Under Sage's piercing gaze, Guernica instinctively lowered his head, cold sweat unknowingly dripping down.
It felt as though that glance could see right through his heart.
"Master Sage, our cooperation has always been delightful. From above, I've been asked to convey that you, knowledgeable and sensible as you are, would surely not act petty. Seeing you now, that's indeed the case."
Guernica adjusted his mindset, raised his head, and said, "One million Belly, we agree. We hope Master Sage can maintain our cooperation and not betray our trust again."
"What do you take me for? I'm a man whose words are as steady as nails. Even if you've got nothing left, I wouldn't increase the price."
"Understood, thank you, Master Sage."
Guernica bowed, stood up, and added, "Well then, I shall take my leave."
"Have a pleasant cooperation."
Sage raised his glass to him, "I won't see you off."
Once Guernica had disappeared, Sage chuckled, taking a sip of his drink, "Another big deal closed."
"Sage, why does the World Government plead so much? We set the price so high, can't they make it themselves?" Lily asked, puzzled.
The World Government had sourced from them several times before, and Lily always thought it was because their weapons were of good quality, and the World Government buying them in bulk was to arm their forces.
But at this point, even if Sage raised the price, the World Government still chose to buy... With such vast land, can't they make it themselves?
"If they could make it, would they still buy?"
Sage chuckled, "Lily, you don't understand the World Government. The visible World Government's power comes from the ancient twenty nations and the many kingdoms that have now joined. The kingdoms band together, providing manpower and wealth to establish the Navy and Security Officers, upholding the so-called sea order. This principle, on the surface, they will not break."
"They are political creatures, a product of power and mutual compromise, where the member countries acknowledge the status of the Heavenly Celestial Dragons, and the World Government offers protection and necessary assistance to the member countries. Within this alliance, they can share and exchange, thus considered the civilized world."
"Though it appears the World Government leads the member countries, the World Conference is the stage for these member countries. Fifty qualified kingdoms gather to set the sea's rules for the next four years. Creating the Seven Warlords of the Sea, abolishing them, these are decisions made by them, the visible world rules are just so."
"The World Government is neither one man nor one nation. If they wanted to produce weapons, the first to disagree would be those member countries. Most weapon sources also originate from the member countries' production."
"It's not that making is worse than buying, it's simply they can't produce them." Sage laughed.
Lily furrowed her brows. The principle of the World Government is the rules of the sea, from ancient times till now. She should understand this, but having been with Sage for so long, her thinking has already changed.
Member countries, a single member country is nothing more than a lamb ready for slaughter. Those powerful nations are formidable, yet constrained, if they truly were the World Government, they'd certainly unify the world.
"Not understanding? Heh heh heh, the simplest example is that they simply don't care."
Sage said, "Who is strong, who is weak, it doesn't matter. What's important is their dominion persists, and that's enough."
"Not much longer."
Just as he finished speaking, a blended sound emitted by a loudspeaker was heard outside.
Who's-Who led Crow inside, who sat opposite Sage, saying, "We Revolutionary Army will wage war against the Heavenly Celestial Dragons and will achieve victory!"
Sage bared his teeth, "I welcome every friend doing business."
The war involving the World Government was initiated by the Revolutionary Army.
After they raided Mary Geoise, rescued Kuma, and the newspaper reported Cobra's death, twelve member countries were pushed to revolt, with eight of those nations successfully doing so, refusing to pay heavenly tributes to the World Government and boldly declared to overthrow the Heavenly Celestial Dragons.
This incident recently occupied a large section of the newspapers, overshadowing the establishment of the Cross Guild, and was named the 'Eight-Nation Revolution'.
"Seems someone was here before, the World Government..."
Crow surveyed the surroundings, glanced at the untouched glass, and stated, "We Revolutionary Army need an ample supply of weapons to fight against the World Government. Sage, Dorag wants our weapon transaction to expand."
He was not Koala, lacking bewilderment or volatility, and was unsurprised about the World Government dealing with a pirate.
His sole duty was to complete the task assigned by Dorag.
"No problem, as long as you can pay the price."
Sage said, "As for your price, let's see, I'll sell at the original price, won't raise it, still fifty thousand Belly per weapon, and can be exchanged with people and supplies. Similarly, warships and gunpowder follow the prior trading prices."
"We accept this transaction..."
Crow paused and continued, "Sage, I've seen your kingdom, a prosperous one, you're an able and kind King. You should join us to stand against the Heavenly Celestial Dragons, do you have time to let me tell you about our Revolutionary Army's history and..."
"Shoo shoo."
Sage rolled his eyes, "I'm not interested in your stories, don't start on this in front of me, or else, I'll raise the price."
Trying that in front of him?
He's been through it all!
"Understood, then I shall take my leave."
Crow didn't linger, having settled the negotiations, he decomposed into a flock of crows and scattered outside.
"Logia-type?"
Lily glanced at some black dust on the table, saying, "Acting all mysterious..."
Who's-Who wiped the black dust off the chair, pinched a bit, and remarked, "Governor, seems like coal dust."
"Ha! Is this even considered natural...Is it natural extraction?"
Sage snickered, "Or is it the ability to control dust, thus it's included? Then, could it be the Ash-Ash Fruit?"
"Sage, why give the Revolutionary Army such a low price? Shouldn't it be the same as the World Government?" Renedia asked.
"It's naturally for the sustainability of war."
Sage stated, "The Revolutionary Army cannot overpower the World Government, can only endure for a while. No denying, the Navy remains the greatest overlord upon the seas. Without enhancing their arms, how can the war persist long enough for me to conduct business?"
Fight for a while, and if victorious, the weapon demand will naturally dwindle.
Hence, the weaker side requires support.
Regarding who is weaker...
That's insignificant; what matters is balancing both sides' firepower.
At such battle scale, even a few strong figures won't make much of a difference, and Dorag himself isn't weak.
As long as the fighting continues, engulfing the world in chaos...
"Weapons, food, medicine, clothing...I have everything here, seize this chance to conduct all business, during wartime chaos, they won't have time to produce, and by then, I'll conduct business as I please."
In wartime eras, what is the great landlord best at?
Hoarding for speculation?
No, it's damn market control!