"It's like this, I heard from those gangsters that you are a greedy and incompetent king, and that this country has fallen to this state entirely because of your indulgence. I'd like to hear what you have to say about that."
Vic calmly questioned a king, wanting to see if the king was indeed as greedy and incompetent as the Lao Si had described, or something else entirely.
"Since you heard all this from them, you must have told you their identities, right? So you simply killed everyone and covered up the truth?"
The old king's eyes were deep, as if he saw through everything. The king's words made Vic's eyes narrow, and he almost drew his sword to strike, but he managed to hold back.
"So you know who they are too? I'm a little confused about how you know. Would you mind telling me?"
Vic now felt that the old king was definitely not an incompetent fool. It was possible that Zero and the others had been deceived by the king, simply because the country's power was too weak to resist the World Government's underhanded tactics.
"Please allow me to tell a story. Thirteen years ago, a man claiming to be a representative of the World Government requested an audience with me. At the time, I was playing with my granddaughter, so I had him brought in."
After the man entered, I saw that he was dressed in a white suit, wearing a top hat, and had a white cape. Most strangely, he was wearing a peculiar mask while meeting the king.
As soon as I saw that man, I had someone take my granddaughter downstairs. His menacing aura was too strong; I was afraid it would frighten her.
The masked man said he was an envoy sent by the World Government to discuss with my country joining the World Government as a Affiliated Nation.
He also described many benefits of joining the World Government, but said it required paying Heavenly Tribute every year. When I asked how much, he gave me an astronomical figure.
Although our country has a suitable climate and produces a considerable amount of grain every year, grain is not worth much money. Furthermore, the seas are turbulent, making it difficult to sell. Our people have almost no surplus money beyond what they need to feed themselves.
"Even if I didn't eat or drink, I couldn't produce that much Heavenly Tribute, so I thought about it for a moment and then refused him. He came several more times in the following year, and I still refused him."
The old king trailed off, perhaps because the story that followed was too cruel, and he needed to calm himself.
"Your repeated refusals angered the World Government? Then Zero and the others came, right? But how do you know that Zero and the others are also from the World Government?" Vic knew that the rest of the story would be about these things, so he started the conversation for the old king.
"Yes, just as you said, the following year, Zero brought the Lao Jiu, Lao San, and Lao Si Brothers, along with a large group of people dressed in black suits, to the island."
Initially, they did nothing but settle on the island. Using their superior naval power, they transported surplus grain out to sell and imported goods scarce on the island, engaging in trade.
Once they had established themselves, they found me. The four of them came to the palace together and tried to sell me a flower, saying it could fetch a high price outside and asking me to encourage commoners to grow it. I hesitated at the time, not wanting to agree.
Unfortunately, they were too strong, and I was afraid that a firm refusal would provoke them to do something drastic, so I could only give them a vague answer, saying I needed to think about it. What I really wanted to do was stall for time.
They didn't press me; they left after I said that. After they left, my little granddaughter ran out from behind and asked if that strange man from a year ago had come again.
The strange person she was referring to was the masked figure from the World Government. I told her no, why did she ask? My granddaughter told me she smelled that person's familiar scent.
I realized then that the World Government had never given up on making this country a Affiliated Nation; they had simply changed their methods.
My little granddaughter has a special talent; she can never forget a scent she's smelled before. That's how I know they were sent by the World Government.
They won't rest until they bring my country into the World Government, and they're currently a gang. I knew they'd resort to force if I didn't agree, so I had no choice but to agree to their demands.
I never imagined that the flower they were talking about would be such a harmful thing; they want to destroy this country!
As the old king finished speaking, his eyes blazed with boundless hatred. He threw the Smoke Flower that Konan had picked and placed on the table, intending to exchange them for money, onto the ground, stomped on them several times, and then trampled them back and forth on the withered flowers, as if he were trampling on the people of Zero and the World Government, releasing the overwhelming hatred in his heart.
"Um... Your Majesty, please don't upset yourself. Let's talk about the country's future plans now."
"Your Majesty, the World Government World Government's henchmen have been removed, but without further measures, there's no guarantee they won't send more people, leading to the same outcome. What are your thoughts on this?"
Seeing the old king like this, Vic was afraid that he would have a stroke at any moment, so he could only try to distract the old king.
"Brother, that's exactly what I wanted to ask you. Do you have any solutions? Our country's military is too weak; people are now powerless to even lift a weapon. We can't even defeat the pirates who can reach this island!"
The old king's attention was indeed diverted, his previous resentment turning into helplessness in a seamless manner.
"Since you have no solution here, let me share my thoughts."
Smoke Flower pollen is addictive, and now everyone in your country is addicted. Therefore, Smoke Flower production cannot stop now, but it must be gradually reduced year by year to allow the population to gradually adapt and quit.
These are my thoughts on the physiological treatment of addiction. Specific details need to be confirmed by our ship's doctor, and this requires your cooperation, Your Majesty.
Another point is that this country must become Affiliated Nation first. I know your treasury has a lot of money, so paying the Heavenly Tribute" shouldn't be a problem now. Becoming Affiliated Nation will allow you to apply for naval protection.
"My teacher is former Marine Admiral Zephyr. I'm going to ask him for help to build a Marine Base on this island. That way, we won't have to worry about pirates. Otherwise, no matter how much money we have, we can't protect it. What do you think?" Vic explained his solution.
"Really? Can Marine Base really be built on the island? I'd love to become Affiliated Nation, of course, but back then we couldn't afford the Heavenly Tribute ), could we?"
I've saved all the money I earned from the trade, just in case I need it at a crucial moment. I won't even let my children withdraw it, so I'll have to trouble you for help, young man!
The old king naturally agreed with what Vic said. After all, a country without protection would inevitably fall prey to pirates, and no amount of money could safeguard it. Vic's method was indeed the best and fastest.
"Having connections makes all the difference in the navy," the old king thought to himself.
"However, there is one thing Your Majesty must agree to!" Vic said solemnly.