Chapter 2: The Engagement
"Is this really the only outfit that still fits me?"
Eiger muttered to himself, holding up the crisp white Marine uniform he'd brought back from his days in the service. The gold-trimmed coat felt a little too formal, but it was the best he had for the occasion.
Just then, a familiar voice called from outside.
"Eiger! I've brought her!"
Village Chief Marin's cheerful shout made him glance toward the doorway—
and the moment he turned around, Eiger froze.
Behind the grinning old man stood a woman.
She wore a simple white dress—not the lavish sort nobles flaunted, but it clung perfectly to her form, accentuating the soft curves of her body, the slender waist, the long, graceful legs, and the generous shape of her hips.
Her figure was everything Eiger once jokingly described as "the kind of body only the sea can nurture."
Long, black hair cascaded freely over her shoulders, framing a face that seemed calm yet gentle, tinged with a quiet, mature allure.
For an instant, Eiger thought he saw a shadow of someone familiar in her—
a face he'd only seen on newspaper sketches and wanted posters.
"Well? Don't just stand there gawking!" Marin nudged him with a proud grin. "Go on, say hello! Didn't I tell you she's a beauty?"
He even gave Eiger a ridiculous wink. "Admit it—she's stunning, isn't she?"
Eiger exhaled slowly. "…Yeah. Stunning."
Alright, old man. After this, I'll stop bothering your daughter and granddaughter for good.
Stepping forward, he squared his shoulders and offered a polite smile. "Nice to meet you. My name's Eiger."
The woman looked at him—her dark eyes calm, but her fingers nervously intertwined. After a brief pause, she smiled too, a soft, graceful curve of her lips.
"Hello. My name is…"
Her brows furrowed suddenly.
"I'm… my name is… Nico."
Eiger's expression stiffened.
Wait. What?
"Nico?"
"Yes," she said with an apologetic smile. "I… think my name is Nico. I'm sorry, but I seem to have forgotten the rest. If it's not too much trouble, may I stay here for a while?"
Her tone was gentle, uncertain, almost pleading—
but Eiger didn't hear a single word after that.
He stood frozen, his mind spinning.
Nico.
There was only one name that came to mind.
Only one woman in the world of pirates and marines alike who carried that name like a whisper of danger and beauty.
The Devil's Child.
"Nico Robin…?" he murmured under his breath, too soft for anyone else to hear.
Marin, meanwhile, completely missed the tension in the air.
He jabbed Eiger in the ribs and whispered sharply, "What's wrong with you? Since when did you turn into a stammering fool every time you saw a pretty girl?"
Eiger didn't answer.
He just stood there, staring at the woman who called herself Nico,
while a thousand questions began to burn quietly in the back of his mind.
Who said he couldn't walk straight after seeing a pretty girl?
Eiger wasn't love-struck—he was just… stunned by that name.
If it really was that person, then the whole of Sibia Village would be doomed!
He quickly snapped out of it and studied the woman before him—Nico. She looked nervous, shy, and a little scared.
Right… the "Devil's Child" couldn't possibly have amnesia.
And even if she did, what were the odds she'd agree to get married?
What next—pretend to be forgetful through the wedding night too?
Besides, if it truly was her, a certain Marine admiral would be hunting this village to ashes by now.
No. This woman's name might be Nico, but she wasn't that Nico Robin.
There were plenty of women on the seas named Nico or Robin.
Eiger quietly pushed his doubts aside—until a voice barked at him again.
"What are you still standing there for, you idiot? Go propose already!"
Village Chief Marin was losing his patience.
Wasn't this kid usually slick-tongued and bold?
Didn't he always tease Marin's daughter and granddaughter with shameless jokes?
So why was he suddenly acting like a bashful teenager?
"A real man of the sea doesn't freeze up like this!" Marin grumbled, rolling up his sleeves and preparing to give Eiger a good kick.
But before he could, Eiger finally moved.
He stepped forward, stopping right in front of Nico.
Looking straight into her eyes, he spoke solemnly, his voice calm but sincere.
"If you'd like to stay, you can. At least for now."
The simplicity of his words caught her off guard.
She blinked, clearly not expecting such gentleness from a man who looked like a half-wild, shirtless giant.
Relief flickered across her face—relief, and something else.
But deep down, a voice kept echoing in her mind:
> "You don't belong here. If you stay, you'll bring them harm. Leave before it's too late."
Who was she really?
Why did her heart ache with fear and yet crave this fragile peace?
Perhaps… staying for a while wouldn't be so bad.
"Finally! I thought I'd die of suspense!" Marin exhaled dramatically, wiping sweat from his brow. Then, suddenly bursting with energy again, he shouted, "Alright, that settles it! Tonight we celebrate your engagement! I'll go tell everyone right now!"
"Wait, Chief Marin!" Eiger called out, panicking as the old man turned to run. "I never said anything about an engagement!"
"Too late, boy!" Marin waved him off gleefully as he jogged away. "You just get cleaned up, wear something decent, hold your fiancée's hand, and smile! I'll handle the rest. The village hasn't had a wedding in years—we're drinking all night!"
And just like that, the old man vanished down the path, leaving a dumbfounded Eiger standing beside Nico.
Eiger sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
"So much for a quiet day… Sorry about this, Nico."
"It's fine."
To his surprise, the amnesiac woman seemed far calmer than he was.
She even flashed him a playful smile, holding out her hand with a teasing glint in her eyes.
"My fiancé," she said with a wink.
---
That night, laughter and music filled Sibia Village.
The "engagement banquet"—though it felt suspiciously like a wedding—was held in the open square.
Tables and chairs were mismatched and hand-built, the food simple but hearty.
There were no grand decorations, no famous chefs, no guests from afar—
just villagers, cheerful and genuine, raising their cups to celebrate the "happy couple."
Eiger's mouth twitched as he looked around.
Wasn't this supposed to be just an engagement?
Why did it feel like the ceremony was already done and dusted?
But with the whole village watching, all he could do was grit his teeth, plaster on a smile, and take Nico's hand as they stepped into the light.
The crowd erupted into cheers.
Villagers clapped, shouted blessings, and banged their mugs together, witnessing what they believed was a true union born of fate.
When the new groom raised his hand and declared, "Let's eat!" the cheers roared like waves, laughter spilling into the night air.
The celebration had begun.
---
However—
Unnoticed by the villagers, a figure crouched in the shadows of a nearby tree, peering through the leaves at the lively scene below.
His hair was messy, his cloak tattered, and one gloved hand lifted the edge of an eyepatch as he squinted at the sight before him.
His jaw nearly hit the ground.
"Wha—WHAT?!" he blurted, eyes wide. "A wedding?! They're actually getting married?!"
He rubbed his temples, completely lost.
"Who's the guy? Is he even reliable? Did I miss a whole damn chapter or something?!"
He looked back toward the village square, disbelief written all over his face.
"How the hell did this turn into a wedding so fast?!"