The Grand Line's First Stop – Whisky Peak.
After a series of twists and turns…the main quest involving Alabasta was finally triggered.
"Well then, let's start with your names and identities," Sullivan asked knowingly.
He was already fully aware of Vivi and Igaram's identities. But since Erza and the others didn't know, it was worth asking.
"My name is Igaram, a numbered agent of Baroque Works, codename Mr. 8."
"I'm Vivi, codename Miss Wednesday, also a member of Baroque Works."
The two introduced themselves in turn.
"Baroque Works? Is that some kind of organization?" Mirajane asked.
"Yes," Igaram nodded. "Baroque Works is a criminal organization operating in the Grand Line. Its members are... The ultimate goal of the company is to create a utopia. Everyone works so hard because…"
In order to protect Princess Vivi's life, Igaram didn't hold anything back and disclosed everything about Baroque Works.
"Wait a moment—didn't you just say you don't even know who you're working for? You're all in the same organization, yet you don't even know the boss? Are you messing with us?"
Nami narrowed her eyes, pressing the question.
"It's true! Baroque Works operates with strict secrecy. Only one person in the whole organization knows the boss's identity!"
Vivi quickly explained.
"Who?"
Erza raised an eyebrow.
"Miss All Sunday. She's his partner."
Vivi answered.
"Miss All Sunday? Well, that's not really important. What is important is—you attacked us. Now that you've failed, shouldn't you pay a price? So… where's your treasure stash?"
Nami's eyes turned into money symbols.
But that excitement quickly faded.
Nami's cheerful expression dropped, this bounty hunter base was practically broke.
All the money they scraped from pirates had already been handed over to their superiors. They hadn't had any real success in a while, and Sullivan's group had been their first target in ages.
"Miss Vivi," Mirajane walked over and gently held Vivi's hand.
"I can feel it… you seem like a kind person. Why would you join a criminal group like this?"
The princess bit her lip and shook her head, saying nothing.
"You're still trying to hide it? Aside from being members of Baroque Works, aren't you also Princess Vivi of Alabasta and the captain of her royal guards, Igaram?"
Sullivan spoke calmly.
Vivi and Igaram looked up in shock, eyes wide with disbelief as they stared at Sullivan.
They had just met him.
They hadn't said anything at all.
And yet… he'd accurately exposed their true identities.
"What?! She's a princess from Alabasta?"
"A princess?! Why would someone of royal blood join a criminal syndicate?!"
Erza was even more confused now.
"No, she isn't—"
Igaram began to stammer in panic.
"It's fine, Igaram."
Vivi smiled and shook her head.
"Yes… I am the princess of Alabasta. And the reason I joined Baroque Works was entirely because of…"
Now that Sullivan had seen through everything, there was no point in hiding it any longer.
She revealed Alabasta's current political crisis, and how she had joined Baroque Works to uncover the truth behind the civil unrest.
"To protect her country, she lowered her status and infiltrated a criminal organization to investigate the truth behind the turmoil… What an amazing princess."
Mirajane was visibly moved.
"In that case, why didn't you just tell us everything from the start?" Erza asked.
"Erza… it's because our guild leader has an 80-million bounty on his head. Kidnapping princesses to demand ransom from kingdoms happens a lot in these seas."
Nami revealed the reason.
"I see!"
Erza nodded in understanding.
Because Sullivan was a wanted criminal, Vivi and Igaram had naturally assumed they were pirates.
If they had known Fairy Tail's true nature as a guild, their choices might have been different.
But still…
Erza glanced at Sullivan.
She knew this entire situation was probably under his control all along.
Or rather… it might've been his goal from the very beginning.
As if confirming her thoughts. "Well then, now that we've cleared the air, let's get down to business."
Sullivan looked at Princess Vivi.
"There are now two paths in front of you."
"I'll choose the one where Princess Vivi safely returns to Alabasta! I don't care what happens to me!"
Igaram quickly raised his hand to answer.
"Maybe hear the full options first," Mirajane reminded gently.
"Option one: We go our separate ways and pretend we never met. Although you plotted against us, you did at least treat us to a meal, let's call it even."
Sullivan said.
"What a good guy!"
Vivi and Igaram thought at the same time.
"Then… what's option two?"
Igaram asked hesitantly.
He really wanted to accept option one on the spot, but curiosity got the better of him.
Sullivan didn't answer. Instead, he glanced at Mirajane.
She nodded, pulled out a pen and paper from her small bag, and placed it in front of Vivi.
Igaram immediately looked like he wanted to cry. He practically slapped himself in the face.
Why did I ask?!
Now look what happened!
It was clear the other side wanted them to write to the king and prepare a ransom payment.
"Miss Vivi, please write down your request here," Mirajane said.
"I understand… huh?"
Vivi and Igaram were both stunned.
"Don't get it? It's a commission form, a request for the services of Fairy Tail!"
Nami explained.
Vivi and Igaram still didn't move.
"Vivi, don't you want to uncover and stop the root cause of Alabasta's crisis? That's something we can handle for you. Of course, if you want to deal with it yourselves, we'll respect that and won't interfere further."
Erza added.
"Why… who are you people really…?"
Vivi murmured unconsciously.
"We are Fairy Tail."
Sullivan smiled softly.
...
Note: Listening to Fairy Tail Main Theme on loop while working on this. Man, this shit is glorious!