Chương 176: New Governors & Slavers Caught
Vol. 3 - Chapter 20 - New Governors & Slavers Caught
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A couple of days passed since the abolition act, and things seemed to stabilize in the Kaysang Kingdom, with most regions having their new Governors introduced to their population after being selected straight from the capital city. From the most bright graduates of the Sol University who brought a new fresh of air for the commoners, who had a person who they could talk in an equal manner.
Those Governors were of humble origins too. Some of them were the youngsters of the Forsaken District who were born into Sol while others were peasants from the neighbouring villages of Sol who journeyed out to make a future for themselves, just like the young Black Army soldiers who were feared and respected, monikered with the name [Black Demons].
The speech of a certain young man who became the Governor of the Andrasy Region who looked with a saddened expression at the destroyed city he arrived backed by the bureaucrats who were tasked to assist this young Governor.
"Greetings to you people of Andrasy. You might not know why you have been summoned to the plaza, and I am sorry for asking the Black Soldiers to do this fully, knowing that you suffered from the recent raids of the traitors. My apologies if I upset and disturbed anyone." said the young man bowing to the plaza of people who shifted the manner they looked at him after hearing his genuine apology.
Captivating their attention, the young man with a build of 1,86 meters who had a worked body, with short brown hair and black eyes gazing calmly back at them, wearing clean but not expensive clothes, not more different than them.
Some who were closer to the stage could see that his palms, who had calluses, were shaking in emotion.
" I am called Lucien, someone of humble origins, being the son of a farmer and a housewife, coming from the village of Giggles. What else should I tell you about me? Ahh, yes, I am someone who passed with full marks the final exam to graduate Sol University, and also passed the screening required to be tasked with the Governor Title from His Highness himself. Hah, that interview was so tense that even now I tremble." said the young man in a joking voice, lifting up the mood of the public listening to him with attention.
"Did you guys know that His Highness is someone who has callused hands? I was shocked too by that discovery."
"Ahem, Sir Lucien, stick to the speech and don't derail talking about unnecessary things." mentioned one of the bureaucrats behind him with a serious voice.
"Sorry, guys. I am just under emotions. Back to myself, dear people. Unfortunately or fortunately for you, I was selected to Govern for a certain period in this Region until all of His Highness National Plans will be achieved. When that happens, everyone in the region will have the right to vote for the candidates selected by His Highness to Govern the territory. As a graduate of Sol University, I will bring all the knowledge I have assimilated from the brightest minds of the Kingdom and execute them for your benefit. From what the information I received on my way to Andrasy says, my residence will be the former Castle of the Viscount.
But I tell you from the start, everyone who has a problem can visit the Castle and ask for an audience with me, and we will try to solve your problem. That's all I wanted to tell you. If anyone has questions?"
"What guarantee do we have that you will not abuse us like the Andrasy Family did?" asked a person from the crowd, to which Lucien nodded his head understanding the question, before turning serious at him.
"From where I am coming, everything one would achieve in life is from hard work. Do you think that by moving from cows' udders, trying to build myself and learning in four years, the equivalent of 8 years, I would do this to someone with the same past as me? Would I take His Highness for a fool for selecting me after passing his test? The answer is no. I will never do such a thing, not even if I am forced with the gun on my temple or sword under my throat."
"I swore on my family name right in front of His Highness that I will do everything by the books."
Hearing Lucien's answer was enough to shut up most of the people who just wanted to put annoying questions on the young Governor.
Afterwards, only normal questions followed suit, about how he would help them rebuild the region, especially the capital of the region, and later at the end, some relatively private questions about himself came from the ladies in the audience who asked if he was in a relationship or if he had kids. Such questions turned him red-faced, which caused a bigger reaction from the girls in the audience who took a liking to Lucien, and seeing that the situation turned worse for Lucien image, the bureaucrats took over, saying some things to the public before walking down the stage followed by the Black Army soldiers.
"Why would those girls even ask me such things?"
"Because they want to fuck you? I don't know Lucien. You are a rather good looking young man from humble origins and built a career for himself on his hard work. You are equivalent to the best husband material for those girls." responded to one of the bureaucrats with a casual voice while walking side by side with Lucien and the others bureaucrats.
"But I am only 19 years old. How can I think about marriage when I didn't even grow as a person."
