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Chapter 787: Lord Above, Grand Line Below
Chapter 787: Lord Above, Grand Line Below
"Prepare a private setting for the two kings and serve some tea and snacks."
Wilbur directly ordered the Navy personnel beside him.
"Yes, Commander!"
A Navy officer saluted, then gestured toward David and Ajitan. "Please follow me."
Though their escort mission differed, Wilbur was a Commander from the G-3 base—a direct superior to these Navy personnel. Receiving his orders carried no awkwardness of "subordinates taking charge."
David gave Wilbur a grateful glance and nodded.
Good brother! You always know what I need.
Wilbur responded with a smile.
David immediately took Ajitan's hand, his tone uncharacteristically tender for someone addressing a peer. "Come, I'm older by a few years, so let me call you Young Noble Brother. Becoming a new king takes courage, and you've shouldered this responsibility because you're brave. Before you ascended the throne, I often heard of your heroic deeds. With such bravery, let's have a proper chat."
Without waiting for Ajitan's reaction, he led him through the fortress, following the Navy officer to a quiet meeting room.
"Please, Young Noble Brother."
David, never one for ceremony, seated himself first, then politely gestured for Ajitan to sit across from him. As the Lord's knight, he was no outsider. When dealing with actual outsiders, etiquette was essential.
Ajitan squirmed uncomfortably. "Too... too formal, King David. Just call me Ajitan."
David shook his head. "No, I must use Young Noble Brother. To be honest, I felt an instant kinship when I first saw you."
At that moment, Navy personnel served tea and snacks. David requested, "Bring us some wine and flat-bottomed cups—none of those delicate goblets."
"Understood, King David."
Soon, they returned with two bottles of sake and two red flat-bottomed cups. David poured wine for Ajitan and himself.
"If you're not disgusted by the idea", he said, raising his cup, "shall we swear brotherhood?"
"Huh?" Ajitan blinked, dazed.
This guy's mood swings were drastic—from aloof to suddenly overenthusiastic.
But he quickly recovered.
What an opportunity!
Forming an alliance with this powerful kingdom could alleviate Kolf's domestic struggles.
"I, I mean, Older Brother King... I agree!" Ajitan hastily nodded.
David's face lit up. Carefully retrieving a cigar from his robe, he added, "Take this, Young Noble Brother."
Ajitan recognized the brand immediately—it belonged to Golden Lion's Vice Admiral.
"Come, Young Noble Brother", David gestured, placing the cigar upright on a high ledge. Then he sat cross-legged, solemnly raising his wine cup.
Ajitan mimicked him, sitting opposite and lifting his cup.
"Lord above", David began, meeting Ajitan's gaze.
Ajitan snapped to attention, suddenly understanding. "Lord above!"
Wait—who's "Lord"?
"Grand Line below!"
Ajitan steadied himself and repeated, "Grand Line below!"
"Today, I David Pancha and..." David hesitated, glancing at Ajitan.
What was his surname again?
Ajitan smoothly interjected, "I Kolf·Ajitan and—"
"Together, we've found a bond too late in life. Let us now become sworn brothers! From this day forth, we are brothers!"
David extended his cup. Ajitan followed suit, clinking his against it.
They drained their cups, stood, and Ajitan, overcome with emotion, opened his arms for an embrace.
David ignored him, instead carefully retrieving the cigar and tucking it back into his robe. Only after did he turn, clasp Kolf's hand, and beam, "Young Noble Brother!"
What? That pause was way too long!
Ajitan twitched his lips but called back, "Older Brother King!"
"Young Noble Brother!"
"Older Brother King!"
"Second Brother!"
"Big Brother! Save me, Big Brother!"
After a few exchanges, Ajitan finally blurted, "Big Brother, Kolf Kingdom's situation is dire. We've just survived a pirate uprising, and our strength is weaker than ever. Without a new path forward, our people will be forced back to piracy."
"Under my father's rule, we never became pirates. Even now, we couldn't compete with seasoned sea raiders. But without piracy, our nation struggles to survive."
"Perfect!" David exclaimed.
"Huh?"
"I mean, it's great because I can solve your crisis, and you can solve mine."
Pulling Ajitan back to their seats, David explained, "You're concerned with Kolf's livelihood issues. But I know your kingdom well—renowned for its exquisite stone and Bomb Rock. Meanwhile, Dressrosa is undergoing massive construction, needing vast stone supplies. To ensure our navigational routes and territorial safety, we also require Bomb Rock."
"Really?!" Ajitan's eyes widened with hope.
Bomb Rock wasn't the main issue—its limited supply sold well anywhere. The real problem was stone.
Previously, merchant ships bought Kolf's stone and Bomb Rock, but that minimal trade only kept the kingdom barely afloat—workers earned just enough to eat. Large-scale mining was impossible; stones were too common elsewhere.
Dressrosa was different. Mass extraction could make Kolf wealthy.
"Supplies aren't an issue", Ajitan said, "or rather, Big Brother purchasing our stone is already a huge help. But Bomb Rock..."
He lowered his head, guilty. "Production is low. Plus, I promised the World Government 30% of our vein. I can't provide the Bomb Rock you need. How about buying only stone, with a small Bomb Rock bonus?"
"Thirty percent? For the World Government?"
David frowned. "Was that your condition for joining them? Who proposed it?"
"I did", Ajitan admitted.
"Pffft—cancel it!" David declared. "The World Government will beg us to join. Just pay Heavenly Gold—nothing else. If they want Bomb Rock, let them buy it fairly."
"But what if—"
Ajitan hesitated. "We're a small nation. What if they retaliate?"
"I've got you!"
David proclaimed. "I have an ideal! Let's form a trade alliance centered on Dressrosa—call it 'Debang.' I formally invite Kolf Kingdom to be Debang's first allied nation. You supply resources, I provide Dressrosa's production model. Together, we'll build a prosperous regional power!"
He spread his arms. "Our people will share in wealth, our lives united as one standard. Like the Grand Line never drying, our people will never lose their way—because we are one!"
"Ca... can we really do this?" Ajitan stammered.
"Of course!"
David firmly nodded, extending his hand. "Forget the World Government's terms—they'll accept you as a member state. The rest is up to us! Together, we'll forge a peaceful land!"
(End of Chapter)
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