One Piece: Mandala Swordsman

Chapter 32 Forced to Be Absurd

After that, there was an eerie silence.

No one spoke; apart from Rami's laughter coming from inside the room, the atmosphere was eerily silent.

"Then why did you tell Luo about this?"

"Because he was a smart kid that I liked, I just wanted to give it a try."

Luo, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up: "Is there really no other way? But as long as everyone believes it's not an infectious disease, that's enough, right? That way..."

“You’re thinking too easily. Without a reasonable explanation, no one will believe you. Besides, the idea that platinum and lead are toxic is hard to believe if you don’t know it beforehand. After all, your mining history is over a hundred years. It’s hard for outsiders to believe you unless…” Suddenly, a bold idea popped into Roman’s mind.

People often do absurd things to cover up the truth, and she seems to be no exception.

"Perhaps, there is still a way."

"Whatever you've thought of, anything is fine, please." Luo's father almost knelt down before Roman, after all, this was a hard-won hope, and all the countermeasures he had mentioned before had been cruelly rejected by Roman.

"I need to think about this matter carefully for a while, so please allow me to take my leave."

After saying that, Roman left immediately. She wanted to leave, and a few ordinary people obviously couldn't stop her.

but……

Are you still following me?

"Because what you said is our only hope, there's nothing I can do," Luo said dejectedly as she followed behind.

"I had hoped that you would be my hope."

"Ugh?"

Luo was clearly surprised.

"Tell me, what are you willing to sacrifice for your parents, your sister, your country?"

“Everything.” Luo’s eyes were full of determination.

"I understand. You don't need to follow up anymore. Let me think about it."

This time, Roman got rid of Luo.

By the time they got back to Hartel's house, it was already dark.

"You're back at this time, perhaps you've made some friends? After all, you don't look like you've just come back from training!" Hartel teased Roman upon seeing him.

"How could that be? I was just dealing with some things."

“I know children well enough to be two-faced. Could it be that brat named Luo? He’s quite famous here. After all, his parents are both excellent doctors who are kind and patient. And he’s also a very bright child. I often see him coming to see you. Have you finally succumbed to his enthusiasm?”

"Uncle, don't talk nonsense. He is on the path of saving lives, while I am on the path of killing. If it weren't for an accident, we wouldn't have crossed paths."

“Nothing is surprising in this world. Speaking of which, would you like some dessert? This time, it’s a cake made with premium cream, premium sugar, and premium fruit. I’ve put a lot of thought into it,” Hartel said with a gentle smile.

When Roman entered the room, he indeed found that Hartel had not lied; there was indeed a large cream cake that looked quite nice, at least it was made with care.

Is today some special day?

"I've been so grateful for your care all this time. It's not too much to ask a boss to treat his best employee to a cake, is it?"

"Then I'll start eating."

It still can't compare to the cakes from the Kingdom of Tottoland, where there are top-notch ingredients, top chefs, and the best tools.

Only in this way can we satisfy the older women.

But Roman still ate happily. Although she was loved in Totland, it wasn't a normal environment, and she still longed to escape.

The distorted environment of the Kingdom of Tottoland destined love between people to be mutually twisted.

But it's different here. Even though she doesn't consider this place her home, she's really happy.

"Uncle, what do you think if I want to do something crazy?"

"Black Cat, you call it crazy? Then it must be a truly remarkable event."

Roman was a little puzzled: "Shouldn't our first reaction be to ask what's going on? What if it's dangerous?"

“I’m not an old-fashioned person, and besides, I don’t think treating you like a child is a good choice. You should have thought about it carefully, right?” Ever since he overheard her conversation with Wales, Hartle had come to regard the black cat as an adult, just like himself. He knew she understood everything.

"That's really crazy."

“Then I’ll wait and see.” Hartel opened a bottle of beer and started drinking.

Roman found it rather boring that Hartel's reaction didn't scare him at all.

She got up from the dining table and went to Hartle's study.

Aren't you going to eat?

"I will finish eating, but there's one thing I need to do first."

The black cat seemed a bit strange today, but Hartel didn't think much of it; everyone has those moments.

“Brubrubrubrubru…”

Ok?

The sound of a Den Den Mushi (a type of electric scooter) filled Hartel's study. He roughly knew what she was going to do there. This was quite something; he'd known her for a while, but this was the first time he'd ever seen her call someone on her own initiative.

Could they be friends?

"Moses, is that Lieutenant Colonel Wales?"

? ? ? ?

Why would she contact Lieutenant Colonel Wales at this point? Had she come to a change of heart? But what made her change her mind?

"Is it Luo... is it Miss Black Cat?" Lieutenant Colonel Wales valued Roman highly. He was extremely loyal to the Navy, but because of his limited strength, he was very polite to these geniuses, afraid of displeasing them. He naturally remembered that Roman preferred to be called Black Cat rather than by her name.

Such attention seemed to be beneath her rank of lieutenant colonel, but the strong are respected everywhere, and besides, she still had a chance to join the navy.

Once she joins, Wales believes that within ten years, he might have to call her "commander."

"I'm sorry to bother you, but I'm calling because I've made up my mind. I'm willing to join the Navy, but I hope you can agree to some conditions."

A glimmer of hope appeared in Wales' eyes; there were conditions, meaning there was room for negotiation.

It seems things have taken a turn for the better, but I don't know what the conditions are. All the previous favorable conditions didn't seem to sway her.

Wales dared not be careless and said frankly, "I hope Miss Black Cat will give me some guidance."

What exactly were the conditions? Not only were Wales curious, but Hartle, who had been eavesdropping the whole time, was even more curious. At this moment, he wished he could stick his whole body to the door.

Unfortunately, Roman deliberately lowered his voice, drawing it into the darkness.

Hartel heard nothing.

Oh! What a pity, Hartel thought with a touch of regret.