The Fortress that Watches the World #73

'How the hell did it come to this...' I mused, my eyes twitching as I stood on the Bondola and looked at Wapol and his entourage standing on the other side. 'Me and my fucking big mouth...' I internally sighed as the Bondola began rising.

'Just ignore them... they have no reasons to talk to us...' I mused and immediately paused as Wapol turned to us and looked at Vice Admiral Garp. 'Goddamnit!' I cursed, feeling the urge to slap myself as the fat bastard started walking toward us.

"Well, if it isn't the hero of the Marine's Garp-sama..." Wapol said with a flattering expression as he shiftily rubbed his hands together. "Knowing that a great marine soldier such as yourself will be standing guard over the meeting brings me no small amount of relief..." He added, his expression and tone growing more fawning as he spoke.

"Hmm?" Vice Admiral Garp intoned, craning his neck as he looked down to meet eyes with Wapol. "Who the hell are you?" He asked, showing zero respect to the king as he leisurely picked his ear.

Wapol was mortified at the vice admiral's untactful remark but quickly gathered his bearings. "I'm Wapol, the ruler of the Drum Kingdon in the--" He said, pausing halfway through as Garp cut him off.

"Don't know, don't care..." Garp interjected, causing Wapol to freeze in shock. "You're face irritates me. Hurry up and go away..." He added, showing the king with a wave of his hand.

At the vice admiral's words, Wapol looked absolutely dumbstruck with a wide-eyed blank stare and veins bulging out of his eyes, coupled with a frozen, addled smile, giving off a look that suggested he was about to snap in a psychotic rage.

Ultimately he could only stare blankly in shock at the vice admiral until Dalton, a tall, imposing man with slicked black hair and a goatee, dragged him away with an exasperated sigh.

'Hah! Serves you right for being an asshole!' I internally celebrated, barely resisting the urge to fist-pump the air and break into a maniacal giggling fit at Wapol's frozen expression of shock.

Though he might not look like it, Vice Admiral Garp was a deceptively good judge of character. He could probably smell what kind of person Wapol was with a single glance, hence the satisfying reaction.

In any case, we soon reached our destination as the trip up the Red Line took a couple of minutes, which we spent in peaceful silence since Wapol remained frozen for the entirety of the ride.

"Let's go..." The vice admiral calmly said as soon as the Bondola stopped, walking past the still mortified Wapol and his entourage without glancing at them, and I could only shrug and oblige.

Once outside, I found myself staring at a gigantic set of gray stairs carved on the Red Line, leading up to an enormous, ornately decorated white gate with two similarly colored pillars on each side.

"Welcome to Marijoa, Vice Admiral Garp and company..." Said a man clad in metallic armor that covered his body. "We shall accompany you to Pangaea castle. Please follow me..." He added as he turned around and started walking without waiting for a reply.

"Talk about a path to heaven..." I muttered as I looked around and saw the various statues on the side of the stairs, made all the more majestic and mysterious by the clouds scattered all over them.

"More like hell on earth..." Garp muttered to himself in a faint tone as he started walking. "Stop spacing out and get a move on, brat..." He added, snapping me out of my daze.

I said nothing in response as I started moving. We reached the top of the stairs quickly enough, pausing as the gigantic ornate gates slowly opened before our eyes, groaning as they did.

An intense light assaulted my visions, and I had to squint my eyes to adjust, and once I did, I couldn't help but pause, my eyes widening at the sight of an awe-inspiring fortress-like structure.

'So this is Pngaea castle... it looks even grander than I imagined...' I mused as I halted my steps and shielded my eyes from the sun to get a better look.

The castle stood tall, almost a precipice towering over Marijoa, commanding a dominant position over its surroundings. Its immense size and robust architecture gave it an air of invincibility, as if it were an impenetrable fortress guarding the world's secrets.

The exterior walls of Pangaea Castle were constructed from durable stone, reinforced with fortified pillars and battlements. The stones, weathered and aged over time as they were, added a sense of history and weight to the structure. The surface looked pristine and adorned with intricate carvings and engravings depicting ancient legends and symbols of authority.

