Translator: PapaSmurf0700
As Bai Ye divulged information from an ancient diary he discovered among the wreckage of a ship after emerging from the rainbow mist, Robin listened intently, her thoughts wandering. She observed Bai Ye with a soft focus, slightly mesmerized. Despite joining the Straw Hats only after their adventures in Alabasta, Robin had quickly discerned that Bai Ye, although a youth 11 years younger then her, stood as perhaps the most dependable and composed member of their motley crew.
Among the Straw Hats, Luffy, Nami, and Usopp often seemed without direction; Zoro was consumed by his battles, and Sanji easily distracted by his affections. Bai Ye, however, at just 17, conducted himself with the poise of a seasoned leader, always looking out for the group. This maturity seemed to bear the weight of an invisible burden, a sense of urgency that perhaps subdued his true spirit.
At this moment, as Bai Ye looked towards the heavens, his gaze alight with wonder and the thrill of potential discovery, Robin caught a glimpse of his seldom-seen youthful curiosity—an aspect of his persona that intrigued her.
With a gentle smile, Robin's tone warmed, "Then, let me help too—to find where Fairy Vearth might be." Her offer, seemingly straightforward, carried a hint of playful intrigue, as though she perceived more in Bai Ye's quest than just academic interest.
Bai Ye, noticing Robin's peculiarly keen interest, felt a stir of confusion. Had she interpreted more into his ambitions? His intention had merely been to steer the conversation towards future plans post-Enel, yet Robin's reaction suggested she might be weaving a far richer narrative in her mind.
Despite the misunderstanding, Bai Ye chose not to clarify further, satisfied that his primary goal had been met. There was something amusing, perhaps even fitting, about Robin crafting her own layers of story around their quest. After all, isn't every adventure better with a touch of mystery?
As Bai Ye continued to delve into the mysteries surrounding Fairy Vearth, he asserted, "From the accounts we've read, it's clear that Fairy Vearth isn't located in the blue sea."
"Surely, it couldn't be nestled within the Red Line—it's far too vast and isolated."
Robin nodded thoughtfully, piecing together the clues. "Could it possibly be part of Sky Island then?" she pondered aloud. "After all, Conis mentioned that Angel Island isn't the only land here above the clouds."
She floated a bold idea, typical of her role as an archaeologist, "Could the god and his followers want to descended to the blue sea to forge a great kingdom?"
Bai Ye, however, wasn't convinced. "That seems unlikely," he countered, explaining, "While it's an intriguing theory, another phrase from that diary stands out—that this land is 'not of our world.' It suggests that even if the inhabitants of Sky Island weren't aware of the blue sea initially, once they discovered it, they would still view both realms as parts of a single world."
Robin paused, absorbing Bai Ye's logic, which did stretch the imagination somewhat.
Bai Ye, seeing her hesitation, added another layer to his theory, "And another thing—don't you find the Sky Islanders a bit unusual?"
Robin looked puzzled, prompting Bai Ye to elaborate with a gesture towards his head, "The antennas and the wings—they're odd, aren't they? The wings don't enable them to fly, and the antennas don't seem to serve any practical purpose."
This observation struck a chord with Robin. She too had noticed the distinctive features of the Sky Islanders like Conis but had initially dismissed them as mere adaptations to their aerial environment.
"Now that you mention it," Robin mused, turning the idea over in her mind, "these traits might be more significant than just adaptations."
Their conversation deepened, weaving together the many threads of mystery that Sky Island presented, each theory building on the last, as they searched for a truth that felt just out of reach.
As they delved into the mysteries of Sky Island and its inhabitants, Bai Ye shared his observations with Robin. "The fauna here in Sky Island are akin to those in the blue sea, adapting to their aerial surroundings by becoming lighter," he explained thoughtfully. "But the wings of the Sky Islanders don't seem well-suited for flight, suggesting they aren't a natural adaptation."
"Therefore, we're left with two possibilities," Bai Ye continued, stretching his arms as if reaching for the truth. "First, perhaps the Sky Islanders can manifest whatever traits they wish."
As Bai Ye prepared to reveal his second theory, Robin interjected, piecing together the clues herself: "They came from Fairy Vearth, didn't they?"
Her insight clicked into place, linking the ancient texts she had studied. "This would explain why mentions of Fairy Vearth appear alongside records of Sky Island," she noted.
Bai Ye nodded in agreement, pleased with her deduction. "Exactly, and that's the only explanation that truly makes sense. It suggests a place even higher than Sky Island exists."
He gazed upward, contemplating the skies. "Perhaps they had to leave their homeland for some reason. Maybe they used their wings to descend here, or perhaps other means brought them to our world."
"Some might have settled on Sky Island, becoming the residents we know today, while others might have descended to the blue sea. During the blank period of a hundred years, they could have established a significant kingdom only to eventually fall."
Robin, intrigued yet skeptical, shared her thoughts: "That's quite a bold conjecture. It's a shame we can't verify this by visiting Fairy Vearth directly." Her passion for uncovering the mysteries of the past was evident, and the prospect of unexplored history was tantalizing yet frustratingly out of reach.
She reasoned further, "If there was a way back to Fairy Vearth, why establish a kingdom in the blue sea? And why not return after their downfall?"
Considering the limitations of Angel Island and other known Sky Islands, which lacked the technology to construct flying ships, Robin felt certain limitations to their theories.
However, Bai Ye smiled confidently, undeterred by the apparent dead ends. "Not necessarily," he countered optimistically. "I have a feeling that within the Golden City, we might just find clues leading to Fairy Vearth."