allendalepharm Chapter 372 Alabasta
Chapter 372 Alabasta
"Damn it! At this very moment!"
Alabasta's capital, Arubana, the usually peaceful and stable capital was now plunged into a suffocating silence. Even the usually calm King Cobra frowned, his heart sinking to the bottom.
Because what lies before him is an event far more critical than drought - a civil riot and an incoming sandstorm. If he is not careful, this country that has been passed down for hundreds of years will most likely be buried by the hands of the people he has always loved, and sink into the sea of sand under his feet!
This was an outcome he didn't want to see, an outcome he desperately wanted to avoid. However, given the current dire situation, the chances of turning the situation around were slim to none...
"Your Majesty! Please evacuate with Princess Weiwei as soon as possible!
Too many of the royal army's troops have been withdrawn! Even if the navy wants to retreat to rescue, it's too late!
A sandstorm could start at any moment!
The homeless victims won't listen to anything! They just want to drag the entire capital down with them!"
Amidst the biting dust, a giant falcon returned with its wings spread, once again surveying the plight of the capital from high above. Bell no longer held out any hope of stopping the riot.
Since when, one sandstorm after another has been like a devouring sandworm, sweeping through already fragile towns and villages one after another. A large number of refugees who have lost their homes have been displaced and forced to embark on the road of leaving their homes.
However, despite King Cobra's best efforts to gather the victims and generously open the national treasury to resettle the people, too many people still died in the desert and on the migration route.
Even the oasis city of Jobar, which had recently reached a resettlement agreement with the royal family, was not spared.
Hunger and drought together aroused the demons in people's hearts. In the face of death, all loyalty and trust were nothing but passing clouds. In order to survive, the gathered victims did not hesitate to attack the city that had not yet been buried by the sandstorm!
Food, shelter, and most importantly, water, things obtained through plunder often inspire greater satisfaction and greed in people!
As the situation grew increasingly uncontrollable, a rumor, almost bewitching, quickly spread among the victims like a flame.
"All these disasters are retribution brought upon the king! This country is completely hopeless! The royal family has abandoned us!
You're going to die anyway, so why not take this last chance and take a gamble!
"Let's seize all the wealth of the royal family and nobles! Then leave this depleted country and start a new life!"
No one knows why the sandstorms that once erupted intermittently are spreading at an almost crazy rate. No one knows why the prestige and trust that the royal family has built up over a long period of time are collapsing so quickly. The only thing people know is that this country is on the brink of collapse!
"Tsk, how on earth did things turn out like this! Is Alabasta's centuries-long history going to end in my hands?"
He clenched his fists and slammed them hard on the throne, his eyes full of pain and unwillingness. According to his ideal, he wanted to build a more prosperous country, but he didn't expect to die halfway - he didn't care, but was the legacy left by his ancestors going to be cut off today?
Moreover, what will happen to his daughter, Weiwei, in the future?
Looking at the girl beside him who was clutching the corner of his clothes tightly and pretending to be calm despite being extremely panicked inside, Cobra gritted his teeth. The capital could be rebuilt if it was gone, but the imminent danger must not affect Vivi!
"I understand, Bell! Ikalem! Jaka! Now that things have come to this, I have no choice but to ask you for help! Please take Weiwei out first and find a safe place to wait!
No matter what, Alabasta was once one of the twenty countries, and the World Government will never sit idly by. Before the navy arrives, let me make one last effort!
As the king of Alabasta, I must hold on until the very end!"
With a resolute look in his eyes, he pushed Weiwei in front of him, and Cobra said in a heavy tone,
"This sudden sandstorm is definitely not without cause, and the prestige that the Nefert family has built up over a long period of time will not collapse easily. I believe that there is still hope!
I need to go talk to the victims! The capital still has supplies and can accommodate more people. Aid from other countries will arrive soon. This crisis isn't insurmountable!
Wait a little longer, wait for me..."
Amidst the sad and heavy gazes of the crowd, King Cobra stood up, suppressing his heartache and not responding to his daughter's anxious shouts. As he spoke, he walked out of the palace.
