Chapter 41: Let's Go Plunder Then
Chapter 41: Let's Go Plunder Then
Marika was the royal chef of the Forest Kingdom, endowed with the power to transform simple ingredients into exquisite delicacies.
If she sought wealth and prestige, she could have easily remained in the Forest Kingdom, untethered by taxes. In fact, with her culinary prowess, even the king would not dare demand taxes from her.
Yet, here she was, in this desolate place.
The people banished to the Shallow Sand Kingdom were also subjected to extortion. Aside from rent, they were stripped of all possessions, including tools, upon their arrival.
Survival in this barren land was challenging, to say the least, and tools were essential. However, the environment was starkly barren, offering nothing but sand as far as the eye could see.
To acquire tools, one had to pay a fee to rent them from the Forest Kingdom.
That's right—they weren't even allowed to purchase them; they could only borrow.
The rent charged by the Shallow Sand Kingdom served as a form of protection money, paid by the exiles' families back in their home kingdom. It was less than the taxes they would have paid otherwise, but it still amounted to a substantial sum.
If they wanted to use anything else, the fees would be exorbitantly high, which was why the people here resorted to building their homes from sand and using naturally occurring stones and shells as tools.
They barely scraped by, relying on meager resources from the Forest Kingdom.
In such a desolate place, even finding enough food to eat was a challenge, let alone acquiring ingredients to create delicious meals. Not everyone possessed the skill to transform these rudimentary ingredients into palatable dishes, let alone the mouthwatering creations Marika could concoct.
Before Marika's arrival, the people here rarely survived long enough to make it to the Bridge Kingdom. Many perished from starvation.
Even if they desired to leave, the Forest Kingdom would not permit it, as they could continue collecting rent as long as these people remained.
This rent was non-negotiable, even in death.
It was only after Marika's arrival that conditions began to improve, and people could finally fill their bellies.
"No matter how harsh the conditions, everyone has the right to eat their fill, and I firmly believe that," Marika said, her voice steady as she gazed at the rain-drenched people. "If a world exists where people go hungry because of taxes, it is truly a sad one."
Her words, though seemingly mundane, carried an unwavering determination. "Everyone has the right to eat their fill, and what I do is ensure that they can."
She might not have the power to change the kingdom's policies, but she could contribute in her small way to ensure that these people, before their eventual fate befell them, had a full stomach.
"So, thank you for your invitation, but I—"
"Leave, Marika!"
Before she could finish her sentence, someone else interrupted, a woman among the crowd pleading, "Marika, we have no choice, but you do! You can leave this place!"
"Marika, we are destined to go to the Bridge Kingdom. You've stayed here for two years already, and that's more than enough. If you stay any longer, you'll end up there too. No one who goes to the Bridge Kingdom ever returns."
"Marika, set sail! We've managed to survive these two years because of you, and we've tasted flavors we never thought possible. We are content."
One after another, the people spoke up. Whether it was a woman cradling a child or a frail elder, their expressions conveyed both reluctance and resolute determination.
An elderly man stepped forward, his voice steady. "It's enough, Marika. We cannot escape our fate of going to the Bridge Kingdom. Since that's the case..."
"Let's go rob the king, then."
A voice cut through the air, interrupting the old man's words. All eyes turned to Sage, who was stroking his chin as he gazed at the jungle that lay beyond the beach. "With all the taxes they're collecting, they must be rolling in money. It's worth a try."
"Captain, it's impossible. The kingdom has a formidable military force, and we don't even have any tools."
The elder glanced at the soldiers lying on the ground and hesitated before continuing, "Even if we somehow succeed, we cannot bear the brunt of their retaliation."
"Oh, that's none of my concern," Sage replied nonchalantly. "I'm not doing this for you."
Turning to face Marika, Sage presented her with two options. "First, I can kidnap you and plunder the king's riches. Second, as my subordinate, I'll help you kill the king, overthrow the kingdom, and reopen the gates for these people."
"Captain, you're quite domineering, aren't you?" Marika said, taken aback.
