"King Riku is already waiting for you."
Just then, the door opened, and Crocodile stood in the doorway, speaking in a low voice.
"Well then, Sis, I'll go meet King Riku first."
River spoke with a smile.
He strode out of the room, with Freya close behind.
"Is everything ready?"
As he walked down the lavishly carpeted corridor, the smile faded from River's face, and he asked in a low voice.
It was true that all of Dressrosa's recent policies and orders had come from him, but River had yet to formally take office.
To the world, and to the ordinary citizens of a nation, this position required official recognition-or rather, a strong sense of legitimacy.
Otherwise, his authority would be illegitimate.
Donquixote Doflamingo had relied on brute force and repression to rule his nation and cement his power. Clearly, River could not do the same.
What he wanted was to make the world a better place at its roots and let its people live happy lives.
"Everything is ready. Your legitimacy has already been recognized by the entire nation."
Freya answered quickly.
Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined that, after emerging from the Paramount War, her commanding officer would suddenly become a king.
It was simply absurd, overturning everything she thought she knew.
He had not become a pirate or joined the Revolutionary Army-he had gone straight to being a king.
Even more surprising was that her commanding officer seemed to be doing a pretty good job of it. At the very least, many people on the streets of Dressrosa had already begun singing the praises of their soon-to-be king.
"Have those reporters and all the other arrangements been taken care of?"
River asked again, lowering his voice.
"Don't worry. They're all our people. I guarantee the