Chapter 113: So This is Fairy Vearth?

The next day, near the Ark Maxim's mooring on Sky Island, residents bustled about, diligently loading supplies for the upcoming voyage. Doflamingo had no idea how long the journey to the endless Vearth would actually take, so he'd ordered them to pack as many provisions as possible, preparing for any contingency.

Doflamingo stood silently below the great ship, observing the flurry of activity. Robin and Ibes stood quietly beside him, keeping him company. As for Enel, he had arrived bright and early, practically vibrating with impatience. After all, the prospect of finally witnessing Fairy Vearth made him more eager than anyone.

"Hey! You lot, pick up the pace!" Enel barked at the busy workers.

"Yes, Lord Enel! We'll be finished right away!" the workers responded respectfully, daring not show any hint of displeasure.

"Enel, relax," Doflamingo advised calmly, noticing his subordinate's impatience. "I know you're eager, but even if we departed this very second, it would likely take several months to reach Fairy Vearth."

"Yahahaha! Doffy, it's just that I yearn for Fairy Vearth so much!" Enel explained with a laugh. "The sooner we leave, the sooner we arrive!"

"Onii-chan, Ibes-neechan," Robin piped up curiously, "do you know what kind of place this Fairy Vearth is?" She knew very little about it.

"Hmm," Ibes replied, gently patting Robin's head. "Fairy Vearth should be the ancestral homeland of us Skypieans, I believe? Though, honestly, I'm not entirely sure myself."

"We'll know when we see it, won't we?" Doflamingo interjected smoothly. "All mysteries will eventually be unveiled by us. Don't you think the process of discovery itself is the most wonderful part?"

"Yes! Doffy's right!" Enel agreed enthusiastically. "Fairy Vearth will ultimately be witnessed by us!"

"Heehee, hearing you say that, I can't wait either!" Robin giggled, covering her mouth.

"Then let's witness it together!" Doflamingo declared.

He had put considerable thought into this expedition to Fairy Vearth, making extensive preparations. Just last night, he'd specifically contacted Diamante via Den Den Mushi, updating him on the situation and giving him strict orders: keep Rosinante placated and ensure he didn't leave the Family base. Doflamingo worried that if he was gone for too long, Rosinante, the spy in their midst, might lose patience, attempt something drastic, or worse, simply vanish back to the Marines. While he wasn't concerned about the Marines wiping out his Family, Rosinante's premature departure would utterly derail his own carefully laid plans.

Back at the Family base, nearly two months had passed since Rosinante had last seen his 'dear' brother. Anxiety had begun gnawing at him a month prior. His clandestine calls to Sengoku yielded frustrating news: the Marines had completely lost track of Doflamingo's movements. How was that possible? The revelation surprised Rosinante, deepening the mystery surrounding his brother and fueling his curiosity. He resolved then to wait, determined to uncover Doflamingo's secrets, no matter how long it took. But as the second month drew to a close with still no sign of Doflamingo or his companions – as if they had vanished into thin air – Rosinante's patience wore thin.

He was just about to contact Sengoku again, pressing for any scrap of information on Doflamingo's whereabouts, when Diamante brought him a message. It stated that Doflamingo was traveling to a certain place and would be gone for a significant amount of time. The Family was to focus on stable development in his absence. Diamante also relayed Doflamingo's personal instruction for Rosinante: his younger brother shouldn't worry and should simply continue living well within the Family.

Something's fishy! was Rosinante's immediate reaction. Doflamingo definitely has some ulterior, hidden secret! He felt an urgent, burning need to know where his brother had gone, coupled with bitter frustration. His 'good' brother clearly had no intention of including him. A sense of distrust, a crisis of faith in their supposed bond, washed over him. The urge to abandon the mission and return to the Marines was strong. But doing so would mean failure, wasting this incredibly valuable infiltration opportunity. Steeling himself for the sake of his deeply held beliefs, for justice, Rosinante decided to persevere. He would wait for Doflamingo's return and see his mission through to the end.

Diamante, having delivered the Young Master's orders, paid little mind to Rosinante's internal turmoil. His duty was simply to convey the message. However, ever vigilant for the sake of the Family's prosperity, he made a mental note to keep a subtle watch on Rosinante's activities.

Back on Angel Island, the loading of supplies was finally complete. Doflamingo boarded the Ark Maxim with his chosen companions.

