The Grand Line, Sandy Island, the continental island where the Kingdom of Alabasta is located.
"Yo—do re mi fa so"
A melodious operatic voice rang out from outside the room.
Soon after, a man over two meters tall, with golden curly hair and dressed in the attire of a high-ranking palace attendant, pushed open the intricately carved door and entered, holding a finely crafted royal garment.
"Igaram, what is it?"
The newly crowned King Cobra, only twenty-four years old, gently wrapped his arm around the slender waist of his wife, Queen Titi, and smiled warmly at the newcomer.
"Your Majesty, this is the newly tailored ceremonial robe. Wearing it to your first Levely will surely fill you with confidence and make you appear majestic and noble!"
"What do you think, Titi?"
Cobra lowered his head and asked his wife.
She took two steps forward, thoughtfully stroking her chin as she examined the robe, which was primarily yellow with green accents. Then she turned around, revealing a smile of unparalleled beauty.
"It looks wonderful!"
"Hahahaha, really? Well, if the queen says so, then I'll wear this one!"
King Cobra laughed heartily, clearly pleased.
"This year's Levely is extraordinary. For my first Levely to encounter such a significant topic is truly good fortune. This year will undoubtedly be one for the history books!"
The young king clasped his hands behind his back and gazed out the window at the prosperous scene of the capital, Alubarna. He felt a burning ambition in his chest.
"Although I don't know why the World Government has suddenly become so benevolent, I am determined to help eradicate slavery and ensure equality for all races!"
Seeing her husband so excited, Queen Titi, whose beauty closely resembled that of their future daughter, Princess Vivi, walked over and gently smiled.
"Does that mean we might one day see the legendary beautiful Mermen here?"
"Well, uh... Mermen probably wouldn't enjoy our scorching heat. As for beauty, in my eyes, you are the most beautiful woman. I'm sure even a Merman couldn't compare to you, my queen."
King Cobra looked at his wife with deep affection, causing her to blush and lower her head.
Behind them, Igaram quietly exited the room.
Just as the king and queen were about to share a romantic, passionate kiss by the floor-to-ceiling window—
"Yo—do re mi fa so"
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"
[Bang!]
The next moment, Igaram, who had just left, burst back into the room, this time running.
Queen Titi, flustered, quickly pushed King Cobra away and hurried into a small adjoining bedroom, leaving the king with a look of helplessness as he turned to Igaram.
However, the young king's temperament was truly good-natured. He didn't get angry or upset, but merely sighed and asked, "What's the matter? It's rare to see you so flustered, Igaram."
"Your Majesty, we've just received word from Yuba. A ship carrying officials from the World Government has arrived. They say they're coming here to meet you immediately!"
"The World Government?"
King Cobra's expression instantly turned serious.
He thought to himself, regarding the topic of this year's Levely, he had already given a clear response to the Senior Director of the Administrative Department, Coulson. So why were they here now?
To be honest, anything or anyone related to the World Government must be taken seriously.
"Take a boat along the Saint River to the dock in Alubarna, then ride a camel from there. It should take about two hours. Igaram, go and make the preparations."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" The latter obeyed and turned to arrange the matters.
Two hours later, King Cobra sat solemnly on his throne, with Kingdom Guard Captain Igaram and the two current 'Kingdom Guardian Gods' standing below.
They were both inheritors of the abilities of the Bird-Bird Fruit, Falcon Model and the Dog-Dog Fruit, Jackal Model, and were also deputy officers of the Kingdom Guard.
However, they were not the future Pell and Chaka, as these two were only in their teens this year.
[Tap tap tap tap]
At this moment, the sound of leather boots stepping on the floor echoed from outside, followed by five expressionless, coldly indifferent men in black entering.
One in front, four behind! Seeing these people, Igaram and the two deputies all showed vigilant expressions.
"Greetings to King Cobra of the Nefertari family. I am Karoo, Senior Director of the Poneglyph Management Division under the Proclamation Administration Directly-Affiliated Historical Research Department."
The leader, a pale-skinned man in black with gold-rimmed glasses, introduced himself with a serious demeanor, which made King Cobra frown.
Poneglyph Management Division?!
This immediately reminded him of the legend passed down orally only among successive kings.
"We have come this time because we received reliable intelligence that a Poneglyph is hidden in your country's Burial Shrine, and it is one that records the location of one of the Three Ancient Weapons, 'Pluton.'"
Senior Director Karoo continued with his cold words, his gaze gradually sharpening, which also made King Cobra feel uneasy, though he remained calm on the surface.
"May I ask where your intelligence comes from, how you determined its reliability, and if there is any evidence? If so, could you present it to me?"
"That is classified information, and I cannot disclose it. You only need to cooperate with us to enter the Burial Shrine for inspection."
King Cobra's expression turned serious as he said in a deep voice, "Since you know about the Burial Shrine, you should understand its significance to Alabasta and the Nefertari family. How could we allow you to enter and cause trouble?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Igaram and the two deputies took a step forward, their eyes fixed on the five men in black, but the latter ignored them completely.
"We will not cause trouble. We only need to check if there is a Poneglyph inside. If there is, we will take it with us. Beyond that, we will not hold Alabasta accountable," Senior Director Karoo said.
"What I mean is, you should provide evidence. If there really is one, then I can accompany you there. If not, I'm sorry, but no!"
King Cobra spoke with righteous authority, but this also made the atmosphere between the two sides tense. Senior Director Karoo fell silent for a moment, then a cold smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"Evidence?"
He raised his right hand and gestured, and the man in black behind him immediately took out a photo from his pocket and handed it over. The former took it and flicked it lightly, causing the photo to instantly fly toward Igaram like a blur.
"What are you doing?!"
The two 'Guardian Warriors', 'Falcon' and 'Jackal', were immediately provoked and drew their weapons in defense. The King's Army surrounding the hall also turned their long-handled axe blades toward the intruders with visible anger.
"Do not act rashly!"
Igaram, upon receiving the photo and noticing the lack of force behind it, realized that the other party had no intention of causing harm. He quickly shouted to stop them, saying, "I'm fine."
After speaking, he hurried up to the royal platform and handed the photo to King Cobra.
The king's pupils contracted as he looked at the photo, but he immediately showed anger, slamming the throne and standing up. He roared, "How dare you trespass into the forbidden area of the Burial Shrine? Who gave you the authority!"
The photo showed the Poneglyph placed at the entrance of the Burial Shrine.
"We were merely retrieving the evidence you just requested. Now, you have seen the evidence, haven't you?" Senior Director Karoo suppressed his cold smile and looked at the king expressionlessly.
"Now, please make your decision. Will you cooperate with us in taking the Poneglyph, or will you defy the World Government's prohibition?"