Hearing Cudius's request, Rayleigh smirked and leaned back casually. "This is really something. If I'm not mistaken, you're a Celestial Dragon, aren't you? Not just that, you're the leader of CP-X, someone capable of taking down the likes of Golden Lion and Redfield. You even mao catch him. And now you're here asking me, a pirate who's beeired for years, to help you? You think I have that kind of ability?"

  Cudius chuckled, clearly amused. "Fet about Golden Lion and Redfield. You of all people should know what the deal was with Roger. Do you really think anyone could 'catch' him?"

  Rayleigh's expression shifted slightly at the mention of his captain, and for a moment, he seemed to be reminisg. He let out a soft sigh. "So it's true, then?"

  "Take it however you want," Cudius replied.

  After a moment of silence, Rayleigh shook his head and said, "Even so, I don't have much of a retionship with you. Let's not fet, you're part of the Wover, and I art er's crew. We're enemies by nature. What makes you think I'd ever help you?"

  Rayleigh's reasoning was sound. Even though he'd beeired for years, his disdain for the Wover hadn't diminished. A pirate's mi doesn't simply fade with time; it stays with them until the end of their days.

  Sure, he could sit here and have a drink with Cudius, but helping him? That was a different story.

  Cudius, however, wasn't disced. "Really? You're that cold? After all, we do share some on is," he said with a grin.

  Rayleigh raised an eyebrow. "on is? What are you talking about?"

  "Don't py dumb. Booze, for ohing. Or are you getting old and fetful? Look at this." Cudius patted the hilt of Shindō at his side. "Surely this rings a bell?"

  Rayleigh's gaze fell on the sword, and a flicker nition crossed his face. Then it dawned on him, Cudius was talking about that on i. Rayleigh had once had his eye on that sword, only for it to end up in Cudius's hands.

  "Of all things, y up that damn sword. Calling that a 'on i' feels more like rubbing salt in the wound," Rayleigh muttered, shaking his head.

  "Well, since you remember it, I'll take that as firmation that we share a e," Cudius said with a ugh. "But seriously, hear me out. It's not a big deal. If it bothers you so much, think of it as business. I'm willing to pay you."

  Rayleigh hesitated at the mention of money, his expression briefly flicted. However, he patted his pockets and seemed to remember he wasly broke at the moment. His pride won out, and he shook his head.

  "No deal. Rayleigh is a pirate, and I won't promise on that," he said firmly.

  "You're retired, though. Why g to these absolutes?" Cudius asked with a smirk.

  "Retired or not, I'm still a pirate. Even if you kill me, drown me, me to the ends of the earth, I won't help you!" Rayleigh decred with vi.

  Cudius tilted his head, a bemused smile on his face. He felt like he'd heard simir dramatic words before but couldn't quite pce where. Still, despite Rayleigh's adamant refusal, Cudius didn't seem worried in the slightest.

  "Is that so? That's a shame," Cudius said nontly. "Looks like Amazon Lily's princesses won't be making it bae after all."

  Rayleigh's eyebrows furrowed slightly, and his tourned cautious. "What's that supposed to mean? What does this have to do with Amazon Lily?"

  "Oh, didn't I mention it?" Cudius said, feigning surprise. "The three girls I've been looking after, they're the royal family of Amazon Lily. The idea was to send them bae, but, well, I don't have any way to tact the isnd. Then I remembered you were familiar with the pd might be able to help. But hey, if you're so i on holding onto your pirate ethics, I won't force you. I wouldn't eople saying Cudius bullied an old man."

  Rayleigh's jaw tightened as Cudius spoke. Of course, Rayleigh was aware of the importance of the three sisters to Amazon Lily. Gloriosa, the isnd's elder, had personally asked him to keep a for them after they disappeared years ago. Whenever Rayleigh went out to sea, he'd kept an eye open for any clues about their whereabouts.

  And now Cudius had them?

  Rayleigh had initially refused Cudius's request because he assumed it would involve divulgiive information aber's crew or other pirates. But now? Now Cudius was asking for somethiirely ued and Rayleigh couldn't dismiss it as easily.

  Still, his distrust of Cudius lingered. Was this really about Amazon Lily, or was Cudius pying some deeper game?

  While Rayleigh was lost in thought, Cudius stood up, brushing off his coat. "Well, I suppose that's that. If you're not willing, I won't waste any more of your time. I'll find another way."

  Cudius made his way to the door, his casual demeanor masking the subtle smirk on his lips.

  Rayleigh watched him go, flicted. As much as he wao stick to his pirate principles, the mention of Amazon Lily g him. He hesitated, torween his pride and the sense of responsibility Gloriosa had entrusted to him.

  As Cudius reached the door, he paused, turning back with an almost mischievous glint in his eye. "By the way, Rayleigh, do you happen to know a woman named Pas D. Rouge?"

  The question hit Rayleigh like a thundercp. His expression faltered for the briefest of moments before he recovered, f a calm tone. "Never heard of her. Why?"

  "Oh, it's nothing," Cudius said, shrugging. "I just figured I'd ask. I've been looking into family es for my son, Ace. Thought she might've been someone important. Guess I was wrong."

  Cudius turned back to the door, leaving Rayleigh frozen in pce.

  "Ace?" Rayleigh repeated quietly, the name ringing in his mind. He'd heard it before, rumors from Mariejois about Cudius's supposed illegitimate child. But something about the way Cudius spoke didn't add up. Could it be…?

  Rayleigh's mind raced, pieg together fragments of information. If Cudius knew abe, then...

  "Damn it, Roger," Rayleigh cursed inwardly. "You told me there wouldn't be any kids! You said you'd be a free pirate till the end!"

  He ched his fist, a mix of frustration and disbelief washing over him. All these years, Rayleigh had taken Roger at his word. Now it seemed his old friend had been hiding something moal.

  Just as Cudius reached for the door, Rayleigh shot to his feet. "Wait!"

  Cudius turned, raising an eyebrow. "What is it? Did you ge your mind?"

  Rayleigh sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "I thought about it. Helping others is what good people dht? You 't do good deeds every day without rag up some goodwill. I'll help you with this."

  Cudius crossed his arms, pretending to be skeptical. "Are you sure? I wouldn't want you to promise your pirate iy."

  Rayleigh growled, smming his hand oable. "Don't test me, Cudius. If I say I'll help, I'll help. Now sit down, a's figure this out."

  Cudius hid his grin as he returo his seat, thinking to himself, Old man, you're too easy to read.

  With an air of victory, Cudius sat bad prepared to expin his pn. Meanwhile, Rayleigh couldn't shake the nagging feeling that he'd just walked into a carefully id trap.

  ***

  Support me on patreon to read 50+ advanced chapters: patreon./Blownleaves.