"Seven thousand two hundred and ten…"
"Seven thousand two hundred and eleven…"
"Hmm, we won't make it in time. There's only half an hour until dawn." Nero stated, gazing at the faint morning light in the distance.
No one had slept that night. Everyone in the courtyard was muttering numbers.
"Ah, this is the two hundred and sixty thousandth. The outcome was known from the start, but I'm surprised they managed to persevere this far."
Hathaway's opinion of the two had changed somewhat. Regardless of anything else, she respected their willpower.
"So, if Hathaway were this age, could she do it?"
Hearing Nero ask this, Hathaway fell silent. After a moment, she softly replied, "Yes, but it would be extremely difficult."
"Hmm, so the difference doesn't sound that great. Why does Hathaway seem to dislike them?" Nero asked again.
Hathaway didn't answer this time, instead pondering Nero's question: Did she dislike these two children?
"Because they are rude, ignorant, and disrespectful, and haven't even shown His Majesty Nero the respect He deserves?"
"...Perhaps?" Hathaway deliberated before answering with uncertainty.
"They are just two country kids, Hathaway. The sounds heard from above are different from those heard from below."
Nero swayed her feet, fanning herself intermittently with a small fan in her hand. Her bathrobe looked as if she were going to a celebration.
"Truly important things cannot be seen with just the eyes."
Hathaway looked at Nero, wondering what kind of scenery those vibrant, jade-like eyes truly saw.
But it must be different from her own, she thought. Nero had always been like this; even with the same things, she always saw something different from others.
She herself always emphasized that this was a unique understanding of beauty in art. Hathaway had also tried to emulate Nero for a while.
She gained nothing from it. Hathaway looked through the Nero in front of her and saw that young, passionate little girl.
Shifting her gaze, Hathaway looked at the two children who were still persevering. Perhaps she truly lacked artistic talent?
...After a while longer.
"Hmm, time's up." Nero sat up. "Genzo, go take them to rest."
"His Majesty Nero! What about Kuina and the others…?" Genzo called out to Nero, who was about to leave.
"We'll discuss all that later. First, take them to shower and get a good night's sleep."
Nero covered half her face with her fan, letting out a small yawn. She gestured towards the two, not caring if Genzo could see, and spoke with a double meaning.
Genzo hesitated, looking at the two who were still swinging their swords, unaware it was over. He finally sighed.
He decided to settle the two first. As for Nero, he would wait until they woke up. He hoped the qualities the two displayed would be enough to impress Nero… Sunlight streamed through the window, and Zoro awoke from his sleep.
He checked the date on the wall; two days had already passed since the agreed-upon time… Just as he tried to get up, he failed. A sharp pain shot through his arms, which felt numb, like two meaningless weights.
Zoro looked down to find both his arms wrapped in bandages as if they were broken.
"Grumble~"
His stomach was rumbling with hunger. Without time to think, he used his waist and legs to propel his heavy body towards the dining hall.
Pushing open the door, Zoro's eyes met Kuina's, who seemed to have just finished her meal.
"Yo! Is there… any other food?"
Kuina was calmer than he expected. Sitting there, she first clasped her hands together and said, "I'm full!"
However, her hands were also thickly bandaged, making the gesture somewhat awkward.
"Oh… The master has prepared enough food for us. If you ask, someone will bring it to you."
As Kuina spoke, she seemed to regain her usual aloofness, which made Zoro a bit uncomfortable.
He had expected a more intense reaction, especially since Zoro felt that this failure had a lot to do with his rash agreement to Nero's request.
He now felt embarrassed seeing Kuina. He planned to eat something and then personally seek out Nero. Even if it was just Kuina alone… he would make Nero agree no matter what!
"Then I'll be going…" Kuina stood up and politely greeted Zoro.
"Oh… Mm…"
Zoro nodded… Heavy! The atmosphere was so heavy! He felt guilty just eating.
As she reached the door, Kuina suddenly stopped. "Oh, by the way, this opportunity was originally something you fought for, so you don't need to feel guilty… That's all."
After saying that, she didn't wait for Zoro's reply and left directly.
Zoro bit into two pieces of meat fiercely, chewing them viciously, and mumbled indistinctly, "How could I… not care… Idiot!"
During dinner, Zoro heard some good news from his fellow disciples: Nero and her companions hadn't left yet.
So, Zoro didn't waste a moment. He barely ate his meal, just a few quick bites, and then inquired his way to find Nero.
Not here! Not here!
Nero was nowhere to be found, and Zoro grew increasingly anxious.
"Lady Nero? It seems she and the maid went back to the ship an hour ago."
The last piece of news made Zoro's eyes widen, and then he ran like a madman towards the port.
"Damn it! Nero… Kuina! I have to make it in time!!!"
Ten minutes later… "Where am I?"
Twenty minutes later… "This damned place looks familiar!"
An hour later, Zoro finally ran to the port, gasping for breath. He immediately saw Hathaway on the magnificent ship.
"Wait… wait!"
His loud voice attracted everyone's attention at the port. Tears welled up in Zoro's eyes.
"Please… I beg you, Nero! Don't leave, at least… at least for Kuina! Please!"
Zoro knelt on the ground, shouting towards the ship. Though his words were not coherent, everyone could hear the carefulness in his tone.
"Hmm, I didn't realize you missed His Majesty Nero so much, but it seems you're kneeling in the wrong direction."
Nero's voice came from behind him. Zoro turned his head in a daze and saw Nero in casual clothes with half a mask.
"You usually act so impolite, it seems it was a disguise! I didn't expect you to expose yourself, kid, just because I went back to the ship to get something!"
Nero slightly lifted her mask, allowing Zoro to clearly see the teasing in her eyes.
"Huh?… Get something? You weren't… leaving?"
Zoro's dot-eyes appeared as he stared blankly at Nero.
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