Of course, even though Shirakawa, Shanks, and Buggy were far stronger than ordinary soldiers, the three of them alone had no way of dealing with the hundred-plus troops on the other side.
In the end, it still took the soldiers of the Kingdom of Mohr stepping in to settle things. Even so, Shirakawa and the others did not wipe the enemy out completely. Either way, the other side had already lost, so whether they were allowed to stay here or not made no real difference.
This battle also changed General Green Mountain's impression of Shirakawa. After witnessing that terrifying strength, taking on dozens alone, even he admitted he could not do the same.
"I was in the wrong just now. Your strength is worthy of our respect," General Green Mountain apologized to Shirakawa, his tone and attitude sincere.
"Mhm. Since you're apologizing so earnestly, I'll forgive you."
"Princess, I'll immediately have men escort you back to the royal capital. While you were gone, His Majesty has been worried sick. He was already preparing to formally go to war with the Kingdom of Goren."
"How could that be allowed? I have to get back to the palace quickly." Kather Lin did not want to become the fuse that ignited a war between two nations. If she did, she would be letting down her people, and even more so the soldiers who might die because of her.
"Please rest assured, Princess. I'll arrange a carriage at once, and send a small squad of soldiers to escort you back to the capital."
"Just get the carriage ready. We don't need soldiers. With us by the princess's side, that's enough."
"How can that be acceptable? The princess must be escorted personally by our men." The moment he heard Shirakawa, General Green Mountain immediately objected.
"Tell him not to let anyone follow you," Shirakawa said to Kather Lin. He knew there was no way he could persuade that stubborn general himself.
"Mhm."
Kather Lin tugged General Green Mountain aside. No one knew what the two of them discussed, but you could clearly see the general's expression change several times in a row, like he was riding a roller coaster.
When they came back, he had agreed to Shirakawa's demand, but the way he looked at Shirakawa was… strange.
"Hey, what did you say to him?" Shirakawa asked.
"Secret." Kather Lin smiled mischievously.
Since she did not intend to tell him, Shirakawa did not press. For him, it probably was not anything good anyway.
In the end, General Green Mountain still tried to persuade Kather Lin to stay the night, but she refused. Now that she had returned to her own country's territory, she could not wait a second longer to see her father.
Since the princess had refused, General Green Mountain naturally could not force her to stay. He prepared an enormous, luxurious carriage and let them depart.
"General, what exactly did Princess Kather Lin say to you? How could you agree to let a group of strangers take her back to the capital?" Watching the carriage recede into the distance, the deputy general asked.
Hearing that, General Green Mountain's face changed. "Secret. Don't ask again."
On the road back to the capital, things were far easier than when they had been fleeing the Kingdom of Goren. Not only did they no longer have to travel on foot, they could also pass through every city openly without issue.
And in every city, the lord would present them with exquisite gifts and delicious food.
"Your country really is different from the Kingdom of Goren," Shirakawa said from inside the carriage, looking at the scenery and the people along the way.
"Then tell me, what's different?"
"The peace and stability of your country is real. It's not some act put on for show. Goren is different. Even if their cities look the same on the surface, it's only a cover for the darkness underneath."
"That's right. The Kingdom of Mohr really is great." At that moment, Buggy spoke up too, because his body was practically draped in gemstones.
These were all gifts the people of Mohr had offered the princess. But she had handed them to Buggy instead, since she did not lack such things.
Buggy, however, very much needed them. Having received all these benefits, of course he would speak up for her.
"If I could, I really want to stay in this country forever." Buggy sank into a beautiful daydream, imagining himself covered in gold and silver, with treasures from all over the world piled beneath his feet.
"Then stay, no one's stopping you. I'm sure the captain would agree too, right?"
Hearing that, Buggy instantly snapped awake and denied what he had just said. "How could I indulge in such petty gains? My dream is to follow the captain and conquer the Grand Line!"
"Haha, Buggy, do you even believe what you're saying?"
"Why wouldn't I believe it? Listen, Shirakawa, you can insult my character, but you absolutely cannot insult my dream!"
"Fine, fine, I believe you." Seeing Buggy about to explode, Shirakawa hurriedly went along with him. He had not expected Buggy's dream to be that grand.
At least, Shirakawa himself had little interest in conquering the Grand Line.
After half a month, the group finally reached the royal capital. Along the way, they encountered several ambushes, but Shirakawa and the others dealt with them each time.
"Looks like someone really doesn't want you returning to the capital smoothly," Shirakawa said. He had heard Kather Lin earlier mention there was a traitor within their country, and what was happening now only confirmed it.
By now, Princess Kather Lin's return to the palace was no longer a secret. The news had spread long ago. Anyone with intentions could locate them clearly and accurately.
The moment they entered the capital, an army immediately cleared the way for them, escorting them straight into the palace grounds.
"Your capital is really prosperous."
This was the first time Shirakawa had voiced such amazement, because the scene before him was truly unusual. Three-story buildings were everywhere, and he even saw a fountain that could shoot water incredibly high.
"I'm not trying to brag or anything, but our capital is absolutely the most prosperous among the three kingdoms."
In front of the palace, the carriage came to a halt. Carriages were not allowed inside the palace, and besides, even the king himself had come out to welcome them.
"Father!" The moment she saw her father, Kather Lin burst into tears and threw herself into his arms.
"Good, good… my little princess. You've suffered." Seeing Kather Lin, the king's eyes also grew wet.
"Oh, right, Father. They're the brave warriors who escorted me back." Even then, Kather Lin did not forget to introduce Shirakawa and the others to her father.
"Thank you. Thank you." The king wanted to bow to them in gratitude, but Shirakawa refused. He still could not afford to accept a king's bow.
"Someone told me the princess would return safely. I didn't believe it, but now I do."
"Someone told you? Who was it?"
"It was me." At that moment, two people stepped out from the shadows. The one walking in front was the one who spoke.
"Captain? Vice Captain?"
Seeing the two of them, Shirakawa, Shanks, and Buggy all cried out in shock. None of the three could believe it. Why were these two here?
/-\
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