Chapter 41
Marble pillars adorned with intricate carvings of mythological tales rose majestically towards a ceiling painted with gilded frescoes, capturing scenes of Alabasta's past glories. Crystal chandeliers hung like clusters of frozen stars, casting a soft, prismatic light that danced across the assembly. The walls were draped with rich tapestries, their deep emerald and sapphire hues glistening like the sea under the midday sun. At the head of the grand banquet table, Prince Moria sat beside Princess Vivi. The table itself, a masterpiece of polished alabaster inlaid with gold and precious stones, groaned under the weight of a lavish feast. Platters overflowed with succulent meats, exotic fruits, and desserts that seemed more like edible works of art.
King Cobra rose, lifting his golden goblet high, and the room hushed, a palpable anticipation settling over the guests. His voice, resonant and authoritative, filled the space. "To the future of Alabasta," he proclaimed, his eyes shimmering with paternal pride. "To my beloved daughter, Princess Vivi, and to her chosen consort, Gecko Moria, our new Crown Prince. May their union bring strength and prosperity to our land, and may their reign be blessed with wisdom and peace."
The guests, a glittering array of silks and jewels, raised their glasses in unison. Moria turned to Vivi, who gazed at him with eyes full of love and hope. Her wide blue eyes sparkled with emotion, framed by dark lashes that fluttered like butterfly wings. Her honey-gold skin glowed softly, and her lips, a delicate rose, curved in a tender smile. The golden crown atop her head caught the light, casting a radiant halo around her
Moria's outward expression was one of serene contentment, his lips curved in a benign smile as he scanned the assembly. Inside, however, his thoughts were laced with contempt. Fucking nobles. Parasites draped in their silks and satins, fattened on the labor of others. They knew nothing of true suffering, of pain and hardship. Weaklings, every last one of them. One day, he would put them through his sword. When they would no longer be needed. When he was strong enough to take on Doflamingo. Kizaru. Kaido. But now…
As the king's speech concluded, Moria rose to his feet, lifting his goblet in acknowledgment.
"Friends, esteemed guests," he began, his voice smooth and commanding. "I stand before you, honored and humbled by the trust and love you have shown. Together, Princess Vivi and I will strive to elevate this great land to new heights of glory."
He paused, his gaze softening as he turned to Vivi. "I must also acknowledge my incredible fortune. Not only am I blessed with the honor of becoming Crown Prince, but I am also fortunate to have such a beautiful and kind-hearted wife by my side." He chuckled lightly, a sound that carried warmth and sincerity. "I often wonder what deeds I performed in a past life to deserve such a treasure."
Vivi's cheeks reddened, her eyes lowering in modesty, and the room filled with gentle laughter and applause. Moria raised his goblet high. "To Alabasta," he declared, his voice ringing with a triumphant clarity. "To its enduring greatness and the bright future that lies ahead."
The hall erupted into cheers for the Prince, the sound echoing off the marble pillars and gilded ceilings. Moria may have been crowned the Crown Prince, but he was already the true king of Alabasta. Cobra was nothing more than a puppet, manipulated by Isabella's and Nami's powers, with a Shadow Soldier always lurking in his shadow as an added measure. Through the vast network of Baroque Works - and all the estate of Crocodile he had taken over, Moria controlled the economy, orchestrating the kingdom's prosperity from the shadows. It was his guidance that ensured Alabasta's stability. No, truly, Moria was the true King of Alabasta.
He observed the sea of faces before him, noting the eager, sycophantic smiles, the eyes glittering with envy and admiration. How could they be so…naive? He was a fucking Warlord! His nefarious deeds had been on the news more than once! He had pillaged some of their towns, burned their ships and killed thousands of their citizens! And he did not even use Isabella's power…How could they be so…so…
Main Quest 1
[A King without a Crown]
How can you be a Pirate King if you are not even a King?
Take control of the Kingdom of Alabasta
Completed !
30th March 1522
Skypeia
A young woman, her eyes wide with terror, clutched her infant tightly to her chest as she darted through the burning streets. She tripped, gasping for breath, only to find herself face-to-face with a jackal-headed titan. creature's massive blade sliced through the air, cleaving her in two. Her blood splattered across the cobblestones, mingling with the ash, and her shadow was drawn into the dark figure that ended her life.