"Godspeed, Lord!" "May your journey be fruitful, God!"

The residents of Angel Island offered sincere farewells and blessings as the great ship prepared for departure.

"Men, set sail!" Doflamingo commanded.

The Ark Maxim activated, lifting off majestically and ascending towards the infinite void above, charting a course for Fairy Vearth.

The Skypieans on the ground watched, their eyes fixed on the Ark as it soared higher and higher, shrinking into the distance until it finally vanished from sight. Only then did the crowd begin to disperse.

Aboard the Ark Maxim, Doflamingo sat upon his throne, channeling increased power from his hands into the ship's systems, ensuring the Ark could sustain its charge over long periods rather than requiring his constant input.

"Onii-chan," Robin murmured, standing by the railing and gazing down at the inky blackness far below them, "it looks like we're leaving the place we've always lived." A strange, unsettling feeling, a touch of fear of the unknown, prickled her heart.

"That's right, Robin," Doflamingo explained calmly. "Fairy Vearth is on the moon. On this journey, we're going to land on the moon itself and seek out the history of our Skypiean ancestors."

"So... Fairy Vearth... truly so mysterious and beautiful!" Enel breathed, hearing Doflamingo's confirmation. His eyes shone with fervent anticipation as he stared upwards towards their destination.

"It's still a long way off," Doflamingo tempered their excitement gently. "Let's rest for now. We haven't even truly left the vicinity of our world yet." He reminded them to be cautious. Space was a vast, profound, and mysterious expanse; who knew what dangers they might encounter? They needed to be fully prepared to face any crisis.

An indeterminate amount of time passed in the silent void. Doflamingo diligently performed a massive recharge of the Ark Maxim every three days, ensuring their continued voyage.

Then, one day, Robin was out on the deck. Gazing upwards, she saw it – a colossal, circular disc hanging suspended in the blackness above them, radiating a soft, white glow. It was captivating, and unmistakably closer.

"Onii-chan! Come look! Quick!" Robin shouted excitedly. "I think we're almost at Fairy Vearth!"

At the mention of "Fairy Vearth," someone reacted even faster than Doflamingo. Enel zipped past them, speeding towards the railing. Doflamingo followed, bringing Ibes and the others out to witness the sight.

"Fairy Vearth! I'm finally going to reach Fairy Vearth!" Enel exclaimed, his voice filled with awe and years of pent-up yearning as he stared at the giant, luminous sphere dominating their view.

"So, we're finally about to arrive!" Doflamingo murmured, gazing at the Moon, now seemingly within arm's reach.

"Full speed ahead!" he commanded. "Let's go check it out!"

Soon after, the Ark Maxim gently touched down, landing softly upon the surface of Fairy Vearth.

The instant they landed, Enel couldn't contain himself. He shot out of the Ark, landing eagerly on the vast, seemingly endless expanse.

Doflamingo followed, stepping out with Robin and the others. He immediately noticed the change in Enel's expression. The fervent excitement that had practically radiated from him moments ago had vanished. Although Doflamingo had previously described Fairy Vearth to him, hearing about something and seeing it with one's own eyes were entirely different experiences. Enel wouldn't have truly believed, wouldn't have given up his dream, without witnessing it himself. Now, standing on the surface of the Moon, Enel looked utterly dumbfounded. The reality starkly contrasted with his lifelong expectations.

The landscape stretched out before them, desolate and bleak. Countless meteorite craters scarred the surface. The barren ground showed no trace of life whatsoever. As far as the eye could see, there was no vegetation, no water – only dust and rock. It was indeed an "Endless Land," living up to its name in the most literal, barren sense.

Robin looked around, her initial curiosity quickly turning into shock. "This is Fairy Vearth?" she asked, a note of disappointment in her voice. "It's so... desolate!"

"Yes," Doflamingo sighed, surveying the bleak panorama with a degree of melancholy himself. "This is Fairy Vearth. The place where the ancestors of the Skypieans once lived."

"So, we Skypieans have returned to our homeland once more," Ibes added softly, her voice filled with a wistful nostalgia.

Doflamingo turned to Enel, who was still standing motionless, seemingly lost. "Enel," he said gently, "don't be too disappointed yet. Let's look around first before we jump to conclusions."

Enel finally stirred, shaking off his stupor slightly. "Right..." he agreed, though his voice lacked its usual energy. "Let's start searching then."