Kapitel 41: Chapter 39: Won't You Starve to Death?
"Ugh, why is the environment getting worse and worse?" Shirakawa complained as they walked. The land around them was becoming increasingly barren, almost desert-like.
"We must be getting close to the battlefield, right?" Catherine asked, uncertain since she had never been there before.
"The battlefield where our three countries fight is no man's land. No one takes care of the surrounding areas," she explained.
"Then what's the point of these wars? You're fighting on neutral ground, not trying to conquer each other's territory."
"They used to try to conquer each other's territory a few years ago. But recently, my father reached an agreement with the other two countries, so there haven't been any large-scale battles for a while."
"I bet your father made that agreement shortly after your brother was killed by Draken," Shirakawa said.
"Yes..." Catherine's voice trailed off.
"Sorry, I shouldn't have brought that up."
"It's okay. Draken's dead. I think my father will be happy."
It had been several days since they left the bandit hideout. Their food supplies were long gone, and they hadn't found any game along the way.
Shirakawa was fine; he could survive without food for a while. Buggy and Shanks were starting to feel the hunger, but Catherine was in the worst shape. She was so weak she could barely walk and was now clinging to Shirakawa's back.
"Just hang in there a little longer. We'll find food soon," Shirakawa reassured her.
'I miscalculated,' he thought. 'I didn't expect there to be no food around the battlefield. The soldiers must be getting their supplies from the city.'
"Look, there's someone up ahead," Shanks said suddenly.
A group of soldiers approached them.
'Judging by their uniforms, they're soldiers from the battlefield. Thank goodness! They must have rations,' Shirakawa thought.
"Who are you?" the soldiers asked, their tone serious.
"We're traveling merchants. Bandits stole our goods and food. Could you spare some food? She's about to faint from hunger," Shirakawa said, gesturing towards Catherine, who was playing along by pretending to be unconscious.
"And we have two children with us," he added, pointing at Shanks and Buggy.
"Captain, that girl looks like the Mole Kingdom's princess. And those boys... they're on the wanted list!" one of the soldiers whispered to his leader.
The captain scrutinized them, then said angrily, "You almost fooled us! Seize them! We're taking them back to the capital!"
Shanks and Buggy drew their weapons, but they were clearly weakened from hunger.
"I didn't want to resort to violence, but you brought this upon yourselves," Shirakawa said, releasing a wave of Conqueror's Haki.
The soldiers collapsed. Shirakawa and the others quickly searched them for food. Even Catherine, no longer feigning weakness, joined in the search.
Seeing Catherine devour the food, Shirakawa finally relaxed. He wouldn't have been able to complete his mission if she had starved.
"Slow down. No one's going to take it from you," he said, amused by her ravenous eating.
"Mmm-hmm," Catherine mumbled, her mouth full.
"Look at how hungry she is," Shanks and Buggy chuckled.
They weren't doing much better, quickly stuffing themselves with the stolen rations.
Shirakawa handed Catherine some water and ate a few bites himself.
"Ah, I'm finally alive again," Catherine sighed in relief after drinking.
"We should be fine eating here. They won't wake up anytime soon," Shirakawa said, looking at the unconscious soldiers.
"Good."
Shanks and Buggy, now full, lay on the ground, too stuffed to move.
"Come on, you two. Don't be so lazy," Shirakawa said, exasperated.
"You don't understand the pain of hunger," Shanks said dramatically.
"I don't, and I don't want to."
"Okay, let's get back to business," Shirakawa said.
"What business?" Catherine asked. Shanks and Buggy also looked at him curiously.
"We're close to the border. There'll be heavy security there. We need to figure out how to get through."
"We could disguise ourselves again," Catherine suggested.
"That won't work. As a princess, you know how strict the border control is."
"Then we fight our way through," Shanks said.
"That's not realistic. They'll have a large force. Even if we're strong, we'll eventually get tired."
"So what do we do, then?" Buggy asked.
"I'll fly us over."
"Fly? That's a good idea. With your power, it should be easy. But why ask us if you already have a plan?"
"I just wanted to hear your opinions. Not that I'll actually listen to them," Shirakawa said with a grin.
"You're wasting our time," Buggy grumbled.
"Hey, that's funny!" Catherine laughed. "You sound just like Shirakawa."
"They both learned from the best," Buggy retorted.
"You're quite the troublemaker, aren't you?" Shirakawa said to Catherine.
"If I were serious all the time, who would want to be around me?"
"Aren't you just asking for trouble?"
"Hey, we're helping you, and you're not even grateful. If you're so unhappy, you can go back on your own."
"Sorry, I was wrong," Catherine apologized immediately. She didn't want to be left alone.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein