A Stroll Through the Palace #169

Pell's steps were sure and confident as he led the group through the regal halls of the Alubarna palace. The atmosphere within was hushed, adorned with exquisite tapestries and ornate decorations that spoke of a rich history. Despite the grandeur, Cedric, Robin, and Gem maintained their vigilance, their identities concealed beneath the beige cloaks, aware of the consequences their presence could bring to the royal family.

If it were anyone else, then there wouldn't be a need for this level of secrecy and discretion. Kings of world-government-affiliated countries had considerable leeway and power. But with Cedric being guilty of attacking a celestial dragon and Nico Robin being a descendant of Ohara, such measures were necessary.

Even someone like King Cobra would suffer the consequences if he received such individuals into his palace openly.

Navigating discreetly through the maze-like corridors, they passed by palace guards and attendants, whose gazes flitted over the mysterious figures before moving on.

As they advanced, the echoes of their footsteps reverberated through the opulent chambers. Cedric's remained calm and carefree. He didn't regard his current task with any reverence or weight. It was just a regular Tuesday for him-- a simple payday.

Finally, they arrived at the king's study, a room exuding both regality and warmth. King Nefertari Cobra, a dignified figure adorned in royal attire, awaited their arrival. His countenance was a mix of curiosity and concern as he greeted his guests, his eyes landing on Cedric with a sense of intrigue.

"Pell, you've returned," King Cobra said, acknowledging the captain's presence. "And I see you brought our kingdom's hero with you..." he looked at Cedric as the latter removed the cloak, revealing his face.

Cedric laughed off the king's words and said, "Don't you think it's too early to call me a hero, your majesty?" He smiled and continued, "As far as you're concerned, I might have lied about Crocodile's involvement and just kicked his ass to get paid..."

King Cobra maintained his smile and said, "And would you say that fifty million is an appropriate price for defeating a warlord of the sea whose bounty was in the hundreds?" The king shook his head and added, "In the first place, was there even a need to lie? You could have simply robbed the country's treasury with none the wiser..."

The memory of Cedric sneaking into his study was still fresh in King Cobra's mind, and he realized that the young pirate standing before him could have gone anywhere during that time.

Cedric couldn't help but laugh and said, "Well, you're not wrong, I suppose..." Shaking his head, he continued, "Do forgive my bad joke. It's a bad habit that I can't quite quit..."

King Cobra shrugged and said, "There's nothing to forgive..." The king turned to Gem and Nico Robin and asked, "And those are?"

Cedric gestured to Robin with a smile, introducing her as "Miss All Sunday... Crocodile's partner." He chose not to reveal Robin's real name, understanding the sensitivity of her wanted status.

King Cobra, a wise and understanding ruler, wouldn't judge Robin solely based on her origin from Ohara. Cedric's decision to withhold her name was a show of respect and consideration for Robin's safety.

Next, Cedric turned his attention to Gem and introduced him as "Mr. 1, Crocodile's top agent." Gem stood tall and composed, exuding an air of strength and loyalty. The king regarded him with a keen eye, taking note of the serious demeanor of the former Baroque Works member.

Returning his gaze to the king, Cedric continued, "They both work for me now and are living proof that Crocodile was the one behind stirring unrest in Alabasta." His words carried conviction, and the weight of their experiences with Baroque Works lent credence to their claims.

"If Princess Vivi or Igaram were present, they would vouch for their former position in the organization, but I don't see them anywhere..." Cedric concluded as he scanned the room and found no trace of the princess and Igaram.

King Cobra nodded thoughtfully, "Vivi and Igaram are on their way to Alubarna as we speak," he informed them, his voice steady and measured. "But as I've said, I'm willing to take your word for it. After all, you have no reason to lie about such things."

...

In the bustling shipyard of Water Seven, Kieran and Baby Five found themselves at the dry docks of Galley-la Company, where the shipwrights labored tirelessly on Cedric's vessel. The ship's framework stood tall, a testament to the craftsmen's skill, and the ship was nearing its completion, awaiting only the final touches.

