Chapter 80: Players Join the Expeditionary Squad
Kobra hurriedly walked out of the palace with a serious expression.
He looked at the two people sitting on either side of the table, their positions clearly defined, and said in a heavy tone, "I have just reviewed the historical records in the palace and confirmed the culprit behind the tremors and collapse."
Cobra lowered his head and sighed deeply, then looked at Violet: "Just as Miss Violet said, it's a creature called the desert antlion."
When he heard Cobra say the words "historical record," Crocodile narrowed his eyes slightly, revealing a dangerous look.
Crocodile was about to light a cigar, but a glimpse of the snowball launcher that Violet had built on the side of the room caught his eye. He paused, then put the cigar back in his pocket: "...I don't think I've ever heard of the Desert Ant Lion before."
After several years of planning, Cobra clearly regarded him as a warm-hearted and kind friend with whom he could talk about anything.
Was his assessment of Cobra wrong, or...?
Kobra, without any airs of royalty, sat down opposite the two men: "I only just learned of the existence of the desert antlion. Alabasta has been without desert antlion uprisings for over a hundred years, for three or four consecutive kings."
In fact, even in the historical records within the royal palace, there are only three recorded instances of desert antlion uprisings.
Cobra felt he was having a bit of bad luck.
Cobra: "In those three recorded years, there were extreme droughts, heat waves, and sandstorms."
Kobra was heavy-hearted. Drought had always been a major problem in Alabasta, but they had lived there for many years and had some experience in dealing with it.
But those experiences are only useful when the drought is not severe. If a drought and heatwave as terrible as those recorded in historical texts were to occur... Kobra couldn't imagine how terrible the casualties and unrest would be in Alabasta.
Cobra's expression was serious: "In short, we need to be prepared for both possibilities. According to historical records, desert antlions cause terrible earthquakes and sinkholes when they riot. There are only two ways to stop their riots."
"Either you offer it jewel toys every now and then to appease it until it falls asleep again, or you defeat it completely."
Both methods were tried by the kings of the time during the three years of desert antlion uprisings in history.
“I will make multiple preparations. On one hand, I will have people collect the gems and toys that the desert antlions like, and on the other hand, I will gather warriors.” The situation is urgent, and Crocodile is his “close friend,” so Cobra did not hesitate to look at him. “I may have to trouble you then.”
Crocodile would naturally not miss out on something that could improve his image in the hearts of the Alabasta people: "No problem, I will have Baroque Works temporarily suspend all outings."
Kobra rubbed his temples: "Oh, right, we also need to take some people to dig a well." This was their last resort after both the plan to offer tribute and the plan to defeat the desert ant lions had failed.
He looked apologetically at Violet: "You're a tourist in Alabasta, right? This place is no longer suitable for sightseeing. You'd better leave as soon as possible."
But he was different; he was the king of Alabasta, their home, and he would fight his people to the very end.
Crocodile, with his hands in his pockets and fiddling with an unlit cigar, turned to look at Violet: "Where did you hear about the desert ant lion?"
He had never even heard of this thing before. Even Cobra only learned of the existence of the desert antlion by reading historical records that were only accessible to royalty.
But when Violet saw the collapsed pit, she immediately called out the name of the desert ant lion.
Crocodile recalled the wanted poster that had been picked out and placed on his desk—first for attacking members of the World Government with a bounty of 70 million Berries, and then for getting involved in the battle between the Navy and the Revolutionary Army, the bounty doubled.
Over 100 million Berries! And he didn't recognize her immediately.
"I know." It's clearly written on the quest panel, but you definitely can't tell an NPC about this. "That's exactly why I came here."
Cobra and Crocodile exchanged a glance. They came for it? When Violet arrived, the desert antlions hadn't even started their uprising yet.
Violet took the cracked, broken universal pointer that was just spinning randomly out of her pocket.
Violet: "This is a universal compass; it guides me to find what I need and desire."
But it turns out that deep down she has a fighting spirit?
What is needed or desired?
Crocodile's pupils suddenly contracted.
Currently, his infiltration of Alabasta and Nefertari has allowed him to learn that the ancient weapon Hades exists within Alabasta, but it remains to be seen what that information actually contains or whether it will enable him to successfully find Hades.
If what Vera said is true...
Crocodile said casually, "I've never heard of such a thing before."
Violet waved her hand dismissively: "Isn't it normal that you haven't heard of it?" Game Power Kid, there are plenty of things NPCs haven't heard of.
Crocodile: ...
The golden hook twisted slightly, flashing a sharp, cold light.
Crocodile: "Is it alright to use something this precious here?"
That's strange. Aren't items meant to be used? What else can they be used for? Trading? This isn't an online game.
"It's okay, there's still one left."
Crocodile, pleased with the information he wanted, curled his lips into a smile: "So, are you going to join the team to hunt down the Desert Ant Lion?"
