New World, Fortis Kingdom, Royal Palace, Banquet Hall.
"This is delicious" Shirahosi said excitedly after tasting the dish in front of her, "Jouichirou-sama, Gin-sama, and Kojiro-sama. The dishes they make are really very good. This dish is even better than the one made by the chef at home."
The women who were currently with Shirahoshi smiled happily listening to Shirahoshi's praise.
"Take it easy, Princess" Lowellmina said with a smile, "There are still plenty of dishes to taste. Don't be too fast, you'll end up choking on your food."
Shirahosi nodded and immediately ate the dish slowly.
"Wonderful food…" Sandersonia said with an excited face.
"Yes…" Marigold nodded, "This dish is even several times better than the dishes made by the chefs in the kingdom"
"If only our royal palace chef had at least half of the abilities of Jouichirou-san and the others. We can always eat delicious food every day" Dagama said while eating the food in front of him excitedly.
"Um" Iru also nodded and his eating speed was also no less than Dagama's.
Currently the banquet hall was filled with various dishes. This dish was a dish that Jouichirou and Kojirou had prepared beforehand. After the second department was introduced, after some time the two immediately rushed back to prepare the dishes. With the cooking skills of the two, the two of them were able to finish these dishes very quickly.
Meanwhile in a special chair for the leaders. The four leaders sat together while eating the food in front of them gracefully. Even though the food was delicious. However, they must be their status as a leader.
"Oh yes. Hancock" Ars immediately stopped eating and looked at Hancock, "The house that will be given to your kingdom will probably be finished tomorrow. You can come tomorrow or anytime to pick up the house keys."
"Really?" Hancock asked excitedly, "Then I will wait"
"Wait?" Ars raised his brow, "Rather than waiting, you better come back tomorrow. Take care of your shopping center construction business. You still have enough time today to search for territory that you will use later."
"No need" Hancock said proudly, "I already know the territory that will be used later. I can do it tomorrow after getting the house."
"Even though you say so. However, the house will only be completed around noon or afternoon. Instead you have to wait here. You better go finish your business first. You can prepare your people later on Saboundy Island and instruct them to monitor the development of the shopping center construction there. The next day, you can come here again."
"You seem to really dislike having me here, Ars" Hancock pursed her lips.
"It's not that I don't like your existence. However, you have responsibilities to fulfill. Finish your responsibilities first then do whatever you want" Ars said calmly.
"Hmph!" Hancock sniffed discontentedly.
"You two look really close" Neptune suddenly said, "Have you two known each other for a long time?"
"No" Ars shook his head, "We just met a while ago. It's just that, I think it's quite troublesome to call Hancock with her honorifics especially calling her an empress is quite troublesome. So, I asked her to be able to call her name if it was not official business. She can also call my name if it's not official business" Ars paused and continued, "If you want, you can also call my name directly. Honestly, it's quite troublesome if it's not official business we have to call each other's honorifics. It was quite troublesome"
"I agree with this" Elizabello II nodded, "You can also call me by my name directly. I feel more comfortable being called that."
"Me too" Neptune added, "If it's a non-official business. I don't think it's a problem"
Ars nodded and his gaze fell on Neptune, "Neptune, Princess Shirahoshi, is she the heir to the Ryugu Kingdom?"
Neptune nodded, "Yes. She is an heir. Even though I have a son older than Shirahoshi. However, I have established him as the heir of the Ryugu Kingdom. He will be the leader later."
"Well, if so. If later our kingdom has created a tool that can regulate the problem of body size. Let Shirahoshi stay here for a while."
Hancock, who heard this, was shocked.
"This is so that Shirahoshi can learn here about the matter of managing a kingdom. I've told you before and you still remember, don't you? Your kingdom has enormous potential but you don't use that potential well. It's also because the way of governing the kingdom is very bad." Ars paused and continued, "I apologize for this comment. However, I think I should say so in order to improve the development of your empire."
"No need to apologize, Ars" Neptune said shaking his head, "I know about it. I also realize that my knowledge of kingdom development is very poor." Neptune sighed then looked at Shirahoshi who was currently smiling excitedly and talking to the female higher-ups from Fortis Kingdom and Amazon Lily Kingdom, "I don't think it's bad to let her stay here either. Besides, she is also very happy here."
"Because you have already decided. You also have to prepare several people who will later help Shirahoshi while living here. For example a chef and others. She needs it to live here especially he will live alone in the house that has been prepared."
"I will definitely prepare it" Neptune nodded.
"Hey, Ars" Hancock said again, "Why don't you ask me to stay here?"
Ars sighed, "Hancock, you are the leader of the country. If you are the heir, I will let you stay here to learn how to rule the kingdom. However, how about now? You are the leader. You have responsibilities that you have to finish" Ars paused for a moment and continued, "Well, let's put it this way. If you really like my kingdom and want to stay and play here. You can do it. However…"
"However ?… " Hancock raised her eyebrows.