30th March 1522
Alabasta
A long, elaborately set table groaned under the weight of a feast fit for kings, with succulent roasted meats, exotic fruits, and delicacies from every corner of the kingdom. Nobles, reclining in plush chairs, traded stories of their wealth with a mixture of pride and indifference.
"Lord Farnham's new estate cost him a fortune," boasted one baron, his mouth full of truffle-stuffed pheasant.
"Ah, but worth it to keep the peasants off prime land," his companion replied, laughing as he sipped from a crystal goblet.
Nearby, a cluster of sycophantic nobles raised their glasses to Moria, their voices dripping with false admiration. "To our new Prince! May his reign be long and prosperous!" they chorused, their eyes gleaming with opportunistic fervor.
30th March 1522
Skypeia
An elderly man, his body frail and bent with the weight of years, hobbled towards his modest home, the only sanctuary he had ever known. The ground shook violently as a falcon-headed horror landed before him, its stone wings spreading wide. The old man raised a trembling hand, as if to plead for mercy from an unhearing god. The titan's claws struck with merciless precision, rending flesh from bone. His blood pooled around him, staining the ground, and as his life ebbed away, his shadow was swallowed by the monstrous entity.
30th March 1522
Alabasta
On the polished dance floor, couples moved in intricate patterns, their lavish garments swirling like living art. The orchestra played a haunting melody, but the conversations were far from graceful.
"How many families did you displace for your new vineyard?" asked a duke, smirking as he led his partner in a waltz.
"Only five, but it was worth it for the extra profit," she replied, her laugh like crystal breaking.
As they danced, a prince from a neighboring country approached Moria. "Congratulations, Lord Moria," he said, bowing slightly. "Your union with Princess Vivi promises a bright future."
Moria's smile was polite, his eyes cold. "Thank you, Prince Tarquin. Your words honor us."
30th March 1522
Alabasta
Surrounded by the kingdom's elite, Vivi and Moria sat side by side at the head of the table, cocooned in their own world. The room buzzed with refined conversation and the clinking of crystal glasses, but for Vivi, the opulence blurred into the background. Moria leaned closer, his voice a low, seductive murmur that sent a delicious shiver down her spine. "Tonight, my Princess," he whispered, his breath warm against her ear, "I will make you mine in every conceivable way. I shall explore every contour of your exquisite body, and together we will discover pleasures unknown even in the most vivid of dreams."
30th March 1522
Skypeia
A small boy, barely old enough to comprehend the devastation around him, wandered aimlessly amidst the chaos, calling out for his mother with a voice choked by sobs. His tiny legs carried him through the inferno, his cries piercing the night. Suddenly, a crocodile-headed titan appeared before him, its maw opening in a silent roar. The boy's scream was cut short as the beast's stone jaws crushed him, the sound of snapping bones mingling with the roar of the flames.
30th March 1522
Alabasta
Vivi's cheeks flushed a deep crimson, her heart fluttering with a mix of embarrassment and eager anticipation. She tried to focus on the elaborate dishes before her, but her mind was ensnared by the vivid images his words conjured. Her breath hitched, excitement coursing through her veins as she imagined the night to come.
30th March 1522
Skypeia
Blood and tears mixed on the scorched earth.
30th March 1522
Alabasta
Wine and laughter mingled in the majestic palace.
Moria smiled as he received a notification : Skypeia had already fallen? Perfect : this Enel had indeed had a B-rank or higher Fate.
Main Quest [A Court, a Kingdom and a Champion]
[A Kingdom] : 1/3→ 2/3
30th March 1522
Amazon Lily
Amazon Lily was a ghostly shell of its former self. The colorful flowers that adorned the streets had withered, and the air was thick with the stench of decay. Women in plague doctor attire, their beaked masks, moved through the empty alleys, tending to the sick and dying. Moans of pain echoed through the streets, a haunting chorus of suffering. The pandemic had overwhelmed them in a few days, and the corpses of the fallen, too numerous to be properly buried, were piled high in spires, awaiting the flames.
