Chapter 329

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A few days later, thanks to Prince Ponce's efforts,

Abel managed to sign an arms purchase agreement with the Kingdom of Bliss, which included all the conditions he had promised written in the agreement.

Then came the delivery of the arms to complete the transaction.

Prince Ponce had considered simply pulling a fast one by taking the goods along with the money without paying a penny.

However, upon further thought, he realized that anyone capable of organizing such large-scale arms smuggling must be tough.

And this could lead to serious trouble.

Besides, since it was his father, the King, who was paying, even if he saved money, it was uncertain whether he would get as much as a twenty percent share of the benefits.

It was better to earn money while enjoying everyone's praise.

There might still be opportunities for cooperation in the future.

So, when it came time to pay, Prince Ponce surprised Abel by settling the payment promptly, contrary to Abel's worst-case scenario of not receiving any money at all.

"Your Highness, it has been a pleasure doing business with you."

Abel delivered the twenty percent kickback to Prince Ponce's manor in another location on the very same day.

Prince Ponce was very satisfied and even wanted to reward him with a few beauties.

Though they were hand-me-downs, Prince Ponce liked to use this method to foster closer relationships.

Abel tactfully declined, not interested in such rewards.

This refusal displeased Prince Ponce, who promptly sent Abel away.

"I really don't like dealing with such entitled second generations," Abel sighed, then used sleight of hand to transfer the rejected and worn-out arms to an abandoned warehouse usually used for dumping garbage.

He had incurred a significant cost to retrieve these arms.

It appeared that even the King of this land regarded him as an easy mark.

With a light chuckle, Abel brushed it off, as he had already made an appointment with someone interested in viewing the goods.

...

"I believe these arms will satisfy all of your requirements," Abel said as he led people inside.

In the warehouse, the rebel leaders were visibly shocked at the sight of the mountainous heap of weapons.

Being from humble backgrounds with limited experience, when had they ever seen such a 'mountain of garbage'?

"These arms seem very old; they don't appear to be the batch you brought in, do they?" someone tentatively asked.

"To speak frankly, the batch of newest model arms has already been sold out, and the weapons you see before you are precisely those that were recently replaced. Although they may seem old, they are still functional."

"The most important thing is, they are much cheaper!"

"Of course, if you are unsatisfied and insist on new items, that's also fine. Just pay a deposit, and I can immediately arrange to bring in more from outside."

The one who had just asked the question blushed with embarrassment and hastily replied, "No need, the old is fine, as long as it doesn't affect usage."

"So, the price is..."

"As previously agreed upon, I am selling this batch of arms to you at thirty percent of the market price. Of course, I know you don't have the money now, so I'm willing to let you take the goods first, but you'll need to sign an agreement and a promissory note."

"Once you've successfully overthrown the current government and become the new rulers of this country, I will come to collect the payment."

"By then, such a small amount of money will be of no concern to you," Abel stated provocatively, which made the rebels breathe heavily, obviously stirred by his words.

Perhaps they all had come together initially for various reasons, as like-minded companions.

But now their ambitions have been ignited!

Who wouldn't want to turn the tables and become the master if they could?

So, they all signed their names on agreements and IOUs, successfully acquiring a large cache of old armaments.

And what happens when they have weapons?

Of course, they cause trouble!

They had been waiting for this day for who knows how long.

It just so happened that Prince Ponce had recently made a fortune and, bathing in praises, was in a good mood, so he had many beautiful women captured for his own pleasure.

Old grudges and new hatreds combined, it was time for a reckoning!

Upon learning of their first major move, which was to storm Prince Ponce's manor, Abel didn't think twice before donating all the remaining bullets on his ship to the rebels, free of charge.

He couldn't help it; he was just that magnanimous.

It definitely wasn't because he didn't like the look of Prince Ponce.

This move greatly increased the rebel leaders' fondness for Abel.

Not all arms dealers were heartless devils; some were good Samaritans who exerted themselves for the people!

Abel humbly apologized thrice and then hurriedly contacted Doflamingo using the Den Den Mushi, telling him to rush over another shipment of arms, as there was big business to be done.

Doflamingo didn't expect that Abel, the last to arrive, would be the first to bring back good news.

As for the process, he couldn't be bothered to ask—only the result mattered.

All the better for Abel; he spared himself an explanation.

...

On that day, Prince Ponce was indulging in pleasures within his manor.

Suddenly, there was a tumult of noise from outside.

Then came cursing and shouting, followed by the bang of a gunshot.

Prince Ponce instantly shuddered in fear, his face darkening as he got up, calling for his servants while cursing loudly.

Indeed, from start to finish, it had only taken three seconds.

His bad mood was understandable.

"It's terrible! There's a mob storming the manor; Your Highness, please retreat to the palace at once!"

A lackey hurried in, tripping over in his panic.

"What mob, how dare they! Are all the soldiers here dead? Wipe them out!"

"We can't, sir! The enemy is too many, and they're all armed. They've already breached our defenses. If we don't leave now, there won't be a chance!"

Hearing this, Prince Ponce realized the gravity of the situation and ran out without even dressing, his hatred growing immeasurably.

"When I return to the palace, I'll have my father slaughter these rioters to the last man and feed their remains to the dogs!"

By then, he could faintly hear the shouts from outside.

"That despicable scoundrel is in here, everybody, charge with me!"

"For my poor daughter's sake, I'm willing to risk my life to kill that beast!"

"Come on, keep up, don't let that beast Ponce escape."

Prince Ponce was both shocked and furious; shocked that the mob had indeed broken in, and furious at being insulted with such vile language.

"Your Highness, this way, quickly."

The lackey was still trying to do his duty.

But the mob that burst in first had already spotted them.

"He's over there! No, that little beast is trying to run!"

Prince Ponce's soul nearly fled from his body as he ran for his life, even losing his shoes in the process.