Pudding trembled as she slowly approached Lloyd and Olvia, her unease obvious with every step she took.
Lloyd looked at her, a faint frown forming as he tried to understand the reason behind her fear. He said nothing, simply observing.
Olvia, however, examined the girl carefully before speaking.
"Saint Lloyd, who is this child?"
Lloyd replied without hesitation.
"Her name is Charlotte Pudding. I brought her back from Cake Island."
Olvia's expression shifted slightly.
"Charlotte… then she must be one of Yonko Big Mom's children. I heard from Robin that you wiped out the Charlotte Family."
Lloyd shook his head, his tone indifferent.
"Wiped out is exaggerated. I left quite a few alive."
As he spoke, he raised his hand and brushed aside the hair covering Pudding's forehead, revealing the eye hidden beneath.
Pudding's body stiffened immediately. Her instinct told her to retreat, but fear kept her rooted in place.
Olvia's eyes widened the moment she saw it.
"A third eye… she is from the Three-Eyed Tribe?"
Pudding bit her lip, her voice soft and uneasy.
"Saint Lloyd, could you please let my hair down? I am not used to showing this eye in front of others."
Lloyd glanced at her, his expression unchanged.
"What is there to be uncomfortable about? I already said at the wedding banquet that this eye is beautiful. It is your unique trait. Hiding it would be a waste."
Even so, he lowered his hand.
Pudding let out a quiet breath of relief. His earlier words lingered in her mind, causing a faint blush to spread across her face.
Olvia regained her composure and spoke again, her tone thoughtful.
"I did not expect the Three-Eyed Tribe to still exist. They should have already…"
Her voice trailed off as she glanced at Lloyd, choosing not to finish her sentence.
Lloyd understood her meaning. The near extinction of the Three-Eyed Tribe was no accident. It was the doing of the Celestial Dragons. A race capable of reading poneglyphs could never be allowed to thrive.
His expression did not change.
"She has not awakened her ability yet."
Olvia nodded.
"That is likely due to her bloodline not being pure."
"That is why I brought her here. Do you have a method to awaken it?"
Olvia fell into thought for a moment before responding.
"I recall reading in an ancient text that the Three-Eyed Tribe once intermarried with outsiders. Their descendants had difficulty awakening their abilities, but there was a solution recorded. However…"
Lloyd raised an eyebrow slightly.
"However what?"
Olvia looked slightly embarrassed.
"Too much time has passed. I cannot remember the rest."
Lloyd did not react strongly.
"I see. The book you read should still be here."
"Yes. All the books from the Tree of Omniscience are preserved. Give me some time and I will find it."
"Good. Pudding will stay here and assist you for now. Inform me once you find a solution."
Olvia nodded.
"I will have Robin notify you."
Lloyd's gaze sharpened slightly.
"That will not be necessary. You will inform me yourself. From today onward, you are allowed to leave the library. However, your movements are restricted to within the clan territory."
Olvia froze, her eyes widening in disbelief.
"Saint Lloyd… are you serious?"
"I have no time for pointless jokes. If you step outside and get caught by certain individuals, do not expect me to intervene."
Olvia quickly composed herself. She stepped forward and bowed deeply.
Her clothes tightened against her form due to the movement, but Lloyd did not spare it a glance.
When she straightened, her eyes were firm.
"Thank you. I will not run. I only wish to spend more time with Robin."
Lloyd waved his hand dismissively.
"There is no need to thank me yet. I still have use for you."
As he spoke, black mist surged from his hand, gathering before dispersing to reveal a massive stone tablet etched with red runes.
Olvia's reaction was immediate.
"A poneglyph."
She stepped closer, her fingers gently brushing against the cold surface. Her expression became complicated.
This was what she had once pursued at the cost of abandoning her daughter. Now, it stood before her once again, and not just any poneglyph, but a Road Poneglyph.
Lloyd's voice came from beside her.
"You can decipher it, correct?"
Olvia smiled faintly.
"Of course. The text here is not difficult. It is merely a guide."
She then turned toward Pudding.
"Pudding, go and arrange the bedroom over there."
Pudding nodded quickly and left without hesitation.
Once she was gone, Olvia spoke again, her tone more serious.
"Saint Lloyd, why do you want that child to awaken her ability? I can already read poneglyphs. Her mother died by your hand. Even if she awakens, she will not truly serve you."
Lloyd looked at her with a faint, dangerous smile.
"And you are loyal to me?"
Olvia sighed softly.
"Ohara was my responsibility. As you said, the world does not need truth. Unchecked freedom only leads to chaos. What the world needs is order. My actions before were simply opposing that order."
Lloyd studied her carefully.
"So you have accepted it."
"Yes."
For a moment, silence filled the space between them as they stared at each other.
Then Lloyd spoke.
"Write down what is recorded on it."
Olvia's lips curved slightly.
"As you command, Saint Lloyd."
She opened her hand, and a book materialized within it. She handed it over.
Lloyd took it and flipped it open. Only the first page contained writing. The rest were blank.
Olvia explained calmly.
"The first page contains the contents of the poneglyph. If this book is ever lost, I can erase it instantly. There will be no risk of information leaking."
Lloyd nodded, clearly satisfied.
"Efficient. You are more useful than expected."
He paused briefly before adding,
"Pudding's situation still needs to be resolved. There are plans for her ability."