see Sanosuke crash through a window with a man beneath his feet, leaping down from the castle's banquet hall.