The three conditions proposed by Orrick offered considerable room for negotiation.
They were just on the compromise bottom line of the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars)— not too excessive, but not too easy either.
First, releasing Lirisk was hardly worth mentioning. To be honest, asking the Gorōsei to kill Lirisk now would be more troublesome. There are only so few normal Celestial Dragons left, and killing one means one less.
Second, no action can be taken against Orrick within a year.
This is a very subtle wording.
There is no doubt that Orrick will make major moves in the next year, requiring covert operations. The accidental exposure of Shirahoshi was not part of his plan and is the biggest reason he came to negotiate terms.
Finally, a scholar who can read ancient texts.
If anyone else had said this, it would have been laughable. The World Government, in order to seal off ancient forbidden knowledge, even sent a Marine Buster Call to erase the archaeological Holy Land Ohara in the West Blue and placed a bounty of 750,000,000 Belly on an eight-year-old child.
Why would they leave behind a scholar who could read such knowledge?
However, considering the previous "completion," Rowen understood that the secret the World Government was so strictly guarding had two sides.
They cannot let others discover the truth, nor can they let themselves forget it.
These three conditions are like ripping off tourists at attractions, with an unreasonable highest price and the lowest price that is practically free for locals.
The measure requires both sides to play a psychological game to reach a balance point.
However, thinking this way, Orrick has already succeeded!
Rowen could see that the Gorōsei were already tempted, and even Vic was as well, as long as Orrick could offer a "price" that met their needs.
Hearing this, Orrick picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said calmly, "First, I suppressed Princess Shirahoshi's rage. If I release this suppression, it will inevitably bring disaster to the Sea, which is definitely not a situation you want to see!"
"It's also not a situation you want to see!" Rowen sneered upon hearing this: "A situation where neither of us benefits is not much of a bargaining chip. If you dare, release the suppression and let her destroy the world. Try it!"
"But my loss wouldn't be as great as yours, right?!"
Orrick, as if anticipating Rowen's response, chuckled lightly. "At most, I would lose an ambition, struggling to survive in a world destroyed by Ancient Weapons, waiting for Doomsday."
"While you, you would lose everything!"
Even in a mutually destructive scenario, there's a difference in whether the fish is worth it or the net is expensive.
"I guarantee here that I will not use Sea Kings elsewhere. If I do, that will be the day I formally declare war on you!"
Hearing this, the Gorōsei fell silent, and after a moment, they exchanged glances and nodded.
"Indeed, this promise counts as one of the bargaining chips, but it's still not enough!"
The long-mustached Gorōsei stared at him coldly. "There's one more thing in your hands; I think it's time to hand it over to us, Orrick!"
Orrick raised an eyebrow. "...Oh? What is it?"
"Pure Gold!"
The Mediterranean Gorōsei stood up and shouted angrily, "Hand over the Pure Gold you found. Keeping it all is useless; Pure Gold isn't a Devil Fruit; it can't grant powerful abilities!"
Pure... Gold...?!!!
Under Rowen's gaze, Orrick's eyelid twitched almost imperceptibly. He picked up his teacup to mask his speechlessness and glanced at Rowen casually.
"Oh? Wasn't Pure Gold found by Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon)? Why are you asking me for it?"
"Stop playing dumb!"
The Gorōsei was furious. "Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon) recorded the entire treasure hunt with a Video Den Den Mushi, but what they found was fake! And before that, according to our investigation, it was your ship that blew out one eye of the giant lanternfish."
The scent from the wreckage matched, and adding to the Colkla Island sighting report, all clues pointed to Orrick.
"Are you trying to say you know nothing about this, Orrick?!"
'The problem is, it really wasn't me!' Orrick's mouth twitched wildly.
He just wanted to use the legend of Pure Gold to attract the attention of the Marines and the government. Knowing about the Sniff-Sniff Fruit Ability user, he sent that guy with Sugar to put on a show.
When he heard the ship left a "last word" before sinking, claiming they encountered a giant lanternfish, Orrick himself didn't believe it.
However, things were just that "coincidental." Later, Rowen's Qilin ship also encountered the giant lanternfish and was swallowed whole.
At that time, Orrick thought, if it were him, he definitely wouldn't miss this heaven-sent opportunity.
As expected, Rowen "unsurprisingly" found Pure Gold, and now it's "undoubtedly" confirmed to be fake.
So Pure Gold was fake from the start, and it must have been Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon) who tampered with it!
'So, what should I do?' Orrick silently shifted his gaze, looking at Rowen with interest.
It doesn't matter if he can't figure out how he did it or if there's no evidence. As long as this is exposed, it will be a heavy blow to him!
The choice is mine. Should I directly expose your true colors and make you exit this stage?
However, to his disappointment, Rowen showed no sign of panic on his face. Instead, he boredly pursed his lips and blew a smoke ring.
Seeing this, Orrick's expression turned serious.
Indeed, he doesn't want to do this!
Because with Rowen around, he dares to boldly confront the Gorōsei. He knows that as long as Rowen exists, when the Gorōsei let their guard down, this venomous snake will show its fangs and inject its poison.
Without Rowen, the Gorōsei would no longer have this hidden worry they themselves are unaware of, and he would have to face the World Government at its peak in a fragile and impoverished state.
It can be said that a major driving force behind Orrick's ambition is his understanding of Rowen's ambition through his various exchanges with Lirisk.
This is a mutually reinforcing result.
Just as he was gritting his teeth, deciding to give up this heaven-sent opportunity, Rowen suddenly said, "Things are urgent, let's not joke around, Orrick."
"Huh?"
Everyone turned to look at him, puzzled.
"I am a Thunder-Lightning Human, capable of indirectly seeing magnetic fields, so any metal is visible to me, especially when it's in a pocket with no biological magnetic field interference."
"Could it be..."
Orrick was startled and reached into his pocket, his exaggerated movement almost making him fall off the sofa. However, Orrick couldn't care less at that moment.
When his fingers touched the cool circle, his eyes narrowed.
"When did this happen?!"
"On the elevator, when I was talking to you."
Rowen smiled, his words carrying a double meaning.
"Since you're sitting, sit steady."
Seeing this, Orrick forced a smile, his face ugly as he gritted his teeth.
"Heh, thanks for the concern!"
"Don't mention it!"
(End of Chapter)
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