"Where is Cobra?"
The Guard stared blankly at Loa, frozen in place. What kind of question was that? Wasn't Cobra right—wait!
Wasn't His Majesty sitting on the throne?
Benthame looked at Loa's impassive face and felt his heart sink. He had long heard of Loa's terrifying reputation. His ruthless methods were one reason the name Ice Dragon was known across the seas. Anyone Loa set his sights on met only one end.
If Benthame could do it over, he would never have impersonated Cobra. He would rather betray Crocodile than stay in this death trap of a Royal Palace.
But there was no undoing it. The moment Loa appeared before him, his fate was sealed.
"Wh-what are you saying?! I'm standing right in front of you! M-Marine! Who gave you permission to barge into the Royal Palace? Alabasta is an Affiliated Nation of the World Government! Aren't you afraid of being punished?!"
Relying on the Clone-Clone Fruit, Benthame tried to bluster his way through the challenge. But his wavering voice and forced composure only laid bare his fear.
Loa said nothing in response.
He raised a hand and snapped his fingers.
Pop!
Crack, crack, crack!
All at once, ice spread from beneath Loa's feet and climbed the palace walls. The chandeliers froze almost instantly, and Ice Pillars hung down from the ceiling. Then, throughout the frozen hall, Ice Spears formed out of thin air, their points trained on "Cobra" from every direction.
At the same time, Loa quietly uttered a single word.
"What are you doing?! Guard, stop him!" Benthame screamed. Ice Spears surrounded him on all sides, packed so tightly that their biting cold left him unable to move.
But the moment he finished shouting, he heard the guards screaming.
He looked down. The guards had collapsed and were