Chapter 343: The Archaeologist
"It seems the World Government is definitely behind this," Roger said as he looked at the latest wanted poster.
"Yeah, we have to find the final island as soon as possible and complete our voyage. Once that's done, the New World can be theirs," Rayleigh suggested.
"Right! Final island, here we come! Wahahahaha!"
Roger burst into hearty laughter as their ship sailed deeper into the New World.
"Roger! Roger! Don't you run! Hold still so I can finally catch you!"
A furious voice shouted from behind.
Roger turned and laughed even louder as he saw Garp chasing after them.
"Wahahaha! Garp! Catch me in your next life! Wahahaha! Full speed ahead—our next stop is Water Star Island!"
Chaos in the New World was about to reach its peak.
And all of this… Charlotte had no idea about.
—
West Blue
"How is she? Has she woken up yet?"
Charlotte stood outside the infirmary, asking Nechin.
"Captain, her condition is still too weak. It'll take some time before she regains consciousness,"
Nechin replied helplessly.
"Hmm. Notify me immediately once she wakes up,"
Charlotte instructed, then walked off.
Nechin looked at his retreating figure and muttered inwardly,
"So concerned… don't tell me he's fallen for her?"
Charlotte made his way to the deck and contacted Carter on Kamei Island in the New World for recent updates.
He'd heard about some strange changes happening there.
But what truly shocked him—
The Red Count, Patrick Redfield, had actually settled down on Kamei Island!
And was apparently waiting for Charlotte's return… just to challenge him.
This piece of news made Charlotte feel speechless.
Was that really necessary?
Still, he didn't say much—just told them to treat Redfield with respect, then ended the call.
—
Inside the infirmary
On the bed, Ohara archaeologist Olvia furrowed her brows in pain.
She slowly opened her eyes, looking around the bright room.
"Where… am I?"
She whispered faintly.
Nechin, who had been grinding herbs nearby, immediately perked up at the sound of her voice. She quickly picked up the communicator.
"Captain! The pregnant woman you brought back has regained consciousness!"
Her words made Charlotte's face twitch.
What do you mean "the woman I brought back"? I only saved her because she fainted!
But now wasn't the time to argue. He turned around and hurried back to the infirmary.
Walking into the room, he looked at the woman on the bed, her belly clearly swollen.
"You're awake," Charlotte said, standing at her bedside.
"Thank you for saving me,"
Olvia responded, already recognizing the man standing before her. She bowed her head in gratitude.
"No need. My son's the one who rescued you. You don't need to thank me. What's your name?"
Charlotte asked.
He couldn't remember her name after all this time.
"I'm Olvia, an archaeologist from Ohara,"
she introduced herself.
"Ohara… and why was the World Government's special forces chasing you?"
"Because… because we were studying the forbidden history—those one hundred years erased from history by the World Government."
She hesitated at first, but considering Charlotte's identity, she decided to be honest.
"The Void Century?"
Charlotte feigned ignorance.
"Yes. That missing century. My husband and I were trying to uncover the truth. Once the Government found out, they began hunting us down. My husband… he was killed by them…"
At the mention of her husband's death, tears streamed down Olvia's face.
Seeing her weep so sorrowfully, Charlotte didn't know what to say.
They were perhaps reckless—but also brave. Even in the face of death, they had pursued truth. It was a spirit Charlotte deeply respected.
"Enough. I've kept your husband's body preserved. You can see him whenever you want. We're heading to Ohara soon. If that's your destination, I'll take you there."
"Thank you, Mr. Charlotte."
She wiped her tears and thanked him sincerely.
"You know who I am?"
That surprised Charlotte. She didn't seem frightened at all—even though he was a notorious pirate.
"I've heard of you,"
Olvia said with a calm expression.
Maybe she was still consumed by grief, Charlotte thought. Most people would've been terrified.
After asking a few more questions, Charlotte left.
—
Later, Olvia got out of bed, supporting her heavy belly. She made her way to Nechin.
"May I ask… where is my husband's body?"
Nechin glanced up at her, then pointed to a room.
"He's there. But let me warn you—you're less than a month from giving birth. Don't get too emotional."
"Thank you."
Olvia walked to the room Nechin pointed to.
Inside, she found a simple, hastily built coffin in the center of the room.
She rushed over and looked inside.
There he was—his face pale, cold, lifeless.
Her heart shattered.
She dropped to her knees and sobbed uncontrollably.
Nechin heard the crying from the next room. She sighed and stood, walking over.
"The captain specifically ordered me to look after this woman. I can't let her have a miscarriage right under my nose."
She arrived at the doorway and saw Olvia collapsed over the coffin, sobbing.
Nechin rushed forward.
"Ma'am, please don't cry like this—it'll affect the baby!"
She reached out to help her up—
"Ah!"
Olvia let out a cry of pain and dropped to the floor, her skirt already staining with blood.
Nechin's pupils shrank.
"No good!"
She immediately scooped Olvia up and rushed her to the delivery room.
Luckily, the Rockefeller Pirates had been well prepared.
They even had a delivery room on board.
Charlotte hurried to the infirmary again.
Hearing the screams from inside, he immediately recognized them.
Childbirth.
The commotion also attracted the others.
Illyana, Toki, and the others came over.
They'd heard that a pregnant woman had been brought aboard—rescued by Robert.
To be continued…
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