Chapter 111: The Ark Maxim and the Ancient Script

A brilliant sun hung high in the sky, its light bathing the cloud-borne Sky Island, draping it in a veil of golden gauze, breathtakingly beautiful.

"Lord God, the Ark Maxim is just ahead," Gan Fall reported respectfully to Doflamingo, leading him and the others towards the great ship's docking place.

Soon, under Gan Fall's guidance, they reached their destination. Doflamingo's eyes immediately fell upon the colossal ark before them. It looked much like the one etched in his memory, perhaps differing only in the absence of the arrogant title 'God' emblazoned somewhere.

"Very good," Doflamingo murmured, tilting his head back to admire his future flagship, a look of deep satisfaction spreading across his face.

"Serving you is our honor, Lord God." Hearing Doflamingo's praise, Gan Fall and the others felt a surge of pride. After all, this monumental project was the fruit of their tireless labor; the Ark Maxim felt almost like their own child.

"So this is the Ark Maxim? It's truly enormous!" Robin, still small for her age, craned her neck back, uttering a sigh of admiration.

"My Lord, would you like to conduct a test flight now?" Gan Fall inquired tentatively.

"We can," Doflamingo agreed. He wanted to ascertain the Ark Maxim's actual capabilities, to test its quality firsthand. If they had built something substandard, it would be disastrous if it failed when he truly needed it.

"Let's go aboard," Doflamingo instructed, leading the group onto the Ark Maxim.

Stepping onto the vast, open deck, everyone silently marveled at its sheer size.

Doflamingo immediately spotted the ornate throne. In an instant, he flashed across the deck and settled onto the seat. Surveying his surroundings from the throne, he couldn't help but appreciate the sheer luxury. All that gold had certainly been put to good use.

"Discharge," Doflamingo commanded softly.

Electricity crackled, surging from his hands into the Ark's systems. Instantly, the ship's propulsion began to work. A slight tremor ran through the hull, quickly intensifying. The propellers spun rapidly, lifting the massive vessel towards the heavens.

The crew remained unfazed by the ascent. Though there was some initial turbulence during startup, they adapted quickly.

The Ark Maxim soared higher into the sky, piercing through layer after layer of clouds, until it reached the altitude where the Giant Jack beanstalk culminated, near the resting place of the legendary Golden Bell.

"What a beautiful view!" Robin exclaimed, leaning against the ship's railing, drinking in the stunning panorama of Sky Island spread out below.

Just then, the enormous Golden Bell captured her attention.

"Lord Envoy Gan Fall," Robin called out, "is that the Golden Bell you mentioned?"

"Yes, that is the Light of Shandora," Gan Fall confirmed.

"It's magnificent! And... what's that?" Robin's eyes narrowed, focusing on the area beneath the belfry. There rested an ancient stone monument, its surface covered in profound, difficult-to-read characters – the forbidden Ancient Script, outlawed by the World Government.

A wave of shock washed over Robin. She never imagined she would find the Ancient Script here. When she had questioned Gan Fall and the Chief yesterday, neither had mentioned anything about this stele.

Taking a deep breath to calm her racing heart, Robin turned to Doflamingo. "Onii-chan, can we go down and take a look?"

Doflamingo had observed her reaction closely. Her desire to investigate the Poneglyph was exactly the outcome he'd been hoping for.

"Then I'll accompany you," he replied, his tone carefully gentle and accommodating.

"Oh, that would be wonderful!" Robin beamed, her earlier shock replaced with pure delight.

Doflamingo scooped Robin into his arms and leaped from the Ark, flying down towards the Golden Bell.

Moments later, they landed softly in front of the ancient stone monument.

Robin quickly wriggled free from Doflamingo's hold and rushed to stand directly before the stele. Doflamingo watched her silently, making no move to disturb her.

Her eyes devoured the Ancient Script, meticulously scanning every character, afraid she might miss a single detail.

After a long, absorbed silence, Robin finally pulled herself away from her intense focus and looked back at Doflamingo.

"Well now," Doflamingo teased lightly, "has my little archaeologist finished her serious work? Finally remembered I was here?"

"Onii-chan, you're wrong! I'm not a little archaeologist!" Robin pouted playfully, planting her hands on her hips. "I'm a great archaeologist!"

"Fuffuffuffuffu! Yes, yes, of course. You're a great archaeologist," Doflamingo chuckled, nodding agreeably.

"Onii-chan," Robin suddenly declared, "I've discovered you're quite narcissistic!" His laughter abruptly ceased. "How so?" he asked, genuinely curious.

Robin pointed towards the base of the bell where inscriptions were visible. "Look! Besides you and the Pirate King Roger, who else would carve their name onto something like this? Onii-chan, if that's not narcissistic, I don't know what is!"

Doflamingo coughed, a flicker of embarrassment crossing his features. "Ahem, wasn't that just youthful recklessness? Think of it as leaving a mark, a testament! How can you call that narcissism?"

"Oh, is that so?" Robin replied, her eyes glinting mischievously.

"Exactly!" Doflamingo insisted, nodding with exaggerated seriousness.

Changing the subject, Robin asked, her voice laced with a hint of apprehension, "Onii-chan, aren't you curious about what's written here?"

"The Ancient Script? History of the past?" Doflamingo deliberately raised his voice slightly, emphasizing the words he knew resonated deeply within Robin.

She watched him anxiously, hoping, perhaps, for a flicker of shared interest, for the answer she wanted to hear.

"I don't care about these things," Doflamingo stated, his tone lazy yet dismissive. "History is history. Whatever happened in the past won't affect us now. We are free; we can't let the so-called past dictate our steps. Whatever the truth of the 'Void Century' the World Government hides, it means nothing to me. Because history, ultimately, is created by us. And I intend to create my own history!"

"But..." Robin began, a wave of disappointment washing over her, her voice tinged with melancholy. Unlike Doflamingo, she could never abandon this history. It held the echoes of her mother, the lives of the innocent scholars of Ohara. It was the driving force behind her entire life, perhaps the very reason she continued to live.

Doflamingo couldn't possibly have missed the despondency in her voice. His large hand came to rest gently on her head once more. "While I may not be interested," he said softly, his voice radiating warmth, "I would never stop our great archaeologist from investigating! Robin, remember this: whatever you want to do, I will support you. We are the closest family, aren't we? And naturally, I will help you achieve your family's dearest wishes."

Tears welled in Robin's eyes. "Onii-chan... I'm so glad I met you!" she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

"Robin," Doflamingo continued his gentle offensive, skillfully eroding her emotional defenses, "if you want to tell me about it, then tell me. If not, then guard your own secrets. Everyone has secrets, after all. But if you ever feel tired, if you don't want to carry these burdens alone anymore, let me help you bear them. No matter what terrifying things are hidden in the past, as long as I'm here, I will never let you be swallowed by them."

"Sob... Thank you... Onii-chan," Robin choked out, burying her face in his chest, clinging to him.

Doflamingo held her close, his expression turning serious. "Do what you want to do, Robin. No matter how unacceptable this history is to the World Government, with me here, they absolutely cannot harm you."

"Mm," Robin murmured weakly from the safety of his embrace, her fighting spirit slowly rekindling.

As Doflamingo held Robin, comforting her, a dangerous, unseen smile curled his lips.