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Bang!
The door was pushed open unceremoniously, causing the door frame to creak under the strain. The newcomer wore a white robe with gold trim, his neatly trimmed black hair cascading over his shoulders.
But despite his handsome appearance and muscular physique, his long hair didn't look delicate at all, hinting at a hint of unruly arrogance.
Watching the newcomer, Rowen rolled his eyes and blew a smoke ring. "Cut down on the protein intake, it's bad for you."
"Huh?" Lirisk paused, looking down at his visibly muscular chest, then laughed heartily. "Notice anything? That's right, I've been growing stronger! Interested in another round with me?"
The visitor was none other than Lirisk, the eldest son of the esteemed Nibelung Family and the heir to the next generation of the family.
The saddest thing in the world is when you taunt someone, and they don't understand.
Rowen tilted his head back, rubbing his temples with the palm of his hand. "Not interested, I am busy!"
The two CP0 agents at the door widened their eyes in disbelief. They couldn't believe that someone would dare to speak to the Celestial Dragons like that.
Are they asking for death? These are Celestial Dragons!
However...
Lirisk, feeling displeased, walked over and unabashedly picked up a cup from the table, pouring himself a drink. "Hmph, what are you so busy with? I heard you took leave, so I came to find you."
With that, Lirisk looked expectant. "Come on, spill the beans. Who are we scheming against this time?"
Rowen: "..."
The last time they schemed against Teach, Lirisk had enjoyed quite a show. Even though Rowen had outsmarted him and taken him away forcibly, preventing him from seeing the ending, it had piqued Lirisk's interest.
This time, upon hearing that Rowen had taken leave during the Marine's grand hunt for pirates, Lirisk subconsciously assumed that Rowen was up to something again and decided to come out.
But the problem was...
"I really came out for vacation!"
"Didn't you see that I didn't even bring a battleship?!" Rowen roared in frustration.
Is it that hard for people to believe the truth these days? Is there no trust between people anymore?
"Hmph!" Lirisk rolled his eyes disdainfully. "Look into my eyes!"
"What for?" Rowen snapped, crushing his cigar.
"Don't you realize there's wisdom in there? Do you think you can fool me?" Lirisk retorted.
"I only see bullsh*t!" Lying isn't a good habit. If the story of the wolf coming turned into the story of the sheep coming, it wouldn't be a good thing!
"Look at you, foul-mouthed."
"It's because I'm patient. Otherwise, I would've gone to complain to the Celestial Dragons long ago." Lirisk shrugged indifferently, sniffing the cigar aroma in the air and pointing to a cabinet in the corner. "Go, fetch that box of cigars."
"Yes, sir!" A white-clad servant bowed respectfully, walking into the room and glancing at the cabinet before opening a drawer.
Rowen watched in astonishment.
"Did the Lizard-Lizard Fruit also enhance your sense of smell?"
Are you kidding me?
You can even find it when I hide it in a drawer?!
"This is the beast perception after Zoan Awakening... Forget it, I can't reason with you Logia users."
Lirisk glanced disdainfully at Rowen, leaving him at a loss for words.
Where does this strange pride of yours come from?!
After all, they're Celestial Dragons. If they speak plainly... Wouldn't the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) have something to say about it?
Soon, the servant returned with a box, and Lirisk pulled out a cigar, sniffing it before lighting it. "Indeed, it's good stuff! I haven't seen many cigars of this caliber even in the Holy Land!"
It's not easy to come across treasures that even the Gold Emperor sends as bribes. Naturally, Lirisk wouldn't have seen many.
After lighting up, Lirisk glanced at Rowen with a sideways look.
"Okay, can we compromise? As long as you promise not to sell me out, I'll handle any dirty work and chores for you."
"Wait... You mean you snuck out again?" Rowen stared in disbelief.
"Of course! There was a theft in the Holy Land. Who would dare to let their own children go out at a time like this?" Lirisk sneered.
