One Piece Devouring Fruit - Chapter 46
Looking at the seemingly unaffected country despite the onset of the Great Pirate Era, Michion felt a sense of surrealism.
Not long ago, he was just a kid stranded on an island, barely rescued by the Marines. Now, he had suddenly become the heir to a kingdom.
And this kingdom wasn’t just any kingdom—it was exceptional. If being stranded on Boing Island, with its favorable climate and abundant food, was considered a silver-tier start, joining the Marines and showcasing his potential had upgraded Michion to a golden-tier start.
But now, with a powerful country backing him, its favorable relations with the Marines, and its established status, it felt like a diamond-tier start.
After learning more about this kingdom, Michion couldn’t help but wonder if this background was his cheat or the benefit of his transmigration.
Many protagonists in other transmigration stories into the One Piece world often had powerful backgrounds or systems, like being one of Big Mom’s sons, a Celestial Dragon, or closely associating with Luffy and his brothers.
Some would join the Marines through Garp, join the Revolutionary Army, or directly join a crew.
Yet, for Michion, his journey seemed full of twists and turns.
Indeed, every transmigrator has an unknown style of writing behind them. Or is reality just stranger than fiction?
Despite the banter, Michion accepted this background. He found that having such an identity was more advantageous than disadvantageous.
So, he accepted this identity.
Moreover, since he inherited the body of the deceased Michion, it was only right to treat the original Michion’s parents well, providing some closure for his predecessor.
“Michion, Michion! What are you daydreaming about? Come on, it’s time to go,” Sola called out, snapping Michion out of his thoughts.
“Coming,” Michion replied, smiling as he followed Adolf with the group into the city.
Using Adolf’s reputation, they quickly secured a carriage ride into the city. The people’s respectful attitude towards Adolf showed that he was well-known and highly respected.
During the journey, Michion and his companions saw the landscapes of the Kingdom of Ishtar.
Endless green fields stretched out, and they could see pastures with cattle and sheep grazing in the distance. Nearby was a small forest where deer roamed, and children played in the creek, catching fish and clams to enhance their meals.
This serene environment made it hard to believe that the country was unaffected by the upheaval of the Great Pirate Era, with everything appearing unchanged.
Among these pastoral scenes stood tall buildings, contrasting rural and urban landscapes that Michion found strangely harmonious.
“Mr. Butler, what are those tall buildings next to the fields and pastures? Tina is curious,” Tina asked, pointing to the distance.
“The buildings near the pastures are residences for the cowboys, and those near the fields are communal housing for farmers, built for convenience during harvest season,” Adolf explained.
“Why build such tall buildings?” Sola wondered. “Shouldn’t each family build a small house near their fields?”
“It saves land this way. Each piece of land here can produce a lot of food, so to avoid wasting land, people build collective housing. These buildings can house many people and serve as accommodations for travelers or tourists when not in use,” Adolf replied proudly.
“I see,” Michion nodded in understanding.
He had been puzzled earlier, but Adolf’s explanation made sense. It was perhaps a custom or tradition unique to the Kingdom of Ishtar, part of its cultural identity.
“This place feels so peaceful compared to the outside world,” Tina remarked, appreciating the tranquil surroundings.
“We’ll be stationed here from now on? That’s great,” Sola said, admiring the fields and cattle.
Meanwhile, Kuzan, having secured the carriage, lazily put on his eyepatch and lay down in a pile of straw.
The main concern, however, was Michion’s identity, which intrigued everyone. The kids suppressed their curiosity as the carriage slowly entered the city.
Once inside the city, it presented a different scene, resembling a bustling metropolis with towering buildings.
Everything seemed advanced and well-developed.
The aroma of street food wafted through the air as vendors called out and tourists leisurely sampled various delicacies. The people here lived well.
“Isn’t there a huge disparity between those working in the fields and the city dwellers?” Michion asked.
“Your Highness, most people outside the city are engaged in agriculture and livestock farming, making a living from it. The city thrives on the culinary industry, thanks to the abundant produce from the countryside,” Adolf explained. “The people outside are quite content, and many are well-off. With mechanized assistance, they often come to the city or nearby towns to enjoy the food.”
Michion realized that what he initially thought was a significant wealth gap wasn’t the case. The farmers were indeed living the good life.
The carriage had arrived at the royal palace unnoticed. Seeing a couple resembling Michion waiting at the entrance, Adolf quickly approached them.
“Your Majesty, Queen Rofina, I have returned!” Adolf exclaimed.
“Welcome back! We feared the worst when we heard about the pirate attack. But to think you found Michion!” King Gaius was visibly moved, as was Queen Rofina.
For the people of this world, a sea voyage often meant an uncertain journey with risks, possibly leading to permanent separation from home.
So, it was understandable that Gaius was emotional, especially since Adolf brought such great news.
“Your Majesty, may I present Prince Michion,” Adolf introduced Michion.
For a moment, the air seemed to stand still.
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