"Meanwhile.
Grimm had been wandering around the Kingdom of Etkexay for three days. It was a relatively prosperous country, and the people's lives were quite stable.
Perhaps it was precisely because it was too boring that the king decided to start a war, to alleviate the stagnant atmosphere within the country…
Grimm didn't use any disguise to alter his identity, so as soon as he appeared, he attracted the attention of the patrol.
However, most ordinary people didn't recognize Grimm. This wasn't surprising. Grimm wasn't as instantly recognizable as Kaido. Moreover, in the common folk's circles, his reputation wasn't as widespread as Kaido's.
Despite causing chaos on the battlefield, he was still not recognized by many ordinary people. Grimm's fame and background were inherently less than Kaido's, and coupled with the kingdom's deliberate concealment of the matter, it wasn't strange that the common people of the Kingdom of Etkexay didn't recognize Grimm.
After all, being routed by one person with an army of over twenty thousand wasn't an honorable thing to admit, so it was better kept hidden.
However, Grimm's appearance caused a stir within the Etkexay royal family. Previously, his fame was only limited to the pirate circles.
Grimm walked into a civilian street, located behind the bustling main street, and appeared quite desolate. This was because more people were concentrated on the main street.
Grimm stopped and then smiled: "Encountering one's country's number one enemy. In the absence of others, assassination is the best choice, isn't it?"
Grimm had already sensed people lurking around. "Now I've given you the opportunity to act. Aren't you going to attack quickly? People of the Etkexay royal family!"
When Grimm turned around, dozens of people immediately swarmed out from behind several houses. Their attire bore over eighty percent similarity to the Etkexay Kingdom army Grimm had seen on the battlefield a week ago, except their armor looked more refined.
This was the patrol of the Etkexay royal family.
"We have no intention of attacking!"
A guard from the patrol walked up to Grimm. Although he forcibly maintained his composure, the slight trembling of his twitching lips still revealed his inner fear.
"His Highness the King wishes to meet a distinguished figure like you. A feast has been prepared. Please do us the honor!" the captain said.
Grimm said with interest: "Oh? A Banquet?"
"What?"
The captain naturally didn't know what a "Banquet" was. His eyes widened. Seeing that Grimm wasn't saying anything further, he was about to invite him again when Grimm showed a heartwarming smile: "Lead the way. May the Holy Light bless you!"
Unexpectedly, Grimm's attitude changed so quickly. The captain and the others were quite surprised, but this was their objective. Seeing Grimm agree, they immediately led the way towards the royal palace.
"I suspect they're planning how to kill me, perhaps with an ambush or poison!" Grimm began to fantasize. But he was bored now, just like the Etkexay royals, with nothing better to do…
Upon reaching the red carpet of the Etkexay Kingdom's royal hall, a man in a brown military uniform, wearing a cape, and appearing to be around sixty years old sat on the throne on the steps.
Ostenstein Hyde
This was his name. He also wore a rapier on his left waist. At the same time, Dante, the commander of the Royal Army, stood to Hyde's right. Grimm could tell that one of his hands was in a position to draw his sword.
Hyde stood up from his throne and walked down the steps, coming to the same level as Grimm. His old face, full of wrinkles, showed no hostility as he circled Grimm.
"Bounty of 950 million Beli. Half a month ago, he fought Hundred Beasts Kaido to a draw. Now he is ranked just below legends like Roger, Whitebeard, and Shiki, and is known as one of the 'Below Legend' great pirates alongside Charlotte Linlin and Kaido, Tirion D. Grimm!"
Hyde observed Grimm as he circled him, reciting the information that had been published in the newspapers, which was nothing new.
However, it could create the illusion that the other party knew him very well.
After saying these words with a hint of admiration, Hyde changed his tone and asked sternly: "Why would someone like you interfere in our kingdom's war with the Kingdom of Lettes? For the Devil Fruit? You are so powerful, why would you need a Devil Fruit? To sell it for money? Name your price. How much would you sell the Devil Fruit to me for?"
Hyde knew that Grimm had previously worked as a bounty hunter, so he believed the other party must be interested in money.
"The Devil Fruit? I just happened to pick it up," Grimm smiled. "And I've already destroyed it. The Holy Light despises devils, and even more so, it despises war. The Holy Light will kill all sinners!"
Grimm was talking nonsense. He certainly couldn't give away the Devil Fruit; it was being saved for Sanji, the future King of the Pirates.
Hyde's expression stiffened. He didn't expect Grimm to be even more cunning than him. "We're both old foxes, do you think I don't know you're talking nonsense?"
Grimm smiled faintly and said, "Your Highness, what about the promised banquet? Why is it so empty?"
Hyde thought to himself that at least for now, he shouldn't make an enemy of the other party. What was his motive for intervening in the war? Generally, pirates do such things for money.
But this guy didn't seem to care. Even so, it was best to stabilize the situation first.
With that thought, Hyde waved his hand and shouted: "Someone, prepare a banquet!"
Soon, banquet tables were quickly prepared on both sides of the Etkexay Kingdom's side hall. These were prepared from the beginning, so they were brought out immediately.
During the banquet, Hyde found an excuse to leave the table. Grimm could guess some of his wicked intentions but didn't stop him; he was mostly too lazy to.
Outside the side hall, Hyde met with his subordinate Dante. Dante glanced at the luxurious side hall in the distance, then bowed to Hyde and said, "Your Highness, what do you think?"
"He hindered my ambition to unify the Lulusis continent. No matter who it is, they must die!" Hyde was very angry, and the consequences would be severe.
Frankly, he considered himself a wise ruler. He ascended the throne at thirty and led this impoverished country to a prosperous life. In his later years, Hyde wanted to achieve his greater ambitions.
Just as he found an opportunity to start the war, Grimm's appearance obstructed his ambitions.
"But Your Highness, that person is a pirate monster recognized by both the Navy and the World Government. We witnessed his terror on the battlefield. Ordinary methods are completely ineffective in killing him!"
Dante's forehead broke out in cold sweat just thinking about Grimm's appearance on the battlefield, and goosebumps rose all over his body.
"If we take the risk to kill him, the outcome will be certain death, and the kingdom will surely incur his wrath!" Dante advised.
Hyde raised his hand to stop him: "I, Hyde, have seen all sorts of storms in my life. Although this Grimm is troublesome, it's not that there's no solution…"
"But… he is the Eternal Great Angel…" Dante was somewhat worried.
"Dante, I remember you have a very interesting subordinate!"
Dante's eyes shifted, and he instantly understood, his expression slightly stunned: "Your Highness, are you referring to Alia?"
"Use that thing, along with Alia, to deal with Grimm," Hyde commanded.
"But Your Highness, the cost is too great. After all, Alia is a very important subordinate to me!" Dante worried.
"We don't know if this Grimm will continue to obstruct me. Compared to victory in war, her body is insignificant!" Hyde said coldly.
"No one is more suitable than her. Do you know what a man's greatest pleasure is? And at that moment, men are also at their most careless!"
__________________
For more advance chapters visit patreon.com/bars45.
For 10$- All advance chapters.
"Schedule"
Monday - Friday - Update 3 Chapters a Day
Saturday - Sunday - Off