"Although the stolen items were kept in the World Government building, far from the residential areas of the Celestial Dragons, it still allowed someone to infiltrate the world's hub, the government's center."
"If those people had been a little more audacious, who knows how many Celestial Dragons would have suffered!"
"The 'Fish-Man Hero' Fisher Tiger's liberation of slaves in a big fire years ago is still fresh in the minds of the Celestial Dragons."
Looking at the experiences of the Donquixote Family, one can understand that Celestial Dragons aren't lacking in intelligence as a whole. They are well aware of the deep-seated hatred "lesser races" harbor towards them and understand the principle of "cutting off a limb to save the body," daring to even bring down an Emperor if necessary.
However, upon hearing Lirisk's words, Rowen became more solemn.
Even though he deliberately took leave, trouble still followed one after another.
At this time, the situation in the Holy Land was more than just "martial law." Could Lirisk really sneak out of the Holy Land without Orrick, that cunning strategist, noticing?
Not necessarily, right?
Combined with the information he had received in Garfield and the obvious new CP0 guards at the door... If there was suspicion before, now Rowen could be certain.
Orrick had begun to take action!
Lirisk was deliberately placed by him to monitor Rowen's movements.
As for whether it was to recruit or to eliminate, it all depended on the reaction from the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars).
Both sides were now in a phase of testing. The Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) wanted to maintain the privilege of the Celestial Dragons, while Orrick was asserting his identity, trying to force the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) to back down.
However...
That is none of my business!
Rowen's mind raced as he quickly organized his thoughts.
Whether it was Orrick or the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars), he couldn't actively interfere in the current power struggle of the government. To survive in this kind of conflict, all he needed to do was play dumb.
After all, neither the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) nor Orrick would force their subordinates to make a choice until one side had an absolute advantage.
Otherwise, if the people rebelled against the authorities, the government would fall!
That was definitely a result neither side wanted to see.
Understanding everything, Rowen looked at Lirisk sympathetically.
It was obvious that this formidable guy wasn't cut out for playing politics and was completely oblivious to being sold out by Orrick. Even the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) probably knew what schemes Orrick was up to, yet he was still here wanting to watch the show.
Compared to the mysterious Orrick, who was also a Celestial Dragon and his father, the intelligence gap was truly touching.
Feeling annoyed by Rowen's gaze, Lirisk snorted. "Let's be reasonable, Rowen. You owe me so many favors, are you sure you want to keep secrets from me?"
Whether it was Fujitora's rise to power, the war sparked with the Hundred Beasts pirate crew or the Sacrifice-Sacrifice Fruit intended for Teach, Rowen was the one covering for him.
Otherwise, how could he sit quietly here?
But now he was dragging his feet like this. If it weren't for the fact that Lirisk knew he might not be able to beat Rowen, given the Nibelung Family's ancestral teachings, he would have already taken action.
"However... I really did come out for a vacation this time, and to seek some treasure."
Rowen withdrew his sympathetic gaze and took out a silver-white object the size of his palm from his pocket.
"Take a look at this."
It was the treasure map he had purchased on the Headquarter Black Market earlier. He hadn't had time to look at it before. Now, with orders to distract himself and unable to find the destination, Rowen thought he might as well dig up the treasure.
There might be some unexpected surprises.
After carefully examining the contents, Lirisk's expression froze, and he twitched his mouth. "So, I got it wrong?"
How embarrassing!
"No, no, no. You're just in time. I happen to need some help!" Rowen grinned. "I compared it with the map of Alabasta and found that the treasure's burial place has turned from a shallow bank into a desert due to the passage of time."
"You're familiar with that desert area. A sand dune tens of meters high can form after just one storm. To dig up the treasure, we'll need quite a few hands."
With that, Rowen patted Lirisk's shoulder.
"Enough said. You provide the manpower, and I'll provide the location. Deal?"
"I owe you favors, don't I? Let's split it down the middle!" Lirisk hesitated.
Rowen: "..."
(End of this chapter)