Alubarna.
The capital of the Desert Kingdom quickly revealed its unique charm to Kojin and his group.
Prosperous streets, exotic attire, and a cacophony of sounds flooded their senses from all sides.
Leading their camels, the entire group wore expressions of curiosity and excitement.
"You'll see the royal palace right after you pass the clock tower in the city center." Their dark-skinned guide said while lifting the veil covering his head and face to reveal a bald head. He smiled before continuing. "I won't be accompanying you any further. Alubarna Kingdom is quite conspicuous."
Kojin nodded. Eveya stepped forward to pay the bill and thank the guide.
When she gave him the Belly, the guide's face lit up. "Enjoy the warmth of the royal capital's people, guests!"
With that, he turned and led his camel away.
"Vice Admiral, should we head straight to the royal palace?" Eveya asked curiously.
Kojin smiled, immediately recognizing the novelty in their eyes. "Let's wander around a bit. We're not in any hurry."
"Yes!" Eveya exclaimed excitedly.
The group quickly began exploring the city like tourists.
About fifteen minutes later, a patrol unit passed by. The leader was a man with a white cloth wrapped around his head and a blade at his waist, and he had eyes as sharp as a falcon's.
"Hmm?"
His eyes narrowed as he spotted the Marine unit ahead.
When the tall figure in the Marine group turned around, a look of shock immediately crossed the guard's face.
"Him?!"
"It's His Highness the Prince!"
He took a step forward but hesitated. He turned to address the men behind him.
"Immediately send word to His Majesty. His Highness the Prince has arrived in Alubarna."
A soldier turned and hurried away immediately. The leader straightened his robes slightly, took a deep breath, and approached the Marine unit.
"Your Highness, Prince," He began. "I am Pell of the Kingdom Guard."
The respectful voice came from about nine meters ahead. Kojin smiled faintly and looked towards the speaker.
He had naturally noticed the Kingdom Guard squad and immediately recognized their leader as Pell, the Adjutant of the Alabasta Guard and the Zoan-type Bird-Bird Fruit, Falcon Form Ability User.
His most heroic moment was undoubtedly when he carried a giant bomb into the sky and miraculously survived.
Pell's loyalty to the Kingdom and the Nefertari family was beyond question.
"Hello, Pell," Kojin said with a nod.
Behind him, Eveya and the other nine Marines silently stood up straight, their gazes fixed ahead, exuding an invisible aura of elite professionalism.
The guards accompanying Vice-Admiral Kojin on this mission were, of course, the elite of the West Blue Marines. Each had mastered one or two techniques from the Six Powers.
Although their military rank remained at the 'soldier' level, this was only because they were still studying at the West Blue Academy. Upon graduation, each of them would be promoted to at least the rank of junior lieutenant.
"What a formidable group," Pell thought, his heart tightening as a grave expression settled on his face.
As the Kingdom Guard's adjutant, he was highly attuned to the auras of his peers.
'I've heard that Your Highness is a Vice-Admiral in the Marines. His strength must be truly terrifying.'
Yet, judging by his appearance alone, you'd never guess it.
Pell bowed deeply and gestured for them to follow. "His Majesty has been eagerly awaiting your arrival, Your Highness. Please allow me to escort you back to the Royal Palace."
Kojin chuckled softly and nodded. "Then I'll trouble you to lead the way, Adjutant Pell."
Pell straightened up, his expression grave and tense, and strode ahead. Throughout the journey, he kept a close eye on Eveya and the nine soldiers.
'This female Adjutant is incredibly powerful, too! I wonder what KojinYour Highness's true strength is?'
'I heard Your Highness went missing as a child. I never imagined you would return as a Marine Vice-Admiral, wielding such immense power.'
Pell mused inwardly.
He stole a glance at Kojin's profile. 'He's impressively tall and imposing, and there's a striking resemblance to His Majesty Cobra in his features. Hmm, he's even more handsome.'
The journey continued in relative silence. Pell, a man of few words by nature, had risen to become adjutant of the Royal Guard through sheer merit.
Soon, the group arrived at the royal palace.
"Adjutant Pell!" the guards stationed at the palace gates called out respectfully.
"This is Prince Kojin," Pell introduced.
"Prince Kojin?" The guards' eyes widened as they stared at Kojin.
They were struck by another shock as they noticed the Marine uniform and the Vice-Admiral rank insignia on his shoulders.
"Is Prince Kojin actually a Marine Vice-Admiral?!"
They immediately bowed deeply in salute.
"You should head inside now," Kojin said with a slight smile. "It's been quite a while since I've been here myself."
Pell nodded and stepped into the royal palace.
The Alubarna Royal Palace was a magnificent and imposing structure, its style reminiscent of European temples from Kojin's previous life.
