Alubarna Royal Palace, main gate.
As a major nation with a long history, Alabasta had an impressive palace built on a massive plateau.
Giant white stone pillars supported a dome dozens of meters high. Carved reliefs covered the walls. Every detail showed the age and wealth of this ancient desert kingdom.
"Stop! This is the royal palace. No trespassing!"
When Aiden walked up the long stairs to the palace gate, two royal guards in fine armor immediately crossed their spears and blocked his way.
Aiden stopped. He casually patted the desert dust off his hem, pulled out the ID proving his rank as a Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral, and handed it over.
"Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral, Aiden."
"Ordered by Headquarters to escort King Cobra to Mary Geoise."
The guard took the ID and glanced at it carelessly. But when he saw the steel seal and the name, his hand jerked, nearly dropping it.
"Rear Admiral... Reaper?!"
The name was famous now.
Lately, rumors about this young Marine officer were everywhere on the sea.
"P-please wait! I will report to Captain Igaram right away!"
The guard hurriedly saluted, turned, and ran into the palace, stumbling slightly as he went.
A moment later.
Rushed footsteps approached.
A tall, curly-haired man walked out quickly. He wore a proper guard captain's uniform and carried a gentleman's cane.
It was the Captain of the Alabasta Royal Guards, Igaram.
"I am truly sorry to keep you waiting."
Igaram bowed slightly to Aiden, then looked him over from head to toe.
This was Rear Admiral Aiden, the Reaper, sent by Headquarters to escort His Majesty to Mary Geoise?
He looked too... casual, didn't he?
He had no elite escort troops, no officer's coat, and did not even bring a proper sword. Looking like this, he seemed less like the ruthless Rear Admiral from the rumors and more like a rich young master on a desert vacation paid for by the government.
"Captain Igaram?"
Aiden looked at the curly-haired man in front of him. He remembered the loyal character from the future he knew—the man who dressed up as Princess Vivi to draw away pursuers and faced an explosion without backing down, all to protect her.
Even though this guy looked a bit funny and spoke in an odd way, his loyalty to the royal family was unquestionable.
"No need to be so polite. Lead the way."
"Ah... yes, please follow me."
Igaram said nothing more and led the way. Even though he had his doubts, this was a man sent by Headquarters. No matter how unreliable he looked, Igaram still had to show respect.
Walking through the long corridors, Aiden was brought to a spacious side hall to wait.
"His Majesty is handling state affairs. Please wait a moment."
Igaram told a maid to serve tea, then hurried away to report to the King.
Aiden did not mind. He stood in the side hall with his hands in his pockets, looking at the priceless antique vases around him with interest.
"Hey, you."
Just then, a sharp complaint came from behind him.
Aiden turned his head slightly.
Two tall young men stood not far away, glaring at him.
The one on the left had long hair and sharp eyes. The one on the right had a heavy build and stood with his arms crossed.
They were Alabasta's two guardian warriors—Pell the Falcon and Chaka the Jackal.
At this time, they were only in their early twenties. They were young and proud, and they valued their country's honor above all else. As Zoan-type Devil Fruit users and the strongest fighters of this major nation, they had their own pride.
"Is Headquarters out of people?"
Pell frowned. He did not hide his contempt and purposely raised his voice.
"The journey to Mary Geoise is long, and we have to pass through pirate-infested waters. Headquarters only sent one person? And it's a..."
He paused, as if looking for the right word.
"...a kid?"
Seeing no reaction from Aiden, Pell scoffed. Then he complained to Chaka in a lower voice.
"Probably some noble brat coming here to build his resume."
Chaka crossed his arms and looked at Aiden's careless posture.
"I heard the Reaper has a big name on the sea, but I bet most of it is exaggerated. Look at his pretty face. Forget about stopping pirates—if we hit a storm at sea, we'll probably have to save him too."
Even though they intentionally lowered their voices, every word reached Aiden clearly in the quiet, spacious side hall.
Aiden just raised an eyebrow without looking back.
He kept admiring the reliefs on the wall, as if he had not heard them.
Pell's face darkened.
"Hey! I'm talking to you!"
Pell snapped.
Pell quickly stepped in front of Aiden and blocked his way.
"Rear Admiral, where are your troops?"
"Escorting King Cobra to Mary Geoise isn't a game! If you're just here for the credit, I suggest you go back right now!"
"If there isn't enough guard power..."
Chaka also walked over. His words were calmer than Pell's, but he was just as proud.
"Our guard unit does not recommend His Majesty travel with you. Alabasta has the most elite warriors. We are enough to protect His Majesty. We don't need a burden that will distract us."
Faced with their aggression, Aiden finally looked away from the relief.
He turned around and looked at the two guardian warriors who were far weaker than the real monsters on the sea.
Aiden looked too young.
That only made Pell more annoyed.
They were both young. Why could this guy thrive at Headquarters and be praised so much by the newspapers? Looking at his pretty boy face, he probably rose through connections or luck, right?
That thought made Pell's words sharper.
"What? Did I hit a nerve? Too scared to answer?"
Aiden looked at the two young men refusing to back down.
He felt nothing.
Angry?
Not really.
To Aiden, their anger was not worth taking seriously.
