Marika is the cook, and the food she prepares is of course the most delicious, and absolutely indispensable.
Plus a thousand new pirates joined, although only half of the Death Star crew, but the current Death Star is not like before, with the power instrument's existence, it just takes a minimum of three hundred people to operate the ship.
Of course, they must be three hundred experienced sailors.
Two hours later, a white volcanic crater appeared in front of the Death Star, and the violent storm stopped at this moment, revealing the sunset.
For the Death Star, the distance that ordinary ships take twenty-four hours to reach, it can depart in the morning and arrive by dusk.
"Volcano... is it white snow?"
Lily stepped out of the banquet hall, stood on the deck, stretched out her hand, letting the snowflakes falling from the sky land in her palm. She looked up and said, "Winter? No... an autumn-winter mixed island climate, no wonder it's fertile ground."
Besides volcanic ash, this snow can also enrich the land.
Indeed, it's an island with high grain yield.
"Full speed ahead."
Lily instructed her subordinates emerging from the cabin: "Sage wants to have dinner there tonight, don't be late."
"Yes! Lord Lily!"
The subordinates took their positions, raised sails, pulled ropes, steered the helm, and sped towards the already visible island.
Such a small island doesn't require Sage's intervention; she can handle it alone.
The Death Star quickly docked at the landing point, and a group of pirates swiftly jumped off and rushed directly towards the nearby town.
Around that town lies golden wheat fields, glimmering under the sunset, swaying with the wind like golden waves.
Some peasants were bending over, harvesting wheat, then they saw dust rising in front of them, a group of pirates roaring as they rushed towards this side.
"P-p-pirates?!"
A middle-aged man loosened his grip, the sickle falling to the ground, exclaimed in shock, instinctively wanting to run back, but due to intense fear, he stumbled and fell to the ground, could only watch in despair as pirates rapidly approached.
Then... rushed right past him.
The pirates didn't even bother with these people, after storming the town, they headed straight for the largest manor at the town center.
Even though they were newcomers, there were pirates who knew the rules, like Barnaby who had surrendered earlier.
He understood Sage's rules; most pirates learned by example, and Barnaby was long acquainted with the new members, teaching them Sage's rules.
There's no choice - they must remember them - in Augustine Castle, there were those who tried to bully peasants, but as soon as they acted, they were hanged by Gin's men within two hours, and their bodies still hang in the central square now.
Those who disobey the captain's orders will naturally be punished.
Luckily it was Gin, the General Commander; if it were that black-eyed rascal, it would be even scarier.
There are still some bodies at the city gate with their skin peeled, ribcage flipped from the back, resembling bloody wings as they kneel there.
Rumor has it they call it the Blood Eagle Torture, an old tradition from many years ago; pirates today don't necessarily remember, nobody knows how they dug it up, but the effect is clear - it instills fear.
BANG!
As the first group of pirates entered the manor, a muffled sound immediately echoed within, and a dozen pirates were blown away, falling in front of the following pirates.
"Pirates! And... Andre!"
A rotund man wearing fur stepped out, at first glance spotting Andre in the crowd, "How dare you betray me, and bring pirates, you despicable guy!"
"It's your fault!"
Andre initially feared, but seeing so many people beside him, he stiffened his neck and said:
"What you did was wrong, utterly wrong! For so many years, what have you done? I've made so much money for you; there's so much food here, but what happened, Jenny starved to death because of you!"
"Her parents fell ill, and you refused treatment; even the little girl starved to death, when you clearly had so much grain, so much money! I advised you, but you ignored me! We all work for you, yet you care not one bit; so we'll choose a new master!"
Having plenty of food, does it mean you can eat your fill?
This guy, would rather let food mold and dump it into the ocean than offer us a bite!
Even though we couldn't afford to buy it!
But the money he gave, once any accidents happened, we just fell into hardship, unable to afford a meal.
That's what happened three years ago, and since then, Andre developed serious fear of insufficient money.
He doesn't want such a thing happening to him.
"Seems I was too lenient with you..."
The town leader's body began swelling at this moment, "You think bringing a few pirates can defeat me? I am the strongest here, have you forgotten... how I punish those who protest!"
The swelling body turned bluish gray at this moment, from him, two layers of turtle shell-like bulges appeared, originally two meters tall, now surged to around five meters.
Like a... tortoise?
"I ate the Turtle Turtle Fruit · Ancient · Original Crocodile Turtle..."
Slit!
He hadn't finished speaking, a black light sliced through the air like a thunderbolt, carving a deep trench in his chest, blood sprayed like a fountain, he staggered wanting to turn around, but at this moment his pupils rolled, he fell to the ground.
"Ability User?"
Lily flicked the temporary curved sword, flung off the blood from the blade, glanced briefly, then turned to say: "Sage, should we keep him?"
People parted easily, as a black-bottomed, red-tipped cloak swayed, Sage walked over with Renedia and Marika.
"Original Crocodile Turtle?"
Sage glanced at the town leader who hadn't managed to revert to human form, paused, "Why do I see it looks like a turtle... Ancient? Really? Well, let's keep him, at least he's an ability user, see who might need him later."
Saying this, he turned around, laughing loudly at the terrified gathering of peasants at the town gate:
"From now on, this place is under my 'Scourge' management! This will be my territory; you will only need to swear allegiance to me alone, not some town leaders or nobles; everything belongs to me! Hohohoho!"
Lily gazed at Sage, radiating absolute confidence, her eyes showing a gentle light.
At least Sage's rule is not oppressive.
During this period, those she killed personally, and others reported, counted and compiled, those nobles big and small, totaled about ten thousand.
After these people were gone, Gares Kingdom's people's transformation was noticeable.
Because besides fairness, Sage had a key characteristic.
Two million oppressed by ten thousand nobles, living in hardship, an average of two hundred supporting one.
But only oppressed by one... that's entirely sustainable.
Sage wouldn't share the ruling power with others; except for receiving unearned wealth, everyone else has to work.
Under such circumstances, as the territory expanded, the pressure to support Sage... no, there was no pressure at all.
Currently there's no pressure, and in the future, it will be even better.