Chapter 759: Debang Steward
Chapter 759: Debang Steward
After hearty laughter, the three strode forward in unison. David stretched out both hands, which Kas and Wilbur clasped firmly with their own.
It felt like kindred spirits reuniting, their hands locked in shared exhilaration for an ageless moment.
"This is truly fate's blessing!"
David exclaimed fervently, "Meeting both of you feels like destiny itself. Mr. Kas, I've long admired your legendary contributions to Lord's cause. During your tenure at Station Pegasus Island, you single-handedly eradicated over half of West Blue's active pirates, safeguarding Lord's reputation from tarnish. Each tale of your deeds sets my heart ablaze! Alas, bound by my royal duties to King, I cannot join Navy and fight alongside you under Lord's banner - but it remains my deepest wish!"
"Mr. Wilbur, your compilation of Lord's teachings has transformed my life! Every reading reveals new insights. Please, keep sharing Lord's words so I may study them deeply. Though I can't meet Lord in person, reading these quotes makes me feel His presence guiding me directly. Your ability to capture Lord's wisdom is nothing short of miraculous!"
"Far too generous!"
Kas solemnly shook David's hands, his expression grave. "For a monarch of King David's stature to display such humility is astounding. But what truly inspires us is your unwavering devotion to Kuro Mr.'s Justice philosophy. Compared to that, my contributions seem trivial - I'm merely an apprentice walking in Kuro Mr.'s footsteps. Whatever achievements I have are simply reflections of His teachings."
"Likewise", Wilbur nodded earnestly. "I merely transcribed fragments of Kuro Mr.'s Justice. My efforts pale compared to His wisdom. Yet while our deeds may seem small, our hearts burn with equal devotion to advancing His Justice philosophy!"
Silence fell as they exchanged knowing glances, sparks of mutual understanding crackling in the air.
"Mr. Kas! Mr. Wilbur!" David burst out, "With three of us united in purpose, perhaps we can finally fulfill Lord's grandest wish!"
"Drop the 'Mr.' - just call me Kas, King David", Kas urged, his voice trembling with excitement.
"Same here!" Wilbur chimed in.
"And please", David insisted, his eyes shining, "don't address me as 'King'. That title exists only by Lord's decree. He alone is the true sovereign of my heart!"
Another charged silence, then simultaneous outbursts:
"Kas!"
"Wilbur!"
"David!"
Their voices intertwined, mutual respect deepening with each utterance.
"Now that we're equals", Kas asked curiously, "may I ask why Dressrosa, despite your Justice principles, has conquered so many nations? While your intentions seem noble, doesn't such expansion contradict righteous conduct?"
The recent meteoric rise of Dressrosa's military might had certainly caught Navy's attention across Grand Line.
"Purely for Lord's vision!" David's expression hardened with purpose. "Lord dreams of global peace. As His knight, fulfilling that wish defines my duty. Grand Line's nations would inevitably wage endless wars against each other even without my intervention. Better to unify them under one banner. And we strike first to secure Lord's immediate surroundings - peace must begin where He resides."
"By cleansing the seas near Lord's domain through Dressrosa's strength, we reduce both pirate recruitment and potential threats. Unified governance ensures stability, creating safe sea lanes and protecting Lord's sanctum!"
Kas' eyes widened in awe. "Splashi! Splashi! How remarkably foresighted! David, your vision transcends mere conquest!"
"Merely leveraging geography's advantages", David demurred, scratching his head self-consciously. A sigh followed. "But we've reached our limits. Prolonged warfare strained resources - nearby nations demand exorbitant prices for supplies. Our treasury nears depletion, and even conquering Laya Island requires massive reconstruction. Financial constraints halt our advance."
"I'll donate my salary!" Kas offered loudly. "Though modest, let me contribute my strength!"
David's face softened. "Though I wish to refuse, Lord's teachings remind us: 'Never underestimate small contributions - gathered, they become mighty.'"
Wilbur nodded. "That's from Justice Quotes, Page 3, Section 15."
Donald, arriving late, muttered to himself:
"...That rings familiar. Wasn't that when Vice Admiral Kuro scolded Lida about spending habits?"
Kuro's voice echoed in memory:
"Lida, control your spending! Even abundant wealth shouldn't be squandered. Don't rush purchases without waiting for change - you're buying unclaimed treasures otherwise! For every hundred Beri overspent, a million vanishes!"
Kas, educated in Flower Country, understood Kuro's wisdom better than most - strength in small numbers.
David shifted topics. "Beyond resources, governing diverse territories poses challenges. Though treated equally, cultural differences and uneven technological development create fractures. Conquest merely delays this - eventual collapse looms without cohesive identity."
"Ah!" Wilbur suddenly gasped, stroking his chin. "Why not implement Justice Quotes? You're King - you have the right! Kuro Mr. once spoke of a land where disparate races and languages coexisted through unified worship. Though differences remained, shared belief forged unexpected unity. Something like... Ah, Ah...?"
"Abraham Waste!" Kas filled in.
"Exactly! Though Kuro Mr. called it 'waste', perhaps due to pirate infestation, its concept works. Spread Justice Quotes across Dressrosa!"
Wilbur's eyes burned with conviction. "Let Kuro's Justice unify them! Shared belief transcends race and distance. Different technologies matter not if hearts beat as one through Justice Quotes!"
David's face lit up. "Then all who embrace Justice become Dressrosa people! No divisions! But wait - better still. True peace needs no conquest. A 'Debang' - allied states united under Dressrosa's leadership! We maintain Lord's dominion over peace while expanding through shared Justice!"
"Debang!" They chorused.
"I am Dressrosa's King", David declared, "but I shall be Debang's Steward and Knight, serving only Lord!"
(End of Chapter)
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