"Don't be so nervous" Ars said with a smile looking at Bell whose face now looks a little nervous when facing him.
"How not to be nervous…" Bell sighed then continued, "Many people would like to be able to meet or just meet you, King Fortis. It's an honor for me to be sitting with you like this."
"Ah, I see" Ars nodded, "Well, before we start the conversation. Is there anything you'd like to eat or drink? It just so happened that it was still long enough for lunch time at this time. At least there's still about a few dozen minutes before lunch arrives. We can eat snacks and drink something while talking."
"Then, just plain water please" Bell said politely.
Ars nodded then looked at Lowellmina, "Lowa, go and ask the waiter to bring some snacks in this room along with water and a glass of orange juice"
"I understand." Lowellmina nodded and immediately left to carry out the order.
Ars' gaze then turned to Bell, "Then let 's start the conversation. We will start from matters related to the cooperation that is built." Ars paused and continued again, "Because the Kingdom of Alabasta has already established a cooperative relationship with our side even though there has not been a formal signing. However, I already assume that these two kingdoms have established a cooperative relationship . Then, I'm sure Iowa must have explained a bit about the things your kingdom will get, right?"
Bell nodded, "Are we really going to get that mansion?"
"Of course" Ars nodded, "You don't have to pay anything for it. As long as your kingdom still has a cooperative relationship with our kingdom. You will get a house unit that can be used by the royal family."
"I see." Bell nodded.
"Then" Ars continued, "Usually when a kingdom establishes a cooperative relationship with our side. Later the kingdom will hand over its royal flag to us. It's meant to be installed in the area where the Octagon building is built." Ars paused and looked at Bell, "I guess you must have seen the building when you came here, right?"
Bell nodded, "It's a very large and beautiful building." Bell paused and continued, "King Fortis, does that mean our royal side can participate in the Octagon meeting?"
"Of course" Ars nodded, "The condition for taking part in the Octagon meeting is that you build a cooperative relationship with our kingdom. Even though you don't have a cooperative relationship with other royal parties. You can still attend the meeting. However, I hope that every kingdom can build cooperative relations with each other. Because there is no cooperative relationship that is not mutually beneficial unless there is a party who commits an act of treason."
Bell nodded in agreement with Ars' words and then asked, "If you may know, King Fortis. For the second Octagon meeting, when will it take place?"
"The Octagon meeting will usually be held because there is one party who wants the meeting to be held because they want to discuss something or there is an urgent matter where the meeting must be held" Ars paused for a moment, "For the current situation itself, since your kingdom is currently building a working relationship same with our kingdom. The Octagon meeting will soon be held which aims to introduce your kingdom to other kingdoms and also facilitate a place where your kingdom can build cooperative relationships with other kingdoms."
Ars paused for a moment and continued, "The plan, for this second Octagon meeting. Later it will be carried out when your King will come here to sign a cooperation agreement which is likely to happen next month"
"Next month?" Bell asked in confusion, "My apologies, King Fortis. Maybe this is a bit harsh. However, what can't be done this month?"
"It's hard to do it this month, Commander Bell" Ars shook his head, "Right now all parties especially those from other kingdoms are busy. I'm afraid if we call them to have an Octagon meeting. The schedules they have will collide with each other. At least, at the earliest, the Octagon meeting could be held at the beginning of next month."
"I see" Bell nodded and thinking about the situation of Elizabello II earlier, Bell understood that every king is currently busy managing the problems of his government system.
Simultaneously, the servants suddenly entered with a large amount of food.
"Your Majesty, sorry to interrupt." One of the maids said politely.
"No problem" Ars smiled as he replied, "Please set it up on the table we are currently using"
"We understand"
The waiters immediately arranged all the snacks that were there along with the previous drink orders. Having finished arranging them, the maids immediately left the room while Lowellmina immediately re-entered and stood behind Ars.
"Commander Bell, please taste the food that is in front of you. We can talk while we eat so it won't be too heavy."
"Thank you" Bell nodded and immediately tried one of the dishes there as a polite gesture. By the time the snack entered his mouth. Bell's face was shocked by the taste of the light meal.