Towering stone pillars lined the wide corridors, and the buildings were constructed from exceptionally sturdy stone blocks.
Guards stood at five-meter intervals, their expressions solemn and their spears at the ready.
As they approached the palace entrance, a group of people hurried towards them, their faces etched with anxiety. Leading the group was none other than King Nefertari Cobra, the ruler of the Vearth Kingdom.
He wore a green and yellow inner robe beneath a dark outer coat. His face was young, and his expression was a mixture of excitement and anxiety.
"Younger brother! My younger brother!" Cobra cried out, tears already welling in his eyes, as he approached Kojin. "I've finally found you."
Kojin glanced at him, astonished to see the clear resemblance between them and to feel the palpable connection between them.
'This time, my background check couldn't be wrong, could it?'
He forced a smile and said, "I'm very sorry, Elder Brother. I lost all my childhood memories in an accident."
Cobra trembled at these words, tears streaming down his face. He reached out to pat his younger brother on the shoulder but realized that Kojin towered over him.
'And this physique... it's absurd!'
'For royalty to have forged such a powerful body…'
"Kojin, what have you been through all these years?" Trembling, Cobra threw his arms around Kojin's waist and burst into tears.
Kojin reluctantly opened his arms and embraced his elder brother, who was much shorter.
The surrounding crowd was visibly moved, and Commander Igaram of the Kingdom Guard stood nearby, utterly astonished.
"Prince Kojin is so much taller than His Majesty!"
"That massive physique is truly awe-inspiring."
They dared not interrupt His Majesty, who was completely absorbed in the joy of reuniting with his family. After a long moment, Cobra finally wiped away his tears, grinned, and pulled Kojin's hand. "Come on, let me introduce you!"
"This is my wife, Titi! And this is Vivi, who just turned two this year!"
Kojin looked at the two women, who both had long blue hair and gentle features. Vivi hid behind her mother, peering at him timidly but curiously.
"It's an honor to meet you, sister-in-law."
"Vivi, can you talk yet? You should call me Uncle!" Bending down, Kojin said with a smile, "Hello, Vivi!"
Vivi chirped sweetly in reply, "Hello, Uncle!"
"Hahaha!"
"Come on in, quick."
Cobra laughed, took Kojin's hand, and led him into the palace.
A moment later, everyone was seated at a long table laden with delicacies and fine wines.
"The life of royalty is truly enviable," Eveya murmured.
Kojin simply smiled faintly, his gaze shifting to Cobra. "Big Brother, when do you plan to leave for Mary Geoise?"
Cobra's expression grew serious. "The Levely convenes every four years. In the past, the Holy Land hasn't made any particular demands of Alabasta, we could choose whether to attend or not. But this time, they specifically requested that you and I both attend."
He paused and glanced at Kojin. "I suspect this has something to do with you, doesn't it?"
Kojin nodded slightly. "They probably want to question me personally about certain matters."
"Just questions?" Cobra breathed a sigh of relief as a smile spread across his face. "That's good, that's good!"
He had already decided that, if his younger brother had done anything wrong, he would protect him at any cost.
"I can handle things, Big Brother. There's no need to worry," Kojin said with a smile.
"Since you've finally come home after so long, you must stay longer. If possible, could you resign from your position in the Marines? You are the Prince of Alabasta, after all. Also, regarding your marriage..." Cobra quickly began to worry about his duties as an elder brother.
Even though his younger brother was just sitting there, he was almost as tall as Cobra and completely overwhelmed him with his presence.
"I cannot resign from my position in the Marines. Whether royal or commoner, everyone must hold power firmly in their own hands. Furthermore..." Kojin shook his head, his expression turning serious. "I also have plans for Alabasta."
Cobra glanced at Titi and Vivi beside him and asked in a low voice, "What plans?"
"Since there are no outsiders here... Then I'll get straight to the point," Kojin said slowly.
In the banquet hall, besides the Cobra family, only he and Eveya remained.
"Younger brother, feel free to speak your mind," Cobra said solemnly. "Whatever it is, big brother will support you!"
From lost prince to powerful Marine Vice-Admiral whose name shook the world, this younger brother had undoubtedly endured countless hardships.
Ever since hearing news of him, Cobra had felt deeply guilty, convinced that he owed his younger brother a great deal.
Even if his younger brother demanded the throne at this moment, he would relinquish it without hesitation.
Kojin could sense his elder brother's sincerity. He spoke, his voice slightly strained.
"Through ancient texts, I've traced the true origins of the Nefertari lineage."
Cobra's pupils contracted slightly.
"I've uncovered fragments of the story of an ancestor named Lily," Kojin continued.
Clang!
The steel fork slipped from Cobra's hand and clattered onto the plate.
(End Of This Chapter)
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