Following the advice of the restaurant employee, I approached a patrolling soldier. After asking for a moment of his time, he requested that I wait. Shortly after, a man appeared.
He had wild, dark, shoulder-length hair, a thick beard, a piercing gaze, and a body forged through intense combat.
「Pleasure to meet you, Captain Kyros. I am Krieg of the Marine Independent Vanguard Unit.」
「Ah, so you are the famous Krieg of the 'Seagull Naval District.' It is an honor to meet you.」
He extended his right hand. As we shook, I felt a strength that was nothing short of formidable. But then again, it's only natural, I thought.
Before our meeting, I had done some digging. Just as the waitress said, he is undefeated in the Colosseum—three thousand wins and zero losses. His record included victories over famous warriors from foreign lands, giants, and incredibly, even fishmen in underwater combat.
His raw combat power is immense. Even without a Devil Fruit, in Marine terms, he would easily be a high-ranking Headquarters Captain... and quite possibly at the level of a General.
Kyros, the Hero of the Colosseum.
In the original timeline, this man followed a truly tragic destiny.
If I recall correctly, he was arrested as a youth for a crime (avenging a friend), but King Riku saw potential in him.
He refused to leave the Colosseum even after earning his freedom, until the King finally persuaded him to become the Captain of the Royal Army.
Eventually, despite initial public distate, he fell in love with Princess Scarlett, the King's eldest daughter. To protect her from public scrutiny, they faked her death and lived in secret.
They were blessed with a daughter, Rebecca, and enjoyed a period of peace... until everything changed.
In the original story, Donquixote Doflamingo attacked the palace after using his capture of the "Heavenly Tribute" ships as leverage to become a Warlord.
But currently, Doflamingo is locked in Impel Down. Furthermore, even if his remnants tried to hijack a government ship, the world has changed.
Thanks to my advice, the Heavenly Tribute has been reduced, the Celestial Dragons have dwindled in number, and the Navy's organizational reforms have cleared up enough manpower to make escort fleets impenetrable.
In that "other" history, Kyros was turned into a toy, his wife Scarlett was murdered, and—most cruelly—his very existence was erased from the memories of everyone he loved.
He spent over a decade in the shadows, fueled by rage and hatred, waiting for the Straw Hats to arrive.
「Forgive my bluntness, Captain Kyros, but I have a request. Would you be willing to hear it?」
「Of course. Is there some trouble in the waters near Dressrosa?」
「It is trouble of a sort... A 'fairy' has made off with the weapons belonging to my men.」
「A fairy, you say...?」 Kyros replied, his expression softening slightly. 「The fairies are the guardian deities of Dressrosa. I'm afraid you'll have to laugh it off and let the items go...」
I lowered my voice, speaking only for his ears.
「I have already investigated the Dwarves. As you know, my unit utilizes cutting-edge technology. I cannot afford to let it leak, not even by accident.」
「...! But...」
「I am aware of the 'Covenant.' If that is your concern, I ask that you relay my request for an audience to King Riku personally.」
「...Understood. I will inform His Majesty of your request for a meeting. Will that suffice?」
「Yes, that is fine. I will negotiate directly with the King. We are staying on the warship flying the red Marine flag at the port. If there is any word, please contact us there.」
With that, I turned and headed back to the ship.
「So that is the 'Dull Bear'... What an incredible pressure...」
Kyros stood still, reflecting on the strength he felt during the handshake. It wasn't the sharp, stabbing killing intent he was used to facing. It was a vast, majestic pressure—like standing at the foot of a Great Mountain.
「Dull Bear...? Ah, so that was the Headquarters Rear Admiral who leads the 'Seagull' fleet?」 one of Kyros's subordinates remarked. 「But isn't asking for an audience with the King just because of some stolen weapons a bit of an exaggeration?」
「Fool,」 Kyros grunted, reprimanding his optimistic subordinate. 「I hear the Seagull Naval District uses numerous advanced technologies.
