Lloyd's warship had been specially customized by Marine Headquarters after they took his input. Besides his own quarters, both Lucia and Ginny had private rooms outfitted with complete facilities.
Ginny was not aboard this time, so after nightfall Olvia was assigned to Ginny's room. Since Lloyd had invited her to assist, it made sense that she would receive special treatment.
Ginny's room was decorated in soft pink tones with a very feminine style. After a long, tense day, Olvia finally felt her shoulders loosen a little. She was truly worn out from Lloyd's intimidating presence earlier; as soon as she allowed herself to relax, fatigue washed over her. Shaking her head, she made her way to the bathroom to take a hot bath.
About an hour later Olvia stepped out of the bathroom wrapped in a clean white bathrobe. After drying her hair, she flopped onto the bed and let out a long, exhausted sigh. She rolled onto her back and stared up at the ceiling, thoughts drifting in a fog of weariness.
Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Olvia startled upright like a bird disturbed mid-flight. In her haste, she could not remember where she had tossed her bathrobe and began frantically searching for it, calling out,
"Who is it Please hold on a moment."
A calm cool voice came from the other side,
"It is Lucia You do not need to open the door I just wanted to tell you that at this ship's speed we will reach our destination tomorrow morning."
Relief washed over Olvia at the sound of Lucia's voice.
"I understand I will wake early tomorrow and not delay what needs to be done," she replied.
"All right then I will leave everything in your hands."
Though Lucia had said there was no need to open the door, Olvia dressed properly out of politeness and opened it. Lucia was no longer there.
The night sea breeze was harsher than during the day. Olvia, fresh from her bath, felt a chill and shivered involuntarily.
She closed the door, returned to the bed, and lay down once more. Letting out a bitter half-laugh she muttered to herself,
"What an exhausting day."
Meanwhile Lucia did not go back to her own room. Without Ginny aboard, that room was meaningless to her. She strode instead to Lloyd's quarters. Lloyd was in the shower at that moment. Without hesitation, Lucia removed her clothes and stepped into the bathroom.
Soon a soft melodious sound drifted from the bathroom and echoed through the room.
The next morning came earlier than usual for Olvia. As a scholar she had always been disciplined and punctual. Yet when she reached the deck she found that Lloyd was already waiting for her.
There was no real surprise about this. Lloyd's energy reserve was boundless. The previous night he and Lucia had stayed up very late. Lucia was still in bed, clearly struggling to recover.
Lloyd, on the other hand, needed only a brief rest to feel fully refreshed. He had awakened early, eager to reach the slumbering island where the Vampire Fruit was said to be stored.
Lloyd smiled as he saw Olvia approach.
"Dr Olvia We have arrived at our destination Next I will need your assistance again."
Olvia bowed slightly and said,
"It would be my honor."
Before she even finished speaking, she suddenly felt her body lifted into the air. Moments later, dizzy from the swift motion, Olvia found herself already on the slumbering island with Lloyd.
Lloyd folded his wings back and helped Olvia steady herself. He then surveyed the eerie surroundings.
Though called a town, it was nothing more than a deserted ruin. The entire area was perpetually blanketed in a heavy miasma that induced drowsiness. Over time the original inhabitants had concluded it was unsuitable for life and moved away.
Now this island was lifeless.
Amid the thick mist the landscape seemed even more forbidding.
Lloyd set off in one direction following the memory Blue Star had shared. Olvia hurried to keep up, staying close behind him so she would not lose her way.
Even though she was strong in her own right, Olvia was still a normal woman. This strange, hostile environment pressed on her nerves and stirred a mild fear deep in her chest.
Still, having an Admiral of the Marine forces before her steadied her heart.
Lloyd glanced back and abruptly stopped. Olvia, her eyes on the misty ground around them, walked straight into his back with a heavy thud.
She felt as if she had collided with solid iron. Covering her forehead she emitted a muffled groan.
Lloyd noticed, smiled faintly, and pointed ahead. Olvia focused her eyes only to see nothing but a wall of dense fog.
The disparity between her vision and Lloyd's was vast. Aware of this, Lloyd looped his arm around Olvia's slender waist. In an instant they passed through the thick cloud and emerged before a massive stone tablet.
This time the distance traversed had been short, and Olvia quickly adjusted. She gazed up at the tablet before her. It was covered with an intricate array of strange symbols.
These symbols were ancient script. Without being told, Olvia's scholarly instincts surged forward and she immersed herself in deciphering the text.
Her expertise in ancient language was formidable. Before long she stepped back from the tablet.
Lloyd watched her and asked,
"How is it Can you make out what is written."
Olvia offered a confident smile and nodded.
"It tells of a Devil Fruit The general meaning is that it is a fruit that seals away an evil power The one who ate it turned into a creature that fed on the blood of humans harming the world."
She paused to ponder then continued,
"Judging by the description and the shape shifting ability I deduce it is most likely a Zoan-type Devil Fruit The people who once lived here must have been isolated so long they did not understand Devil Fruits and naturally viewed those with powers as monsters."
Lloyd listened quietly and thought about how his daughter Robin might be facing a similar misunderstanding.
He regarded Olvia for a moment and then spoke seriously,
"In that case this is the place Let me add something The name of this Devil Fruit is the Vampire Fruit and it is a very rare Mythical Zoan type."
Olvia's eyes widened with surprise.
"A Mythical Zoan type No wonder the Navy dispatched an Admiral."
She seemed to assume Lloyd's mission had been ordered by Marine Headquarters. Lloyd did not correct her. He simply smiled and said,
"I presume it also records how to open the ruins I will need your help once more."
Olvia nodded, placed a hand over her heart, and said,
"You can count on me."