However, at this moment, the sandstorm outside the palace suddenly became stronger, rushing into the palace like a sandworm turning over. Before anyone could react, it swept through and raged. A few seconds later, a man in a fur coat appeared out of thin air in front of everyone.
"what?!"
"Wait! You are...!"
"Let go of Her Highness! Come to me if you need anything!"
The sudden change caught everyone off guard and forced Cobra to stop. However, the moment he saw the scene clearly, his pupils suddenly constricted and he couldn't help but scream.
Because the man in front of him was none other than Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea who was dubbed a "hero" for hunting pirates!
In his hands, which had turned into wind and sand chains, the princess of the kingdom had become a prisoner and one of his bargaining chips for future threats.
"Guhaha~ Don't be so panic, King Cobra. So many people died in Alabasta, but the royal family still stays here and enjoys the peace. Don't you think people's anger is justified?
Your Majesty, the King who brought disaster upon himself?"
Smoke rose from the cigar, and the scar across his cheek looked somewhat hideous. Crocodile looked at everyone present. The excitement of having his goal within reach made him involuntarily take a few more deep puffs of the cigar. The smoke made the princess, who was trapped in the wind and sand, frown and cough violently.
It went much more smoothly than expected. Ever since Crocodile accidentally learned that Alabasta had hidden ancient weapons, he began to prepare a plan to steal the country.
However, perhaps he was indeed destined to be the Pirate King. He thought that the plan that might last for several years or even more than ten years was greatly advanced after the World Government took action!
The emptiness of the kingdom, the young age of the heir, and the deserts everywhere on the island provide Crocodile with a perfect opportunity - to control sandstorms, devour villages, incite the crowds, and start riots. Without sufficient garrison forces, the power of these victims is enough to break down the high walls of the royal capital!
It's within reach! The ancient weapon - Pluto!
As long as I get its power, I can return to the new world!
"Oh, what a pity, Whitebeard. It seems that you, a remnant of the old generation, have been eliminated. You will never see the power of this ancient weapon again. But don't worry, I will use it to replace you. No, I will use it to return to the position where I should be!"
Amidst the shocked and indignant expressions of the crowd, Crocodile casually pointed out the culprit of the current disaster. At the same time, he lifted Princess Vivi, who was bound by the wind and sand, in front of him and said in a subtle tone,
"You have to think carefully, King Cobra. Do you want to save your daughter's life, or continue to keep the secret?
I have plenty of time, but the disaster victims outside won't wait for you to think.
By the way, I just recently developed a new move, which is to make a coffin out of sand, and then apply pressure from the outside in... As for the results of doing this, I think you should know, right? "
"you......!"
Hearing this, Cobra's body could not help but tremble violently, the anger and powerlessness in his heart almost devouring his brain. However, this would not make Crocodile give up his plan. If he still wanted to save his country and Vivi, he had only one choice before him, a choice that went against his ancestors -
"Regarding... the location of ancient weapons, there's no record in the Nefertite clan's heritage, but if there's anything else that might involve ancient weapons...
I think, that's the only historical text...
It’s inside the royal tomb... It’s a secret treasure that has been kept since the founding of Alabasta..."
There was a strong sense of frustration and unwillingness in his tone. In front of pirates with the strength of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, even a country has no power to resist. After a fierce struggle, Cobra said this word by word.
"The main text of history... is actually something like this?"
Hearing this, Crocodile couldn't help but frown. It was not surprising that such a sensitive and almost impossible to decipher thing would record information about ancient weapons, but this made things quite troublesome!
If I remember correctly, the only people capable of deciphering historical texts were O'Hara's group of scholars... and the only survivors of these scholars are...
"Haha~ It's quite troublesome, isn't it? It's clearly right in front of you, but in reality it's so far away. It's not a pleasant feeling, right?
Do you need my help? If it's convenient, my Robin would be happy to collect another historical text~
"Hey? Robin?"
Without any warning, a teasing voice was heard from the void. As Crocodile suddenly looked towards a certain place as if facing a great enemy, circles of almost transparent ripples gradually began to appear.
Through the doors of thousands of paths, rolling thunder and lightning strike, which will suppress the sandstorm that devours people while also bringing a long-awaited rain.