"No problem."
Kalifa nodded emphatically at Raki.
She had already wanted to become part of the Blazing Blade Pirates Arton had created. Although Raki adding her as a friend couldn't exactly be considered an invitation to join the Blazing Blade Pirates, becoming friends with Raki was still an important step toward joining them.
Naturally, Kalifa was quite excited.
"Speaking of which, once we've added each other as friends, can I see the derivative works on your side? If there's anything in them I don't know, I'd like to learn from them."
Kalifa spoke while operating her diary copy.
"Of course. But you'll have to show me the derivative works on your side too."
Raki smiled.
Not only did Kalifa want to learn more, Raki naturally wanted to acquire more knowledge as well. She had already learned a great deal from Conis, but she still felt it wasn't enough.
Wanting to make Arton as happy as possible, Raki knew she still had plenty of shortcomings to make up for. She needed to browse through more material to broaden her repertoire.
Now that Kalifa had practically delivered herself to their doorstep, Raki naturally wasn't going to pass up the opportunity.
"Then it's settled."
Kalifa smiled.
"By the way, can you two help me later so I can get close to Arton? I'm worried he'll suddenly sober up and push me away. If I can't offer myself to him, you won't be able to completely trust me either."
After Raki and Conis reminded her of the situation, Kalifa understood that relying solely on her own charms to win Arton over wasn't going to work.
From Arton's diary, she knew that even Ain had spent an enormous amount of effort on Arton's side before finally earning his trust and obtaining a mold.
Even Robin, though she had spent less time than Ain, had still put in real effort over a period of time to gradually earn Arton's trust.
And Robin's relationship with Arton couldn't really be considered hostile in the first place.
Arton had initially been hesitant because he was worried Robin was used to betraying pirate crews, so he hadn't been able to make a quick decision.
Kalifa, on the other hand, had been on the opposing side from the very beginning.
After all, she was an agent of the World Government, and the World Government desperately wanted Arton eliminated.
Considering all of that, there was simply no way Kalifa could bring Arton down by herself, even if he currently looked drunk.
"Don't worry. We'll help you. We'll get Arton in the mood first, and when the opportunity comes, you can make your move."
Raki gave Kalifa a thumbs-up, taking the initiative to head over to Arton.
Seeing this, Kalifa got up from the large bed in the guest room and began making her preparations.
...
"Captain, you're drunk. So, do you want to take a shower first, or get started right away?"
Raki walked over with a smile and placed a hand on Arton's chest.
"A shower, of course. But I want to wait until we're done with the important business first. What do you two think?"
Arton smiled.
Conis, Raki, and Kalifa, who was standing farther away, all smiled even more brightly at his words.
After all, if Arton really took a shower, the running water might sober him up. His decision was undoubtedly advantageous to them.
"Then let us help you over so you can rest."
Raki glanced at Conis, and the two supported Arton as they led him toward the place where Kalifa was hiding.
Conis immediately understood what Raki intended, and the two worked together seamlessly.
By the time Arton reached the place where he was supposed to rest, the gear he had been wearing was already scattered all over the floor.
Kalifa, who had been covering half her face with a blanket, instantly flushed bright red.
Even so, her eyes remained fixed on Arton, as though she were afraid the sight before her might disappear.
"Captain, you drank a lot. Just close your eyes and get some rest. You can leave everything else to us."
Raki leaned close to Arton's ear and whispered.
"No problem."
Arton trusted Raki and Conis immensely, so naturally he had no reason to doubt what they told him.
Following his body's instincts, he relaxed his control over himself and lay sprawled on the bed.
The smiles on Raki's and Conis's faces grew even brighter.
They slowly climbed onto the bed beside Arton.
So this is the difference between reality and the drawings?
Kalifa watched Conis and Raki make their move and unconsciously licked her lips.
The sight before her was so captivating that her attention became completely absorbed. By the time she snapped back to her senses, more than ten minutes had already passed.
"Is it my turn?"
Kalifa noticed Raki beckoning her over. She nodded, then slowly crawled toward Conis and Raki.
"Then Arton's weapon is yours to clean."
Raki whispered into Kalifa's ear.
"Okay."
Kalifa nodded firmly.
She knew this was Raki and Conis's test for her. There was no backing down now.
Not only did she have to go through with it, she had to make what happened next impressive.
"I remember. That's how it was in the drawings."
Kalifa recalled the derivative works she had seen through her voyage diary copy, along with the techniques Conis and Raki had demonstrated earlier, and buried her nervousness.
"Not bad. What do you think?"
Raki crouched beside Conis and whispered into her ear.
"Mm. Miss Kalifa is impressive. She's quite talented."
Conis nodded.
They could both see how inexperienced Kalifa was. She was like a complete beginner—or perhaps more like someone tasting a delicious food for the first time.
She was somewhat awkward, occasionally lost the rhythm, and sometimes didn't know where to begin. But as time passed, Kalifa quickly found her own rhythm.
Arton never opened his eyes, remaining seemingly intoxicated, which was enough to prove that Kalifa wasn't repulsive to him.
"...Miss Kalifa is certainly willing to put in the effort. That should be enough to prove her sincerity, right, Raki?"
Conis whispered into Raki's ear.
"That's true, but we should still wait until she's completely finished making her move."
Raki's expression remained serious.
"Agreed."
Kalifa nodded.
What she was doing now was merely the opening act.
For everyone to feel completely reassured, Kalifa and Arton still needed to have a genuine, no-holds-barred test of strength.
...
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