บท 24: Chapter 25: The Unexpected Visitor
The royal soldiers of Alabasta began to stir as they regained consciousness.
Their original mission had been to capture the weapon dealers and interrogate them along with some of the rebels.
However, they never imagined that two individuals could take them down—especially when they were highly trained soldiers.
Moreover, the mysterious woman who had incapacitated them was incredibly strong. They felt pain in their arms, necks, and every joint that could be dislocated.
"You have finally awakened."
The man who had stopped them from completing their mission was now observing them while holding the blonde woman from behind.
He apologized briefly, explaining that what happened was necessary and that he was the one who provided the information to Vivi.
The captain of the soldiers was initially shocked but had no choice but to accept the explanation.
(Author's Note: If there had been a spy among the guards, Crocodile would have contacted his agents or requested a change in the delivery location…)
If Josh had intended to harm them, he could have slit their throats while they lay unconscious on the ground.
"What do you want?" the captain asked.
"I want you to deliver a message to your king," Josh stated.
The head of the guards seemed doubtful at first and expressed his concerns.
"It's natural for you to be worried," Josh said. "However, I'm also concerned about you." He made it clear that he didn't trust them either.
"How are we supposed to guide you then?"
The head of the guard found it hard to trust someone who remained completely faceless.
"Don't worry. Just inform the king that someone will be meeting him in the main hall tonight."
Josh smiled and spoke in a very low tone.
"Wait, how are you going to…"
Before the captain could finish his question, Josh's figure flickered. The blonde woman disappeared as well.
The soldiers were left bewildered. Moments after the mysterious figures vanished, a small cloud of sand rose.
"Collect the weapons. We need to fall back and report," the captain ordered.
The soldiers felt a tinge of shame. They had been dispatched to stop the rebels, yet they were now covered in dust and groaning in pain.
If anyone saw them, it would seem that the rebels had overpowered the guards and let them go, which would only benefit the rebels.
But as royal soldiers, they had no choice but to follow orders.
-x-X-x-
King Cobra, a tall, muscular man with long black curly hair, was seated on his throne, resting his hand on his face after hearing the report from his soldiers.
The previous night, his daughter, who had disappeared a year ago, had returned with news about the situation in their country.
She had told him that she met a mysterious agent who recognized her immediately and even provided valuable information. The agent had claimed to have more information about the person damaging the king's reputation and fueling the rebellion.
Additionally, the agent was selling weapons to the rebels at a very low price.
This was a crisis. The king scratched his head. Someone wanted his country to fall.
Fortunately, there was one individual who had helped his daughter, allowing them to prevent the first weapons trade.
But it wasn't over…
King Cobra pondered the agent who had assisted his daughter.
'Could he be an expert mercenary?'
King Cobra rested his chin on his hand, his elbow on the armrest of the throne.
The soldier had reported that the young man, who had been a bodyguard for the weapon dealers, would visit them tonight.
King Cobra stood up and walked to the main hall.
He could ask Vivi about Mr. 7's appearance, but he wanted his exhausted daughter to rest.
Still, he found it hard to believe that someone would bypass his guards and meet him directly in the main hall.
King Cobra shook his head, entered the main hall, and took his seat.
"Leave me alone," he instructed his guard, who nodded and exited.
"I was almost bored."
King Cobra's heart nearly stopped when he heard a feminine voice coming from a corner.
Turning, he saw a young man with brown hair and blue eyes eating cookies.
"Hope you don't mind. I took some snacks. I left some berries behind if you need them," Josh said to Cobra, whose expression was frozen.
"Mmm… I don't think you took too much," came a feminine voice.
King Cobra turned his head to see a blonde woman floating across the room.
He quickly recognized them.
"Mr. 7. Ms. Valentine," he addressed them.
Agents usually worked in pairs. According to his daughter, the blonde woman and the brown-haired man were Mr. 7 and Ms. Valentine.
"See? He recognized us. I told you," Mikita laughed lightly as she descended and took a seat.
Josh shook his head, finished the remaining cookies, and then took his own seat, staring at the king.
Josh, coming from the 21st century, didn't regard the king with the same reverence one might expect.
He was accustomed to a democratic system where power rested with the people.
King Cobra leaned back in his chair.
"You arrived earlier than my daughter indicated," King Cobra remarked.
"So, you were expecting me," Josh observed.
"After your actions against my soldiers and your declaration, yes."
"Good, very good," Josh said, nodding. "This way, we can avoid unnecessary discussion."
Josh was keen on avoiding any unnecessary delays.
King Cobra, however, appeared to be in a difficult situation.
Though he was a politician, the nature of his role as king meant dealing with someone as straightforward as Mr. 7 could be challenging.
"Let me ask you: are you a mercenary?"
"No," Josh shook his head. "I'm just someone you've placed your bets on."
"How? By buying information?"
"No," Josh leaned forward. "By saving your people and yourself before it's too late."
King Cobra made eye contact with Josh, and after a moment of contemplation, he sighed and looked down.
"Well, forgive me for forgetting my manners. Before we discuss the price, let me thank you. Thanks to you, I have my daughter back." King Cobra raised his hand. "Call Vivi."
"Wise choice," Josh leaned back in his chair. "She was present when we made the deal."
The king suppressed a flinch but sighed and said, "Now, can we discuss the information you have?"
"Didn't the princess already tell you?"
"She did," the king nodded. "But I want to hear it from you."
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