"Haha, you better don't stick to the Prince picking, or you might wake up, and you are sent to marry some foreigner princess. Hey, it might not seem bad at all. You should do this." responded another bureaucrat making fun of Lucien.
"Ahh, let's get down to work guys, you've seen how much work we have after those guys raided their own cities." called out Lucien as he moved toward the Castle not far from the city.
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In other parts of the kingdom same type of meeting was staged, where the new Governors would be introducing themselves to their public, all of them either were bright youngsters selected by Vlad from the best candidates the Sol University had to offer along with the capable nobles who passed some of his tests to a decent level, earning their titles as Governors.
Yet there was a unique situation inside Valent, where three middle-aged men appeared on a stage speaking to an audience. Still, in the corners of the stage, two men were standing overlooking the three nobles speaking to the audience, that being the Commodore Kirin and Peter the Underground leader of Valent city and one of Vlad's trusted men who was on par with Bolt as importance only that he got trained as a secret spy instead of a career army man like his counterpart.
"Dear people, we know each other after so many years we communicated around. I am Count Almeria Gervais but also Co-Governor of the region along with my two coworkers, Viscount Galler and Baron Olmsted. We have pledged to His Highness that we will lead this prosperous region without abusing our powers, like how the other nobles who suffered after rebelling against The Royal Crown have done.
You can be assured that we will follow the plans of His Highness and we will serve the interest of the citizens, not our own."
After doing their speech for some more, they stepped back from the stage, and as they backed away from the crowd with half-smiles, they talked between one another.
"Aren't we screwed, Count Almeira? We can no longer steal the tax money because of those bureaucrats and spend on parties and exotic goods." called out Viscount Galler with a saddened voice.
"You idiot, shut up. What if someone heard you say that. I had enough nightmares from my meeting with that Devil. Do you want me to lose my head? Be happy that we still have some power inside Valent and that we were smart enough not to rebel like those fools."
"Sure, but we will have to work for that sea dog bastard. How can that even be possible for His Highness to give the title of Governor to an outsider? There's something scummy here behind our backs." said Viscount Galler after hearing Almeria's response.
"Galler, let me remind you something in a friendly manner, same for you Olmsted, better stay with your hands in your own pocket without steering something you can't control. Let's be realistic. The benefits His Highness has given us are decent, with quite big salaries. Also, we weren't doing much building in the region, so let's relax and enjoy the benefits without pissing off that monster."
"I guess you are right, brother. Better live to enjoy the money and privilege of being Co-Governor rather than dying." responded the Viscount, understanding the mess he might stumble upon if he started digging into the deal between Vlad and Kirin.
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Peter walked to Kirin, who was out from the people's gazes, greeted him casually with a handshake, and started talking amicably with him.
"Lord Kirin, you shouldn't be bothered too much by those three clowns since they are like dogs who will even start dancing if you tell them to start dancing."
"Heh, that would be in your world, Peter and if their throats are held by your sword."
"What can I say? I was taught by the best. Anyway, back to actual business, Boss told me that some funds will come in your direction with the bureaucrats instructed not to care about your marine rank. Everyone from the administrative apparatus are people of humble origin who Vlad himself rose from the swamps they were drowned in.
You will find it enjoyable working with those simple, straightforward people, far better than the actual marines or the noble scum."
"Hmm, with such news, you really make me feel weird about the marines and their corrupt system. From what I've seen inside Sol, my visit inside the University, most teachers are rewarding the students based upon their merits, not status or how much money they can show around."
"I don't really care that much about the marines Kirin. As long as they are not a threat to Kaysang, we will cooperate with them to the best of our abilities. We even started the process of cleaning out the pirates of the region so we can build your status, hahaha."
"Fuck, you guys shouldn't stick your faces too much in my marine business." said Kirin starting to rub his temples, from how open and straightforward his business with Vlad was so far.
He told him he would help him build his rank, and he actually wasn't telling him lies, from Peter information, the Royal Navy was sent to scout around Kaysang waters for any possible pirate ship.
"Weren't you guys asking for the pirates to come to Kaysang? Now you are hunting them?"
"Hah, that's the main strategy of the Boss. He is baiting them to come to capture them, only allowing those who haven't committed gruesome crimes to resettle. Rapists, Slavers, Gruesome Killers who committed the killing just for their sick satisfaction who get captured will be sent straight to the gallows with their heads delivered to your own hands."
