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Chapter 362: A Life of Extravagance
Chapter 362: A Life of Extravagance
"A Hero of Justice"
Lily finished relaying the information she had obtained and said, "This is the intelligence we received from the Navy, Sag."
Zefa's death ultimately went unreported.
The Navy held a private memorial service, with the slogan 'A Hero of Justice,' and his resignation letter was never processed, allowing him to retire with his Naval rank intact.
This information was proactively reported by Gabura and his team.
"Huh? Why wasn't it reported?"
Renitia, lounging on a sofa with her legs propped up, asked curiously, "Wasn't Zefa a Navy Admiral? Don't Admirals' deaths make the newspapers?"
"Well, they probably wanted to avoid causing internal unrest," Maryka replied as she entered with a tray of tea and snacks. She smiled and placed the refreshments in front of everyone.
"Strawberry cake!" Renitia's eyes lit up, and she eagerly dug into the strawberry topped with cream, a satisfied smile spreading across her face.
Lily thanked her and took a delicate sip from her cup of tea.
Leaning back in his chair with his legs crossed, Sag used a stick to pick up a piece of yokan, a traditional Japanese sweet, and popped it into his mouth. He then proceeded to gulp down an entire cup of green tea, showing little regard for the refined art of tea appreciation.
"The former Navy Admiral was killed by a pirate," Sag said. "While it may not be as shocking as Whitebeard's death, it's still a significant event on the high seas. The World Government isn't foolish enough to publicize it."
Incidents where evil triumphs over justice on the vast ocean tend to have far-reaching implications, and it is in the best interest of those in power to keep such information under wraps whenever possible.
Especially when the perpetrator is someone like him.
Lily nodded in agreement.
Within just a year of embarking on his pirate career, Sag had built an immense empire. His bounty was extraordinarily high, and he had already earned the title of 'Pirate Emperor,' a title he shared with Blackbeard. Their crews debated endlessly over who deserved the title more, with no thought given to any other contenders.
Sag was a hot topic among those who sailed the seas, and news of him taking down a former Navy Admiral would create an even bigger stir.
It would be a true testament to the victory of evil, and anyone with an ounce of sense could predict the fallout. The World Government, fresh from their victory in the Summit War, would never allow news of the Navy's defeat at the hands of a pirate to reach the public.
However, Sag himself didn't particularly care. Whether he was celebrated or vilified by the masses was of little consequence to him; he was simply a man determined to keep his word.
"Maryka, how many hours until our next meal?" Sag asked, smacking his lips.
"Lunch will be served in two hours. Is there anything special you'd like added to the menu?" Maryka asked with a smile.
"Do we have any of that slow-cooked duck leg from yesterday?" Sag inquired.
Maryka furrowed her brow in thought. "Unfortunately, it seems we've run out of the main ingredient for that dish. If you'd like to have it again, we'll need to wait for more to be delivered."
Sag was taken aback. "What do you mean, 'run out'?"
In the regions under his rule, there was one unbreakable rule: Sag always came first.
Whether it was local specialties or weapons, he was the first to be supplied, followed by his crew. It was unthinkable for anyone to be given priority over him in trade, unless he specifically ordered it.
As his territory expanded, Sag's desires did not become easier to satisfy; on the contrary, they grew more intense.
When he had nothing, he was content to scavenge for food and drink. As a fledgling pirate, he began to develop preferences for his meals, though he could still make do with common ingredients most of the time.
However, now that he ruled over vast lands, his desires knew no bounds.
He insisted on rare and exotic dishes and indulged in extravagant feasts. In the past, he would have three hundred and thirty-three dishes for lunch, a number that matched his appetite perfectly.
Now, he could still only eat the same amount, but his lunch spread had increased to six hundred dishes. Unable to finish them all, he would take a bite or two from each, savoring the diverse flavors and textures. It was an indulgent affair.
Maryka's culinary skills had improved immensely, and Sag's extravagance knew no bounds. He demanded grander and more lavish affairs with each passing day.
The dance troupe from Pasha now numbered twenty, and the once-praised courtesans felt their numbers were insufficient. Pasha was now tasked with recruiting more dancers across his territories, aiming for a company of at least one hundred.
The same went for the orchestra. Byron, now the proud leader of the musical troupe, was instructed to recruit more members to create music that was even more grandiose and lively, complementing the dancers and matching the themes of Sag's banquets.
In other aspects of his life, Sag indulged in the utmost luxury. Aside from his Homies and the golden jewelry he wore, which he appreciated for their aesthetic value, his wardrobe had also undergone an upgrade after conquering an island renowned for its unique fabrics and silks.
This island was a bustling hub, not only for its popular textiles but also for its thriving textile industry, which produced an extremely rare and precious fabric.
And now, it all belonged to Sag!
This fabric was no longer sold externally, as Sag's demands alone were challenging to meet. Additionally, Sag preferred to keep the raw materials for himself.
Not only were the materials rare, but Sag also insisted on impeccable craftsmanship, tolerating not even the slightest imperfection in stitching. Even for a simple shirt, he demanded the finest and most luxurious craftsmanship, with gold threads painstakingly woven and sewn into the fabric, allowing for no errors.
Such garments would easily fetch a price of tens of millions of beri on the market, surpassing even the most exquisite fashions of royalty and nobility.
However, Sag was far from meticulous when it came to his attire. He would discard a soiled shirt without a second thought, and a torn one would simply be tossed aside. Not to mention, his training regimen often led to a frequent rotation of clothes.
The chairs he sat on were also subject to his discerning taste, with the exception of his treasured throne, which remained untouched. Other furniture had been replaced to satisfy his desire for finer woods and superior craftsmanship.
When it came to food, possessions, and entertainment, Sag's palace displayed the epitome of opulence. Whether it was the finest or the most expensive, no one could say for sure. But it was undoubtedly the pinnacle of what his territories could offer.
And no one complained.
To Maryka, it was only natural for a ruler who had consolidated all power under his rule, a king among kings, to indulge in such extravagances. As long as his people were well-fed and there was an abundance of food, she saw no issue.
For Lily, as long as Sag paid, she was content. He didn't oppress or exploit, and she earned as much as she worked—a fair arrangement.
Lily also didn't mind that the people under Sag's rule couldn't afford such luxuries. Sag's extravagance had reached a level that even the average wealthy individual couldn't aspire to, and it had little impact on his territories.
Moreover, as the landowner, it was only fitting that Sag took priority.
As for his ever-growing desires, it was said that Devil Fruits could influence one's personality. For example, there was Letty, the 'Mover-Mover' fruit user, who was always brimming with energy and couldn't stay still for a moment.
But Lily didn't think Sag was influenced in the same way.
The Mo Mo Fruit, despite its implication of 'more and more', didn't seem to have much of an effect on Sag, in her opinion.
Someone like Sag, who remained unwavering despite countless setbacks and always strived to be a landlord, wasn't the type to rest on his laurels once he achieved his goal.
Instead, Sag's intense desires might be influencing the fruit in a reverse manner.
"Lily?" Sag's voice snapped her back to attention. Collecting her thoughts, she replied, "The Dakuan Island, where the black-billed white ducks originate from, has a small population, and the number of ducks they produce is limited. The ones supplied to us are an even rarer breed, with an even lower yield. So, it's understandable that they couldn't keep up with the demand. Sag, there's something I need to discuss with you..."
"We're starting to face a shortage of people."
(End of Chapter)
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