Stargie's silence, conversely, gave Law a glimmer of hope.
As long as it wasn't an outright rejection, there was still a chance.
In Law's view, team members heading to the Dark Continent needed the following two points:
Survival skills and strength.
Interest in the Dark Continent.
Compared to the hard requirement of the first point, Law considered the second point more important.
Thus, everyone in Law's team was interested in the Dark Continent.
Take Buhara, for example. Law originally disagreed, but Buhara indeed had strong curiosity about the Dark Continent, so Law ultimately agreed to his inclusion.
This time, inviting Stargie, Law valued her abilities. But he knew Stargie likely didn't meet the second condition.
Probably, Stargie hadn't paid attention to the recent high-hype Dark Continent topic.
'Whether Stargie refuses or agrees, we must depart within a week at the latest.' Watching the silent Stargie, Law thought silently.
One hesitating, one waiting, one observing.
The scene fell into silence.
After a long while, Stargie looked at Ellie.
In a sense, Ellie was her host, and one of her duties was protecting Ellie.
"If I agree to Law's invitation, I have to leave Ellie. Then who will protect Ellie?"
Stargie began contemplating this issue.
Then, she seemed to realize something.
"I... am actually considering this."
Before even deciding whether to accept Law's invitation, she was already thinking about leaving Ellie.
That is to say, she not only didn't resist Law's invitation but was inclined toward it subconsciously. The hesitation stemmed from worry over Ellie.
Understanding the crux, she looked directly at Law and said simply, "Ellie needs my protection, so I refuse."
Not only did she refuse, she also stated the reason.
Between going to the Dark Continent and staying to protect Ellie, she chose the latter.
"I understand."
Law nodded.
Although he had ways to find suitable personnel to replace Stargie's bodyguard position, since this was Stargie's decision, he wouldn't try to persuade further.
At that moment, Ellie looked at Stargie and asked seriously, "Sister Stargie, do you want to go to the Dark Continent?"
Hearing this, Stargie turned to look at Ellie, a hesitant expression appearing on her pale face.
She was conflicted.
Seeing the hesitation on Stargie's face, Ellie smiled beautifully. "Don't worry about me. Don't underestimate the security team Kenda trained. Besides, I'm not as weak as you imagine."
Stargie shook her head.
Law and Ellie didn't understand the meaning of this headshake.
"Those people are weak."
Then, they heard Stargie's evaluation of the security team.
Ellie couldn't help but rub her forehead. If comparing security team members to Stargie, of course they were weak.
However, she could see Stargie's desire to join the expedition to the Dark Continent. Otherwise, Stargie would have refused outright, not considered Ellie's situation.
To be honest, she wanted to go too.
Not to explore the unknown, but to run around with Law.
So she felt a bit envious that Law would invite Stargie.
Thus, she also realized Stargie joining the team was something Law wanted… meaning this was important to Law.
Since it was important to Law, she had to help him.
Thinking this, Ellie suddenly took Stargie's hand, pulling her toward the door, while turning back to smile at Law. "Give me one night to persuade her."
Stargie didn't turn back, letting Ellie lead her, quietly watching Ellie.
Faintly, she had sensed Ellie's inner thoughts.
Seeing Ellie's smiling face as she looked back, Law was momentarily stunned, then also smiled slightly.
Just as Ellie would ask him for tens of billions when short of money, and he would give without hesitation.
If he was short of money and asked Ellie for tens of billions, she would also give without hesitation.
Or if Ellie needed his help with something, he would do his utmost without question.
Similarly, if he asked Ellie for help, she would treat him with the same attitude.
That was his relationship with Ellie.
The next day, Ellie, holding Stargie's hand, came to find Law.
"Sister Stargie agreed."
Ellie looked at Law with an expression saying praise me.
In such a situation, Law wouldn't praise Ellie, just looked at Stargie, asking seriously again: "Do you want to go to the Dark Continent?"
This time, Stargie nodded simply, just as she had refused simply at the end yesterday.
Looking at Law, she couldn't help but recall Ellie's words last night.
"Sister Stargie, I want to go to the Dark Continent because Law wants to go there."
"But I know it's dangerous there. Insisting on going would just cause trouble for Law."
"But you're different."
"You're strong. Not only won't you cause trouble for Law, you'll be the help he needs."
"So, Sister Stargie, you must protect Law, okay!"
'Protect...'
'But for what am I going to the Dark Continent?'
Stargie quietly gazed at Law.
'Because of this man before me?'
...
Seven days passed since the Departure Ceremony. The hype around the Dark Continent finally began to cool.
Yorbian Continent, Garfield Shipyard's private port.
Gaffel was Ellie's surname. The shipyard and this large port were among Ellie's assets.
Today was Law's departure day for the Dark Continent, so Ellie ordered the port cleared of personnel and ships, leaving the vast port with only a medium-sized sea vessel anchored.
The ship wasn't stocked with supplies because provisions were stored in Knov's Hide-and-Seek.
Moreover, this ship's purpose was to carry Law and the others to find the turtle.
The sky was blue, reflecting the sea's color.
White seagulls skimmed the water, flying over the ship's deck.
Law raised a hand to shield his eyes, looking at the blue sky and white clouds, a faint smile on his lips.
After preparing for so long, finally embarking on the second exploration journey...
This time, every place he couldn't reach before, he would set foot upon one by one.
Since supplies were ready, the ship's atmosphere was relaxed, with no signs of busyness.
"Law, departure in ten minutes."
Kuro's voice came from the captain's cabin.
That previous journey to the Dark Continent had honed Kuro's navigation skills to Max. This time, of course, he would be at the helm again.
"Copy."
Law replied, then headed toward the boarding ramp.
Ellie stood there… he needed to bid her farewell.
In the captain's cabin, Nique was frantically reading books on operations and navigation.
Kuro looked at Nique. As a veteran, he felt gratified, somehow experiencing the wonderful feeling of being a senior.
Thinking this, he didn't know Nique was cramming frantically because he feared Kuro might capsize the ship.
Learning some operations and knowledge now could at least help in emergencies later.
At the boarding ramp, Ellie wore a wide sunhat and a white dress. Kenda, in his eternal butler attire, was also there.
Ellie placed a hand on her hat brim, watching Law approach, smiling. "You must return safely, and bring back some delicious food!"
"No problem."
Law smiled.
At that moment, Stargie also came over, standing beside Law.
Woo-!
A loud ship horn suddenly sounded.
It was Kuro signaling readiness to depart.
"Not waiting for me?"
A familiar voice came from the port.
Law looked toward the sound. Tonpa stood on the port, waving at him.