Chapter 332: Fake Alcohol Causes Trouble - Iron Knight

The next day,

"Hmm?"

When Roman opened his eyes, he found himself:

"Sea Stone chains?"

Roman frowned as he was tied to a pillar. What happened? Why am I tied up? Did one of the Four Emperors come to attack?!

And looking around, he saw: "What are you guys...?"

"Hehehe, you're awake."

Except for Luffy and Zoro, who looked full of energy, the rest of the Straw Hat crew were scattered around the ruins, slumped in various positions. The arena fighters were all covered in injuries, barely hanging on to life. The banquet... Forget the banquet, the palace had turned into an open-air space.

"The White Knight, are you awake?"

Facing Sanji, who was walking over with a bowl in hand, Roman raised an eyebrow.

"When was I not awake?"

"Also, why am I tied up?"

Ah... "Alright, I'll help you untie the chains."

As Sanji unlocked the Hailou Stone chains on Roman, everyone around them flinched, instinctively moving their butts away. Roman was confused—what were these guys doing?

"Here."

"Thanks."

Roman took the soup from Sanji and took a sip, then pursed his lips.

"Sweet and sour, what is this?"

"A hangover soup."

?!

"I... did I drink alcohol?"

Even though Roman's helmet covered the upper half of his face, his confusion was still clearly heard by everyone around, causing them to look even more awkward.

"Hehehe, Roman, your drinking habits are too—ugh!"

"It's fine, it's fine."

Looking at Luffy, who was being dragged away with his mouth covered by Chinjao and others, Roman stroked his chin.

"Could it be..."

No way,

It can't be that I went on a drunken rampage, that's not my character!

But these guys are still covered in injuries, even though I clearly remember: "Didn't I already treat you guys? Should I use some more healing flames... Wait, did someone beat you up?"

"Bruises, falling... falling..."

A group of "experts" shyly waved their hands, saying their minor injuries weren't worth worrying about, and they didn't need any more treatment. After all, it's pretty embarrassing to admit that so many people were beaten to a pulp by the Straw Hat crew's strategist, "The White Knight!"

Although he couldn't fight at full strength due to "restraining" them, "The White Knight" still fought purely on instinct while drunk. It's pretty humiliating that so many people couldn't hold him back and that it was only Luffy's rubber binding technique that stopped him... Regretful.

The group of experts had tears in their eyes, thinking: How could there be such a poor drinker among the strong at sea? Not only did the party turn into a battlefield, but their just-healed bodies were injured again... What was the point?

Fake alcohol is dangerous! Never again should they encourage "The White Knight" to drink...

"Hmm, looks like it's necessary for everyone to rest for another two days."

Although Roman was puzzled by the strange situation where everyone had been treated before, yet woke up to find themselves injured again, he decided to let it go since no one seemed willing to explain. After all, getting hurt was a minor thing for the people of this world—it could be solved by just wrapping a bandage around it. 

"But your bodies are in pretty bad shape. You guys managed to get hurt just from holding a banquet?" 

In response to Roman's comment, everyone could only keep their frustration to themselves: 

"Fine, you're right!" 

Forget it. They couldn't even win in a brawl, so they decided not to bring it up.~~~ "Hehehe, we always just sleep right after a banquet." 

Luffy, who had returned, stood excitedly with his hands on his hips, looking around at the injured fighters. 

"So you guys like to work out after a banquet to help with digestion?" 

"Yeah, yeah! If we don't exercise after eating, we can't fall asleep!" 

"Exactly, life is all about exercise!" 

?! What are these guys up to? Roman watched the group with their awkward smiles and felt a bit lost. But since he couldn't make sense of it, he decided not to dwell on it. He had other things to do: "I'll go check the situation. You guys get some rest." 

Whoosh— 

With a flap of wings, Roman, in his The White Knight armor, shot into the sky. The group of fighters, who were fine just moments ago, immediately collapsed to the ground, groaning in pain. Luffy, looking on, couldn't help but feel nostalgic. 

"The last time I had so much fun with Roman was back at Enies Lobby." 

Hearing Luffy reminisce about their "glorious days," the group on the ground could only roll their eyes. 

Only you Straw Hats would think that was "fun," right? 

"Yeah, only then would Roman be willing to spar with me seriously." 

Zoro, looking like he wanted more, was met with the group's sympathetic glances. "I told you guys not to let Roman drink, right?" 

Nami rubbed her forehead, with Usopp and Chopper nodding in agreement. They could push themselves against enemies, but facing Roman was truly hopeless since he knew them too well. And there was absolutely no need for it! 

"But, Luffy..." 

Lying on the side, Law, as a doctor, couldn't help but give a professional warning to the Straw Hats. 

