"You—how is this possible?!" Alex and Xiah finally realized what kind of monster they had rescued.
"Don't worry. You saved me, after all. As long as you don't do anything I find repulsive, I won't do anything to you. Likewise, if it's within reason, I can help you too. I assume you have something to say to me."
Rosen didn't believe anyone would save a pirate for no reason, even if the initial motive was goodwill.
But since they shackled him with Seastone after recognizing him—yet didn't hand him over to the Marines—he figured they must want something from him.
Hearing his words, Xiah paused, realizing he had seen right through everything before it even began. Still, she quickly adapted. "Sorry, it was just for safety."
She walked over and unlocked the Seastone cuffs. Alex almost protested but knew it was pointless—Rosen had already subdued them with a mere look.
Alex had once been a captain in the royal guard, and Xiah was trained in various weapons from a young age. Both were skilled fighters.
Clack! The cuffs fell off. Rosen looked at his tattered clothes with a frown—completely ruined and unwearable.
"We've prepared clothes for you. Shall we eat first and talk afterward?" Xiah opened a cabinet revealing all kinds of outfits, making Rosen wonder if he'd stepped into a department store.
"Sure. And bring me a Den Den Mushi." Rosen thought it was a reasonable request—but was promptly refused.
"That might be difficult. All Den Den Mushi on this ship are currently under control. To use one, you'd need to go to the control room, and I can't risk open conflict just yet," Xiah replied bitterly. Her armed force was weak—barely enough to hold this ship.
Rosen frowned but didn't press further.
"Was there any news reporting a death among the Dawn Pirates?" he asked.
"No, just updated bounties. Want me to bring them to you?"
"Thanks." Rosen accepted. He was worried about Robin. Her injuries hadn't even received emergency treatment at the time. He wasn't sure if she'd made it.
A moment later—
In the lounge, designed like a ballroom for high society, the red carpet was laid out, and gourmet dishes were prepared despite no other guests.
Music played softly, and through the glass walls, one could see the sea outside. Clearly, this was a regular spot for entertaining important guests.
"Where is your ship headed? And where are we now?" Rosen asked as he sat down. He would still need that Den Den Mushi eventually.
"We're sailing on a route two days northeast of the infamous Florian Triangle. The destination is the Kingdom of Andea," Xiah replied calmly, seated across from him.
"Good. That's on the way. Now tell me your goal," Rosen said while eating—he was starving. He'd spent several days severely overexerted and needed food and rest to recover.
This was the most he'd ever pushed his limits since going to sea.
While speaking, he flipped through the updated bounty posters and news. Seeing Robin's new bounty, he finally relaxed. None of the key officers had died—though a few crew members had. But that was just bad luck, unavoidable.
"You're going to Andea too?" Xiah asked, surprised and unsure.
"Just to deal with a personal matter," Rosen replied vaguely. He didn't mention that the trip was to settle trouble caused by that country's king—and that he had other goals there as well.
"I want to ask you to kill someone," Xiah said bluntly.
"In the Kingdom of Andea?"
"Yes."
"Tell me everything. Then I'll decide." Rosen didn't agree right away. She had done him a favor, but that didn't mean he'd risk his life without knowing the details.
"Abedin, acting president of the AKS Trade Guild. He was once my father's trusted aide. During a long voyage, he colluded with the mercenary king and murdered my father. He now works as the king's money handler and has powerful bodyguards. We might even see him tonight," Xiah explained simply.
"The Mercenary King? The one who recruits deserters and rebels from all nations and sells armies? That one?" Rosen frowned. He had heard the name during his time in this world. Though the man didn't stay in the New World, his legend spanned the globe.
"Yes." Xiah was nervous. She didn't know how Rosen would weigh this debt of gratitude.
The Mercenary King was a terrifying figure in the underworld—mysterious and untouchable. Though he didn't command a standing army, he could instantly assemble forces of ten thousand or more, anywhere in the Four Seas or Grand Line, if the price was right.
Some even said that if he wanted to settle in the New World, he could rival the Four Emperors.
"Alright." Rosen thought for a moment and agreed. Whether it was worth it or not didn't matter.
Clearly, the Mercenary King had some operation in the Kingdom of Andea. Sooner or later, they'd cross paths—possibly as enemies. Better to act early. Besides, there was no guarantee his identity would be exposed.
"You're agreeing?" Xiah was stunned. She thought it would be much harder. But from his expression, it was as if she'd asked for a trivial favor.
"If it's an assassination, it's easy to keep hidden. But before I kill him, I'll confirm whether your story is true. I hope it is," Rosen said. He wasn't a good man, but he didn't kill innocents.
"No problem." Xiah nodded firmly.
"There's a ship outside constantly watching this one through telescopes. Should be fine if I sink it, right? I need a Den Den Mushi anyway," Rosen said, having sensed it with his Observation Haki.
Even though guards had hidden him from view, constant surveillance increased the chance of exposure. Better to deal with it now.
"You can… but won't you be exposed? We couldn't handle that many enemies before," Xiah said. Those two "escort ships" were actually sent by Abedin to monitor them—though officially labeled as protection.
Together, those ships held over five hundred elite fighters—bounty hunters, mercenaries, and other skilled warriors.
They had noticed Xiah rescued someone, but didn't care. Back then, Rosen was drenched in blood, horribly disfigured. No one believed he could survive.
Some even mocked Xiah in secret for playing the "kind lady."
"Prepare some information about the Kingdom of Andea. I'll be back shortly. A little warm-up is just what I need." Rosen stood—and the moment he finished speaking, he vanished.
(End of Chapter)