Holy Land Mary Geoise

Red Line, Red Port.

Fifty lavishly decorated royal ships, like floating palaces, crowded the waters around the docks. Emblems of various nations were carved into their prows, reflecting a gilded sheen beneath the noon sun.

Flags snapped in the breeze, each representing the authority and glory of some corner of the Four Seas. The quadrennial Reverie, like a carefully staged play, was beginning in this port enclosed by the Red Line.

"Alabasta's ship has arrived!"

The shout came from the watchtower. The Marines adjusted their stances, all eyes turning toward the ship with a sun painted upon its white sails.

The gangplank was lowered, and Nefertari Cobra was the first to step onto Red Port's stone pavement.

His expression was composed, yet his eyes held a trace of barely perceptible weariness.

Behind him, the young captain of the guard, Igaram, nervously scanned the surroundings, while six-year-old Princess Vivi clutched her father's coat, her large eyes full of curiosity and unease.

"Look over there, it's the Ryugu Kingdom's ship!"

The sea rippled as a uniquely shaped vessel surfaced. King Neptune's enormous figure appeared on deck. The arrival of the Fish-Men stirred a wave of whispers, and attendants of several human kings instinctively took half a step back.

"The king of Dressrosa came this year too!?"

A Marine lieutenant commander lowered his voice as he spoke to a colleague.

"I heard his country was attacked by pirates, and both his daughters died... He could still attend the conference at a time like this?"

"King Riku III," another Marine said, shaking his head.

"That's politics. Even if your house is on fire, you can't be a moment late for the occasions you're expected to attend."

By the docks, Sakazuki stood with his arms folded, like a statue of lava.

He wore a Marine