Chapter 124: Proposal

Elizabello II immediately contacted Ars. The sound of den-den mushi sounded in the room with the current atmosphere quite tense. Slowly, the connection finally did not get an answer at all. Bell who looked at the den-den mushi, his face was full of disappointment and sadness.

Dagama then sighed, "You are out of luck, Commander Bell. King Fortis is probably busy right now and doesn't have time to pick up his den-den mushi or maybe he's doing something outside his office right now and forgot to bring his den-den mushi."

"What– Is there no other way?" Bell asked nervously.

"There are two ways " Elizabello II said calmly, "The first is to wait until lunch or dinner breaks. Usually at times like that, King Fortis is easy to contact. It's still 10 in the morning, you need to wait at least two more hours before the lunch break from the Fortis Kingdom. As for the second method, we can contact Miss Lowellmina and then talk to her about what you want."

"Is Miss Lowellmina easy to contact?" asked Bell hopefully.

"Unlike King Fortis. Miss Lowellmina is easier to contact" Elizabello II said calmly.

"In that case, please help, King of Prodance. Please contact Miss Lowellmina"

"Alright" Elizabello II nodded and immediately contacted Lowellmina.

Elizabello II himself can be said to have memorized all the den-den mushi numbers belonging to the Fortis Kingdom officials who are currently present. Not only him but Dagama and also the people who got the den-den mushi numbers belonging to the higher-ups of the Fortis Kingdom. They all memorized it. This is because if there is a situation that requires assistance from the Fortis Kingdom. They can quickly contact anyone without searching the books that record the numbers.

In contrast to Ars who did not answer the call. Elizabello II's den-den mushi call was quickly answered by Lowellmina.

Lowellmina is Head of the Department of Foreign Relations. Lowellmina must always be ready at work for anyone who will contact her. Because of that, she always brought and put his den-den mushi nearby at work.

"Hello, Lowellmina here"

Bell who saw that the communication line was connected had his face filled with excitement.

"Miss Lowellmina, it's me, Elizabello II" Elizabello II said in a respectful tone.

"Is there something the King of Prodance needs to contact me?" Lowellmina asked in bewilderment.

Because normally if Elizabello II contacted the Fortis Kingdom. Elizabello II will contact Ars soon and rarely to them.

"This…" Elizabello II immediately explained the ins and outs of the problem that was currently happening.

"I see" Lowellmina nodded.

"Miss Lowellmina, what do you think?" Elizabello II asked calmly and also full of feelings because Elizabello II really wanted to know the answer or the action that the Fortis Kingdom wanted to take.

"King of Prodance, is the representative of the Kingdom of Alabasta currently with you?" Lowellmina asked calmly.

"Sure." Elizabello II nodded.

"I apologize for this being rude. However, can I speak to him?"

"No problem" Elizabello II immediately handed the den-den mushi to Bell. Bell nervously accepted the den-den mushi immediately.

"Hello, Miss Lowellmina. Introduce me is Bell. I am the intended representative." Bell said in a slightly nervous tone.

"Hello, Commander Bell. You don't have to be too nervous. I already know about the problems your kingdom is currently experiencing." Lowellmina said calmly, "Actually for the Alabasta Kingdom. His Majesty has mentioned it to us many times."

"Mention it?" Elizabello II, Dagama, as well as Bell were quite surprised to hear this.

"Did you watch the Octagon meeting that was broadcast a while ago? Or read the news about the meeting?" Ask Lowellmina.

"We watched that time" Bell answered quickly.

"If you watched the meeting, you must have heard that His Majesty has a desire to establish cooperative relations with the two kingdoms in the Grand Line territory, right?" Lowellmina asked again.

"Sure" Bell nodded in confusion, "That was quite a shock for our side." Bell paused for a moment and began to think about the reason why Lowellimina brought up the topic.

Meanwhile, Dagama, who incidentally is someone with above average intelligence, could immediately catch the contents of the conversation, "The Kingdom of Alabasta is quite lucky…" Dagama sighed.

"Miss Lowellmina could it be…" Bell's feelings at this moment were very excited because he had also come to the same conclusion as Dagama.

"Yes. One of the two kingdoms that His Majesty wants to establish a cooperative relationship with is the Kingdom of Alabasta" Lowellmina said calmly.

Bell who heard this couldn't help but feel excited. Because only through these words. Bell had been convinced that the current Alabasta Kingdom was safe.

