Crowned as King!

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Alabasta was in the grip of a relentless drought that had persisted for nearly two years.

Cities beyond the capital and Rainbase were on the verge of collapse, struggling to sustain themselves, let alone participate in trade. The situation was dire, and the kingdom's survival hung by a thread.

Kael understood the gravity of the crisis. To continue growing stronger and secure their position, his first priority was clear: eliminate Crocodile, the most significant obstacle standing in his way.

Additionally, the rebel army had to be dealt with swiftly. If a full-scale war erupted, resulting in extensive casualties, the kingdom would lose more than just lives. They would forfeit the people's trust and tarnish the good reputation that King Cobra had spent his entire life building. Such a blow would be catastrophic.

"The profit of just one month..." Pell's voice trembled with excitement as he reported to the composed Kael.

The numbers were beyond anything he could have imagined, even in his wildest dreams.

Pell was well aware of the kingdom's precarious financial situation. Alabasta's tax revenue was abysmally low. The desert nation's economy relied heavily on taxing a limited number of fixed shops and the dwindling farming population.

Oversight of traveling merchants was nearly impossible. As a result, the annual tax revenue of the entire kingdom barely reached 10 billion Beli.

Maintaining an army of 600,000 soldiers consumed almost half of this revenue. After accounting for other essential expenditures, there was often no surplus, forcing the royal family to dip into their private reserves to keep the nation afloat.

But now, in just over a month under Kael's leadership, they had earned a staggering 1.5 billion Beli.

Pell gulped audibly, his thoughts were racing. If they could achieve this much in such a short time, how much more could they earn by expanding their efforts and selling even more phones in the future?

"Don't get too excited. This is just the beginning." Kael said, with a calm smile playing on his lips as he observed Pell's enthusiasm.

Kael knew that, compared to the material wealth of Earth in the 21st century, this world's resources were woefully scarce. No matter how much money one accumulated, its real significance was limited. But for now, this financial success was a critical step toward stabilizing Alabasta and securing their reign.

---

Knock! Knock!

A sudden knock echoed through the chamber, interrupting the quiet atmosphere.

"Your Highness, His Majesty the King requests your presence." Came a voice from outside the door.

Kael froze momentarily, surprised. Since transmigrating into this world, his father, King Cobra, had never summoned him. The two had barely exchanged words, let alone had any meaningful conversations. In fact, Kael had interacted far more with Vivi than with his father.

Why now? What could Cobra possibly want from him?

"Your Highness?"

Pell's voice broke through Kael's thoughts, pulling him back to the present.

"Let's go." Kael said, nodding slightly. He dismissed his curiosity for the moment, deciding not to overthink the situation.

Draping a cloak over his shoulders, he strode toward the door, Pell followed closely behind him.

---

Entering the grand hall, Kael was struck by how eerily empty the vast space felt. The absence of Igaram and the other ministers, who were occupied with managing the drought crisis across the kingdom, left the palace hollow and desolate.

Only Cobra remained, the weight of Alabasta's burdens etched deeply into his weary expression.

Seated solemnly on the throne, Cobra exuded a quiet, heavy presence. His gaze drifted to the long-vacant seat beside him—the queen's chair, untouched for over a decade. His fingers lightly brushed the armrest of the empty throne, a fleeting gesture of remembrance, before his eyes turned toward Kael, who now stood below him.

"Kael..." Cobra's voice broke the silence, hesitating for a moment before continuing in a heavy and serious tone: "If I entrust Alabasta to you, can you promise me that you will treat it with the utmost kindness and protect it with everything you have?"

"Hm?!"

Kael froze. The weight of the question rendered him speechless.

He stood rooted in place, staring at his father's tired face, which bore the marks of worry, exhaustion, and—most strikingly—a faint glimmer of hope.

In the original timeline, this moment never existed. At that time, Vivi had been too young and inexperienced to lead. Cobra had no choice but to remain on the throne, holding the kingdom together through sheer determination.

But now, with Kael in the picture, Cobra saw an alternative—another path for Alabasta to rise from its current plight.

"What do you mean by that, Father?" Kael finally asked, breaking the heavy silence. His voice was deep, tinged with both anxiety and worry.

"Answer me." Cobra demanded, ignoring Kael's question. His tone was firm and resolute, leaving no room for hesitation.

Kael suddenly felt the weight of the moment press down on him. Though Cobra lacked physical strength, the authority he wielded as ruler of millions gave him an undeniable aura that filled the room.

After a brief pause, Kael took a deep breath. The enormity of the responsibility being offered to him was clear. Yet, something in Cobra's unwavering gaze lit a fire of determination within him.

"I will." Kael dropped to one knee, and replied.

Kael was deeply shaken by Cobra's sudden abdication. What shocked him even more was Cobra's decision to crown him as the new king. After all, Kael had only been reincarnated into this world for a month, and during that time, the only thing he had accomplished was earning money. His past self-had done nothing worthy of being crowned King of Alabasta.

Yet, the reality was undeniable—Kael was already the prince of Alabasta. Becoming its king was not just a logical progression but also a duty bound to his position. Refusing wouldn't change the outcome; it was inevitable.

"From this moment forth." Cobra declared as he removed the crown from his head: "You shall be the new King of Alabasta!"

"What?!" Kael was stunned again.

"Father is stepping down right away?!" He thought, lifting his head to meet Cobra's gaze.

Though Kael had agreed in principle to take on the role, the abruptness of it all left him bewildered.

Kael had assumed there would be time—at least a month—to prepare for such a monumental change. But now, without a coronation ceremony, oaths of allegiance from the ministers, witnesses from the citizens, or even a public announcement, the transfer of power felt almost casual.