"So ensuring." commented Kirin sarcastically after hearing Peter mention this before continuing by saying.
"Just don't exaggerate that the upper echelons of the World Government notices this scheme."
"Kirin, this isn't a word of mine, but instead is His Highness, [The thief who isn't caught can't be deemed a thief]. Anyway, out of curiosity, do you have any information on Boss brothers who he sent to become marines?"
"Ohh, good that you mentioned this. Those two kids are doing great. They even have become fledgeling elite marines, passing the elite test and learning from the best inside the Marineford, that would be former Admiral, 'Black Hand' Zephyr
"Wow, can't expect less from the two Princes who have been trained by His Highness himself for all their life."
"Indeed, there's a clear difference between them and simple people. Their sword skills are quite advanced for beginners. I can't wait to meet them again in the future and see how they turn out."
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While Kirin and Peter were holding their talk, inside the Grailline region, a normal-looking merchant ship, not bearing any flag, made its way to the harbour where 5 carriages waited in an orderly manner with people standing at the helm of the carriage.
As they were standing there seeming to wait for something, from the merchant ship a man wearing expensive clothes with some scars on his face and arms exited the ship walking toward one of the carriage man, saying to him with a cold voice.
"Owls meet the Oak Tree at night."
"You got the right person. The transport master ordered it in place, correct? Not even a good miss otherwise all business will be cancelled."
"Don't worry, our Boss has been doing business with Owl since we started the business. *Whistle* Get the boxes, guys. Make sure not even a sound is released."
Soon after he whistled, groups of people carrying wooden boxes sealed, appeared carrying them to the carriages and placing them on their available goods place, and in this order, 8 boxes came about filling all the carriages and with the leading carriage man looking at the state of the boxes, with things seemed silent, he brought a briefcase that the man wearing expensive clothes opened, revealing stacks of 10.000 𝔅, seeming to be about 50.000.000 𝔅.
Quickly closing the briefcase looking vigilantly left and right, he nodded at the carriage man and signalled his men to embark back to the ship, preparing their ship for the journey out of Grailline rather hurriedly, expecting something to happen.
The carriage man didn't suspect anything and took charge of the carriages, leading them to the path toward Darrell's Auction House, but soon after that unidentified ship moved out, a marine ship appeared close to Graillines waters.
The journey back to the Auction House was bound without conflicts thanks to Vlad killing most of the wild beasts that were tamed by Darell, and they were expected by the old man himself to told them with a cold voice.
"Bring them to the checking room, and see that they are fed."
"Boss, those guys seemed to be in a hurry, unlike how they would even allow us to check the goods."
"That's because that Kirin guy actually started to take his role as a Commodore rather seriously, making his men patrol the inner waters of Kaysang. Doesn't matter. I have been dealing with Oak Tree for 20 years. He will not betray my trust over some slaves."
"Let's see how I deal with that kid. Should I ask him for 75.000.000 𝔅 for the trade? Hehehe, business is booming for this old man in his late years." asked Darell, releasing an evil laugh moving toward his mansion, leaving the rest of the job to his men.
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As for the merchant ship who moved out from Grailline Harbor, they journeyed out in the direction of Picodras island to refill their resources for their future journey.
Their ship was looking normal for everyone working on the harbour, with a group of those men from the ship exiting, following the man wearing expensive clothes while leaving the rest stationed on the ship.
The people on the ship seemed to be relaxed, lazing around waiting for their leader, and some Royal Marines were done cleaning one of the ships close to that merchant ship, and out of the ordinary, as they walked closer toward that ship, they heard some noise. Those hits were of someone rather coming from a group that was hitting on the wooden ship planks from the side.
The Royal Marines looked at one another and started whispering to each other, asking about this strange event.
"Brother, do you think the same as me? Those noises are clearly of people struggling, waiting to escape from the ship. Asking for help."
"Yea, I can tell it too. Let's ask for Boss Kavos, Nelson and Jervis' opinion. They are used to such cases."
One of the Royal Marines walked casually, not drawing any attention on him, moving to a building close to the harbor, and as he entered inside, he shouted for Nelson and Jervis, who quickly shouted back, mostly Jervis raising his voice.
"What the fuck do you that you shouted with such a high tone?"
"We got some slavers on our hand."
"You sure? What if they are some merchants?"
