[1516]
Inside the Alubarna Palace, there is an unusual number of people hanging about.
Dressed in tunics, brown metal dragon-pattern armor, sandals, and metal helmets.
The Alabasta Kingdom Guard Squad, the Kingdom's very own Royal Guard.
They are tasked with guarding the Royal Family, the Nefertari.
Some were assigned to Lionel and Vivi's well-being, while Igaram answers to the King Himself.
It is unusual for this number to gather here, when they are normally assigned to different stations and different locations in Alubarna.
There is only one meaning for such a gathering, and it points towards a huge event that is about to occur.
All standing tall and orderly at the side of the Palace's Entrance and its huge gate.
Even under the blazing heat from the Sun and the Desert Environment, the image they exude is definitely that of a Royal Guard, with their Spears steadily pointing at the sky.
Waiting patiently for the King to arrive.
Not just the Royal Guards, but also the millions of eyes staring just below the Stairs of the Alubarna Palace.
Glaring with great focus.
Like a Hawk, all eyes are staring right above the stairs, waiting for a shadow to appear.
And those millions of eyes that are waiting for the King to descend, they are the Citizens of Alabasta.
They've been here for hours, waiting just below the stairs, behind the hundred guards forming a parallel line to prevent them from being an obstacle once the King descends.
Some were seen on the roofs of the Buildings, even climbing the iconic landmark Alubarna Clocktower that stands extremely tall just to catch a glimpse.
And while they are patiently waiting for the Kind, Compassionate King that everyone in Alabasta holds in high regard, a commotion is happening inside the Palace.
-----
Inside the Palace,
The King, who's dressed neatly and properly, is seen pacing back and forth, panic written all over his face.
Igaram is also acting the same even when in uniform, muttering...
"Ma Ma Ma~"
"Why are they taking so long? It's been half an hour."
Doing his vocal habit of clearing his throat before talking to himself.
"Cobra-sama, wouldn't it be better to go look for them myself?"
His patience thinning out, Igaram couldn't help but volunteer.
"No, You're the Captain of the Royal Guard, and you already sent Chaka and Pell."
Cobra, without hesitation, denied it, reminding him of his Position.
Especially without Chaka or Pell, who would be the acting captain in his absence.
'Let's just hope they quickly find them'.
Igaram thought to himself, saddened by the outright rejection but with no intention to protest it.
He had already sent Chaka and Pell to separate themselves and search the area and the outskirts individually.
To be more efficient and less time-consuming, sent two capable and high-ranking members of the Royal Guard.
There is no need to doubt that they are reliable and to be trusted.
But both Igaram and Cobra can't resist feeling uneasy.
The reason Pell and Chaka are scouting the whole city of Alubarna and its outskirts is to search for the missing prince and princess.
Nefertari Lionel and Vivi, who suddenly vanished an hour ago.
What are they doing?
Where are they?
Are the only questions clouding their mind at this moment.
-----
In the Central Clock Tower of Alubarna.
Inside the dusty chamber behind the Huge clock in the Central Plaza, a dozen kids are sitting on the floor, circling a single old wooden chair placed at the center.
This floor remained empty and neglected, there is dust and cobwebs still hanging from the ceiling, but it is well-maintained.
It is not recognizable from the state that it was in years ago, a shabby room that showed neglect on the surface.
But all that changed when a group of ragtag kids came out of nowhere.
Wearing worn-out clothes, disorganized and messy was what anyone who saw the kids thought when they saw them.
Hidden under the blazing sun of Alabasta, they snuck around undetected and infiltrated the Clock Tower.
They were a small group of kids who would give you the impression of playing around, like a normal kid would normally do.
But this group of kids is being led by a dark-haired kid wearing an expensive set of clothes, with a calm and noble demeanor.
The Attire of a white robe with red-patterned edging and a black sash around his waist, while draped in a black coat.
You could tell that the attire is customized and specially made from the intricate design of the edgings, which would make it very expensive clothing.
But the ring on that boy's finger alone would prove enough that the boy came from a special, wealthy family.
That boy, who is leading these kids ranging around his age, is none other than the Prince of Alabasta.
Nefertari Lionel.
For unknown reasons, why would a Prince be sneaking around the Clock Tower in the Central Plaza? But nobody spared an effort to question them.
