After finishing his discussion with Tom, Arthur made arrangements for his accommodations and had a banquet prepared in his honor.
All things considered—
Arthur spared no effort in showing respect. Of course, this wasn't merely to ensure Tom worked diligently; more importantly, Arthur hoped Tom might stay. Though Tom was known as a shipwright, he was, in truth, a master craftsman.
Bridges, tunnels, large-scale engineering—Tom could create all of it.
Such talent was invaluable.
If possible, Arthur naturally wanted someone like Tom under his banner. And with Max acting as the bridge between them, the odds of recruiting Tom were far from low.
Tap.
Tap.
In the study, Arthur worked through stacks of documents. Standing beside him, Gawain felt a familiar headache creeping in.
As expected… this kind of work still didn't suit him.
Just then—
A knock sounded at the door.
Arthur set down his pen and looked up.
"Come in."
Creak.
The door opened, and Max entered respectfully.
"Your Majesty."
Arthur smiled gently.
"Max, come in. Sit."
"Yes."
Max didn't refuse and took a seat. This was Arthur's study—when Arthur invited someone here, it usually wasn't for formal court business. Sitting was acceptable.
Under Galahad's guidance, Max and the other probationary Round Table Knights had long learned proper conduct.
Arthur studied Max for a moment, then asked calmly:
"Max, what's happened?"
"Hm?"
"Heh…"
Max froze, then let out a helpless chuckle.
"Your Majesty… you saw right through me. I hadn't planned on troubling you with this."
Indeed.
Max had hesitated earlier precisely because he felt this matter wasn't worth drawing Arthur into.
Arthur smiled.
"There's no need to be tense. Tell me what's going on. If it's truly something beyond reason, then even if you ask for my help, I may not be able to give it."
Arthur didn't promise anything outright.
Britannia was still a fledgling power—it couldn't afford to take on every problem in the world without benefit.
That said—
If it was feasible, Arthur didn't mind helping Max. Max held immense prestige among the Fish-Men; handled correctly, that influence could yield enormous returns.
Fisher Tiger.
Jinbe.
Arlong.
Hody Jones.
They seemed weak only because they were never properly guided.
With real training, even if they couldn't reach Vice Admiral level—Rear Admiral? Commodore? Captain?
That was more than achievable.
Arthur didn't just need the Round Table Knights—he needed to recruit talent from across the world.
He wasn't like Whitebeard, who picked up gifted children wherever he went.
Nor like Big Mom, whose own offspring were all monsters.
Since he lacked that kind of luck—
He'd recruit globally.
And the Fish-Men were prime candidates.
Had Fisher Tiger not died young, reaching the level of a Yonko's right-hand man wouldn't have been unrealistic. Jinbe required no explanation—he would later become a Warlord of the Sea.
Even Arlong, Hody, or Hachi—with proper training—could easily reach officer-class ranks.
Because of that—
Arthur had never relaxed his attention on Max, or on other non-human races under his influence.
"…Sigh."
Max let out a soft sigh, then lowered his head.
"Your Majesty… since you've seen through me, I ask that you help save Fish-Man Island—save the entire Ryugu Kingdom."
His voice was heavy with emotion.
Arthur replied calmly,
"Tell me exactly what's happened."
"Yes."
Max straightened.
"On my return to Britain, I passed through Fish-Man Island. While there, I learned that Ochoku, a former member of the Rocks Pirates, is preparing to attack Fish-Man Island."
"…Sigh."
Max sighed again.
In the past three months, Ochoku had regrouped and formed the Five Peaks Pirates.
Fish-Man Island, truthfully, had very little in terms of defensive strength.
Arthur frowned slightly.
"Strange. Why would Ochoku set his sights on Fish-Man Island?"
Indeed—
Fish-Man Island was valuable, but that didn't mean anyone could simply take it.
Without overwhelming strength, attacking Fish-Man Island would invite retaliation from countless powers. After all, it was one of the two mandatory routes into the New World.
Its strategic importance was undeniable.
