King Bekori

Sorbet Kingdom Royal Palace.

Before the palace gates, a group of guards stood in neat rows, projecting an imposing presence.

A man dressed in an official's robes hurried over and immediately knelt before the hall doors.

"Your Majesty, I have something to report."

At the same time, a somewhat aged, hoarse voice came from within the palace.

"Cough, cough. Come in directly."

Upon hearing the order, the man rose to his feet and walked into the palace under the admiring gazes of the guards.

Yet the closer he came to where the king was, the deeper he bent at the waist. By the time he saw the king, he was kneeling directly before the desk.

King Bekori of the Sorbet Kingdom looked somewhat old. He leaned back in a chair, gently rocking back and forth.

The official knelt with his forehead pressed to the floor. "Reporting to the king, Jin An has returned to the Sorbet Kingdom. According to intelligence, he sailed out to fight over the past month, defeated several pirate crews, and had close contact with the 'Marine Hero.'"

"Sigh..."

Bekori let out a heavy sigh, then a trace of bitterness appeared on his face. "He really is as powerful as ever. If he ever settled down quietly, he wouldn't be Jin An."

"It has been more than three years since I first met him. Do you know how I've lived through those three years... Everyone in the kingdom thinks he and I have a good relationship, that the kingdom is this safe only because of him..."

"What a joke. Without him, I would be living even better. Is it reasonable for a Marine to stand above the authority of a king..."

The official knelt on the ground, his eyes trembling violently, yet he did not dare utter a word.

Just as the man was sweating profusely, Bekori suddenly asked, "Robert, do you think I've lived a pathetic life?"

Robert's body trembled. He adjusted his expression and said, "In the Sorbet Kingdom, you are unquestionably the foremost person. Jin An is not even worthy of carrying your shoes."

"No! In the eyes of the people, he is more beloved than I, their king. He possesses extraordinary influence!"

After saying that, Bekori suddenly broke into a violent coughing fit. Once it subsided, he spoke with a hint of self-mockery. "Still, I have to admit that brat has done a great deal for this country. He even saved my life. I also know he has no designs on this kingdom."

Robert practically wished he were dead. Why had he rushed to wade into this mess? He tried his best to curl himself into a ball, hoping to reduce his presence.

But Bekori continued speaking to himself. "I have treated him well enough, yet everything he has done has truly chilled my heart."

"Something like prestige is obviously so difficult to obtain, yet he gained it so easily. He keeps the commoners in his heart—do I not?"

Bekori cast an indifferent glance at the curled-up Robert, and a flicker of disdain flashed through his eyes.

"It is because I keep raising trash like you, who can't even defend against a few worthless pirates!"

After saying that, Bekori's tone grew even colder, as though he had become a wild beast ready to devour someone. "Have the Minister of Defense come see me immediately!"

Robert raised his head with a trembling body. "Now?"

"Yes, now. Immediately. Hurry up and get the hell out there to bring him here!"

"Yes, Your Majesty. I'll handle it right away!"

Robert got up, turned, and withdrew.

Once outside, he tried hard to calm himself and wiped the sweat from his forehead. His clothes seemed as though they had been fished out of the water. He felt as if he had narrowly escaped with his life.

Under the puzzled gazes of the palace guards, he hurried away.

"Big Brother, while you were away this month, it feels like the atmosphere in the kingdom changed a little."

After dinner, the four of them lay neatly across the sofa, digesting the food in their bellies while the Visual Den Den Mushi played the latest hot news.

Ginny nodded in agreement. The atmosphere had indeed changed somewhat lately, and the king's side had been constantly making little moves.

Ordinary people could not really sense it, though. Otherwise, the country would already have fallen into chaos.

Bartholomew Kuma had eaten a little too much and only wanted to lie flat and be a quiet handsome man. He had never been interested in such matters.

Deep down, he believed that as long as Ginny and Jin An were there, all he needed to do was listen to them. Their decisions were always right.

"Is that so? I'll go take a look tomorrow."

Jin An did not think much of it. He was very familiar with this kingdom's king—when the king stuck out his ass, he knew exactly what he was about to do.

He was probably going to make a huge fuss, accomplish nothing, screw it all up, and then wait for the Marines to clean up after him.

Jin An did not merely protect this kingdom's security; he also contributed quite a bit in taxes every year. Yet that old bastard was still not satisfied.

Should he give him an unforgettable memory...

People like that had lived in comfort for too long. They had already forgotten what it felt like for their lives to be threatened.

He could leave this matter to Huo Shaoshan. It would also be a good opportunity for him to familiarize himself with the country.

In the tallest building on the island, the lights were still on. Huo Shaoshan was still working overtime: Wow, thanks so much...

"Bartholomew Kuma, are you satisfied with life as a priest?" Jin An looked at the sprawled-out Kuma.

"Burp~" The moment Kuma opened his mouth, he could not help but burp. He immediately looked a little embarrassed. "Being a priest has always been my dream. I am already very satisfied with things as they are now."

His father had once been a priest. Their life had originally been happy and fulfilling, but unfortunately, both of the parents who had always cared for him had passed away.

"I'm glad you think that way." Jin An changed the subject. "But remember to protect yourself. Some people are not worth your devotion."

"After what happened at God Valley, I already understand what you mean." Kuma looked gently at the people in the room.

"I will protect everything I cherish!"

Jin An felt somewhat gratified. Kuma, who had always been so gentle toward everyone, had changed greatly. He had already grown into a dependable man.

"Kuma, that was very well said." Ginny gave him a thumbs-up.

Jin An turned serious. "In this world, if you want to protect others, you must possess great strength."

"The three of you will train with me from now on. Strive to live brilliantly in this world."

Shanks cheered. "Yay! I can finally train with Big Brother! When the time comes, I'll protect everyone!"

Ginny's eyes softened. "Then we'll be counting on you, little grown-up Shanks..."

"Big Sister Ginny, I've told you already, stop touching my head all the time. I won't grow taller..." Though Shanks said she should not touch him, he did not move away from Ginny's palm. The corners of his mouth even curled upward.

Enjoying this rare warmth in the pirate world, Jin An could not help but sigh. Meeting these people at God Valley was truly one of the few strokes of luck he had had since coming to this world.