"The White Knight is different from Cavendish. I can sense that after Roman drinks, the 'other side' isn't just a simple second personality. It's more like an entirely separate..." 

"I know," 

Luffy pressed his straw hat down firmly, "But Roman is our partner, our lifetime partner!" 

You keep calling him 'Roman,' huh? The strategist of your crew is going to cry. Sooner or later, you're going to 'sell him out,' Captain! 

--- 

Whoosh~~ White doves flew across Dressrosa, watching everything unfold. For example: Fujitora, who once again rolled a '1' and decided to stay put, along with his helpless subordinates, Vice Admirals Bastille and Maynard. 

For instance, in Doflamingo's ruined palace: "After suffering under Doflamingo's brutal rule and death threats, the people truly hope you can lead this country again." 

The speaker was King Elizabello II of the Prodence Kingdom. 

This king, known as the "King of War," had been a long-time friend of King Riku, the "King of Peace." War and peace were two sides of the same coin: one sought peace through war, while the other stopped war through peace. 

"Come back, King Riku." 

"After you left, this sea has been in constant conflict for the past ten years, and life hasn't been easy for anyone." 

Because Doflamingo has been selling weapons and constantly stirring up wars, all the countries near Dressrosa are suffering. In comparison, Doflamingo is truly the "King of War." 

The underground king of war! "Can I bring happiness to people?" 

However, after Doflamingo's ten years of rule, King Riku, who once believed he could maintain peace, now only has one daughter and one granddaughter left in his royal family, and he no longer has the same confidence. 

"If only I could be the kind of king who, like a 'god,' could control even natural disasters..." 

"!?" 

"Hey! Don't say such scary things!" 

King Riku shook his head at the startled King of Elizabello II. 

"I was just joking." 

A joke? The white dove sitting on the roof tilted its head. "A 'god,' controlling natural disasters... Looks like the kings of the allied countries aren't completely clueless." 

Flap flap— the dove flew toward the palace, landing in a room. "So beautiful, girls should definitely wear dresses. It's much prettier than armor." 

The dove landed in the room, looking at Rebecca, now wearing a long dress. The girl finally had the appearance of a "princess." But, "Dresses are nice, but in this world, having power is never a bad thing." 

As the dove flapped its wings and landed, the maids were startled. Just as they were about to call for the guards, Rebecca's aunt, Violet, came forward. 

"Roman, thank you so much for your help." 

As the "Giro Giro" fruit user, Violet had noticed the Straw Hat crew from a long distance away and had already seen Roman's true face without disguise. As a former spy for Doflamingo, she had also guessed the dove's true identity. 

"If it weren't for your efforts, our country might..." 

"This isn't my achievement," the dove flapped its wings. "It's everyone's will." 

Roman never took credit for others' efforts. Maybe Violet thought he was the one bridging the gap between the Marines and pirates, but Roman knew that even without him, everything would have eventually turned out for the better, though the process might have been a little twisted. 

"Roman," 

Rebecca, dressed in a gown, also bowed seriously—though without the formal lady-like gesture of lifting her skirt. 

"Well, personally, I think armor suits you." 

Unfortunately, Rebecca's father, aunt, and grandfather all didn't want to see her fighting again. Still, Roman had to say, "Like I've said before, being strong in this world is never a bad thing." 

In fact, the tragedy of Dressrosa happened because the country was too weak. If there had been a few Kyros-level strong fighters, Doflamingo wouldn't have dared to touch the Riku family so easily. 

The same logic applies to Fishman Island: if there were a few Jinbe-level warriors, who would dare to go to Fishman Island and capture mermaids? They'd be asking for trouble! "So, it's best not to slack off with swordsmanship." 

Roman made the effort to come because he didn't want Rebecca to end up as just a "decoration." 

"This world has 'Empress' Boa Hancock, 'Big Mom' Charlotte Linlin, so why can't there be a great swordswoman princess from Dressrosa? Even if you don't use that power to kill, it's still a great thing to protect your country and loved ones with a sword." 

The white dove finished speaking and then spat out a book.

"This is the training method for 'Armament Haki.' Just dodging won't make you strong. — Of course, what you do with your life after this is your choice. I'm just giving you one more 'option.'"

Get stronger, at least so that the next time you face a strong enemy, you won't fall to the ground and cry helplessly.

"I understand, Roman."

Rebecca put the book away and smiled at Violet, who was standing nearby, as the white dove flew away.

"Sure enough, Roman is not a 'knight.'"

A knight who makes the princess become strong? Is there such a thing? But, thank you. Mr. Roman, you really are a good person.

(End of chapter)

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