Boa Hancock's scream of rage pierced the silence, echoing off the abandoned buildings. Black dots marred her flawless skin, the telltale signs of the contagion that had claimed so many lives. She clawed at the spots in frustration, as if she could tear away the disease that had invaded her body and her home.
Hancock's heart ached with an unbearable grief as she stood over Sandersonia's cold, still form. Someone lit the spires, and they cast an eerie glow over the dying city. Amazon Lily was dying, and there was nothing she could do to save it.
30th March 1522
Alabasta
Judge Vinsmoke, King of Germa 66, sat with an air of cold detachment, his sharp eyes scanning room. His gaze briefly rested on his son, Niji, who was deeply engaged in conversation with a princess from a neighboring kingdom. Judge felt a flicker of satisfaction. Alliances were the lifeblood of kingdoms, and every connection forged was a step towards greater power and influence. Good. Niji's charisma and charm were proving useful. He was a good tool.
His eyes shifted to the newly crowned Crown Prince of Alabasta, Gecko Moria. The entire situation felt unsettlingly convenient. A Warlord becoming a Crown Prince? The scenario reeked - it was almost a Doflamingo bis. Judge's gaze narrowed as he watched Moria bask in the adulation of the court. The future seemed all too clear: in a few months, news of King Cobra's "natural" demise would spread, leaving Moria as the uncontested ruler. However…maybe not. Cobra's overwhelming praise of his new stepson seemed too was immensely fervent and sincere. Maybe Moria would not even need to take care of him.
Cobra turned to Judge, his eyes alight with fervor. "Isn't he remarkable, King Vinsmoke?" Cobra's voice was filled with genuine admiration. "Moria has brought a new dawn to Alabasta. His strength, his leadership—truly, he is the son I never had."
Judge forced a tight-lipped smile, nodding in agreement. "Indeed, King Cobra. He seems...quite capable."
"More than capable!" Cobra continued, seemingly oblivious to Judge's disinterest. "Moria has transformed our kingdom in such a short time. His strategies, his vision—they are unparalleled. I have full faith that with him as Crown Prince, Alabasta will reach unprecedented heights of glory."
"His accomplishments are impressive," Judge replied, his tone noncommittal. "It is fortunate for Alabasta to have such a leader."
"Fortunate indeed," Cobra agreed, his voice brimming with pride. "I have never seen such dedication and skill. He is a true blessing to us all."
King Cobra's voice was a steady, admiring drone, filled with lavish commendations of Moria's strength and leadership. Judge nodded politely, his mind only half-engaged with the conversation. He was here not for the political spectacle, but for a more clandestine purpose: a private meeting with Moria.
Rumors had long tied Moria to Dr. Hogback, whose medical genius was legendary, but navigating the treacherous waters of the Florian Triangle to reach him was no small feat. He had wanted to meet the doctor for years, but hadn't been able to find him. The potential advancements Hogback could bring to Germa 66's soldiers were too significant to ignore. Judge's eyes flicked back to Moria, who was accepting another round of congratulations with a practiced smile. The wedding was a mere spectacle; the real game was about to begin.
As the grand clock in the hall struck one in the morning, Moria stood up, his imposing figure drawing the attention of the gathered guests. His deep, resonant voice cut through the murmurs and laughter, silencing the room. "Ladies and gentlemen," he began, his tone both commanding and courteous, "I wish to thank you all for gracing us with your presence on this most joyous occasion."
The room fell silent, all eyes on the new Crown Prince. "However," Moria continued, "my wife, Princess Vivi, is understandably tired after such a long and eventful day." A few chuckles rippled through the crowd, and a lecherous noble in the back snickered loudly, earning a smirk from those around him.
Moria's gaze sharpened, but he maintained his composure. "As much as we would love to continue celebrating with you all, it is time for us to retire for the night. We will, of course, see you tomorrow morning for the final brunch before the conclusion of this splendid wedding."
He paused, allowing his words to settle over the crowd. "I am deeply honored by your presence and your support. Alabasta stands stronger today because of the bonds we reaffirm and the alliances we forge. Let us continue to work together for a future filled with prosperity and peace."
With that, Moria offered a gracious nod and extended his hand to Vivi, who rose gracefully beside him.
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