Scarlet.
Kyros's face immediately lit up with a happy smile upon seeing the woman.
Roy and his companions hid in the shadows at the street corner, observing the scene.
"Is that his wife?"
Stella whispered,
"Intelligence indicates that Kyros was an orphan with no family. This woman..."
"It could be a lover or wife."
Roy seemed to be deep in thought.
"It seems he has important ties to Dressrosa, which will complicate the recruitment process."
"But no matter what, let's make contact first."
As night fell, warm lights illuminated Kyros's cottage.
Roy told the others to wait nearby and walked alone towards the cabin.
Before knocking, he straightened his clothes, toned down his sharp edge, and made himself look more like an ordinary visitor.
"Who is it?" a soft female voice came from inside the house.
"Excuse me, I am an admirer of Mr. Kyros at the arena, and I would like to ask him some questions about swordsmanship."
Roy answered politely.
The door opened, Scarlet, the young woman who had been hanging laundry to dry, stood in the doorway, eyeing Roy with some suspicion.
"It's so late..."
" Scarlet, it's alright, let him in," Kyros's voice came from inside the house.
Scarlet nodded and stepped aside.
Roy entered the cabin; the interior was simply furnished but clean.
Several well-maintained swords hung on the wall, and the bookshelves were filled with books on swordsmanship.
Kyros was sitting at the table with a cup of hot tea in front of him.
"Please sit." Kyros gestured for Roy to sit down, his sharp eyes scanning Roy.
Tell me why you've come!
"Didn't I already say? Your swordsmanship is superb; I'm here to discuss swordsmanship!"
Stop using such a lame excuse!
Kyros looked directly into Roy's eyes.
"I saw you guys at the arena today, and you've been following me all the way here from there, haven't you!"
Kyros's hand slowly gripped the hilt of his sword at his waist.
"Tell me your true purpose!"
Despite Kyros's sudden change in attitude, Roy remained calm, meeting Cyrus's scrutinizing gaze with a slight smile.
"Oh?"
"We've been discovered? That's great!"
Roy picked up the teapot on the table, poured himself a cup of tea, and did so with unhurried movements.
"As expected of a gladiator undefeated in three thousand matches, his observation skills are indeed sharp."
He took a small sip of tea, set down the cup, and met Kyros's wary gaze.
"Since you've seen through me, I'll just say it straight—my name is Roy, captain of the ' Roy Pirates '."
I'm here to invite you to join my pirate crew.
"Pirates?!"
Scarlet gasped and instinctively took a half-step back.
Kyros gripped the hilt of his sword instantly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"Calm."
Roy raised his hand.
I mean you no harm!
"If I wanted to use force, I wouldn't have come alone, much less sit here drinking tea with you."
Kyros remained vigilant, but he slightly removed his hand from the hilt of his sword.
"Why are you looking for me? I'm just a gladiator in the arena."
"Just a gladiator?"
Roy laughed.
Kyros, you underestimate yourself.
Three thousand undefeated matches—this is not just a matter of skill and physique, but more importantly, of mentality.
The combat wisdom, timing, and adaptability you displayed in the arena...
All of this proves that you have the potential to become a top performer.
Roy stood up, walked to the wall, and looked at the swords hanging there.
"But these swords have been trapped in the rules of the arena for too long."
They should drink real blood and slay real enemies, not just skim the surface in a performance.
Kyros paused for a moment, then slowly said,
"What's wrong with a peaceful life? I earned respect, Scarlet, and everything I have now through my own sword."
"Peaceful?"
Roy turned around, his gaze sharp.
Kyros, do you really think Dressrosa can remain peaceful forever?
A storm is brewing in the world. After Roger became the Pirate King, more and more powerful figures are flocking to the Grand Line.
When a real crisis strikes, can the glory of the arena protect Scarlet?
Can you protect this country?
Upon hearing this, Scarlet grasped Kyros's hand tightly. Kyros could feel the sweat on his wife's hand.
"How did you know...?" Kyros's voice was a little hoarse.
"Because I saw your anxiety."
Roy sat down again.
"Every day when you come back from the arena, you wipe these swords down and check their sharpness. You're preparing for unknown threats, aren't you?"
Kyros did not deny it.
In recent months, the pirates appearing in the waters around Dressrosa have become increasingly powerful, Riku Royal Family's army is finding it increasingly difficult to cope.
As one of the nation's strongest warriors, he certainly felt the pressure.
"Join my pirate crew, and you'll not only become stronger, but you'll also be able to protect everything you want to protect."
Roy's tone was sincere.
"On my ship, you can fight against the world's top fighters."
For example, sparring with Great Swordsman like ' Hawk Eyes ' Mihawk and ' Demon Heir ' Bullet... your progress will far exceed any period of time you've spent in the arena.
" Great Swordsman?!"
Kyros was truly moved this time. For a swordsman, to spar with a Great Swordsman was a lifelong dream.
Seeing Kyros's expression change slightly, Roy continued to increase the stakes.
"Moreover, I am a Great Swordsman myself."
"Not only that, if you join us, our Roy Pirates will also provide protection for Dressrosa."
As Roy finished speaking, the candlelight in the cabin flickered slightly.
Surprise and struggle flashed in Kyros's eyes, which eventually turned into deep contemplation.
"You... are you also Great Swordsman?"
Kyros's tone was filled with disbelief.
"But you look so young."
Roy smiled slightly, but instead of answering directly, he stretched out his finger and lightly traced it across the table.
The fingertips did not touch the tabletop, but a cut as thin as a hair yet bottomless appeared out of nowhere, piercing through the entire wooden tabletop.
"Sword energy..."
Kyros murmured, the last trace of doubt in his eyes vanishing.
This is a skill that only swordsmen who have reached the highest level of swordsmanship can master.
"As for protecting Dressrosa,"
Roy withdrew his finger.
This is not just empty talk.
We have allied with the Beasts Pirates and have established a stable sphere of influence in the New World.
If Dressrosa faces a crisis, we can provide military support, material assistance, and even help you train your army.
"Besides, you wouldn't want your wife to lose her country in the future, would you?" Roy turned to look at Scarlet.
"Am I right, Your Highness!"
"What?!"
Kyros suddenly stood up, the chair scraping against the floor with a harsh sound.
He instinctively shielded Scarlet behind him, his eyes instantly turning sharp as knives.
How did you know...?
Scarlet's face also turned pale, her hands gripping her husband's sleeve tightly, but her eyes showed not only fear but also a hint of panic at having her identity exposed.
Roy remained seated, calmly pouring himself another cup of tea.
Don't be nervous, it's not a secret.
Princess Scarlet, the eldest daughter of King Riku, hid her identity and married the gladiator champion for love.
It's a romantic yet dangerous choice.
Kyros's hand was already on the hilt of his sword, his entire body tense.
What exactly do you want to do?
"I'll say it again: I invite you to join us."
Roy's gaze deepened.
"You don't really think you have the power to protect the Dress Kingdom during this major upheaval, do you?"