At the golden gates, Artoria and Mordred met head-on.
Both felt that the other had no right to talk about 'unfairness'.
"Hmph!" x2
The two didn't speak, just snorted before pushing open the doors to meet Nero.
In the corridor, King and Katakuri were similarly at loggerheads, but neither of them paid any attention to the Straw Hat Pirates, considering them mere newcomers.
What they called the War for the Crown, in their eyes, was more of a battle between the Big Mom Pirates and the Beasts Pirates, and between the two princesses.
Pushing open the door, Nero sat on a high sofa, her crimson eyes gazing imperiously at her two daughters.
No one would have guessed that just a second before the door opened, she had been lying on Carina's lap, being fed fruit.
"My daughters! You've arrived?"
Seeing such a formal setting, Artoria and Mordred quickly knelt on one knee, bowing their heads to await Nero's questions.
"I believe you both know why I called you here. Before the War for the Crown begins, there is one thing I must clarify."
Nero stood up and walked down the steps, stopping a step in front of the two: "Do either of you have no ambition for an empire?"
Neither of them replied, expressing their answer through silence.
"In that case, I shall formally announce the rules once more."
"This crown will be contested between the two of you. Apart from local nobles and the Merfolk Special Zone, any force can be courted to participate. The victor will inherit the Nicuss Eleventh Emperor."
"Whether it's the Marine, the World Government, or pirates, any force can be courted. This is also a part of verifying your charisma as a ruler."
Nero raised her right hand, slowly stroking the red jade horn: "The strongest nation standing at the pinnacle of the world, this is my achievement and your future responsibility."
"When I step down from the throne, do you two have the resolve to stand in the heavens?"
"Your Majesty, just watch, I will absolutely become a great Emperor who can succeed you," Mordred said, raising her head to meet Nero's gaze, her spirits soaring.
"Naturally, I will certainly not let Nicuss lose its title as the strongest," Artoria also raised her head, her words more conservative than Mordred's, but their core meaning was the same.
Neither of them believed they could surpass Nero's achievements; the title of the strongest was not just talk.
If Nicuss were to advance further, it would probably only be left with ruling the world, and neither of them was interested in such a poverty alleviation project.
"Hmm, then I declare the Nicuss Empire, the War for the Eleventh Emperor, officially begun!"
Nero clapped her hands: "In principle, how to select the winner is up to you two to decide. As long as you don't kill each other, individual battles, team battles, or even large-scale national wars are all acceptable."
"Yes!" x2
The two bowed their heads again, and thus, the War for the Crown officially began... "Is it true, Lia, that all expenses in Gold City are free today?" Nami rubbed her hands, her eyes sparkling with anticipation for Artoria's answer.
"Yes, His Majesty said to let us rest well. It's not truly unlimited, with a cap of ten billion Berries."
Artoria had already arranged with Luffy and Sanji to go to Nero's private chef restaurant for a day of feasting.
"Yay~ Long live His Majesty Nero!!!"
Nami cheered. Ten billion, to her, was unlimited spending!
Without a second's delay, she called Franky and Zoro and rushed to the mall.
Katakuri planned to buy some souvenirs for his family. Nicuss's cost of living, even for the Charlotte family's wealth, was considered high.
"Oh, right, His Majesty will personally perform at the Golden Theater tonight. Everyone in Gold City must attend, so don't miss it."
Just as she was about to leave, Artoria suddenly clapped her forehead, remembering that others might not know this news, and spoke to remind them.
"Yohohoho! Her Majesty the Rose Empress's concert? I absolutely cannot miss this!" Brook became excited.
"Eh? What's that? It sounds so interesting!" Luffy was equally curious about it.
This was their first true encounter with Nero, the world's strongest and also Lia's Emperor.
"The performance of the world's most beautiful woman, I absolutely cannot miss this!" Sanji's eyes immediately turned into hearts.
Only Chopper, Zoro, and Robin in the corner were pale, knowing the truth. The few who knew understood that tonight would only be a cruel mental torture.
However, they tacitly didn't warn the others, letting them wait with anticipation, before plummeting into hell... Night fell, and the neon lights lit up.
"It really is lively enough!"
Sanji looked at the packed theater, his heart stirring with excitement.
"Yohohoho! This is the world's number one concert, the sanctuary of all musicians." Brook was even eager to grab an instrument and perform a song on stage.
"Nero-sama has also published many insights and evaluations on music in various music magazines, and her professionalism and authority are top-notch in the music world."
Brook said with some emotion: "If it weren't for Nicuss's location and the excessively high ticket prices, just musicians from all over the world would fill the Golden Grand Theater."
"To be able to hear Nero-sama perform live here for free... Yohohoho... it's an immense honor!!!"
"It's starting, everyone get ready!" Artoria held a glowing light stick for calling out, standing at the very front: "Everyone follow my movements later and cheer for His Majesty!"
"Oh!" xN
Luffy and the others also held similar light sticks, their smiles incredibly bright.
"Very good!" Artoria looked at Mordred, similarly dressed, across from her: "At least we absolutely cannot lose to that guy Mordred!"
"Leave it to us!"
"I will definitely produce cheers that will shock even the other side!"
Luffy, Sanji, and the others spoke one after another, all showing full vitality.
The golden stage rose from below, and a drum-filled prelude suddenly sounded amidst the lively cheers of the crowd.
Guitar sounds, drum sounds, piano sounds... intertwined.
Brook immediately recognized it: it was a song by Uta, the recently popular diva.
The lift platform operated, and flowing gold rose like a fountain of flames. Amidst everyone's gaze, Nero's figure appeared in the center of the stage.
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