"No, I think you make a good point, King Cobra," Darren said, shaking his head with a serious expression as he faced Cobra's smiling face.
"Things like this are always a gamble. After all, this is Mary Geoise, the sacred land of the Celestial Dragons. The World Government has set up exceptionally tight security for this inauguration ceremony… Even I can't guarantee that we won't be discovered."
"I think it's best to be fully prepared ahead of time. That way, if we are discovered, it will seem more believable and convincing."
He gave Cobra a once-over, then paused, thinking.
"Forget the leg. Since walking's going to be a hassle for you anyway, how about I just break one of your arms instead?"
Cobra stared at Darren, his mind reeling. Seriously, what kind of messed-up fetish do you have? Why do you insist on breaking people's arms!?
Hearing Darren's words, Cobra nearly broke down. He had the pride of a king, the dignity of a noble, the honor of royalty… but that depended on who he was facing!
When dealing with others, he could die without yielding, proudly showing off his majesty as the King of Alabasta—he would even say, "Go ahead, kill me if you dare!"
But facing Darren? He couldn't do that. No other reason—just because Darren was a madman who would actually go through with it!
Before Cobra could say anything, Igaram, his captain of the guard, burst out.
"Damn it! How dare you threaten His Majesty, King Cobra!?" Igaram shouted, fury in his voice.
"Do you think His Majesty Cobra could be threatened by anyone?!"
"He is the King of Alabasta! Even if both his hands and feet were broken, or if he died right here… he would never yield!"
Cobra blinked, confused, then turned to Igaram, his face expressionless. "Igaram, I've never been unfair to you, right?"
Igaram nodded firmly, his voice filled with righteous anger.
"Your Majesty Cobra, rest assured. Even if something were to happen to you today, I would remain loyal to the Nefertari clan. I would support Princess Vivi in becoming the next King of Alabasta, ensuring the glory of the Alabasta Kingdom continues to shine across the seas!"
Cobra's mouth twitched, clearly trying to hold back his frustration.
He turned back to Darren, a wide smile spreading across his face.
"You don't need to listen to him. He's lost his mind."
"—Your Majesty!"
Igaram stared in disbelief at his king. The man was grinning so broadly it almost seemed like flattery. Igaram felt a cold emptiness inside as if something had shattered.
Was this really the King of their great Alabasta Kingdom?
Where was the dignity of a monarch? Where was the pride flowing from the veins of the world's noble bloodline? Where was the honor of the Nefert royal family?
Igaram could hardly believe his eyes. He desperately wanted to ask: Where did that grand, unyielding King go? Had he been replaced?
"Damn it!" Igaram gritted his teeth, his face contorted in rage as he glared at Daren.
"Don't even think about it! King Cobra's status is not something to be taken lightly. If you dare lay a finger on him, the consequences will be severe!"
Daren pondered for a moment before nodding in agreement.
"Yeah, you've got a point."
His gaze shifted, scanning Igaram from head to toe.
"Then pick a hand."
Igaram froze in place, unable to process the situation.
The next moment, Igaram suddenly turned to face Cobra, his posture formal as he clasped his hands together.
"Your Majesty, please sacrifice yourself for Alabasta!"
Cobra stared at him, speechless. He forced a smile at Daren, one that looked more pained than crying, his voice stiff and awkward.
"Daren, don't joke with me."
"What exactly do you want? Speak up. If it's within my power, I'll do whatever I can to help."
As he spoke, Cobra gave Igaram a knowing wink. Igaram immediately understood, pulling a lighter from his coat. With a quick flick, he ignited it, holding the tiny flame up to Daren's face while carefully shielding it with his hand.
Daren glanced at the two of them and then, unexpectedly, smiled. Leaning in, he lit the cigar in his mouth.
The smoke swirled inside the carriage. After taking a slow puff, he smiled and said,
"Honestly, it's nothing major. I have no intention of harming King Cobra."
His calm gaze remained fixed on Cobra as he asked,
"I simply want to know—what hidden trump cards does the World Government truly have?"
At these words, both Cobra and Igaram's expressions shifted slightly. The carriage fell into a deathly silence.
The smoke swirled around them until, several seconds later, Cobra spoke in a hoarse voice.
"I'm just the king of a World Government affiliate nation. If the World Government has some powerful trump cards… why would you think I have the right to know such secrets?"
Daren shook his head with a smile.
"No, King Cobra. From what I understand, you're not just any king of an affiliate nation."
"Unlike other World Government member nations, Alabasta is special."
"The most important thing is that the royal family of Alabasta—the Nefertari clan—was one of the twenty royal families that founded the World Government eight hundred years ago."
"That means you, Nefertari Cobra, the twelfth King of Alabasta, are supposed to be a Celestial Dragon—a member of the World Nobles."
Cobra's pupils contracted sharply, his mind reeling. How did he know about the Nefertari clan's secret!?
"Don't try to deny it. If I've come to see you, I've done my homework," Daren said casually.
"Strangely, despite being one of the royal families that founded the World Government, the Nefertari clan chose not to move to the Holy Land, Mary Geoise, and join the Celestial Dragons. Instead, they stayed in Alabasta."
"I'm curious about the reasons behind that decision."
Cobra's expression shifted uneasily. Under Daren's steady gaze, he seemed to wrestle with something deep inside, cold sweat slowly gathering on his forehead. After a tense silence that lasted over ten seconds, he sighed as if resigning to his fate.
"Since you've done your research, I might as well tell you everything..."
"The Nefertari clan didn't settle in Mary Geoise because they had a secret goal in mind."
Daren smiled faintly.
"Please, go on."
Cobra gritted his teeth, a flicker of resignation passing through his eyes before he muttered,
"Because of the ancient weapon, Pluton!"
"Your Majesty!" Igaram stared at Cobra in disbelief, his eyes wide in shock. He couldn't believe the words had actually come out of Cobra's mouth.