While the Tontatta would likely mean no harm, imagine if that technology leaked. If it fell into the hands of pirates, it is our citizens who would weep.」
「I was careless, sir. My apologies...」
「As long as you understand. I will go to report this to King Riku immediately. I leave the rest of the patrol to you.」
Kyros set off toward the Royal Palace, his thoughts lingering on his beloved, kind-hearted King and the strange Marine who knew too much.
The Fairy Legend: Rear Admiral Krieg
「Pleasure to meet you, King Riku. I am Krieg of the Marine Independent Vanguard Unit.」
「The pleasure is mine, Rear Admiral Krieg. I am Riku Dold III, the ruler of this nation. I understand your visit concerns our... fairies?」
He had a sturdy build and a piercing gaze. Though much of his hair had turned white, he didn't radiate the frailty of age; rather, he possessed an abundant, vibrant energy.
Riku Dold III.
The King of Dressrosa, located in the latter half of the Grand Line—the "New World."
Naturally, I had done my homework before the audience. He was a king who practiced benevolent rule, doing everything in his power to ensure his people were never embroiled in war.
Even if the nation wasn't exceptionally wealthy, he was deeply beloved by his subjects—a rarity among kings in this world.
A far cry from a certain king I know who sold out his own country.
In the original timeline, he would have lost the trust of his people overnight and had his kingdom stolen by the machinations of the Warlord Donquixote Doflamingo.
He has two daughters, Scarlett and Viola, though due to "certain circumstances," Scarlett is officially deceased.
「The truth is, several pieces of my unit's equipment were taken by 'fairies.' Oh, and please—spare me the suggestion that I should just laugh it off and give up because they're fairies. I've already identified the culprits, but I thought it best to clear things with you first, since you have a covenant with them.」
「...And where exactly did you hear about this?」
「The Marines have many sources of information, your Majesty. For instance, I know the history: how the former Donquixote Dynasty promised 'resources and safety' to the dwarves in exchange for them settling here, only for the treaty to result in forced labor.」
It was true that I'd looked it up in the Marine Intelligence Division, but having "future knowledge" didn't hurt either.
「It is true that we have a covenant with the Tontatta tribe... the dwarves. It was established as restitution for the sins of the previous dynasty. My ancestor, the first King Riku, decreed that we would look the other way when they took daily necessities, labeling it the 'work of fairies.'」
「And thus, the legend of the Dressrosa Fairies was born.」
「Yes. In return, they tend the flower fields outside the city, making Dressrosa a lush, green island. The citizens recognize them as guardian deities and watch over them in a spirit of mutual support.」
「However, our equipment is specialized. I would like it returned if possible.」
「Well... regarding that, you will have to negotiate with them directly. Our covenant only covers the tacit approval of them taking things needed for their daily lives.」
「Understood. Then, with your official blessing, may we proceed with the negotiations ourselves?」
「I have no objection. However, I must ask you to avoid violence. I understand you want your weapons back, but...」
「Of course. Even if they are tiny, they are still citizens the Navy is sworn to protect. By the way, I assume they are located on Green Bit?」
「Yes. But getting there is a problem. The waters are infested with a species called 'Fighting Fish.'」
「Ah, I heard about them at a restaurant. I understand they're quite ferocious.」
「They are a persistent headache. We even replaced the bridge connecting the mainland to Green Bit with iron, but it had little effect. Any ship attempting the crossing is likely to be capsized, and they are notoriously difficult to drive off.」
「Leave that to us. We will find a safe route and open negotiations with the Tontatta on Green Bit. And as promised—no rough stuff.」
「Very well. Wait a moment, I shall write a letter of introduction for you.」
As King Riku stood to prepare the document, I offered my thanks.
「I appreciate it, your Majesty. I hope this makes the negotiations go smoothly...」
I bowed, already running through a list of non-violent negotiation tactics in my head. Dealing with the Tontatta's legendary gullibility would be a challenge in itself, but with the King's letter, I had a foot in the door.
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