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"Your Majesty, should we disembark at Nanohana in Alabasta? Or proceed directly to Alubarna, their royal capital?" Suzu asked.
"Nanohana?"
Anos pondered briefly and then responded, "Let's stop here. It will give us a chance to observe the customs of Alabasta and better understand the situation in this kingdom."
"Understood, Your Majesty. I will make the necessary arrangements immediately!" Suzu replied.
In Anos's memory, Nanohana was known for its perfume production, but given Alabasta's current state, it was unlikely they could even grow flowers, let alone produce perfume.
Yet, an idea soon came to him. Currently, his kingdom's trade couldn't extend into the Grand Line due to high costs.
However, if there were an intermediary base kingdom for sales, these costs could be significantly reduced.
After a moment of thought, he dismissed the idea for now. The heat was unbearable, and he already felt like diving into the sea for relief.
But as someone who had eaten a Devil Fruit, he knew the sea was deadly for him.
The weather in Alabasta was relentlessly intensely hot and incredibly dry. Even in the shade, his lips were drying out within minutes.
The ship moved sluggishly through the region, relying entirely on wind power, but wind was a rare commodity in Alabasta.
As nightfall approached, they finally arrived in Nanohana. As expected, it had a massive port.
Numerous ships were docked there, and among them, a few pirate ships could be spotted.
But there was no time to worry about that now. Once they finally docked, the crew eagerly rushed to disembark.
Having spent so much time aboard the ship, even though provisions were still sufficient, the monotony of eating the same meals every day had grown tiresome.
"This is Nanohana!"
Anos surveyed the buildings ahead, which resembled slums.
There was no aesthetic appeal, and in comparison to his own Tru Kingdom, this place was severely lacking.
Not to mention the strong winds and sand that picked up at night.
Only two scraggly trees lined the coastline, and beyond that, there was nothing but sand.
"Your Majesty, we'll have to spend the night here. Tomorrow, we can continue to Alubarna," Suzu informed him.
"That will suffice. I already feel more comfortable on land. I just want to find a place to rest for the night. We'll discuss tomorrow's matters in the morning."
Anos was eager to find a comfortable place to rest and sample the local delicacies of Alabasta.
He had heard about the exotic dishes here, such as scorpions and centipedes.
Particularly the scorpions, which were as large as lobsters he imagined they must taste quite good!
"Your Majesty, since we've arrived, should we notify the local Alabasta garrison to avoid any misunderstandings?" Daiki suggested.
"Good point. Go ahead and notify them," Anos replied.
"We'll scout ahead, find accommodations, and grab a meal along the way," Suzu added.
Anos observed the dilapidated Nanohana. The buildings were built at varying heights, and the road ahead sloped upward.
Using his Observation Haki, he scanned the entire city, imprinting its layout in his mind.
The broad road beneath his feet was covered in sand, and the wind had swept it to the outskirts of the city.
At this rate, it wouldn't be long before the area became uninhabitable.
Yet, the locals seemed oblivious to this reality. Even if they were aware, what difference would it make?
It was hard to imagine what Alabasta had once been like. For such a vast country with a rich history spanning thousands of years, its former grandeur must have been far greater than what it had become.
Although it was now evening and the sky hadn't fully darkened, the stars were starting to appear.
The city seemed to lack proper streets, and only a few people wandered about.
When Anos and his entourage arrived, the locals stared at them curiously.
Perhaps they were accustomed to pirates, as the sight of formally dressed newcomers didn't seem to excite them.
As the king of the Tru Kingdom, Anos's visit to Alabasta was akin to a diplomatic mission. He wore his crown and royal attire to represent his kingdom.
His royal guards marched in disciplined steps, while Suzu had already donned her coat.
Nightfall was approaching, and the temperature difference was stark.
The sweltering heat of the day had given way to a cool breeze, bringing a noticeable chill to the air.
Their formal attire attracted a fair amount of attention from passersby.
What surprised them, however, was the sight of soldiers waiting for them up ahead.
Armed with rifles, they stood in two neat rows, forming a welcoming formation.
Before the group even reached them, the leader of the soldiers had already hurried forward.
Upon seeing Anos's royal attire, the middle-aged man bowed respectfully and declared, "Captain Igaram of Alabasta's Royal Guard welcomes His Majesty, King Anos of Tru Kingdom..."
Daiki immediately grew tense. They hadn't notified Alabasta of their arrival, yet a welcoming party was already prepared. Something was off.
Anos remained composed, offering a slight smile, "King Cobra is too gracious. It was rude of us not to inform him in advance."
"Your Majesty is too kind. King Cobra has expressed his hope that, after King Anos has rested, you will come to Alubarna, where he will host a banquet in your honour," Igaram said with a smile.
"I wonder, how did Captain Igaram know of His Majesty's arrival?" Daiki asked with a stern expression.
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