Chapter 196: You Are the Hero

"That is correct, Your Majesty Cobra."

Karl pulled a sheet of paper from his breast pocket, upon which a list of names that looked quite noble was recorded.

"This is..."

"This is the list of World Nobles who died during the Mary Geoise attack incident. Originally, there were eighteen noble families residing in Mary Geoise; now, only fifteen remain."

"Even so, the number of members in the remaining fifteen families has plummeted. The number of World Nobles currently living on Mary Geoise is already quite low."

Cobra's breath hitched. He seemed to have realized something, but he still feigned ignorance and said, "That's a pity, but what does that have to do with me?"

"Heh..." Karl gave a light chuckle. He was speechless that Cobra was still playing dumb even after things had been laid out this clearly.

"Your Majesty Cobra, your full name is Nefertari Cobra. Do I need to explain the history of the name 'Nefertari' to you?"

Cobra frowned. "Could it be that you already know? No, that's impossible—the Navy couldn't possibly know. Did someone from the World Government tell you?"

"Your Majesty Cobra, don't worry about how I know. In short, the Nefertari family is one of the twenty families that founded the World Government. You and your daughter are descendants of the Twenty Kings, correct?"

Cobra did not respond, but Vivi, hiding in the corner, covered her mouth in shock. So their family had such a history? Why had her father never told her?

Hearing Lieutenant General Karl say this, could it be that she was also a so-called... World Noble?

After a long while, Cobra let out a long sigh.

"Lieutenant General Karl, if you have something to say, just say it! There's no need to beat around the bush with me."

Karl smiled, tucked the death list into his coat, and said, "Since that's the case, I'll be direct."

"The World Government wants you to consider moving to Mary Geoise and becoming a World Noble, but to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings, they had me come to relay this."

"As for how you consider it, I have no right to interfere. The choice is entirely in your hands. Whether you agree or not, just give me a reply."

Cobra glanced at Karl and lowered his head in deep thought. But soon, Cobra raised his head and looked at Karl with a firm gaze.

"Then please tell the World Government that the destiny of the Nefertari family is to protect Alabasta. Therefore, no matter what, I will not move to Mary Geoise to become a World Noble."

Karl nodded, his expression unchanged. "I understand. In that case, I will relay Your Majesty Cobra's words to the World Government exactly as they are."

Karl then stood up and said with a smile, "My mission is complete. Since that's the case, I won't disturb Your Majesty Cobra any further. I also hope Your Majesty Cobra can quell the rebellion soon and bring peace to Alabasta."

Cobra stood up hurriedly. "It was not easy for Lieutenant General Karl to come all this way. Please, do not be in such a rush to leave. Why not stay and enjoy the evening banquet?"

"No thank you, Your Majesty Cobra. My subordinates are still waiting for me at the port of Tamalisk!"

After saying this, Karl walked outside. Vivi, who had been hiding in the corner eavesdropping, immediately ran to the side, preparing to find a place to intercept Karl.

Inside the room, Cobra sighed and looked at the floor with vacant eyes, lost in thought.

Outside the palace, Karl had just stepped out when he saw a large yellow duck running over quickly.

"Wait a moment, Mr. Karl!"

Karoo came to a screeching halt, stopping right in front of Karl. Vivi jumped off the duck's back with practiced ease.

"Mr. Karl, I am Vivi, the Princess of Alabasta. I have important intelligence to tell you!"

Karl bent down and stroked Vivi's soft, sky-blue hair. "You must be Princess Vivi! How cute! What intelligence do you have to tell me?"

The rush of pheromones made Vivi's pretty face flush instantly. A Navy hero, handsome, gentle-spoken, and with a seemingly good personality—if only...

Vivi quickly shook her head, casting those strange thoughts to the back of her mind, and said with a serious face, "It's about the Warlord of the Sea, Crocodile."

"Oh? Crocodile? Is he in Alabasta too?"

Vivi nodded vigorously. "Yes, he came a long time ago. After he arrived, he became some kind of national hero. I have never trusted that man."

"Oh? Why is that?"

"Because he looks Move Move Like a bad guy, and I suspect that all the turmoil in Alabasta is being stirred up by him in the shadows. It's possible that the Dance Powder incident was orchestrated by him!"

Karl gave a light smile. "Princess Vivi, it's not just you; I also feel that Crocodile has ulterior motives for staying in Alabasta. But everything requires evidence. Without evidence, I have no way to arrest Crocodile."

"Why? Is it just because he is a Warlord of the Sea?"

"Yes and no. It's a good thing you care about your country, but you are still young after all. By the way, how old are you this year? 12? 14?"

Vivi said prettily, "I am already 14 years old, I am not a child!"

"Hahaha, only little pirates say that. Adults only say 'I want it all'—*cough*, anyway, your most important task right now is to grow up quickly and not let King Cobra worry."

"Otherwise, no matter how much you say, no one will believe you."

Vivi's mouth pouted, and she felt it deeply. She didn't know how many times she had told her father to watch out for Crocodile, but her father just wouldn't believe her, leaving her anxious, angry, and with nowhere to vent.

She hadn't expected this Navy hero to be so understanding. He understands me so well, *sob sob sob*!

"So I can only wait?"

Karl smiled slightly, cupped Vivi's face, and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with his thumb. "For now, that is indeed the case."

Vivi looked distressed, raised her head, and looked at Karl with anticipation. "Mr. Karl, what about you? You are a Navy hero; you can't just do nothing, right?"

"A country without a hero is pathetic, but a country that needs a hero is even more pathetic..."

After saying this, Karl didn't care whether Vivi understood or not. After giving Karoo's duck head a good rub to satisfy his own little wish, he immediately sat on the raven and left.

Vivi remained frozen in place, the words Karl had just spoken echoing in her mind.

Alabasta has no hero, but it needs one. Doesn't that mean... No! It cannot go on Move Move Like this!!!

Since Alabasta has no hero, then I will become that hero!

Crocodile, I know it must be you. One day, I will drive you out of Alabasta and bring peace to Alabasta!!!