"Captain of the Royal Army?"
Fujitora's eyelids twitched slightly as he tilted his head, using his formidable Observation Haki to detect all unusual presences in the village.
His brows gradually furrowed.
The village wasn't devoid of villagers—they had all hidden in their homes for some unknown reason.
However, with the arrival of the Royal Army, figures began emerging one after another from the tightly shut houses.
Though Fujitora couldn't see what these people looked like, with the aid of his Observation Haki, he clearly discerned that most were elderly, weak, sick, or disabled—all with unstable auras, clearly having gone without proper meals for some time.
As more and more villagers stepped out of their homes, the once-deserted village suddenly became lively.
In no time, hundreds of villagers had gathered in an open space at the village entrance, trembling as they faced the imposing soldiers of the Royal Army.
At the head of the Royal Army cavalry was a young man clad in silver armor, a sword hanging at his waist.
After sweeping his gaze imperiously over the assembled villagers, the young man urged his horse forward and spoke coldly.
"I am the Captain of the Royal Army. I've come to Keen Village for three things: taxes, taxes, and more taxes!"
"You must have already received the news—His Majesty the King is soon departing for the Holy Land to attend the Levely. Of course, matters like the Levely have little to do with lowly peasants like you. However, His Majesty must also bring the Celestial Tribute for the Celestial Dragons of the Holy Land."
"Since you live on the territory of the Orenfence Kingdom, it is only natural that you bear this burden—"
Before the Captain could finish his words, a voice rang out from the crowd, one that could only be described as 'treasonous'.
"Captain, didn't you already collect taxes last month? And not just that—you collected taxes for the next twenty years in advance! How... how could we possibly have any money left to hand over now?"
"Indeed, there was a collection last month, but that was for the grand wedding of His Highness the Crown Prince! Allowing you lowly commoners to contribute to His Highness's wedding is an unparalleled honor! How dare you complain about such a privilege?"
After a brief pause, the captain suddenly raised his voice, "Guards, seize this person!"
At the captain's command, two soldiers immediately rushed into the crowd and dragged out a young woman who had been speaking among them.
Before the two soldiers could drag the woman before the captain, a little girl immediately rushed out from the crowd.
Sobbing uncontrollably, she desperately clung to one soldier's leg.
"Let go of my sister! I won't let you take her away! Waaah—you're all bad people! You already killed Aqua's mommy, why do you have to take Aqua's sister too? Waaah—"
"Please, I'm begging you, let my sister go."
"You—" The soldier whose leg was grabbed flew into a rage.
Before his words faded, the soldier raised his longsword and swung it down at the little girl clinging to his leg.
"AQUAAA!"
At the critical moment, the young woman being held by the two soldiers suddenly broke free and immediately threw herself towards the little girl.
At the same time, a cold shout rang out in time.
"Halt!"
Hearing this command, the soldier's heart trembled.
He barely managed to stop his descending sword mid-swing, then turned and dropped to one knee with a thud, respectfully calling out.
"Your Highness."
The one who had intervened in time was a young man who appeared barely over twenty years old.
Dressed in noble attire, his every movement exuded an air of extraordinary dignity.
The nobleman ignored the soldier and walked straight to the young woman.
"My, my, who would have thought such a beauty existed in this tiny village!"
Standing before the young woman, the nobleman's eyes gleamed with a captivating light, as if he had discovered prey.
His calm tone carried an undeniable command, "Stand up and speak."
"You can't take my sister away!"
Before the young woman could react, the little girl she had just saved suddenly wriggled free from her embrace.
Raising her dirty little face defiantly at the nobleman, she declared.
"Aqua isn't afraid of you!"
The nobleman waved his hand to stop the soldiers who were about to discipline the child.
With amused gaze, he said, "I remember you. Last time, it was you who blocked the royal troops from collecting taxes, claiming you had an uncle who was... the Fleet Admiral?"
"Well? Several months have passed—why hasn't your Fleet Admiral uncle come to take you away yet?"
As soon as the nobleman finished speaking, the royal soldiers behind him burst into laughter.
