“Furning.”
The Duke stepped forward.
“This is Mr.
Norton.”
“He’s my benefactor.”
“If it weren’t for him…”
“I never would have made it back alive.”
“Really?”
Furning’s eyes widened.
“Thank you so much!”
Only after thanking Norton did she finally process what her father had said.
“…Dad.”
“You were in danger?”
“Yes…”
The Duke smiled bitterly.
He recounted everything that had happened during the voyage, carefully omitting the part where Norton had claimed the ship and all the treasure.
Furning listened quietly.
As the story unfolded, worry repeatedly appeared on her beautiful face.
Several times, she threw her arms around her father and burst into tears.
The Duke immediately panicked and began comforting her instead.
Norton and Nami exchanged a silent glance.
The exact same phrase appeared in both their minds.
A hopeless daughter doter.
It took quite some time before Furning finally calmed down.
The Duke gently wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes.
“There, there.”
“I’m home now.”
Only after she had completely settled down did he finally get to the point.
“The White Pearl is almost finished, isn’t it?”
“Yes!”
Furning’s eyes sparkled.
“It’ll be ready for its launch ceremony very soon!”
The Duke sighed.
“I just wonder what kind of accident will happen this time…”
Furning smiled brightly.
“It’ll be fine!”
“No matter what happens…”
“The White Pearl can overcome it!”
Compared to her father…
She had far more confidence in the ship she’d built.
“I certainly hope so…”
The Duke nodded before continuing.
“Mr.
Norton needs a new ship.”
“That Sea King destroyed his.”
“So…”
“Why not entrust the White Pearl to him?”
“I’ve seen Mr.
Norton’s courage with my own eyes.”
“He’s a man capable of standing against fate.”
Furning froze.
“But…”
“His Majesty has already reserved this ship.”
“…What?”
The Duke blinked.
“When did that happen?”
“While you were away.”
Furning explained,
“The king personally visited our castle a few days ago.”
“He asked me to build this ship for him.”
“How could this happen…”
The Duke muttered dejectedly.
“Then there’s nothing we can do…”
If the king himself had spoken…
Even a Duke had no authority to refuse.
The previous ship had been taken the exact same way.
Power was power.
The Duke turned apologetically toward Norton.
Norton.”
“If His Majesty has already claimed the White Pearl…”
“I can’t give it to you.”
“But don’t worry.”
“I’ll find another ship for you.”
Norton interrupted him with a smile that burned like fire.
“What are you talking about?”
“The White Pearl belongs to me.”
“I’m the only one who can command this ship.”
“No one else is worthy of her.”
The Duke hurriedly stopped him.
“Mr.
Norton!”
“Please don’t act rashly!”
“The king’s orders cannot be defied!”
“Just like fate?”
Norton grinned.
“The last ship was taken by your king too.”
“And how did that end?”
“It was destroyed anyway.”
The Duke fell silent.
He couldn’t deny it.
If the king hadn’t already reserved the White Pearl…
He would have done everything possible to convince Furning to give it to Norton.
But now…
The situation was different.
Norton casually patted him on the shoulder.
“I’m not like you.”
“I don’t care about a king’s authority.”
“If I want something…”
“I take it.”
“Take me to meet your king.”
“I’ll convince him my own way.”
The Duke immediately grabbed Norton’s fist.
“Please don’t do anything reckless!”
He knew exactly how Norton solved problems.
With his fists.
He could already imagine what Norton intended to do.
“…Fine.”
“I’ll take you to see His Majesty.”
“But I won’t help you.”
“Whether or not you can persuade him to give up the White Pearl…”
“That’s entirely up to you.”
His expression became unusually serious.
“And one more thing.”
“You are absolutely forbidden from attacking the king.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Norton waved dismissively.
“I know what I’m doing.”
At that very moment…
Inside the royal palace.
The king stood respectfully beside his throne.
Sitting upon it…
Was a man wearing a transparent bubble-shaped helmet.
His hair stood upright before curling at the ends.
He wore a pristine white suit resembling a spacesuit.
“Hurry up and bring me that ship!”
“I came all the way down here because I heard about that unlucky girl’s cursed ship!”
“Don’t waste my time!”
the man in the bubble helmet shouted arrogantly.
The king bowed repeatedly.
“At once!”
“I’ve already sent people to retrieve it.”
“Please be patient, Saint Ari!”
A Celestial Dragon from the Holy Land of Mary Geoise.
Saint Ari snorted impatiently.
If Joseph hadn’t kept bragging about the magnificent ship he’d bought at the Sabaody Archipelago…
Ari would never have bothered coming all the way to the Blue Sea for a mere ship.
A cursed ship built by an unlucky girl…
That’s definitely rarer than Joseph’s treasure ship.
Just wait, Joseph…
I’ll make you green with envy.
Meanwhile…
After inspecting the White Pearl, the Duke led Norton and Nami back toward the castle.
As they walked, he spoke quietly.
“Furning told me…”
“If the White Pearl is destroyed too…”
“She’ll give up shipbuilding.”
“I recommended that she join the church instead.”
Nami looked surprised.
“Isn’t that exactly what you wanted?”
The Duke shook his head.
“Compared to fulfilling my own wishes…”
“I’d rather see her doing what she truly loves.”
“Shipbuilding may be looked down upon…”
“But whenever she’s working…”
“Her smile is genuine.”
“She’s my daughter.”
“And it’s a father’s duty…”
“…to protect his daughter’s dream.”
Nami fell silent.
For the first time…
She felt the weight of a father’s love.
She had never known one herself.
She was an orphan.
Bellemere had raised her.
Norton glanced at the Duke.
“So you’re no longer worried about the other nobles laughing at her?”
The Duke let out a proud snort.
“I’m a Duke.”
“In this kingdom…”
“Only the king outranks me.”
“No one dares mock my daughter to my face.”
Norton found himself viewing the Duke a little more favorably.
He might not be strong…
But he had used his authority well.
He had protected his daughter.
Just then…
Furning came running after them.
“Dad!”
“An envoy from His Majesty wishes to see you!”
The Duke immediately straightened.
“I understand.”
Then he turned to Norton.
“Mr.
Norton.”
“Please wait a little longer.”
“Once I’ve dealt with this matter…”
“I’ll personally take you to meet His Majesty.”
With that…
He hurried away.
Following her father’s instructions, Furning showed Norton and Nami around the castle.
Along the way…
Nami and Furning chatted happily together.
Norton, meanwhile…
Could barely get a word in.
Suddenly—
Crash!
The sound of shattering glass echoed through the castle.
The three of them looked up.
Sanosuke came crashing out through the banquet hall window—
With a man pinned beneath him as they plummeted toward the ground.