Cobra exclaimed in surprise, "Crocodile? Sending such a young child to fight?"
"Of course, when do you plan to go?"
"How about three days from now?" Crocodile finalized the time, then looked at Cobra as if remembering that the king was present. "Baroque Works can be ready in three days. What about the Royal Guard?"
Cobra nodded a beat late: "...Three days should be fine."
Violet stood up: "Then let's meet here in three days."
Watching Violet's departing figure, Cobra suddenly reacted and looked at Crocodile: "Wait, Crocodile, why did you agree?"
"That child doesn't look much older than Weiwei."
His only daughter, Vivi, is currently a very energetic little girl who loves to go on adventures and play.
Crocodile scoffed: "That's no ordinary kid."
Crocodile pulled a bounty poster from his pocket and placed it on the table. Below Violet's photo was a bounty of 140 million Berries.
"One hundred million?!"
Cobra asked incredulously, looking at his friend, "You, how much was your bounty again?"
Crocodile: "Eighty-one million Berries."
Once a pirate becomes one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, his bounty will be frozen and will no longer increase. Otherwise, given Crocodile's later challenges to Whitebeard and the founding of Baroque Works, his bounty would have already surpassed that of Violet.
However, there's no need to remind Cobra about this; the more wary Cobra is of Violet, the more he trusts him.
Sure enough, after hesitating for a moment, Cobra leaned close to him and whispered, "Do you think she really came to Alabasta for tourism, or does she have some other purpose?"
"Maybe we shouldn't set off with her in three days."
"Why? Why wouldn't you take free fighting power?" Crocodile's expression was cold and cruel. "Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on her."
Let him see if Vera is really worth the bounty of over 100 million, if she's just a lucky brat with a reputation but no substance.
Crocodile chuckled and lit a cigar, then unceremoniously accepted the remaining universal pointer from her. In the vast desert, isn't it normal for a team going to hunt down a monster of unknown strength to suffer some casualties?
"call……"
Crocodile had just relaxed and exhaled a smoke ring when he saw a snowball hurtling towards him. He quickly raised his hand and caught it, the icy snow melting in his hot palm, bringing with it a moisture that Crocodile found extremely uncomfortable.
He hates water.
Crocodile stood up to leave, his coat hem brushing against the snowball launcher, which was itching to throw a couple more snowballs. After he left, all that remained where the snowball launcher had been was a pile of discarded, broken metal.
——
Three days later, the desert ant lion extermination team officially set off.
On Vil's side, naturally Vil, Luo, and Sabo were all present.
In addition to Crocodile, whom Violet met, Baroque Works also includes Mr. 1 Daz Bones, Miss. Double Finger Zala, and Mr. 2 Bensam.
The Kingdom Guard consisted of Captain Icarim, Lieutenant Peru, and fifteen other guards.
This is arguably the largest fighting force Alabasta can muster.
Peruv wore a long white robe that covered her from neck to ankle, and a purple scarf with black star patterns around her neck.
The guards following behind him were in pairs, carrying a heavy box.
Peru: "The jewels and toys are all ready."
If they cannot quell the desert antlion's uprising with these offerings, then a battle today is inevitable. Even if they are not determined to defeat the desert antlion, they need to test the creature's strength.
Standing among a group of serious-looking adults, the three little kids stood out.
Peru's gaze kept drifting to Vivi and the others, even though he knew from the king that this little girl, who looked about the same age as Princess Vivi, had a terrifying bounty of over 100 million Berries.
But it's really hard to equate Violet with those terrifying pirates from his memory.
Vera: "So where should we go?"
During the three days of preparation, I heard that the desert antlions had rioted again, causing a considerable number of houses to collapse in the town. At the same time, the Alabasta sun was becoming increasingly scorching; according to Violet alone, the snowball launchers had to be activated more than ten times a day to fight the fires.
Icarum looked at Peru, nodded, and took a serious step forward.
"The source of the tremors has been located 15 kilometers northwest of the capital, but this morning I observed a less than pleasant change."
Peru ate the Bird-Bird Fruit, which allowed her to transform into a falcon and fly for aerial reconnaissance.
He distributed the photos he had taken to everyone. When Violet took a look, she saw an area shrouded in a sandstorm that was clearly visible from above.
Violet looked at the sandstorm that stretched as far as the eye could see: "Can't we get in?"
Peru nodded and pointed to a sharp cut on his left eyebrow: "The wind speed inside is very fast, the swirling debris is dangerous, and the visibility is extremely low."
This unfavorable start left the members of the Kingdom's Guard somewhat disheartened.
As guardians of Alabasta, they felt immense guilt and heartache.
"It's alright, just continue on the original plan."
Crocodile raised his hand and tossed the photo behind him. Before it even hit the ground, the photo was corroded into tiny grains of sand.
"It's just a little sandstorm."
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Author's Note: Violet: My snowball launcher!!! [Crying][Crying][Crying][Crying]
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