The citizens of Alubarna who witnessed this would just assume that it was a bunch of kids playing around.
Even when entrance to the Building is prohibited, the Prince is accompanying them.
Thus, they brushed it off.
There were some adults who checked on them, curious after they were seen frequently every week.
But they didn't find anything inside but a remodeled empty floor with nothing but a chair and a chalkboard.
The only thing they knew was that the top floor was designated as a conference room where they often had discussions.
And currently, a conference is taking place on such an important day when the King will depart.
Gathered around Lionel, who is sitting in the chair.
One of the kids can be seen behind the Huge mechanical clock, his face close to the wall and peeking through a small gap.
He is a kid with a sharp and clear vision, tasked with surveying the Central Plaza of Alubarna.
"There's no sign of movement from the King yet, Patriarch"
The Kid informed the group, seeing that the crowd below was still calm.
Usually, when the King is seen, the large crowd would erupt in cheers.
"Good..."
Lionel nodded and faced the group of kids circling him.
Glancing at the familiar faces in front of him.
Koza, a few kids who should've been members of the Sand-Sand Clan, the future members of the Rebel Army.
And then there's Vivi.
"Sigh... Who told you to come here, Vivi?"
Lionel pinched the bridge of his nose, troubled by Vivi's presence... again.
"I knew you would come here after you disappeared earlier, Big Bro Leo!"
A cheeky smile that Vivi showed was enough for Leo to just let go of this matter.
"Call me Patriarch when we're here, anyway..."
Leo reminded her, since this is a formal conference with a few others.
Especially since he is in front of Kids who openly and proudly call him 'Patriarch'.
'It is a bit embarrassing since we are all just kids, it does look like we are role-playing'
'It'll make sense anyway when we all get older'
Leo shook his head to erase any unnecessary thoughts, since he called this meeting with an agenda in mind.
Hearing the rowdy crowd even when they were meters up high, Leo knew he only had limited time.
'Pell is probably flying high up in the sky right now.'
Looking at his ceiling, he imagined Pell, who can transform into a hawk, scouting the whole Central Plaza right now.
'Chaka... He also has an amazing sense of smell.'
A member of the royal guard who can transform into a jackal, and since it is from a Dog-type Devil Fruit, it is a no-brainer to assume that it would grant the user great senses.
That is why this meeting has to be held urgently.
Clap
Clap
Clap
Remaining seated with a mature demeanor, Leo clapped his hands to gain the attention of everyone.
"Alright everyone, we need to discuss what will happen right now..."
"Koza, tell them why the whole town is gathered at the plaza."
Leo signaled for Koza, who, among other kids, had his head on his shoulder, a socially aware child who grew up on the outskirts.
"Yes, Patriarch"
Koza responded, raising his hands.
"Because the King is headed for the Reverie and is bringing the Princess and the Patriarch"
With a smile, Koza straightened his back while crossing his arms.
"That's right. In a few days, Reverie will commence, and it will take a Week for it to end."
Leo told them, considering that the Reverie is an event of great importance.
The Reverie is a quadrennial council held by the World Government, which assembles fifty world leaders to discuss items of international importance and is held every 4 years.
A Seven-Day conference to discuss the current state of the world and its future.
The Trip to Mary Geoise, the week-long conference, and the journey back.
It is expected that the Kingdom of Alabasta will experience a state of weakness when the Royal Family and their strongest soldiers, who will guard them, will be absent.
"Are you tasking us with protecting the City, Patriarch?"
A kid questioned, daydreaming that he would be dressing up as a soldier fighting for justice.
"What do you mean? You're just a kid, what can you do?"
But his imagination was quickly shattered by Vivi, who laughed at him.
The Kid was left sulking in the corner, but Leo still answered him.
"No... Not really, I just have an Important announcement to make."
Hearing that, all of them started staring at him, waiting for what he had to say next.
Leo glanced at Vivi, knowing that what he would say would affect her the most.
"Our Group, Bonten, will be managed and headed by Koza at this moment."
Seeing them in a rush to ask more questions, Leo hurried in, saying...
"And lastly, after this Reverie... I won't be coming back to Alabasta."
That was the last word that left Leo's mouth before he heard...
"WHATT!?"
"WHAT?"
"WHAAT!!"