Kyros, however, didn't perceive this as praise. He hadn't imagined the gap would be so enormous. As the undefeated swordsman of the Corrida Colosseum, he possessed his own distinct pride, and Bege had utterly crushed that pride with absolute strength.
"Kyros, how about boarding my ship? I'll show you the vastness and grandeur of this sea," Bege said with a smile, gazing at Kyros.
"Dressrosa is too small. You shouldn't be confined here. Come aboard my ship. With your abilities, you deserve to stand on grander, more numerous stages."
"Become a pirate?"
Kyros shook his head firmly.
"My wife is here, my friends, my country. I must stay here to protect them."
He was already married and loved his wife more than himself. Compared to his own future, he preferred to stay by his wife's side and protect Dressrosa.
"Kyros, to be frank, your strength might be enough to fend off an invasion from a pirate crew with a bounty of two or three hundred million, or perhaps a little higher. But if a truly major pirate crew decided to seize Dressrosa, you wouldn't be able to stop them at all.
"Join my ship. Let your wife come to my territory as well. I promise to ensure her safety. And if Dressrosa is ever invaded, I will permit you to go and defend it."
Bege had offered remarkably favorable terms and shown considerable regard. Kyros didn't refuse immediately this time. After contemplating for half a minute, he said in a low voice, "I need some time to consider."
Bege didn't press him, merely nodding. "Alright. I'll give you two days to think it over. I'll wait for your answer at the port."
With that, he left the flower field with Taylor.
Kyros, dragging his exhausted body, returned home. Scarlett asked if he was injured.
"No, Captain Demon Dragon just wanted to spar a bit to test our swordsmanship," Kyros said, forcing a smile as he caressed Scarlett's lovely face, trying to ease her worry.
Kyros was exceptionally tired, but Bege's words made it impossible for him to sleep. Eventually, he told Scarlett everything, wanting to hear her thoughts on the choice.
"Kyros, this is your life's decision. Please, you must follow your own heart. As your wife, I respect and will fully accept whatever you choose," Scarlett said gently, stroking Kyros's cheek.
She had always known her husband was ambitious. It was only for her that he had relinquished his position as a legion commander, given up everything to live as an ordinary man with her in this field of flowers.
Just as Kyros was willing to sacrifice everything for her, Scarlett was willing to give up their current life for Kyros, to let him stand on a grander stage and live the life that was meant for him.
Kyros still hadn't made a decision. He had too many attachments in Dressrosa. The following night, he secretly entered the royal palace and met with King Riku to seek his advice.
"The Fire Tank Pirates… He has a feud with the Fear Pirates. It's highly likely they'll fight in the future. Do you think the Fire Tank Pirates can win?" King Riku mused.
Kyros fell silent. He knew that the Emperors of the New World possessed a strength so formidable it could induce despair, but he had never encountered that level himself.
However, in their spar the day before, Bege had also given him a similar feeling of hopelessness. He didn't know how large the gap was between Bege and a New World Emperor.
King Riku also had his own considerations. Kyros was the strongest swordsman in the country, capable of defending Dressrosa. He hoped Kyros would continue to protect it.
More importantly, he wasn't optimistic about the Fire Tank Pirates. If they were defeated, Kyros would very likely die in battle, and he didn't want his daughter to become a widow.
The next day, Bege received Kyros's answer. He had still refused.
Bege felt a twinge of regret and sighed.
"Captain Demon Dragon, I am willing to join your pirate crew!" Suddenly, a female voice rang out. A beautiful young girl, only about thirteen or fourteen years old, walked over.
"Viola, what are you doing here?" Kyros's face hardened, and he sternly rebuked her.
This young girl was King Riku's second daughter, Viola, user of the Glare-Glare Fruit.
"Brother-in-law, I've come to join the Fire Tank Pirates in your stead," Viola said with a resolute expression.
"What nonsense are you talking? Go back immediately!" Kyros looked upset and tried to pull the girl away, but Viola seemed to have made up her mind and wouldn't budge.
"Brother-in-law, Dressrosa needs your protection, and my sister needs your protection, so you cannot leave Dressrosa. But I can also protect Dressrosa. I want to become a member of the Fire Tank Pirates. If Dressrosa is ever in danger in the future, Captain Bege has promised he will allow me to save Dressrosa," Viola stated with unwavering determination.
Kyros's face turned ashen. He glared at Bege, and any trace of goodwill he might have felt towards him instantly vanished.
"Captain Demon Dragon, you've gone too far! She's just a young girl! Why would you bewitch her?"
Bege shook his head lightly. "Kyros, I did not bewitch her. I simply gave her a choice, the same choice I gave you."
"You chose to protect Dressrosa now; she chooses to protect Dressrosa in the future."
"Yes, Brother-in-law. Captain Bege didn't force me; he just let me choose. And I have made my choice. I want to see the outside world, and I also want to protect Dressrosa in the future," Viola said in a firm voice. Although she was only thirteen or fourteen, as a member of the royal family, she was more mature and composed than others her age. She already had her own views on life and values.
"Viola, I will protect Dressrosa. There's no need for a little girl like you to make such a sacrifice," Kyros said, his fists clenched, his expression exceptionally serious.
"Brother-in-law, this truly isn't about sacrificing myself for the sake of sacrifice. I also want to witness the magnificence of the great sea," Viola said with utmost earnestness.
Kyros looked at the determined Viola, momentarily at a loss for words.
"Does King Riku know?"
"He doesn't. I was hoping you could tell him, Brother-in-law."
"Then it's out of the question! You cannot leave!" Kyros said, his expression resolute as he pulled Viola behind him, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword as he stared at Bege.
"You are no match for me, Kyros," Bege said, shaking his head gently.
"Viola absolutely cannot go with you!" Kyros declared, unyielding.
Bege walked towards Kyros step by step, his supremely ferocious Conqueror's Haki erupting and pressing down on him. Kyros's face became extremely pained and contorted, cold sweat beading on his forehead. Clang! As Bege drew near, Kyros finally couldn't withstand it any longer and collapsed to his knees.
"Brother-in-law!" Viola cried out in alarm.
"He'll be fine. Viola, come with me. Whatever you desire, I will satisfy you. Come and see this great era," Bege said, extending his hand.
Viola glanced worriedly at Kyros, then resolutely took Bege's hand. Bege led her away.
Kyros watched Viola's departing figure, his face etched with extreme anguish. He truly, deeply felt a sense of fear and powerlessness.
"Why is the gap… so vast?"