They were young and had not seen the real world yet, so having some pride was normal. Arguing with them would only waste time.
"I am enough to handle all the risks alone."
Aiden answered without changing his posture.
"You—!!"
Pell gripped the hilt of his sword harder.
That careless answer bothered him more than being insulted.
"I don't believe you have that kind of strength! Marine!"
Pell's hand pressed down on the sword at his waist. His arm muscles tightened, and bird-like feather patterns began to appear on his skin.
Feathers spread over his arm as his Devil Fruit power began to show.
"Since you refuse to give a straight answer, let me see if you actually have the right to stand beside the King!"
Pell was just about to attack.
Creak.
Just then, the heavy doors were slowly pushed open.
"Pell! Chaka! What are you doing?"
King Cobra's voice came from the doorway.
King Cobra, a man with black hair dressed in royal robes, walked out accompanied by Igaram.
"Your Majesty!"
Seeing the King, Pell and Chaka stopped at once, turned, and bowed.
But Pell clearly did not want to let it go.
He pointed at Aiden, who was still facing away from them, and complained loudly.
"Your Majesty! This Rear Admiral sent by Headquarters is too arrogant and reckless! Not only did he come alone, but he has no respect for the escort mission!"
"I do not believe he is qualified to escort you to Mary Geoise! In fact... I doubt his strength matches his rank!"
Pell raised his head and refused to back down.
"I request a spar with him! If he can't even beat me, then it's better if our guard unit takes full charge of this escort mission!"
Hearing this, Cobra frowned slightly.
Cobra was kind, but he was still a king. He had his own considerations and authority.
He had already learned from the Marines about the person assigned to this escort mission. It was the rising Marine officer, Aiden, the Reaper.
Even without having met him, just looking at his combat record was enough to know this man was no ordinary person.
Although Pell and the others were loyal, their perspective was limited to Alabasta. They did not know how vast the outside world really was.
If a conflict broke out between his guards and a Rear Admiral sent by Headquarters inside his own palace, no matter who won, it would be a problem if word got out. It would also make Alabasta look bad.
"Rear Admiral..."
Cobra looked in the direction Pell was pointing, wanting to speak up and brush the matter aside.
At this moment, Aiden was standing between two massive stone pillars. The pillars blocked the sunlight, leaving him in shadow.
Hearing the King's voice, Aiden finally turned around.
He stepped out of the shadows. Sunlight fell across his face. A breeze moved his black hair.
"King Cobra. A pleasure to meet you."
Aiden smiled politely. He ignored the two guards and looked straight at Cobra.
At that exact moment.
Cobra stopped smiling.
He had known through intelligence that the escort was Aiden, the Reaper. He had even seen photos of him.
But a photo was one thing.
Seeing him in person was different.
Cobra's eyes widened. His breathing stopped for a beat.
Then he took a step forward before he realized it.
"Your Majesty?"
Pell did not notice the King's reaction and kept talking.
"Please allow me to teach him a little lesson so he knows Alabasta's..."
"Shut up!"
Cobra shouted.
Pell froze.
Chaka froze.
Even Igaram was so startled he nearly dropped his cane.
They had followed the King for so many years and had never seen this kind king get this angry, let alone at his most trusted guardian warrior.
Before they could react.
Cobra forgot where he was. Lifting his robes, he almost jogged down the steps.
When he passed Pell and found him in the way, he shoved the strong Zoan user aside, making him stumble and almost fall.
"Move!"
Cobra rushed in front of Aiden, took a deep breath, and then did something that made everyone stare.
King Cobra stared at Aiden's face without blinking.
"Similar... too similar..."
The words came out unevenly.
He reached out as if to touch Aiden's face, but then seemed to remember where he was and pulled his hand back.
"Rear Admiral... Aiden?"
Cobra swallowed once before speaking again.
"Pardon me for asking, but who are your parents..."
The side hall went silent.
Pell's mouth hung open.
Chaka still had his arms crossed, but he did not move.
What... what was going on?
Why did it look like His Majesty was recognizing a lost relative?
Aiden looked at Cobra.
The King looked nothing like the calm ruler from a moment ago.
Aiden knew he was famous, but he had never heard of having any blood ties to the Alabasta royal family. Why was this king suddenly asking about his family?
"I don't know who my parents are."
Aiden answered truthfully.
"I am an orphan. I was taken in and raised by the Marines in Loguetown. As for who my biological parents are, I have no idea."
"I see... I see..."
Cobra muttered. He lowered his eyes for a moment, then looked at Aiden again.
"Good! Good!"
Cobra suddenly started laughing, and this time he looked much lighter.
He straightened his collar and stepped aside to invite Aiden in himself.
"Sir Aiden, please come in! I have already ordered the finest banquet to be prepared!"
"With you joining us on the journey to Mary Geoise, I am completely at ease!"
Watching the King invite Aiden into the hall like a long-lost relative, Pell and Chaka looked at each other, both confused.
"Hey... Chaka."
Pell swallowed before speaking.
"What is wrong with His Majesty? That Rear Admiral... could he be His Majesty's illegitimate son?"
"Shut up! Don't talk nonsense!"
Chaka glared at him and wiped his forehead, though he looked just as confused.
To Be Continued
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