15
Survival Day Fifteen: Because It Feels Like We Are of the Same Kind…
One week later————
“Has Law joined our family?” Wendy sat with her chin propped in her hands, blinking as she asked curiously, “I heard from Buffalo that Law has an infectious disease. Is that true?”
“Don’t believe everything you hear.” Doflamingo frowned slightly, deciding to have a cadre discipline Buffalo later for speaking carelessly in front of Wendy. For now, he began explaining to her, “Law is a survivor of White Town.”
Wendy knew about White Town. Though not a hardcore RPG player, she loved reading books because they contained various clues and information that helped her explore the world better.
The story of White Town was quite famous. Doflamingo had even discussed it with her before, so she naturally remembered.
“White Town, huh…” Wendy’s eyes showed understanding. “So that pale complexion of his is due to Plumbum Disease.”
Flevance was abundant with white plumbum ore and renowned worldwide for its plumbum products, earning substantial profits and thus being crowned with the title “White Town.”
However, plumbum was actually toxic to the human body, and the toxins accumulated gradually. By Law’s generation, it began to erupt on a large scale, and the residents of White Town started succumbing to “Plumbum Disease” one after another. This concentrated outbreak led people in neighboring countries to mistakenly believe it was an infectious disease. Not only did they view the residents with prejudice, but they also sealed the borders to prevent them from escaping, shooting anyone who tried to cross.
Unable to seek medical treatment outside, the desperate and panicked residents took up arms. The surrounding countries seized the opportunity to launch what they called a righteous siege… thus triggering a war.
The outcome was tragic—no one survived except for Law, who managed to escape. This was also why, when Law sought to join the Donquixote Family, he said he only had three years left to live and was filled with hatred for the world.
When this war broke out, Wendy had discussed the matter with Doflamingo, learning more insider details as a result.
[Did everyone in that country die? What about the nobles of that country? Were they killed too?]
[They fled, of course. But only they could escape in advance; commoners wouldn’t have had any chance to get out.]
[So that means… the World Government knew that plumbum was toxic, right? They didn’t tell the residents of White Town because plumbum brought in a lot of money? And after that, the World Government refused to acknowledge that Plumbum Disease was caused by plumbum toxicity, just letting it be treated as an infectious disease and ignored?]
Doflamingo had laughed at that time, replying in a cold tone, [Wendy, do you care how many ants you crush underfoot when you walk?]
“Law probably knows the truth too… That’s why he’s so full of hatred. Poor Law.” Wendy sighed, thinking that this young man was indeed an important NPC for the main storyline. She decided to approach him later to see if any side quests would unlock.
If he could be cured of his disease and survive, then he would definitely be an NPC with significant future plotlines. By then, she could also see if she could invite him to become a companion.
Listening to Wendy’s words, Doflamingo seemed lost in thought.
Hatred, huh… That kid’s gaze is indeed quite something. It even made him recall some things from the past…
“What about you, Doffy? Are you also filled with hatred?” Wendy suddenly asked.
Doflamingo looked over, meeting her clear eyes and seemingly calm, serene expression. She appeared to have just casually asked the question without any probing intent, no different from asking about the weather today.
“…Yes,” Doflamingo replied, pausing briefly before adding another question, “Does that scare you?”
“Not really,” Wendy shook her head, maintaining her chin-propping posture as she looked up at him, “I’m just curious about the reason for your hatred.”
Although she had collected [Secret of the Celestial Dragons ①], that was from Corazon’s perspective and the information was incomplete.
She only knew that the brothers Corazon and Doflamingo were originally Celestial Dragons living in Mary Geoise, but due to some unknown incident they were separated during childhood. One became a marine, while the other became a pirate. Now the marine younger brother was working undercover with his pirate older brother.
If Doflamingo would speak about it, then the [Secret of the Celestial Dragons ②] storyline should unlock, right…
Wendy looked at him with hopeful eyes.
If anyone else had asked such questions or probed like this, Doflamingo would have already become angry and taken direct action by now.
However, facing Wendy’s purely curious gaze, he only responded calmly after a moment of silence: “There will come a day when I’ll tell you about it.”
“Okay, it’s a promise then,” Wendy, having received her answer, didn’t doubt him and agreed with a smile.
Wendy’s thinking was simple – Yay! This means game storyline ② is about to unlock! She knew she just needed to wait to unlock new storylines!
“Will Law become part of our family?” Wendy glanced at the book titled “White Town” in Doflamingo’s hand and asked, “But he only has three years left to live.”
“Not necessarily,” Doflamingo chuckled, “Among the Devil Fruits, there are so many miraculous types and powers. The Op-Op Fruit can save his life. But whether he can obtain this fruit while still alive depends on his fate.”
So Law is a Devil Fruit ability user candidate! That also meets the basic conditions to become my companion! And he’s someone with major storyline significance! – Wendy checked the system and found that a new event had been recorded, titled [Orphan of White Town].