Sage chuckled. "Of course. I'm a pirate. If I want something, I just take it."
Having embraced the path of a pirate, he was unapologetically true to his nature.
After all, this wasn't the first kingdom he'd plundered, and kings were known for their vast wealth. Why wouldn't he seize the opportunity?
Marika stared intently at Sage, saying, "I seem to have no other choice."
She could sense that even if she refused, this guy seemed to have the means to ensure that she wouldn't even be able to die.
"Well, if you make up your mind to resist me, and there's no grudge between us, I might throw you out to sea, or I might let you go. After all, I don't like disobedient people, but..."
Sage strode forward, stepping over the fallen soldiers and kicking the head on the sand, "Anyway, we're all just choosing a place to live. Why not try my place instead? Instead of wasting away in one place, why not explore the world and have more choices? After all, pirates are incredibly free beings."
Marika was taken aback, mumbling, "Free."
She hadn't thought about this issue; she just wanted to make sure everyone had enough to eat. The ships that had come before only wanted to take these people to the Bridge Kingdom, and no one had ever said such things.
"Alright, men! Let's plunder!"
Sage laughed loudly, "That kingdom has a lot of treasure, let's take it from them!"
"Oh!!!"
A dozen or so pirates, weapons in hand, cheered and followed Sage, heading into the jungle beyond the beach.
Was he really going to plunder? Marika stared at those pirates; she didn't think this was bluffing. That 70-million-bauble man was definitely capable of doing it.
So, why not give it a try?
Escape the kingdom and find a way to ensure everyone has enough to eat without being limited by the environment! That way, everyone will have plenty of food, and they can then explore better cuisines, and food...can soothe people's souls!
"If you can do it."
Marika took a deep breath, her eyes firm with determination, and followed, "Please come with me, I know the way to the royal city!"
As Marika moved, the remaining people looked at each other, struggling.
They could bear the bitter fruit themselves and choose not to burden Marika, but to directly oppose the kingdom would be to truly rebel.
The consequences of that were indeed unbearable for them.
But...
The crowd looked at the Shallow Sand Kingdom, which was being pushed to sink by the waves, and the tiny area where they were standing.
"You have to rely on yourself to succeed."
Lily suddenly turned around and said to them in a cold voice, "If you don't resist yourself, then you deserve to be oppressed, and your family, your descendants, will never be able to escape this fate."
After finishing speaking, she turned around and followed Sage closely.
"Let's do it!"
A fisherman forcefully threw his net and ran towards Sage's group, shouting, "I don't want to be a slave in the Bridge Kingdom, and I don't want to starve here! Anyway, the result is no different, let the king see our determination!"
As he spoke, it was as if he had lit a fuse, and the rest of the people's eyes sank, their faces determined, and they followed.
Since it had come to this, then...let's give it a try!
Failure would just mean becoming a slave early, no big deal!
...
The royal city of the Deep Forest Kingdom was a large, verdant town nestled in a jungle-covered area.
"It's going to rain, some big rain clouds are coming."
The guard on the city wall looked at the sky, where the dark clouds were gradually approaching, and sighed, "It's a shame, I haven't had time to fix my house yet, and now it's going to rain."
"I'm even more unfortunate; I don't know what to do about the tax money for my child, and even eating has become a problem."
Another guard also sighed, "I miss the time when Lady Marika was here; everyone could eat their fill then, and even with the leftover ingredients, she could make very tasty dishes."
"Yes, Lady Marika...Lady Marika!"
As the guard was speaking, he suddenly paused, looking beyond the city walls, where Marika suddenly appeared, with a very familiar gentle smile.
Boom!!
Then, a cannonball flew from the rear and exploded on the city gate, blowing a hole in it.
"Yes!"
Reneetia turned the cannon into a hammer, clenched her small fist, and said, "Captain, it's blown open!"
"Well done."
Sage walked into the hole in the gate and looked at the wide street and the stone city at the end, which looked like an ancient ruin, with a cruel smile, "Let's plunder properly!"
(End of Chapter)
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