This wasn't an abdication in the traditional sense; it was more like an unceremonious passing of the torch.

"Why?" Kael asked quietly, his voice filled with confusion and concern. Why was his father in such a hurry to relinquish his rule?

Cobra's expression turned solemn as he replied: "Anyone who attempts to end a war with bloodshed will only bring more bloodshed." He paused slightly, before continuing: "I must stop the rebels and prove the Royal Family's innocence. But remember, no matter what methods you use—even if you get help directly from the Navy—remember this as my final request as king and as your father: the people must not bleed any further."

In that moment, everything became clear to Kael. Cobra intended to offer himself as a hostage to the rebels, a gesture to prove that he had not used Dance Powder to manipulate the weather.

While the rebels were ruthless, they wouldn't harm Cobra under such circumstances. Instead, they would likely show him respect and use the time to verify his claims.

For the first time since his transmigration, Kael felt the full weight of reality pressing down on him. His father's words carried the unmistakable burden of sacrifice and responsibility.

Kael looked at Cobra, and said in a resolute expression: "I understand, Father."

This was the first time he truly addressed Cobra as "Father."

---

After a night of heavy rain, the streets outside the capital glistened with water, the ground still soaked from the downpour. The air was fresh, though heavy with the lingering scent of rain.

Vivi, dressed in a flowing white gown, stepped carefully through the damp pathways. Her sky-blue hair, slightly damp from the humid air, clung to her face. She wiped the sweat from her brow and exhaled deeply, relieved to have successfully sneaked out of the palace.

"It's all Kael's fault!" She muttered, pouting in frustration.

Ever since her brother had ran away from the palace, the guards had become stricter, making it nearly impossible for her to enjoy her occasional escapades.

Quak! Quak!

The cheerful quacking of a familiar voice made Vivi turn. Karoo, her loyal and oversized duck, came waddling toward her, flapping its wings energetically.

Unlike Vivi, Karoo had no trouble navigating the palace gates, often finding ways to bypass the guards with ease.

Vivi smiled despite herself, patting Karoo's head: "At least you don't have to deal with sneaking around."

The two walked together, Vivi taking in the quiet streets as the drizzle returned. Rain began to pour again, soaking her gown as she hurried along, determined to finish her errand. Finally, she arrived at a small shop nestled in a side street.

Inside, she purchased a golden pocket watch, its intricate design catching her eye. The merchant enthusiastically claimed it was a treasure from a distant kingdom, crafted from rare metals and encrusted with gems.

Vivi, thrilled by the story, eagerly handed over the money, oblivious to the fact that it was an ordinary trinket with little real value.

Clutching her new treasure, Vivi made her way back to the palace. However, as luck would have it, she slipped in the mud and landed face-first on the wet ground.

"Damn you, Kael!" She grumbled, wiping the dirt from her gown and face. Despite her disheveled appearance, she pressed on, wanting to return to her room before anyone noticed her absence.

When she reached the palace, something felt off. The corridors were eerily quiet, the usual bustle of servants and guards conspicuously absent. Even the inner chambers, typically alive with activity, were empty.

"What's going on? Where is everyone?" She murmured, her unease grew as she wandered through the empty halls.

Eventually, she made her way to the throne room. There, she found the remaining servants and soldiers gathered, their faces solemn. Her heart sank as she stepped closer.

Seated on the throne was not her father, King Cobra, but her brother, Kael.

Vivi froze in place, her muddied gown was completely forgotten as she stared at Kael.

Kael's voice resonated through the grand hall, as he said: "His Majesty, King Cobra, has taken responsibility for failing to protect the people and has abdicated his throne. From this day forth, I, Nefertari Kael, shall be the new King of Alabasta!"

The announcement sent a wave of shock through the gathered audience, but none more so than Vivi. Her eyes widened as her world seemed to spin. She stared at her brother seated on the throne, unable to process the reality before her.

For a moment, Vivi stood frozen in a daze. Suddenly, a firm hand grabbed her arm, gently yet insistently pulling her away. It wasn't until they were outside the palace that she regained her senses and realized who had escorted her out—it was Igaram.

"What is going on—? Igaram, why would my brother…?" Vivi's voice trembled with anxiety as she struggled to make sense of the situation.

"Princess Vivi…" Igaram hesitated, his face marked with an expression of pain and conflict. After a brief pause, he continued, carefully choosing his words: "As you saw—His Majesty Cobra voluntarily decided to head to Yuba for negotiations. However, as soon as the King departed, the Prince seized control of the kingdom with the support of Pell and Chaka."

Inwardly, Igaram silently apologized: "Forgive me, Your Highness."

Igaram couldn't bring himself to tell her the full truth. Cobra had not gone to Yuba willingly—he was being held hostage by the rebels. But Igaram couldn't risk Vivi knowing the truth.

"How could my brother…?" Vivi whispered, her voice cracking as tears began to fall. Memories of Kael, the brother she had always trusted, flooded her mind. The golden pocket watch she had cherished so much slipped from her grasp, falling onto the damp ground with a dull thud.

"Once His Majesty successfully concludes the negotiations, everything will take a turn for the better." Igaram said, trying his best to reassure her. Yet, deep down, he knew the reality. Cobra's return was far from guaranteed, and the odds of a peaceful resolution were slim.

Chaka, a loyal confidant of Cobra, understood the gravity of the situation. He had no objections to Kael's ascension to the throne, recognizing it as part of Cobra's plan to protect the kingdom. So, he placed his trust in Kael, despite the uncertainty that loomed over Alabasta's future.

As the rain began to fall once more, Vivi stood silently, her heart filled with confusion and sorrow, while the faint echoes of Kael's proclamation lingered in her mind.