Her eyes lit up as she stood up, picking up her Walking Stick that had gotten another new skin, ready to leave and look for someone, “I’m going to check on him!”
The new Walking Stick was shaped like a red and white candy cane, decorated with yellow ribbons and a large bow tied at the top, looking very cute. Wendy’s outfit today had also changed to the Nostalgic set – her pink overalls made her appear even younger, matching well with her Walking Stick.
Doflamingo placed the “White Town” book aside and asked: “You seem quite interested in Law?”
Wendy nodded, answering honestly: “Yes, because I feel like he’ll be the same kind of person as us.”
The “same kind of person” Wendy referred to = important game storyline participants.
As for Doflamingo’s understanding… it definitely wouldn’t be the same thing.
Hearing this, Doflamingo curled his lips into a smile and nodded toward the person: “Go ahead.”
Meanwhile, Law was quietly walking behind Corazon with a knife in hand.
He had already scouted the surroundings—there was no one around at the moment… If he acted now, no one would notice.
He rushed forward and stabbed Corazon from behind, only to realize afterward that Buffalo had been watching from a hidden corner. Panicked, he dropped the knife and fled in a hurry.
It was at this moment that Wendy appeared. She saw Law running frantically and called out to him. Not only did he not stop, but upon seeing her, his panic became even more evident as he lowered his head and sprinted away.
Wendy watched in confusion as he ran past her, blinked, and then turned to see what had happened. She immediately rushed over: “Corazon!”
Clutching his wound, Corazon took the fish steak Wendy handed him and ate it, finally recovering somewhat.
However, all of Wendy’s healing items—whether it was blood-restoring food like fish steak or healing ointments and honey—could only restore health points without treating the wound itself. Only Wendy herself would lose health when injured without any physical wounds appearing.
“What happened? Did Law hurt you?” She crouched down, her face full of concern. “I’ll go get someone…”
Corazon silenced the small area around them, took a deep breath, and said, “Wait… Wendy, can I ask you to keep this a secret?”
Wendy was surprised: “Keep the injury a secret?”
“No, I’m asking you to tell Doffy and the others that an enemy stabbed me,” Corazon said slowly.
So he was covering for Law… It seemed a major plot was indeed unfolding. She wondered if Law had stabbed Corazon because he found out Corazon was a Marine and wanted revenge… After all, aside from protecting civilians, the Marines also upheld the World Government’s rule and carried out its orders. They would naturally be high on Law’s list of targets.
But the plot probably hadn’t progressed that far yet—it was likely just simple retaliation for Corazon hitting him too often. If Law had known Corazon was a Marine, he would have probably told Doffy directly.
After thinking it through, Wendy nodded and agreed: “I understand.”
Wendy called for help, and Corazon was treated for his injuries. The excuse was just as Corazon had said earlier, attributing the ambush to an enemy.
After all, the Donquixote Family had plenty of enemies from seizing territories and resources.
As for Law… after his escape, he was eventually captured by members of the Donquixote Family. And then… Doflamingo announced his official induction into the family and even held a celebration banquet.
Law, who had expected Corazon to report him or at least Wendy to expose him—and thought he was surely doomed—was momentarily stunned. He glanced at Corazon, who sat quietly with bandages wrapped around his abdomen, then at Wendy, who was calmly watching him from the side, his mind filled with confusion.
That’s why, when Doflamingo told him there might be a Devil Fruit that could cure his illness and that he would be trained as a future right-hand man, Law didn’t get too excited. Instead, after the celebration ended, he quietly followed Wendy and asked, “What are you all up to? Why did you help cover for me?”
Wendy was checking her Skin Shop, observing which skins were still locked. Hearing Law’s question, she glanced at him, then pulled out a cleaning broom from her built-in inventory and swept it over the candy cane, switching its skin.
Law stared in shock as Wendy lightly swept with a broom made of petals, and the candy cane in her hand began to transform—first into a rose-like walking stick, then with another tap, it turned into a plain, unadorned golden cane, and with one more tap, it became a walking stick with a ram’s head, its eyes embedded with red gemstones.
…Is this person performing magic tricks here?—Law wasn’t quite sure.
The candy cane is still the cutest… but it glows with snowflake-shaped lights. For walking at night in this season, the ram’s head walking stick that scatters starlight as you walk is the best-looking. Damn, when will the Victorian set unlock? The full ram’s head walking stick set would look super cool when matched together.—Thinking this, Wendy put away the cleaning broom, glanced at Law, and replied, “Don’t worry about it. Corazon asked me to keep it a secret. I’ll keep my word, so you don’t need to worry about Doffy finding out.”
With that, she continued on her way, holding her ram’s head walking stick.
The walking stick left a trail of drifting starlight in the dark night.
Author’s Note:
Wendy, to be honest, smoothly dodged all the pitfalls and picked the options that boost favorability [noob].