One Piece: The True Codex

When the elderly Arcadio knelt down on one knee without hesitation to pay homage to Norton I, the white, plump, and balding king, William felt a momentary discomfort. However, it lasted only a second before he followed suit, kneeling on one knee and mimicking Arcadio's gesture of respect.

"So, you're Stolt?" Norton I asked from atop his throne, looking down at William.

"Yes, Your Majesty," William replied as he stood up.

Hearing this, Norton I gave William a once-over. Clad in formal attire with his hair neatly styled into a slicked-back look, William exuded an air of refinement. Norton I frowned slightly. "You don't look like the kind of warrior who could command the respect of other men."

William opened his mouth to respond, but Arcadio stopped him with a sharp glance.

"Your Majesty, Stolt is indeed a renowned warrior from the East Blue," Arcadio interjected on William's behalf. "But what's even more commendable than his prowess is his integrity. He does not use his strength to oppress others but instead upholds justice. And now, at your summons, he has pledged himself and his crew to the service of the kingdom. Such character is worthy of your reward."

"A 'renowned warrior from the East Blue'? If he's so famous, why have I never heard of him?" A middle-aged man clad in heavy plate armor scoffed from within the hall. He then exaggeratedly turned to the other ministers nearby and asked, "Have any of you heard of him?"

The moment the man spoke, a sly grin appeared on Norton I's face, and he shifted restlessly on his throne, leaning forward with a look of keen interest at the ministers below.

Arcadio sighed inwardly. He had stopped William from speaking earlier precisely to avoid this situation.

The man who had just spoken was none other than Andre, the so-called "Kingdom's Strongest Warrior" and the captain of King Norton I's royal guard.

Like Arcadio, Andre was of noble birth. However, while Arcadio's family belonged to the civil service aristocracy, Andre's lineage was that of military nobility. It was easy to imagine how much "padding" was involved in earning the title of "Kingdom's Strongest Warrior."

Andre did possess some skill. He was naturally gifted, incredibly strong, and had undergone rigorous military training. He was proficient in wielding a variety of standard military weapons, including greatswords, flails, halberds, and bows. However, his title was the result of a highly selective process.

First, one had to be of noble birth with a solid family background. Then, one had to frequently appear before the king as part of his personal guard and earn Norton I's favor and trust.

Those kingdom officers who lacked these qualifications, no matter how skilled they were, could never achieve the title of "Kingdom's Strongest Warrior." After all, who would know who they were if they couldn't even get close to the king or have other nobles vouch for them?

Arcadio knew Andre well. Despite his narrow-mindedness and vanity, Andre wasn't a fool. For him to make such a statement in this setting—especially one that undermined Arcadio, the kingdom's chief minister—could only mean that the capricious and willful king on the throne had orchestrated it.

Arcadio understood Norton I's personality all too well. Moreover, the king wasn't even trying to hide his intentions. It was clear that Norton I had deliberately set the stage for a dramatic conflict. He wanted his "Kingdom's Strongest Warrior" to spar with the "renowned warrior from the East Blue" that Arcadio had recommended. This way, he could both test William's strength and enjoy a good show.

Arcadio had anticipated this and had tried to prevent it by speaking on William's behalf earlier.

It wasn't that Arcadio was worried about William losing. He had seen enough to judge that, while he didn't know William's exact capabilities, anyone who could kill Barbarossa—a feat William claimed to have achieved through cunning—couldn't be weak.

As for Andre, whose title owed much to his family background and who had relatively little combat experience, Arcadio doubted he could match William, a pirate captain who lived by the sword.

However, Andre was Norton I's personal guard, frequently by the king's side. His narrow-mindedness made him prone to holding grudges. If William lost, it would be Arcadio's reputation that suffered. But if William won, he risked earning Andre's enmity.

As Arcadio pondered this dilemma, Norton I, eager to stir up trouble, declared, "Andre, since you doubt Stolt's abilities, why don't you spar with him?"

The king then turned to William with a serious expression. "Stolt, Andre is the strongest warrior in the Navia Kingdom. If you lose, I won't hold it against you. But I do hope this match will show me why Arcadio recommended you."

The Kingdom's Strongest Warrior!

William, unaware of the political undercurrents at play, took Norton I's words at face value. Seeing the king's solemn demeanor and hearing the impressive title, he immediately heightened his vigilance.

While it was true that this world's most formidable individuals often gravitated toward the Marines or pirates, it stood to reason that a king would recruit some powerful warriors to protect himself and his kingdom.

If Andre was indeed the strongest warrior in the kingdom, his strength couldn't be underestimated.

True to his impulsive nature, Norton I decided to have the duel take place right there in the palace. At his command, two squads of royal guards, clearly prepared in advance, brought forth a rack filled with various weapons.

As William flexed his joints and focused his mind, Arcadio seized the moment while everyone's attention was on the weapon rack. He approached William and whispered, "Go easy on him. Don't win too decisively."

"You may choose your weapons freely!"

Before Arcadio could elaborate, Norton I's booming voice interrupted him. Under the king's watchful gaze, Arcadio had no choice but to step away from William and join the other ministers, leaving the center of the hall clear.

Though puzzled by Arcadio's warning, William selected a katana from the weapon rack. After inspecting its blade to ensure it was sharp, he sheathed it with satisfaction and turned to face Andre.

Andre, in his early thirties, was even taller than William, whose height was already imposing. Standing nearly three meters tall and clad in heavy plate armor, Andre resembled an iron giant, his movements accompanied by the clinking and clanging of metal.

Noticing William's gaze, Andre sneered. He called back the guards who had brought in the weapon rack and ordered them to remove his heavy armor.

As the armor was stripped away, Andre's exaggerated physique was revealed. His bulging muscles rivaled those of the bodybuilders William had seen on television in his previous life.

"I won't take advantage of you," Andre said, clearly pleased to see William's expression grow more serious at the sight of his physique. Tilting his chin arrogantly, he added, "This way, you won't have any excuses when you lose to me."

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