Rowen's words were not excuses but heartfelt truths.
As one of the strongest among the Allied Kingdom Members, ruled by the Nefertari Family, one of the Twenty Founding Families, how could Alabasta, be trodden upon by anyone? In the original story, when Vivi was slapped by the Drum Country King as a child, Cobra actually tolerated it. Can you believe it?
Tolerance often implies a larger strategy at play or an overwhelming power imbalance.
Moreover, such transactions usually occur between two parties of comparable interests and strengths.
However, facing a Drum Country that was only renowned for its medical prowess, a Drum Country that had become invisible to normal doctors due to the "Doctor Hunt," Cobra chose to tolerate.
Rowen couldn't help but wonder, was there an ailing old mother in bed needing their help?
He would rather let his own daughter suffer than "play with the lives of the citizens of the nation."
How tragic!
What the citizens of the nation needed was a "merciful" king, not a weak one.
For a nation, national honor always outweighs human lives!
Cobra, who couldn't see this point clearly, was pitiful and laughable to the point of not being worth sympathy.
With Alabasta in such a state, there was no way out.
Even if everyone died, Rowen wouldn't sympathize.
Benefits are never bestowed upon people but seized with clear swords and guns.
People often feel indignant and regretful for not being able to help those in need, but for Alabasta, Rowen didn't even feel the emotion of indignation.
It's like seeing those misguided Confucian scholars from the "Celestial Empire" in those years; there would be no emotional fluctuations whatsoever.
"You're talking about war, Vice Admiral Soryu." Vivi snapped out of her daze, looking at him with fiery eyes. "If conflicts can be resolved peacefully, we will never trample on the lives of the citizens of the nation!"
"These words are better suited for those ordinary people who have been slaughtered by pirates, Vivi Princess, not for me."
Rowen calmly sipped his tea, looking at Vivi's unpleasant expression, sneering, "Besides, it's as if you've solved any problems peacefully."
Everything has its limits!
In this world, violence can't solve all problems, but without violence, no problem can be solved.
Peace?
It's just the mercy of the strong.
The weak have no right to talk about peace, it's a matter of whether the strong "want" it or "don't want" it.
Vivi fell silent, and even the hot-tempered Rebel Army leader Koza fell silent.
Rowen's words were rough but logical. Would Vivi still have the courage to say such things to those citizens of the nation who had been slaughtered, displaced, and suffered by pirate invasions?
Do they really need Cobra's "mercy"?
Then why don't you go tell the pirates?!
What kind of wise king would let his own citizens suffer?
"The downside of hereditary monarchy is that the so-called 'righteousness' accumulated over generations cannot be reconciled with the times."
"Ruling the current Kingdom with experiences from hundreds of years ago, haha!"
Rowen glanced at Koza and said under the latter's wary gaze, "If your father had half the courage, believe me, you wouldn't even need to be here today."
Expelling foreign enemies and protecting the country's borders!
Koza, as the capable leader of the Rebel Army, definitely had the courage and decisiveness.
"But that's the behavior of a tyrant!" Vivi suddenly retorted loudly, "A qualified king doesn't need to establish authority with the blood of the citizens of the nation!"
When Rowen spoke of the drawbacks of "bloodline inheritance theory," Vivi became nervous.
The education she received from childhood taught her to honor her predecessors, and she wanted to refute Rowen, but she couldn't find an excuse.
Isn't this a very normal truth?
Are the experiences passed down from generation to generation really suitable for today's era?
Did our ancestors also face an era of pirates?
So, the answer is already very obvious.
"Sophistry!"
Rowen turned his head, sneering coldly, piercing through her lingering hopes.
"What makes a king qualified is not up to your Nefertari Family to decide!"
"You are only concerned about your own reputation, and the honor of the Nefertari Family, citizens of the nation are just your accessories."
"If you can't keep up with the pace of the times, then please quietly exit the stage. The tide of the times will never stop rolling because of your helplessness, remember this."
Any theory needs to be combined with reality. Is Cobra's mercy wrong?
Haha, only children differentiate between right and wrong!
But when his mercy brings disaster to Alabasta and the citizens of the nation, no matter how great that mercy is, it's wrong.
Rowen admired Vivi's courage to come alone to seek help for the country. This journey must have been anything but peaceful. Rowen could smell the blood on Koza, who had clearly been through recent battles.
But a wall made of a pile of mud can't withstand the onslaught of a tempest.
A dynasty that rotted away because of being too "just," is no different from those nations that collapsed due to corruption.
They are all inferior products that should be eliminated, let whoever wants to manage them manage them.
"You asshole, you...!!!"
Koza looked at Vivi's pale face and was unable to contain his anger, drawing his curved sword and pointing it at Rowen.
"Stand down!"
At this moment, Vivi suddenly shouted, leaving Koza somewhat bewildered.
In his impression, Vivi had never shown such a gloomy expression before.
With a pair of colorless eyes fixed on Rowen, Vivi's voice was hoarse as she bowed, "Vice Admiral Soryu, according to your thoughts, what should we do?"
"I thought you would cry and beg me to take action?"
Rowen sneered coldly, clapping his hands, and a CP0 agent walked in with a sand table.
"While you can't treat lives as expendable, can you look at this country now and see if it still has hope?"
The sand table spread out, detailing all the cities in Alabasta, including the capital Alubarna, with areas occupied by pirates marked in red, like bloodstains on a scarf, spreading in all directions.
Two-thirds of the entire country had been swallowed by pirates represented by the red areas, with only the royal capital Alubarna and a few surrounding cities still held by the royal army.
The country is falling apart!
"I can guarantee that no enemies beyond your limits will appear, because that's not allowed by the rules."
Rowen used blue flags to mark the cities on the sand table one by one. Koza, who had some military insights, had bloodshot eyes, his nostrils flaring as he breathed heavily.
If the situation was as described on the sand table, as long as the army was mobilized, there was still hope for Alabasta!
But... many people would die!
"The outcome will be clear within a year, whether it's success or failure."
"Is it Desert Gem Nefertari Vivi, or Princess Nefertari Vivi who let the country perish? I look forward to your answer."
With that said, Rowen stood up, ignoring the pensive duo, and waved his hand.
"Escort them out!"
Vivi and Koza left, coming with hope and leaving with confusion.
Standing at the edge of the tent, Lirisk curiously asked, "What do you think she will choose?"
As someone who had been eavesdropping outside the tent, Lirisk strongly agreed with Rowen's viewpoint. But he could tell that Vivi, despite her kindness, was somewhat naive.
Wanting to drive away invaders while also wanting an undying nation? Sorry, but you can't have both. Eternal rest lasts longer.
But such people are not likely to change their minds so easily, and Rowen is likely wasting his efforts.
"I don't really care!"
Rowen answered calmly while holding his teacup, "Indecision is best. The more people die in Alabasta, the more empty land is left. Your father should have taught you how to view everything from the perspective of the ruling class, right?"
"So?"
Lirisk nodded silently.
"I want three parts!"
"Haha, one part, take it or leave it!"
Lirisk sneered, puffing out his chest to show the emblem of the Nibelung Family, and Rowen backed off!
(End of this chapter)
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