MARINES - A ONE PIECE story (ENGLISH) - Part I

CHAPTER CXXXVII - Rainbow Pills

Arthur and Zell, hidden in the corner of a wall, were scanning the agitated mass that was gathering in front of the Leaning Tower. As the procession approached, everyone was anxiously awaiting the appearance of the guest. Around them, a number of clowns were posted to repel those who would try to get too close. As the carriage came to a stop, the huge door of the Leaning Tower opened and Arthur frowned.

- There he is, he whispered with apprehension.

A motley figure slid out like a spider out of its burrow, and by the red dot in the middle of his face Arthur immediately recognized the dancing clown. His crazy eyes, his swaying gait, his two-tone tights.

Harlequin.

Zell shivered at his side and the knight understood that his friend felt the same anxiety : this strange being who reigned as master on Festiland gave off a monstrous and terrifying aura, a feeling of deep unease. They had seen many dangers, and despite his picturesque appearance, he frightened them terribly.

The great clown hopped up to the carriage, whirled around, and with a graceful curtsy invited it to continue its procession into the tower. Arthur and Zell were eager to discover the face of this exceptional guest, whom Harlequin was receiving with so much attention, but the opportunity had to be seized : all eyes were turned towards the meeting, the moment was ideal to penetrate the enemy stronghold.

...

The carriage drove to the center of the gigantic hall where works of all kinds were scattered : abstract paintings with crooked frames, colored statues with dubious postures, misaligned marble columns... But the guest was used to all these oddities : it was not his first visit.

The carriage and its visitor disappeared in plain sight behind the large doors of the tower, in front of which the clowns immediately placed themselves to block the way. A few people tried to take a picture or to get closer, but were immediately pushed back by the King of Festiland's henchmen. As soon as the doors were closed, he found himself alone in front of the carriage and did an enthusiastic dance. The door of the carriage opened, letting down some henchmen, then the guest himself.

- Here you are at last, dear friend ! exclaimed the clown. If you only knew how much I have missed you : horribly, terribly, horriterribly !

- Stop your antics, Harlequin. What I know only too well is that my time is precious. And that it is worth money. A lot of money.

He was a tall, slender man, whose perfectly proportioned body was covered by a long, bright green coat. His long blond hair was thrown back, perfectly coiffed, for the nobleman he was liked to keep himself well groomed. Behind his round gold glasses, however, a strange detail attracted attention : his eyebrows were swirling like siphons.

The spokesman of the noble guest stepped forward and announced the identity of his master, kept secret from the public, as was customary :

- Here comes Lord Vinsmoke Koji, lord of the Vinsmoke family, the Kingdom of Germa and Germa 66.

Harlequin nodded silently, his eternal smile frozen on his face. Then, seeing that his henchmen did not react, he shouted :

- ON YOUR KNEES, YOU IGNORANT PEOPLE. DON'T YOU HAVE ANY EDUCATION ?

Harlequin's henchmen hated to see their master angry and were always bending over to keep him calm. On the rare occasions when their King was breaking out of his good mood, his waxen skin was becoming as dark and rough as the bark of an old tree, his mad eyes were glowing with a murderous gleam, and his otherworldly voice was sounding as if spoken by a thousand dead. He was truly terrifying. So, without waiting, they knelt before the distinguished guest. Immediately, the clown regained his enthusiasm and his ordinary appearance.