"Uh... Nero, what kind of country is Nicuss?" Stella asked with some worry.
At first, she also thought Nero was joking when she said she wanted to marry her, but Nero's attitude all this way indicated that she wasn't joking!
After crossing the border into Nicuss, they were about half a day away from reaching the capital of Nicuss, and Stella couldn't help but feel a little flustered.
"Hmm, each island has its own characteristics, and the climate is different. If you're fast enough, you can visit all four seasons in one day."
Seeing Stella like this, Nero enthusiastically began to introduce it to her.
"However, a considerable part is currently undergoing major renovation, but the best place, of course, is the capital!"
"There's a palace made entirely of gold, and in the daytime, under the sunlight, it sparkles!"
"A Golden Palace?"
Stella was shocked. She couldn't imagine how much such a palace would cost. Perhaps Nero was even richer than the Celestial Dragons?
"Hmm, during my previous travels, I once reached the legendary Golden City, Skypiea (Xandora)! I traded with the locals and then built this Golden Palace!"
Speaking of this, Nero was no longer sleepy. She put her hands on her hips, tilted her head back, and hummed proudly.
"How amazing! It seems His Majesty Nero is indeed a remarkable person!" Stella clapped and praised cooperatively.
"Hmm! That's right! I am the most remarkable Emperor of Nicuss. Praise me more!"
Nero had no humble thoughts whatsoever and directly accepted Stella's praise, then looked at the silent Hathaway beside her, her meaning self-evident.
Hathaway had a bad premonition when she saw Nero turn her head and quickly turned away, trying not to meet Nero's eyes, but she was still a step too slow.
Looking at those big eyes that seemed to sparkle with stars, Hathaway sighed helplessly: "Oh, Your Majesty is the best! Yo, number one in the world!"
Her praise was devoid of emotion, full of perfunctoriness. Nero, upon hearing it, directly ignored Hathaway's perfunctory tone and began to look at people through her nostrils.
"Then offer me applause like a thousand thunders! Glorify me! Praise me!"
"Huh?" Stella's clapping paused. She looked at Hathaway. Could the two of them generate the momentum of a thousand thunders with their clapping?
Hathaway didn't even bother to raise her hands. Once this kind of thing started, this Idiot Emperor would only demand more, and it would never end.
"Miss Stella, don't mind His Majesty. Even if you clap for three days and three nights, she will only ask for more."
"How could I... Hmm, I miss little Robin."
Nero's tone changed, and she lost interest. This kind of thing was meaningless if it wasn't spontaneous.
Robin was better. She alone could produce the momentum of a mighty army. She wondered how she was doing now.
(Nico Robin: When you said to practice finger exercises, I never expected to use them most when clapping!!!)
"I'm sure little Robin wouldn't want you to think of her at this moment." Hathaway's forehead was covered in black lines as she ruthlessly retorted... Meanwhile, far away in the East Blue, Robin.
"Spare me! I was just momentarily greedy, I promise it won't happen again! Robin!! Have you forgotten the kindness I showed you by taking you in?"
A scruffy, unkempt middle-aged man wearing a Captain's hat knelt on the deck.
"Are you referring to the kindness of drugging me and handing me over to the Marine?"
Robin sat on the railing of the pirate ship, flipping through a book in her hand, without even looking at the pirate Captain kneeling there.
"That... that was just a moment of greed. You also needed a place to hide, didn't you? I can help you, I promise I won't betray you again!"
Seeing Robin still unmoved, he cursed inwardly but had to force a twisted smile onto his face.
"Hey! Robin, we're companions!"
Hearing the word "companion," Robin paused and looked up.
The man thought his words had finally worked. While thinking that he would definitely sell Robin off properly next time, he showed an ingratiating smile.
"Companions? Didn't you intend to betray me from the very beginning? I just wanted a ride, we're far from being companions."
Robin jumped down from the railing and used her ability to lower a lifeboat to one side. The next island was visible to the naked eye, and a small lifeboat was already enough.
As if knowing there was no hope of survival, the Captain drew the cutlass from his waist and charged fiercely at Robin.
"Die! You demon!!"
[Two-Flower Bloom!]
Two smooth arms grew out of the Captain's body. Before he could react, the two hands tightly gripped his neck.
With a mournful creak of bones, the Captain slumped to the ground, no longer breathing.
Robin leaped from the ship, landing steadily in the lifeboat, and propelled herself towards the island with her ability.
"I wonder how Big Sister Nero and the others are doing now. Have they returned to the Nicuss Empire?"
It had been over a month since she parted ways with Nero and the others, and Robin was still not quite used to it, often thinking of Nero like this.
"Stop thinking about it. Once I collect all the poneglyphs, I can reunite with Big Sister Nero and the others sooner."
Patting her face, Robin regained her spirits: "Let's see... this stop is Foosha Village?"
...Meanwhile, Nero and her companions spent half a day in playful banter and finally arrived at the capital of Nicuss.
The magnificent Golden Palace came into view, like the abode of gods and buddhas, shining brightly under the sun.
The golden rose sailed into the harbor. Nero led the way off the ship, with Hathaway and Stella half a step behind.
On both sides were welcoming nobles and an orderly army.
"Welcome back, Your Majesty!" xN
"Hmm, finally home!" Nero stretched, her body immediately relaxing.
"Well, without further ado, hmm, everyone, finish your work before nine o'clock tonight, then gather at the Golden Grand Theatre!"
The joyous smiles instantly vanished, and everyone's faces became as ugly as if they had eaten a dead fly. They came happily, but they couldn't go back!
"Your Majesty... you must be tired from the journey and need more rest. The opera house can wait, we can go another day..."
"Yes, yes, yes! Your Majesty's health is most important. The sea is inevitably bumpy, there's no rush."
The nobles standing at the front, their faces twisted, all advised Nero to prioritize her health.
"Hmm, it's fine. An afternoon is enough. I've created many excellent works during my year at sea this time, so you can all look forward to them!"
Waving her hand was not a refusal, but rather that her new ideas were too many to count on one hand.
Amidst the shocking news, only the Minister of Science, who had been newly appointed a few years ago, had a burning fighting spirit in his eyes.
This time, our new product will definitely be able to withstand His Majesty's demonic sound!!!
---------------------------------
If you'd like to read the next 40 chapters in advance, you can support me on Patreon.
I regularly post chapter previews there, so you'll always be up-to-date and won't have to wait too long.
patreon.com/SolyuraMT
And if you enjoy the story, don't forget to give me a Power Stone. Your support really motivates me to continue translating!