"I am dead serious, Boss Jervis. All the signs from that ship makes me believe that this is the case of slavers who captured people."
"Fuck me, finally some action since that Sea War. Let me call the old man, leave out Kavos since he is about to become Governor, haha, poor guy. That old man will for sure be excited to kill those dirty slavers playing with the life of others as if it is wheat."
Saying that, Jervis took his dial snail, calling someone who immediately responded, asking perplexed about what happened.
"Old man, big news, we got slavers on our hands."
"Wait for me. In 2 minutes I will come. Little Jervis, I want all the squad ready, we will take all their heads in a fell swoop."
"That's what I am doing right now, old man, just get your stinking ass to the harbor."
With the appearance of Patrick Cochrane who was wearing casual clothes with some slippers in his feet with a pistol and sword strapped on a belt, with his linen white shirt opened revealing the old man chiseled body. After nodding at Jervis and Nelson who gazed toward the slavers ship in distance, he gave the sign to apprehend the entire ship
"Fuck them up. We will say sorry later if we mess up." called out Jervis who jumped along with Patrick and Nelson first on the ship, taking by surprise those slavers, believing Picodras was a chill place they could refill their resources for their future journey.
"Those bastards! Kill them, they found out about the slaves. Someone get down and kill those fishes."
"Not so fast." said Nelson who cleaved the head of a slaver who was running toward the lower deck of the ship, and following his momentum, he entered the lower deck, starting to kill everyone in his path, taking them by surprise, before he appeared in front of a sealed room where the crying of children and young people was happening.
"Please don't kill us!"
"Mama, I want home. I hate being away from home."
"Whuaa, I am sorry for not listening to you mom."
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Nelson, when hearing all those crying young people inside the sealed room, looked at the slavers who appeared on the lower deck, charging at him with murderous intent.
"Slaver scum. You don't even deserve to live for what you have done."
"Fuck you, hypocrite bastard! This is a legit business, dealing with lesser species."
Then from behind that man, an angry voice came about saying.
"Lesser is your whore of mom who gave birth to you, fucking scum."
Then with a sword slash behind his back his head was detached from his body, and the two Royal Navy Captains teamed up into butchering all those slavers who had no place to hide.
*Spit* "Scum of the earth. Now I understand why His Highness despises those people. So, Nelson, what kind of people do we have on our hand?"
"Let's wait for the old man to finish off the remaining bastards."
"Right, where is that old bum, when I left to give you a hand we killed off those fools on the main deck."
"Maybe he went for the leader of those slavers."
"Most likely."
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Inside Picodras, Patrick was walking toward the mercantile side of the city looked at the young marine who signalled the appearance of the slavers, and he asked if he saw the leader.
"Yea, gramps, that guy with expensive looking clothes and the ones surrounding him came from the ship."
"Atta boy. Who knows, you might get promoted after I find their money."
"Thanks, gramps."
Patrick released an evil smile, and as he walked toward those slavers, the pressure around him got heavier, so much that even those slavers took notice looking at Patrick, who walked toward them, and with these signs, the slaver leader took his firearm warning the old man.
"Kehehehe, you are threatening me? Such a retard. Nevertheless, I'll rather have you alive for my Prince. He likes information."
Then Patrick, who took his sword and pistol, dashed with a speed that shouldn't belong to an old man, while the slaver leader started firing his shots at Patrick who dodged them miraculously from the perspective of the young Royal Marine, and the citizens who retreated behind their counters to watch Patrick.
After some resistance where Patrick dodged those bullets shot at him, he appeared closer to the slavers' entourage where he slashed their throats and also pulled the trigger into blasting the remaining heads, only leaving the leader who he captured after sending him in a hell of pain.
"Kill me. You will not find anything from me."
"That's not for you to decide. Son, come here and bind this trash." said Patrick while calling the young Royal Marine who quickly sprinted, taking from his pocket a long rope that he used to bind the slaver.
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[A/N: Well the story will progress slightly slower (update wise since I found I can't split up myself to write two stories simultaneously and keep up with a specific update schedule, it is simply too much for me when I have to take into account the quality and amount of words each chapter of mine holds.
This doesn't mean, the story is Hiatus, I might post 1-3 chapters around when I want to take a small break from writing on my second story.]
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[Until, then, if you are curious about my second story, check it out.]
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