On the open-air balcony on the second floor of the Earl's Estate in Bernia, morning light pierced the thin clouds, casting a few rays with little warmth into the winter air. At around nine, white frost still clung to the leaves of the garden's evergreens.
Robin stood on tiptoe and carefully straightened the collar of Boer's black casual clothes, her movements gentle and natural.
"Remember to come back before six this afternoon." Her voice was warm. "That client of yours in the West Blue who specifically takes obsolete weapons sent word. A ship will arrive at Bernia Port at seven tonight, bringing an 'important person' who intends to discuss deeper 'cooperation.'"
Boer bent down and kissed her smooth forehead. "You can handle everything." He paused, his tone turning somewhat enticing,
"Are you really not coming with me? Dressrosa is known as the land of 'love and passion.' Sunshine, flowers, dancing... much more interesting than staying here processing documents."
Robin tilted her head slightly and gave him an alluring smile. "But I signed myself away to work for a certain 'heartless slave owner.' If I did a poor job and got abandoned, poor little Robin would have nowhere to go."
Boer chuckled and said no more. "Then see you later, Robin-chan~"
Before his words had faded, he tipped backward over the balcony's edge and dropped lightly.
In the courtyard below, the decorative cast-iron lion statue instantly "melted," becoming a silver-gray torrent of liquid metal that shot skyward and precisely enveloped his falling figure. The liquid metal swiftly stretched and transformed, taking the shape of a futuristic delta-wing aircraft with sharp, sleek lines.
The next second, brilliant blue plasma flames erupted from its engines. The aircraft shot into the sky, trailing a fleeting streak of blue across the winter heavens, heading straight