"Pfft—HAHAHA—"
"If your uncle's the Fleet Admiral, then my father must be one of the Five Elders! AHAHAHA!"
"Tell me, do you even know who the Fleet Admiral is?"
Watching the soldiers erupt in mocking laughter, Aqua's confidence wavered.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she fought back sobs.
Seeing this, the young woman gently pulled her into an embrace, whispering softly.
"Don't be afraid, Aqua. Big sister's here."
Then, lifting her head calmly toward the nobleman, the young woman said.
"Your Highness, let's make a deal."
"Oh?" The nobleman's interest was piqued.
He nodded approvingly, "Do tell. I do enjoy deals!"
Without hesitation, the young woman stated clearly, "I've heard that in other villages, when people can't pay taxes, they offer people instead. If possible, I'm willing to offer myself in exchange for the taxes of Keen Village's residents—and Aqua's."
Before the noble prince could react, the young woman continued, "To be honest, I am no commoner. I am a noble from the royal city of the Kingdom of Orenfence! As royalty, you must be aware of an incident that occurred in the palace half a year ago—when a noble minister was exiled by His Majesty the King for proposing to reduce taxes and ease the burden on the people. That noble minister was my father!"
As she spoke, the young woman took a silk scarf from her bosom and tied up her disheveled hair, revealing a stunningly beautiful face devoid of makeup.
"What an unexpected windfall!"
Looking at the young woman who had tied her hair into a ponytail and revealed her true appearance, the noble prince could no longer suppress the curve of his lips and burst into laughter.
"This deal... I refuse!"
"Because without your noble status, you're worthless!"
"Of course, you can choose one for one!" The prince suddenly leaned in close to the young woman, grinning with a bloodthirsty smirk.
"You can pick one family among these commoners to be exempt from taxes. As for the rest—if they can't pay, they'll pay with their lives!"
At these words, the royal soldiers suddenly dispersed, drawing their swords and encircling the hundreds of villagers gathered in the clearing.
"You—"
The young woman was furious, instinctively shielding Aqua behind her.
Just then, a sharp cry suddenly rang out.
"Everyone, stop!"
The unexpected shout instantly drew the attention of all present.
The prince and the army captain behind him also turned to look.
From the direction of the village entrance, Joanna, clad in a Marine uniform, strode forward, while Rear Admiral Fujitora followed leisurely behind her, his cane sword in hand.
"Marines?"
At the sight of their attire, the royal army captain and his soldiers wore expressions of shock, while the prince remained unfazed, his smile unwavering as he paid no heed to Joanna and Fujitora.
Before the two could approach, the prince spurred his horse forward, laughing heartily.
"What, are the Marines also in a hurry? Don't worry, your share of the Celestial Tribute won't be missing!"
Hearing this, Joanna, who was walking ahead, froze in confusion before turning to Fujitora with a bewildered look.
"Rear Admiral? What is he talking about?"
Fujitora smiled and gestured for Joanna to stay calm.
Stepping up beside her, he raised his head slightly and, using his Observation Haki, locked onto the prince.
He spoke calmly, "I am Fujitora, Rear Admiral of Marine Headquarters!"
"I have come to the Kingdom of Orenfence today under orders to investigate matters related to the Celestial Tribute!"
"By the Fleet Admiral's decree, starting this year, the Celestial Tribute policy must undergo certain reforms. All member nations are forbidden from burdening their people under its name, and none may exploit it to extort excessive taxes. Any member nation found collecting taxes decades in advance must submit to Marine supervision and investigation!"
"Hmm?" The prince's eyes instantly turned sinister. "What do you mean? Are the Marines interfering in the affairs of member nations now?"
"You may interpret it that way."
Fujitora nodded lightly. "Just now, I overheard villagers saying your kingdom has already collected this village's taxes for the next twenty years?"
"So what if we have?" The prince sneered coldly. "What can you do about it?"
"I am the prince of the Kingdom of Orenfence!"
"Even if the taxes in Keen Village were collected twenty years in advance, or even a hundred years, they must still contribute to the Celestial Tribute!"
2 chapters/day starting next week!