บท 25: Chapter 26: The Price of Trust
"Hey, Vivi," Josh greeted, waving his hand.
"Hey," Mikita said, sipping from her teacup filled with lemon tea.
Vivi nodded awkwardly as she saw her guests had already arrived and were talking with her father.
Nefertari Vivi took a deep breath and sat down next to her father. It was surprising how her dilemma of bringing Josh to the castle had been resolved on its own.
"Long time no see. You look quite different," Josh said to Vivi, offering a gentle smile.
"Thanks," Vivi responded shyly. Her appearance had indeed changed.
Josh took a moment to scan her. Unlike the fighter girl he had seen in Baroque Works, Vivi was now dressed in a red gown befitting a princess. At 15 years old and standing 169 cm tall, she looked more like a young woman.
"So, how about we start talking…" Josh said, clasping his hands together and tilting his head.
The king began to listen attentively.
Josh stated that he would charge 60 million Berries for the information he had.
The king nodded in agreement.
Vivi believed her father would pay the price if it meant saving their country.
"Do you need the money now?" the king asked.
"The sooner, the better. I'm going against my own boss, you know," Josh said, shaking his finger and leaning back in his chair.
"I see," Cobra nodded. "You have my word that you will receive the money once you provide the information."
"I'll choose to trust you then," Josh said.
He then proceeded to reveal the critical information.
The true mastermind behind the rebellion was the boss of Baroque Works.
The leader of the rebels was Vivi's childhood friend, who, like everyone else, was being manipulated by the true boss of Baroque Works.
When Vivi and Cobra were in suspense about the identity of the mysterious schemer behind their country, Josh answered, "Crocodile."
"You mean—!" The king could not hide his shock at the mention of the name.
"That's right," Josh confirmed, turning to Mikita.
"Mr. 0 is Crocodile," Mikita added. "My hubby here felt sorry for you, so he's helping your poor—"
"Ahem. Valentine. Enough," Josh interrupted, as he did not want Mikita's remarks to escalate further.
"Fine, Joshy~"
Mikita, appearing obedient, wrapped her arms around Josh's and hugged it to her chest.
Both Vivi and King Cobra were stunned by the revelation.
"Are you sure it's him? The Warlord, Crocodile!" Vivi exclaimed.
Josh put a finger in his ear. "I'm glad I didn't tell you earlier; you would have exposed my cover with your yelling."
Vivi blushed when her eyes met Josh's. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."
Meanwhile, the king looked down. "He is the owner of the Crocodile Casino in Rainbase City. He is renowned for his strength, which is why he is a Warlord. Without proof, we cannot act against him. The World Government supports him."
The king and princess lowered their heads, aware of their predicament.
"You can do something," Josh said confidently.
"What is it?" Cobra asked.
"Lend me more money, and I will use it to take him down," Josh replied. "I will repay you later."
King Cobra rubbed his chin, scrutinising Josh with narrowed eyes.
"What will you do with the money?" Cobra asked.
Josh seemed to have no intention of using the money for himself.
First, he was entitled to his payment.
Secondly, he was requesting a loan.
"Finish the job," Josh said.
"You have something against Crocodile, don't you?" The king's sharp gaze fixed on Josh, who merely smiled.
The king continued, "I won't trust just anyone. What if you decide to take the money and run?"
"Well, that's your choice," Josh said. "I will take my payment and leave. Either way, I will complete my mission, whether you lend me money or not."
Josh spoke honestly. He had no choice but to fulfil his mission, or he might face severe consequences.
Josh had staked his life on taking Crocodile down and was playing a high-stakes game against the system and fate.
"Hmm…" King Cobra lowered his head. His country was in crisis.
King Cobra was powerless against Crocodile, as the Warlord had the World Government's backing.
Warlords could even engage in piracy legally. Cobra, without exposing Crocodile, could not take him down.
He observed Josh—a man with a plan—but remained uncertain of his honesty.
Yet, did the king have a choice?
"What do I gain if I give you the money?" the king asked.
Josh took a deep breath, clasped his hands together, and looked down. Lifting his head, he met Cobra's gaze and said firmly, "You have my word."
"I will give you half of the loan now," the king said. "If your mission is to save this country, you will receive more than what I am giving you now."
One might not trust a man, but one could trust his greed.
Instead of smirking, Josh lowered his head, appearing solemn or deep in thought.
"Thanks for your faith," Josh said.
He desperately needed the money.
Meanwhile, Vivi watched Mikita, who was staring at Josh.
Mr. 7 was there to save them… Vivi realized that Mr. 7 himself wasn't sure if he would succeed.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have asked her to bet on him.
After a few words, Josh shook the king's hand. They had agreed that Josh would receive a total of approximately 100 million Berries.
Such an amount could change the fate of some villages and a town.
But it would mean nothing if it couldn't save the country.
"Ha…" King Cobra sighed as Josh embraced Mikita and they vanished into thin air.
"Dad, do you really trust him?" the young princess asked.
"You can't trust a man whose motivations are unknown. But I'm gambling here. A man who doesn't smile when he receives money in advance is someone who earns it, not just takes it. He needs it for something I don't know," Cobra said.
"I see," Vivi said, looking down and biting her lip.
"Remember how he didn't expose me back then…" Vivi recalled the misunderstanding from before and how she had thought Josh might demand her body. He had treated her with respect, unlike a princess, but as a normal person.
"Vivi, your face is getting red. Go see a doctor," Cobra said, leaning forward and touching her forehead. "Strange, your temperature is normal."
"No! It's nothing, Father! I'm fine!!! I just need water!" Vivi waved her hands in front of her face, eyes wide open. She was simply embarrassed by the earlier events.
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