"Our desire to establish a cooperative relationship with the Kingdom of Alabasta cannot be separated from the location of the Kingdom of Alabasta in the ocean area of the Grand Line. The Kingdom of Alabasta is at the central point or it can be said to be in the middle of the Grand Line area and is very suitable to be a trading center in the area of the early part of the Grand Line where usually new traders come from the region of the four seas" Lowellmina said calmly and continued back. , "Because the size of the Grand Line's territory is quite large. The Amazon Lily Kingdom will not be able to handle the entire sale of our products or the products of other kingdoms in the New World region for sale especially for the area at the beginning of the Grand Line which is close to the entrance. Therefore, we need a territory or kingdom that is located close to the territory."

Lowellmina stopped back and continued, "We already have spies throughout the region or you could say the whole kingdom has our spies and from all the monitoring that is done. The Kingdom of Alabasta is the most suitable kingdom to be used as a place to sell products and other things."

Lowellmina paused for a moment and continued, "Regarding your request. We can help solve it. With a note, your Kingdom has a desire to establish a cooperative relationship with our kingdom. As long as a cooperative relationship can be formed. Our kingdom will gladly help resolve this rebellion troop problem as well as other problems. Also, our kingdom has an interesting proposal to your kingdom. What do you think?"

"Proposal?" Bell asked in confusion.

"The proposal is to assist in the reconstruction of the royal territory that you have. The area that you own now is known by many people is a desert where it is difficult to develop various things there such as plants and others. The proposal I'm offering is that our kingdom will help turn a large enough area into a green forest and also build clear rivers. That way, your kingdom can take advantage of this vast area to build agriculture, livestock and so on. Also, with that, the water problems in your kingdom can also be solved by building rivers and lakes."

Elizabello II, Dagama and Bell fell silent hearing this.

"This proposal itself is not free. Because if you accept this Proposal, at least every year the Kingdom of Alabasta must give 10% of the total income they get to our kingdom. This is a cost that the Kingdom of Alabasta will have to bear if they want our kingdom to assist in the reconstruction."

Lowellmina paused and continued, "Please don't misunderstand the price we're offering, Commander Bell. This price alone is because the Kingdom of Alabasta directly received development assistance from our kingdom. Unlike the Ryugu Kingdom, Prodance Kingdom, and Amazon Lily Kingdom where they don't need our kingdom's help in construction and reconstruction and our cooperation agreement only includes a sales agreement and others. Your kingdom is different because our kingdom is fair in the reconstruction and in terms of the area that needs to be reconstructed it is also very large in size. We also need to get a result from our work."

"I see" Dagama nodded, "10% of the total annual income? That's a very small amount compared to the assistance provided by the Fortis Kingdom."

"Yes" Elizabello II nodded, "The territory of the Kingdom of Alabasta is a very large region and is also famous for the deserts that exist throughout the region. If the area can be used properly. Giving 10% income is too little"

Bell listened clearly to the conversation between Elizabello II and Dagama. However, even so. He couldn't decide that on his own.

"Miss Lowellmina regarding the wish to cooperate. Our Alabasta Kingdom can accept it." Bell said calmly, "However, regarding the matter of the proposal that was offered earlier. I need to discuss and get His Majesty's approval."

"I see. Take your time to discuss this with the King of Alabasta. I also need to convey this to His Majesty." Lowellmina said calmly.

"I understand" Bell nodded then handed the den-den mushi to Elizabello II.

"King of Prodance, my apologies for troubling you back. Later, when Commander Bell had the answer. Please feel free to contact me back or perhaps directly to His Majesty. I will be with His Majesty after this."

"I understand." Elizabello II nodded.

The communication line was immediately closed again.

"Commander Bell, please take this time to discuss the Proposal put forward by the Fortis Kingdom with the Cobra King" Elizabello II said calmly, "I hope you will carefully consider the proposal given by the Fortis Kingdom. Although your kingdom has to pay as much as 10% of your kingdom's total annual income to the Fortis Kingdom. However, the impact received is greater than that."

"I see." Bell nodded and immediately took out his den-den mushi to contact Cobra.

Grand Line, Kingdom of Alabasta, Royal Palace, Nursing Room.

Cobra sighed "I hope Vivi can be fine"

"Don't worry, Your Majesty" Igram said with a determined look, "The current Vivi-sama is no longer the careless woman she was when she was a child. Vivi-sama now knows what is important to do and not to do. She can definitely do this job well."

"Hopefully" Cobra nodded and simultaneously the den-den mushi under his shirt sounded.

