Chapter 117: Silence Speaks Louder Than Words

With the conversation now out in the open, Crocodile saw no reason to waste any more time. He cast a meaningful glance at his secretary, Robin, who stood waiting to the side.

Robin immediately understood and spread a map of the Kingdom of Alabasta across the table.

Alabasta was a vast, sprawling island. The Sandora River, which surged down from the towering mountains at the island's heart, was the lifeblood of the nation and the natural boundary dividing its eastern and western territories.

"Everything west of the Sandora River, including the desert city of Rainbase, the most economically developed region..."

Crocodile tapped the map heavily with the golden hook of his prosthetic left hand, his voice filled with the imposing authority of a true warlord.

"As long as you agree to cooperate, this entire half of the kingdom can be yours as a fiefdom!"

Garen was still reeling, but Vivi’s expression changed drastically. As the princess of Alabasta, she naturally understood just how staggering and tempting Crocodile’s offer was. The vast lands west of the Sandora River contained the kingdom's most essential oases and represented the more prosperous half of the country.

One should not underestimate half of this kingdom: unlike the tiny nations on the sea that dared to call themselves kingdoms with only a single city, Alabasta’s landmass was immense. Furthermore, the kingdom maintained a standing army of 600,000 soldiers according to long-standing tradition. To sustain such a massive military force without exhausting the nation’s resources meant that Alabasta’s total population was undoubtedly a staggering figure in the tens of millions.

Half of Alabasta’s land, population, and economy was worth infinitely more than all the assets Garen had spent so much grueling effort accumulating. Yet, to secure a partnership, Crocodile was willing to abandon such immense interests and put forth such an alluring offer.

Although Vivi wanted to trust in Garen’s character, the temptation of such wealth made it impossible for her not to feel nervous about a potential shift in his attitude. She gazed intently at Garen beside her, a few traces of hesitation and fear rising between her slightly furrowed brows. She was only able to sit before her greatest enemy, Crocodile, because of the promise Garen had made her. But that promise was built entirely upon Garen’s "enthusiasm" as a knight of justice; upon closer reflection, it felt as unstable as a castle in the air. If Garen were to be tempted by Crocodile’s offer, if his so-called heart of justice were to be blinded by profit... losing her only support, her entire world would crumble.

Faced with Vivi’s anxious gaze and Crocodile’s expectant eyes, Garen did not respond. He simply stared at the map in silence, lost in thought. The tension and fear in Vivi’s heart climbed to their peak, and crystal-clear tears welled up in her captivating eyes. The shining image of Garen that she had held in her heart began to twist and darken under the test of greed.

Finally, as if she had made a difficult decision, Vivi spoke to Garen:

"Garen! You cannot agree to his terms!"

"Such conditions..." Vivi paused, then forced out the words that pained her so deeply: "My father could give you those as well!"

"Regardless of anything else, Alabasta must never fall into the hands of a pirate!"

"Huh?" Garen blinked, finally snapping out of his trance.

Crocodile’s expression darkened. He had finally realized the "true purpose" behind Garen bringing Vivi along: this was merely to introduce a second bidder to drive up the price!

His mood souring, the Sand Crocodile barked at the restless Princess Vivi: "Shut up!"

"How could your father possibly match my offer?" He then turned to Garen: "I have already laid my sincerity on the table. Do you really intend to believe the empty words of a little girl?"

"Err..." Garen looked slightly dazed, his mouth opening to state his position.

But a wild, unrestrained laugh from Crocodile interrupted him. He stared fixedly at Vivi, his malice undisguised: "Woman, what right do you have to speak in our negotiations? You cannot represent your father!"

"And your foolish father would never have the audacity that I possess!"

Vivi’s face froze, her heart sinking further. Crocodile was right; he had no qualms about taking what belonged to others and handing it away. But for her kind and stubborn father to bow to a usurper and hand over half his kingdom? That was absolutely impossible. Crocodile’s promise might be a trap, but her attempt to counter it was nothing more than a bad check. The choice between them was self-evident.

Vivi clenched her skirt until her knuckles turned white and the pale skin of her arms showed faint blue veins. Her body trembled uncontrollably. Seeing her so distressed, Garen couldn't help but find the situation a bit amusing. He reached out to gently touch her tense arm to comfort her, but the startled Vivi flinched at the contact. She turned to look at him, her expression complex, the tangled emotions in her eyes making her completely unreadable to him.

Garen tried to offer a kind smile, opening his mouth to clarify his stance and put her at ease, but he was interrupted once more. Vivi let out a long sigh and spoke with a resolute tone:

"I have a way!"

"I have a way to ensure my offer isn't just empty words!"

To Vivi, Garen was the only straw she had to grasp; she could not let him slip away, no matter the cost.

"Err?" Garen remained in his characteristic state of bewilderment throughout this intense negotiation.

Vivi suddenly gripped Garen’s broad hand tightly and said in a low, firm voice:

"Garen, as long as you help me protect Alabasta from being stolen by pirates..."

She gritted her teeth and delivered a shocking ultimatum: "I will marry you!"

Recalling what she had seen and heard in Garen’s territory in the East Blue, her chaotic gaze gradually steadied: "As long as you marry me, this country will eventually be in your hands."

"If it is you, at least you wouldn't let the people of Alabasta suffer..."

"What?" Garen looked completely lost.

Crocodile’s expression changed as well. He had not expected this "little girl" he had dismissed to pull such a trump card. Splitting Alabasta with Crocodile was dealing with the devil—high returns came with high risks. But if Princess Vivi agreed to marry Garen... Vivi was King Cobra’s only daughter and the sole legal heir to the Kingdom of Alabasta. Marrying her meant the entire country came as a dowry. It wasn't just gaining both wealth and a woman; it was stealing a country in a way that was legitimate and lawful. It was a massive windfall falling from the sky.

Seeing such a bizarre turn of events, Crocodile felt a surge of bitter resentment toward Garen, who was still "pretending" to be innocent. He had spent years infiltrating the military, bribing officials, inciting droughts, and manipulating public opinion, yet his success couldn't compare to the two or three months Garen had spent with this princess. Why couldn't such a good deal fall into his own lap? Even with a warlord's mindset, Crocodile had to begrudgingly admit he couldn't imitate Garen’s methods.

Crocodile suddenly recalled a piece of intelligence: Garen had gained control of the Goa Kingdom because one of his loyal subordinates married the old king’s only daughter and became the new King of Goa. What a familiar routine! What a devious tactic! He had heard that Princess Nandokanet was also a famous, beautiful, and noble lady, well-known in the aristocratic circles of the East Blue. Crocodile had been curious why Garen hadn't snatched such a golden opportunity for himself instead of using a subordinate to control the kingdom indirectly. So, this was what he had been planning all along!

Crocodile shot a vicious glare at Garen, who was still "playing the part," cursing him silently in his mind.

Meanwhile, Garen, still feeling slightly dizzy, wore a look that perfectly captured the "confused black man" meme. From the beginning of the negotiation until now, he hadn't said a single word. How had things ended up like this?