No sooner had Mousse entertained that thought than he realized his mistake.
In the long run, Portugal's national strength was indeed far inferior to Spain's. But Spain before Columbus discovered the New World might not necessarily have been much stronger than Portugal, which had already opened up the route to India.
No matter what, the Pudding Kingdom was by no means weak compared to the Dressrosa Kingdom.
Yet judging solely by the enthusiasm young King Elizabello II showed when he personally came to the docks to welcome King Riku, one could never tell. Rather than allies, they looked more like an elder brother and his lackey.
Fortunately, Mousse had done his homework before setting sail. He knew that although the Pudding Kingdom did not directly border Dressrosa, which was modeled after Spain, on land, another, more powerful neighboring country on the large island where it was located had been eyeing it covetously.
The Pudding Kingdom had been able to resist that country's aggression not only because of the deterrence of its family heirloom, the "King's Fist," but also because of the unwavering support the Riku royal family provided through diplomacy and economics.
Even Elizabello II's designation as crown prince and his smooth ascension to the throne had owed much to King Riku's help. Whether out of interest or sentiment, he acknowledged him as his elder brother—and had to.
Even so, asking Elizabello II to reveal the secret of the "King's Fist" was simply too much. If King Riku had not been the one asking, then if anyone else had tried to persuade him, throwing them straight out would already have been giving them face.
Elizabello II's face was as black as the bottom of a pot. He barely managed to suppress the rage in his heart so that he would