"This is so delicious…" Bell said in a spanish manner as his face immediately turned red and looked at Ars and Lowellmina who were smiling at him, "I apologize for my impoliteness, King of Fortis, Miss Lowellmina"
"Hahaha…" Ars laughed at this, "Don't apologize. I've actually been waiting for your reaction. Besides, you're not the only one who has such a reaction. Elizabello II and others also tasted the dishes here for the first time. They have even more reactions than you."
Bell heard this becoming even more embarrassed.
"You prepare yourself. Later the dish that will be eaten this afternoon will be more delicious than the dish you are eating today."
Bell's eyes immediately showed a touch of excitement because if what was said was true. Then the taste of the dish that will be eaten by him for a while will be better than now.
"Okay. Let's continue our previous conversation while eating" Ars said while eating the snacks in front of him, "Rebellion Army… In your Kingdom there must be this organization, right?"
Bell wasn't surprised that Ars knew the information, "That's right. They are an organization formed by the citizens of the Kingdom of Alabasta who have their own grudge against His Majesty."
"I am not surprised by the existence of this organization in your kingdom"
"What do you mean, King Fortis?" asked Bell in bewilderment.
"To be honest…" Ars said seriously, "I know your kingdom has indeed been terrorized by the Shichibukai - Crocodile by carrying out various actions such as slandering the Cobra King, milking all the citizens' treasures, and other things. However, I myself saw. Even if Crocodile is not in your kingdom. The Rebel Army is still to be formed. That's because of the bad government system carried out by King Cobra"
"..." Bell fell silent hearing this.
"Please don't misunderstand first" Ars said back, "I'm not badmouthing or wanting to say anything bad about the Cobra King. Just be honest. From what I can see, the government system run by the Cobra King is really bad. There are many things that must be reconstructed related to your kingdom. It's not just a matter of territory. Patterns of thought, government systems, policies, and others. All that must be changed if your kingdom is to be better than before" Ars paused and continued, "King Cobra has a daughter, right? He will be the heir to the Kingdom of Alabasta?"
Bell nodded, "Her name is Nefetari Vivi-sama"
"Well, after the signing of the cooperation relationship is completed. Allow Princess Vivi to stay in this kingdom for a while. His purpose for staying here was to learn how to better manage his kingdom. Such as regulating the government system, setting policies, how to see opportunities and others." Ars stopped back and continued, "To be honest, it's not just the other kingdoms that have such terrible governance systems. However, the Prodance Kingdom, Amazon Lily Kingdom, and Ryugu Kingdom are currently establishing cooperative relations with our kingdom. These three kingdoms also had a bad system of government. This is also what caused me to ask the three leaders of this kingdom especially the Prodance Kingdom and the Ryugu Kingdom to send their next heir to the throne to come to this kingdom in order to learn how to manage the kingdom properly."
"I see. I will pass this on to His Majesty." Bell said both seriously and happily.
"Good" Ars nodded, "Regarding the matter of your royal territory reconstruction plan. We 'll start discussing it from a little later tonight in a meeting that we're going to have with all of our high ranking royals. We may send the reconstruction plan to your kingdom at the beginning of next month. Later the delivery of the royal construction plan will be carried out by several of your royal officials, where this activity will also pick up King Cobra and also other royal officials to come to your kingdom to sign a cooperative relationship while also attending the Octagon meeting which will be held as an event. introduce your kingdom and facilitate your kingdom so that it can build cooperative relationships with other kingdoms"
"I understand, I will tell this to Your Majesty"
The conversation between the two was continued by discussing various things. After the conversation was over, Bell was immediately escorted by Lowellmina to the room prepared for him as a resting place that he would use today.
The plan was that Bell would stay for one day and would return with Elizabello II and the others the next day and then head straight back to the Kingdom of Alabasta.
Grand Line, Kingdom of Alabasta, Royal Palace.
"There is nothing wrong with what King Fortis said…" Cobra said, "I even think that my current system of government… is really really bad"
"..." Bell who was behind the den-den musi who was currently talking to Cobra fell silent and didn't reply to this.
"At least now, our kingdom will be able to have a better heir than the current me" Cobra continued with a small smile, "At least, with Vivi being there and living there. Later he can get along with the higher-ups of the Fortis Kingdom as well as the heirs of other kingdoms, it can also improve relations between the kingdoms."