Whitebeard and Big Mom had both protected it in different eras—but those were a legend and a Yonko respectively.
Their protection was unquestionable.
Max shook his head.
"It all comes down to the forbidden drug… Energy Steroids."
"I see."
Arthur immediately understood.
"Ochoku learned of Energy Steroids' effects and wants them?"
Max nodded.
"Yes. He's issued an ultimatum—one month. Either Fish-Man Island hands over Energy Steroids, or he will attack and occupy the island."
Arthur folded his hands in thought.
"As I recall, Energy Steroids come with horrific side effects."
Max looked surprised, then nodded solemnly.
"Yes, Your Majesty. The side effects are devastating. In the short term, they dramatically increase strength—even someone at Ochoku's level would see a boost."
"But the cost is life itself."
"Weaker individuals age rapidly and lose years of their lifespan in moments."
"And the stronger the user, the shorter the duration—maintaining such power is not something the body can sustain."
Arthur agreed.
Power always demanded a price.
As for himself?
The blessing of the islands wasn't cheating—it was simply a positive buff.
Arthur chuckled lightly.
"If that's the case, handing the drugs over without mentioning the side effects might doom Ochoku in the long run."
Of course—
That was only half a joke.
Ochoku was a schemer. Even if he didn't use Energy Steroids himself, he'd force others to. If the truth came out later, Fish-Man Island would suffer the consequences.
Max sighed.
"If only it were that simple… the formula for Energy Steroids was lost long ago."
"We don't even know if it's still on Fish-Man Island."
Arthur was genuinely surprised.
So Hody Jones obtaining it in the future really had been chance.
Arthur narrowed his eyes in thought.
Should he help?
Max waited quietly.
Whether Arthur agreed or not, he would accept the decision.
At last, Arthur spoke.
"Max. You know Britannia is a rising nation. We can't help Fish-Man Island without sufficient benefit."
"Yes—yes!"
Max reacted instantly.
"Your Majesty! If you aid Fish-Man Island, we are willing to pay any price—even to raise Britannia's banner and become a protectorate of Britannia!"
He didn't hesitate at all.
Britannia had already shown its edge. If it defeated the Five Peaks Pirates, its strength would be undeniable.
Arthur would stand alongside legends like Shiki and Whitebeard.
And as Britannia's protectorate, the Ryugu Kingdom's status would only rise.
This wasn't humiliation.
"Very well."
Arthur's voice turned solemn.
"Max—if you speak truly, then I will personally lead forces to stop and defeat Ochoku."
"Yes!"
Max stood and knelt on one knee.
"Your Majesty, I swear—every word is true."
Arthur smiled.
"Then rest. There's still one month before Ochoku attacks. It won't take long to reach Fish-Man Island. We'll prepare and set sail."
"Yes!"
Max withdrew, barely containing his excitement.
Arthur had agreed.
If Arthur could clash evenly with Shiki, then Ochoku posed no real threat.
After Max left, Arthur asked calmly:
"Gawain. Your thoughts?"
Gawain frowned.
"With our current strength… if we leave Britannia for Fish-Man Island, it will be dangerous."
He wasn't wrong.
Britannia couldn't afford to send all the Round Table Knights. But sending only one or two would create another problem—
They couldn't fight on two fronts.
The moment Arthur left, enemies would inevitably target Britain.
Arthur nodded.
"I know. That's why we'll summon more Round Table Knights."
Gawain shook his head.
"That's not the core issue, Your Majesty."
"…What are your odds against Ochoku?"
That was the real problem.
Arthur answered honestly.
"Even in my Red Dragon form, my odds are only four in ten. I haven't truly reached that level yet."
"…That's troubling."
Arthur smiled calmly.
"Don't worry. I've already prepared. One month is enough."
"If we take Fish-Man Island, the gains will be enormous."
This wasn't bravado.
Fish-Man Island's geography, resources, and talent made it invaluable.
With a 70% chance of victory, refusing to act would be cowardice.
"Yes."
Gawain bowed his head.
Since the king had prepared—
The knights would prepare for war.
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