Still, I didn't get to appreciate the beautiful yet intimidating sight for too long as Vice Admiral promptly started moving once the gates were fully open, and I had no choice but to catch up to him.

Much to my chagrin, Wapol and his party caught up to us as we reached the travelators. "I'll never understand how these things work..." The obese king said as the walkways came to life and propelled us toward the castle's entrance.

At Wapol's words, Vice Admiral Garp's expression instantly darkened, and though I didn't know why, I could make an educated guess. 'Slaves, eh...?' I wondered as I looked down at the moving walkways.

'You can't judge a book by its cover... no matter how pretty...' I mused, shaking my head and the stray thoughts along with it. I was only here to do my job and leave. I didn't want to get any ideas.

In any case, we soon reached our destination, and the castle's entrance was just as awe-inspiring from up close as it was from afar.

The entrance to Pangaea Castle was a massive gate made of stone and reinforced with iron bars, giving it an imposing and forbidding appearance. Watchtowers towered over the gates equipped with powerful cannons and guards, ready to defend against any potential threats.

Banners bearing the emblem of the World Government fluttered in the wind, symbolizing the might and dominance of the ruling power.

As we approached the castle, a series of wide stone steps led to the grand courtyard, where statues of past heroes and rulers were scattered, serving as a constant reminder of the castle's history.

The courtyard was meticulously maintained, with manicured gardens, elegant fountains, and meticulously placed hedges, adding an element of refined beauty to the otherwise formidable stronghold.

Pangaea Castle's exterior featured numerous towers and spires that reached toward the sky. Each edifice possessed its own distinct design, adding to the castle's architectural diversity.

Some towers were adorned with sharp turrets and domes, while others had intricate balconies and arched windows. These towers served various functions, including housing government officials and acting as lookout points or vantage points for the castle's defense.

Surrounding the castle was a deep moat filled with water, adding an extra layer of protection. Sturdy drawbridges that would rise to secure the fortress during times of danger crossed the trench.

Overall, Pangaea Castle's exterior was a remarkable display of power, history, and authority. Its formidable walls, majestic towers, and strategic positioning created an atmosphere of awe and respect, befitting its role as the seat of the World Government.

As much as I wanted to see the inside of Pangaea Castle, its interior was not our destination. Instead, our task was to stand guard in the grand courtyard, and I was content with that. I wanted very little with whatever happened inside these walls.

And so, as we stepped into the grand courtyard of Pangaea Castle, the heavy atmosphere settled upon us. The serenity of the surroundings provided a stark contrast to the tensions and politics that would unfold within the castle's walls.

We, the marines present, took our posts, spreading out strategically to ensure thorough coverage of the courtyard. Vice Admiral Garp, the seasoned marine he was, assumed a central position, his presence reassuring the dignitaries gathering in the beautiful garden.

As the hours passed, the courtyard buzzed with activity. Distinguished guests from various kingdoms arrived, accompanied by their retinues and guards. Nobles, diplomats, and high-ranking officials mingled and exchanged pleasantries, each representing their respective nations and interests.

I noticed a few familiar faces as I observed the gathering with curiosity and caution, aware that beneath the veneer of diplomatic decorum, hidden agendas, and conflicting ambitions simmered. The Reverie meeting was a stage where alliances formed, rivalries rekindled, and decisions that could shape the world's future were made.

My eyes occasionally drifted toward Wapol and his entourage, a reminder of the unpredictability and diversity of the characters in this assembly. The king of Drum Kingdom seemed both out of place and yet an integral part of this grand affair.

As the sun slowly descended, casting an amber glow over the courtyard, the tension in the air intensified. The murmurs of conversations grew hushed, and anticipation filled the atmosphere. At that moment, the enormous gates of Pangaea Castle swung open, and the dignitaries headed inside.

The time for deliberation and negotiation had arrived, and it was our duty to remain vigilant and ensure the security of this historic gathering.

...

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