Cobra immediately picked it up and said, "Hello, Cobra is here"

"Your Majesty, it's me, Bell"

"Bells?!"

Cobra, Chaka, and Igram who found out who contacted Cobra were then very surprised.

"How are you there, Bell? Are you alright?" Cobra asked quickly.

"I am currently doing well, Your Majesty." Bell was very pleased with the question.

"That's great news" Cobra sighed then said, "Where are you right now? Have you met the King of Prodance?"

"I am currently in the royal palace and am with the King of Prodance as well as his Right Hand Dagama" Bell said politely and continued, "I have also previously been in communication with the Fortis Kingdom"

"You've done it?" Cobra asked with a face full of surprise, "How did it go?"

Chaka and Igram also with faces full of impatience waiting for the result given by Bell.

Bell immediately gave the result of the conversation he had with Lowellmina. Cobra, Chaka, and also Igram were both very surprised and overjoyed. They did not expect to be one of the kingdoms where King Fortis wanted to establish a cooperative relationship with the kingdom.

"Your Majesty what do you think of the proposal offered by, Miss Lowellmina?" Bell asked seriously, "Are we going to accept it or not? The King of Prodance informed me for us to accept the offer."

"I think, I also think to agree with the proposal" Chaka said, "If indeed the Fortis Kingdom can help us in building and reconstructing the territory we have into an area of forests, rivers, and lakes or it can be said that the area can be managed to produce something. ."

"But, isn't that 10% too big?" Igram asked while frowning.

"No" Cobra shook his head, "If the Fortis Kingdom can really turn the territory we have into usable territory. The value of 10% is very small. If we compare it to the heavenly taxes that are usually paid by the kingdoms that establish cooperative relationships with the World Government, even the taxes given to them are high and even exceed the 10% demanded by the Fortis Kingdom. The value demanded by the Kingdom of Fortis is quite small. In addition, if we compare it to the World Government where they themselves only protect us from pirate attacks and that too often a problem occurs and also only gives us access to be able to participate in Rivery's meetings. This proposal given by the Fortis Kingdom was very far in comparison to that of the World Government. Apart from that we got territory protection from the Fortis Kingdom. We can also participate in the Octagon meeting where we can build cooperative relationships with other kingdoms and also our kingdom will get assistance for reconstruction. The kingdom of Alabasta that was previously a desert where it was difficult to get drinks will soon turn into a green kingdom where there is no shortage of water."

Igram fell silent hearing this and at that moment he began to think about the proposal again. He felt that the proposal was indeed worthy of acceptance even though they had to pay the Fortis Kingdom every year.

"Your Majesty, what was the decision?" asked Bell calmly.

"Accept the proposal, Bell" Cobra said excitedly and filled with joy, "We have to accept the proposal. This will be the turning point of our kingdom."

"I understand" Bell nodded excitedly, "I will immediately inform the Fortis Kingdom about this"

The communication line was immediately cut off.

"Your Majesty, I think we should immediately consider the decision to cut off our cooperative relationship with the World Government" Chaka said, "We will soon establish a cooperative relationship with the Fortis Kingdom. All the kingdoms belonging to the Octagon, Prodance Kingdom, Ryugu Kingdom, and Amazon Lily Kingdom. All of these kingdoms are kingdoms that do not establish cooperative relations with the World Government. We also need to get rid of this immediately."

Cobra nodded.

"Your Majesty" Igram suddenly called out, "We'd better wait a bit and not now to cut off cooperation with the World government. At least wait until the Fortis Kingdom actually confirms this. That way, we will be safe from various things. Because if we do that and don't get direct confirmation from the Fortis Kingdom…" Igram paused and continued, "In the style of the World Government. I'm afraid they will send the ancient weapons they currently hold to destroy us."

Cobra and Chaka fell silent hearing this.

"We'd better do that, Your Majesty" Chaka said seriously, "Wait until Fortis Kingdom confirms this so that we can be safe and also our kingdom will get protection. With such protection, I believe, the World Government will not dare to send an ancient weapon that destroys us."

Cobra nodded seriously.

"By the way, Your Majesty. I think we should inform Vivi-sama about this" Igram said calmly, "This can also help him to have a conversation with Koza. As long as Koza knows that our kingdom has established a cooperative relationship with the Fortis Kingdom as well as the proposal given by the Fortis Kingdom. The Rebel Army will immediately stop what they are doing."

"That's a good idea" Cobra's eyes immediately lit up hearing this and immediately made a call with Vivi who was currently on her way to the main headquarters of the Rebellion Army.