"The first thing you have to do is organize the building of the departments that will help you later. If you have people who can help you govern your kingdom as I do. You will have very few jobs . Just like me right now. I myself usually only do a review and also do an inspection. Tasks done by my friends. Well, if there really is a big mistake or whatever. Only later will it move. However, if it's not a big deal and it can still be handled by my friends, they will be in charge of doing it."
Ars paused for a moment and continued, "If you can build departments that help you manage your empire and also each department run well. It's not impossible that you can have fun. You may just need to do some review and also a meeting of the various things that have happened before."
Hancock immediately felt very happy to hear this.
"So if I can build departments with great people handling those departments. Can I stay here a little longer?"
"Well, as long as the department you set up goes well and also no problems happen with your kingdom. You can do whatever you want"
"Hmph! Alright." Hancock sniffed with satisfaction and started to think about the plans for the development of the departments.
Elizabello II and Neptune's plans for the construction of a department that deals with the matter of empire building are also currently being considered by Elizabello II and Neptune.
Ars' gaze then turned to Elizabello II, "By the way, Elizabello II, when are you getting married?"
"Agh?" Elizabello II instantly woke up in his thoughts.
"Right now you have to think about the heir of your kingdom. If you don't have someone who will inherit your kingdom. It will be difficult to determine who will be the leader of your kingdom when you die" Ars said calmly.
"I think so" Elizabello II nodded then his gaze turned to Ars, "Will you come to my kingdom if I have a wedding?"
"Sure" Ars nodded, "Not only me, but every higher-up from our kingdom present will come together to enliven it"
Elizabello II was very excited to hear this.
This topic of conversation backfired for Ars.
"What about me, Ars?" Hancock asked with a sullen face back, "When are you going to visit my kingdom?"
"Me too" Neptune said, "When will you come to my kingdom? We will definitely welcome your arrival."
"Well, I'll try to rearrange the timing. If possible, I would like to travel at a time when all the higher-ups of my kingdom come. I don't want when I go to visit, my friends come. I don't want to make them sad."
Neptune and Elizabello II nodded at this.
Ars' gaze then turned to Hancock, "Doesn't Amazon Lily Island not allow a man to enter? You also said it at the previous meeting. Those rules are even rules that the empresses have laid down before you."
"Hmph! I am the current empress. I can change the rules. Who would dare to violate it?" Hancock said proudly, "Besides, no one dares to forbid you from coming to our kingdom. However, you are the only exception."
"What about Urek? He is my Guardian. He must be by my side all the time."
"He can wait outside the island" Hancock said calmly, "Why, Ars? Are you not sure about the safety of my kingdom?" Hancock asked with a sullen face.
"It's not that I'm not sure. However, he has such a duty and must always be by my side" Ars said calmly.
"In that case, will the woman named Ninym before always be by your side too?" Hancock asked with a face full of jealousy.
"Oh, I think the Royal Empress of Amazon Lily has put her heart to Ars" Elizabello II muttered with a look full of jealousy at Ars, "Too bad~ Hancock had to fight so hard. Because…" Elizabello II's gaze fell on Lowellmina and the others.
"He will always be by my side. However, during working hours. If it's not working time, Ninym can do whatever she wants" Ars said calmly.
"Is that true?" Hancock asked while frowning.
"Of course" Ars said, "Do you think if he was my assistant he would have to accompany me 24 hours?"
Hancock nodded seriously.
"Where did you learn that knowledge from?" Ars asked with a flat look.
Ars then remembered something and his gaze turned to Neptune, "Neptune. Regarding the matter of purchasing groceries from our kingdom. Please add the amount. At least 2 times more than before. Due to the increase in the number of workers in the future. We need more food ingredients"
"I see. I will definitely arrange it." Neptune nodded.
The banquet finally resumed. After the banquet was over, Ars and the others signed a new cooperation relationship. Finished with the signing, Ars also distributed crystal balls that were promised to them each person got one unit.
After the distribution was completed, Hancock immediately handed over the money he got from the transaction with the Navy for 8 billion berries. Meanwhile, Elizabello II also gave Ars 25 billion berries as the latest wood purchase. Done with the cash gift.
Kingdom of Prodance.
Ryugu Kingdom.
Amazon Lily Kingdom.
They all ended up sailing back to their kingdom with the Ryugu Kingdom accompanied by Hashirama for making a shipment of the previously purchased wood. Shirahoshi when she found out that she would be back soon was very sad because she was finally having fun and making lots of friends.
However, after receiving a reminder that he will return to study in the Fortis Kingdom and will likely stay here for a long time. Shirahoshi finally became very excited and couldn't wait for that day. They finally left quietly.
Hancock was finally willing to go and right now in Hancock's mind was finishing her previous plan so that she could do what she wanted to do.