https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-429-Fixed-Hierarchy-Fluid-People/12935488/
Chapter 428: Sage's Insight
Chapter 428: Sage's Insight
Carla had her fair share of encounters with pirates; she was once a pirate herself.
As a renowned member of the Sun Pirates who liberated the slaves of Mariejoa, she had come across ruthless pirates.
The very same Arlong who was on their ship back then was a ruthless pirate.
However, it seemed that ruthlessness had varying degrees.
Even after hearing about Arlong's defeat in the East Sea and learning of his unforgivable deeds, Carla couldn't help but feel that it paled in comparison to what the Cataclysm Pirates were about to do.
Just moments ago, she had thought Sage was a good person.
Carla observed the bustling streets, filled with people coming and going. With her experience of traveling through numerous bleak countries and witnessing the sorrowful expressions of their people, she could tell that these individuals were genuinely content with their lives, devoid of any resentment.
The line between good and evil had become blurred.
Robin, too, couldn't bring herself to pass judgment, especially with her own experience of living in the dark world since the age of eight. It was best to remain neutral in such matters.
Blood relations meant nothing in this context.
If it were a few years ago and Sage had the same status as he did now, she would have joined him without hesitation.
Pirates and the Four Emperors were like two different species.
But now, with her own crew, she didn't desire anything from Sage. Their current relationship was more than satisfactory.
Perhaps they would even become enemies in the future.
Compared to Sage, she firmly believed that Luffy would become the Pirate King!
As Robin and Carla set sail, a sprawling estate on the nearby Vakannogres Island witnessed its grand entrance gate being kicked open with a loud bang.
The renowned Banabi, with a bounty exceeding one billion, brandished a curved sword in one hand and a pistol in the other, leading his crew inside. They, too, kicked open the door to the mansion within the estate.
"Banabi! What are you doing?!"
Andre's newly wedded wife, adorned in luxurious attire, hadn't even had the chance to inquire about the situation before the gate was kicked open. After a brief moment of panic, she became enraged and shouted imperiously, "Who gave you the audacity to barge in so rudely! Pirates are nothing but uncivilized! Andre isn't here right now, but when he returns, I'll make sure he complains about you!"
Bang!
Before she could finish her sentence, Banabi delivered a swift kick to her abdomen, sending her flying into the staircase at the back. The sheer force of the impact caused a corner of the staircase to collapse.
A sinister smile crept onto Banabi's face as he strode forward, stepping on the bloodied woman's head. He raised his gun and aimed it at her.
"By the captain's orders, we're to guard all the wealthy merchants and their families. But you, we don't need to guard. Just execute them!"
"W-What are you saying?! My husband is Andre, Andre! That Cataclysm guy relies on him. Without Andre, how could the Cataclysm Pirates have become so powerful?!" the woman shrieked.
"Oh, so that's how Andre talks about me behind my back? No wonder you always look down on us," Banabi said with a cold smile.
"I only thing I did was take a small cut of the profits. Usually, out of respect for the captain, I wouldn't bother with you, and I'd tolerate your attitude of treating me like a subordinate. After all, we're all working for the captain. But things have changed now."
Bang!
He struck her head with the butt of his gun, knocking her unconscious.
Banabi grabbed her hair and forcefully dragged her out of the dented staircase.
"Find the rest of Andre's relatives! We've been here long enough; don't tell me you don't know who they are!" Banabi roared at his crew.
"Don't worry, Captain. That Andre guy boasts about his kids all day long and brings them to meet us," one crewmate assured him, licking his lips menacingly. "I know every single one of them!"
Another crewmate spoke up with a hint of reluctance, "Captain, do we really have to do this? Andre has a newborn baby."
"You mean his son, the one he brings along to oppress us. Am I supposed to kneel before his son in a few days?"
"The man who spoke earlier protested, "He's not even Lord Sage's son!"
Banabi walked to the door, turned, and addressed his men, "This has nothing to do with that. We have no say in this matter. It's a direct order from Lady Lily herself."
At these words, everyone's expressions changed, even those who were usually more lenient now looked solemn.
Among the members of the Catastrophe Pirate Armada who were not yet considered 'Novas', the hierarchy was not as strict. Even the Novas themselves joked with each other, and no one took it seriously.
After all, no one knew who would be the next Nova.
But among the Novas, the 'Seven Stars' held significant authority, and at least half of their orders represented the will of Lord Sage.
And above the Seven Stars were the 'Three Phases', whose authority was even greater.
The most extreme case was Lady Lily; her orders were as if Lord Sage himself had issued them!
She embodied the will of Lord Sage, and it was the coldest and most ruthless will!
"Go ahead," Banabi said, then suddenly smiled, "Lady Lily said that as long as it doesn't involve the industry, we can also rob them. The money we seize will be handed over to the public, and we'll get half of the extra earnings!"
"Understood!"
His men laughed and, brandishing their knives, began to ransack the estate.
Banabi dragged the woman to the center of the town.
Following Lady Lily's orders, they were to publicly execute these men.
That guy Andre was tolerable at first, but the more time passed, the more arrogant he became. Banabi couldn't understand why he acted so high and mighty, treating them as if they were his underlings or future crewmates.
Even the money and supplies he brought to the island seemed more like charity than what they rightfully deserved.
Banabi had tolerated him before because he never expected Andre to betray them. If it weren't for his discovery and report of the suspicious behavior, they might have been suppressed for who knows how long.
"A merchant, trying to buy people's hearts here, what's his game?"
Banabi glared at the woman he was dragging, "Damn it!"
Scenes like this were common on various islands. Fierce pirates tore away their friendly facades, violently breaking into merchants' homes without regard for their attitudes. Any protest was met with a beating, and any resistance, with death. They were all subdued.
Lily had used the talking crickets to issue orders across the region. Anyone on the list had their homes invaded by local pirates, and their families were taken captive as well. Although not as violent as Andre, it was still enough to terrify them.
Especially after learning that Andre and his group of merchants had been caught embezzling and corrupt, and this had been discovered by Lord Sage himself, half of them felt it was an undeserved disaster, while the other half felt the sky was about to fall!
The merchants' loyalty couldn't be guaranteed, but the pirates would definitely follow their captain's orders!
As for the disruption of trade...
This was never a concern. Either the pirates took over the trade themselves, or they selected someone familiar with the situation on each island to continue delivering supplies to Orlara.
The idea of a strike was non-existent.
Because, apart from these merchants, the common folk were on Lord Sage's side.
Lord Sage's order was not made in secret. As soon as it was issued, the public across the regions knew about it.
"The Lord has been so good to us, providing us with food and money! These greedy bastards dare to betray him? Damn them! They should all die! If it were up to me, I'd burn them all right now, no need for a trial!"
This was the most common sentiment.
Lord Sage not only possessed absolute power and violence, but he also understood the hearts of the people!
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