Kieran, with an exasperated expression, watched as Baby Five incessantly pestered the shipwrights, her enthusiasm unwavering as she demanded to lend a hand in the ship's construction. Her childlike excitement seemed uncontainable as she eagerly offered her assistance to the weary workers. The shipwrights, however, politely declined her offer, knowing they could handle the task themselves.

Sensing an opportunity for respite, Kieran allowed Baby Five to distract the shipwrights, saving himself from her relentless attention. He knew that Cedric would eventually show up, but for now, he was content to let Baby Five keep herself busy.

As the shipwrights continued their work, Baby Five's initial excitement slowly waned. Boredom crept in, and she eventually made her way back to Kieran. Her eyes gleamed with curiosity as she speculated about Cedric's delay. With a smile, she turned to Kieran and inquired, "The captain sure is taking his time... do you think something went wrong?"

Kieran, not in the mood for idle speculation, replied with a flat tone, "No. I don't." His response was curt, lacking any sign of concern or worry. But Baby Five, ever persistent, remained unsatisfied with his answer.

She leaned in, getting closer to his face with a pout, determined to elicit more information from him. Kieran tried to avoid her gaze, but Baby Five seemed intent on getting to the bottom of the situation, getting into his face again and again until he relented.

With a sigh, Kieran, one of the crew members of Cedric's pirate ship, expressed his thoughts, "The captain is probably taking his time and taking the scenic route." Baby Five, another member of the crew, raised an eyebrow in curiosity, prompting Kieran to explain further.

"That captain of ours rarely takes anything seriously besides his hate of celestial dragons," Kieran mused. A wry chuckle escaped him as he continued, "He's probably treating this journey as a vacation, enjoying the sights and sounds of the sea rather than rushing straight to our destination."

The dry docks of Galley-la Company in Water Seven buzzed with activity around them. Shipwrights toiled diligently, working on the magnificent vessel they had been constructing for Cedric.

Baby Five, ever inquisitive, pondered further, "Even I could guess as much, but he's up against Crocodile, you know?" Her tone turned serious, and she added, "Even young master Doflamingo was wary of him."

Kieran's expression remained impassive, revealing little of what he truly thought. "It doesn't matter who he's up against," he stated firmly, admiration mingling with a hint of caution in his voice. "That guy is a damned monster in sheep's clothing."

The memory of Cedric's battle prowess sent a shiver down Kieran's spine. "You've seen how he tore that gigantic ship into shreds back in Fishman Island," he recalled, his eyes glinting with awe. "That thing has been sitting 10,000 meters underwater for hundreds of years without showing any signs of wear and tear."

As Kieran spoke, his thoughts drifted back to the fierce battle they had witnessed. The ship they faced was akin to colossal sea creature, a relic of the ancient world, and it had withstood the test of time. But even such a formidable opponent proved no match for Cedric's might.

"But," Kieran added, a wry smile tugging at the corner of his lips, "I have a feeling the captain will turn up sooner or later with the money needed to finish our ship." He turned his gaze toward the horizon, a glint of excitement and anticipation in his eyes.

Despite Kieran's reassuring words, Baby Five couldn't help but worry. "Still... I can't help but worry..." she asked, her voice tinged with a hint of concern.

Kieran's eyes softened as he turned to face Baby Five. "there's non eed to wory," he said firmly. "You know Cedric. He's not one to back down from a challenge. And he always finds a way to come out on top."

Baby Five nodded, finding solace in Kieran's words. She had witnessed Cedric's resilience and strength firsthand. And she knew he would never face danger unprepared.

As the shipwrights continued their work, the anticipation for Cedric's return hung in the air. Kieran and Baby Five stood among the sounds of hammers clanging and workers shouting, their ship nearing completion with every nail struck.

...

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