Chapter 1269 Unpaid Taxes

Chapter 1269 Unpaid Taxes

Raheem is almost in his thirties, but he has never shown interest in anything other than tactics, geography, psychology, and economy. These four were his companions and mistresses for his entire life.
For that reason, he was unable to hold his composure when faced with the woman with silver hair, tanned skin, and a body that screamed seduction.
"Is he alright?" asked the Siren Pirate while pointing her slender finger at him. "He looks like a tomato."
"He is just weak," answered the other seductive woman, Princess Sapphire. She understood his predicament and enjoyed seeing him this flustered. "Don't drive him insane, Rain."
"I didn't do anything," answered Rain with an innocent look, shrugging as she leaned back on the railing. This highlighted her perky figure, making Raheem look away in a hurry.
Princess Sapphire laughed, making the boat a little unstable. She stabilized it using her force, which propelled them farther away from Hikma.
Raheem lamented his fate of being stuck with these two women on a mission that would either end his life or the lives of everyone in Sourna. He still failed to understand what made the Wisemen pick him.
The Netherborne Clan remained in hiding for the past one hundred years. It was a strict law, punishable by death, for anyone who tried to enter the uncharted lands because of them.
Their existence remained a known secret among the people of Sourna, but no one dared to spread the word about them for two reasons:
- The clan threatened them against it.
- The people feared some idiot would try to seek them.
Raheem realized that he was that idiot, the first in a century, to seek out the clan. He would either start the next Dividing War, which once split Sourna in half, or get himself killed.
"How can you be this unafraid?" asked Raheem while looking at the night sky and its infinite dangers. "We are going into the uncharted lands, which no one came back from. How can you be sitting here chatting like we're on a picnic?"
"Does fear make the danger any less dangerous?" answered Rain with a smile. "I have met worse fates than death before and survived. It does not scare me. You know what scares me?"
"What?" asked Raheem as he turned to look into her alluring eyes that tempted him.
"My life being controlled by three old men who know nothing but to hide in their castles," spat Rain as she looked at him in pity. "You are already living my worst nightmares."
Raheem felt offended, and he was ready to speak out against her. However, he realized that the princess did not refute her words, only smiling in response.
The Wisemen were servants of the Royal Family, but they have gained more power than the kingdom could fight against. This caused a constant deterioration between the two factions.
"The Wisemen keep Sourna safe, regardless of their means and methods," defended Raheem with a frown, still hugging his bag for protection. "I have nothing but gratitude to them."
"Aha," acknowledged Rain before she too looked away. The boat sailed through the sky in silence, only interrupted by the occasional cries of flying monsters.
Dawn broke through the horizon and illuminated the vast desert of Sourna. The boat sailed over countless cities and towns, some of which Raheem captured himself.
His job for the Wisemen was simple: those who refused to pay their taxes had to be subjected and forced to pay their dues. He knew it was a cruel job, but he believed that it kept Sourna afloat in current times.
Their boat headed directly toward the uncharted lands. On the way, Raheem realized that they were passing the battlefield where he suffered a loss yesterday.
Nothing could be found from his army or the enemy's forces, as if everything had been wiped clean. The town was still there, unscathed by his pathetic attempt to subdue it.
"Is that where you were injured?" asked Rain from behind him, and Raheem turned to find her standing too close to him. He backed away, almost squealing, as he unknowingly glanced at her cleavage.
"What? No!"
"Don't act so scared. I'm not going to devour you, and even if I did, you would feel good," said Rain, the most outrageous thing, with a grin, making Raheem genuinely shiver.
Because he was tempted.
"A battle occurred here yesterday," the Princess interjected with a frown. "A great amount of force has been used, but that's not all."
"Not all?" asked Raheem with a gulp.
"There is a lingering presence, a powerful one," muttered Princess Sapphire as she stopped the boat and looked down as well. "Can it be Valeria Storm?"
"Valeria can control the weather, so it's possible."
"No, there was no such thing yester…" began Raheem but closed his mouth shut. At the same time, Rain and the princess turned toward him, a knowing grin on their faces.
'How could I be so stupid?' thought Raheem inwardly as he tried to act cool. He just revealed that he was indeed here yesterday, carried away by their conversation.
Raheem was a seasoned strategist who would never reveal information even when tortured. However, Rain and her aura made him flustered, making him reveal things that could incriminate him.
"I guess this town has something we need to uncover," said Rain with a grin as she looked down. "Take us down, Sapphire."
Raheem felt his stomach turn as the sailboat dived into the sand. It was a bumpy landing, but they had to hide behind a dune before entering the town.
"This is a bad idea," advised Raheem to the two women as he watched them jump into the scorching sand. "The people of this town have refused to pay their taxes. They are outlaws."
"Does that make them cold-hearted killers?" asked Sapphire as she used her force to anchor the boat to the sand. "We are just taking a look."
Raheem could not refute his princess and followed reluctantly into the town. The sand blew in their faces as they walked under the shabby gate.
The three were walking while looking around. The sand houses of the town seemed deserted, but they could hear people living inside while hiding from the sun. The unforgiving heat made them drenched with sweat.
As they were walking, the group began hearing a soft melody echoing through the street. They turned a corner and found an old man playing the lute in his courtyard, surrounded by children hiding in the shade.
The old man played them music, told them stories, and entertained the children who acted the stories out. His face was withered, his hair sparse, and his skin hardened by the harsh sun.
"How can I help you, dear guests?" asked the old man as he noticed Rain and the rest. "I'm afraid we don't have food or water to offer."
"There is no need for either," said Sapphire with a smile. "What are you doing here?"
"We are telling stories," the old man said as he looked at the children with a smile. "In times such as these, tales keep us alive."
"Abiding by the law keeps you alive," interrupted Raheem with a frown, his guilt turning into accusation. "If you have paid your taxes, the kingdom wouldn't have forsaken you."
"Are you, by chance, here to collect the taxes?" asked the old man after a short pause. The children looked afraid, backing away from Raheem warily.
Rain and Sapphire took a softer approach, crouching beside the children and talking to them. As for Raheem, he stood face to face with the old man.
"No, that's not our job. But someone else will come, and you better have your taxes ready."
"We do not refuse to pay them, but we have nothing left. We used to sell our herbs before this drought began, which allowed us to pay our taxes and live."
"And you handle that by feeding these children fairy tales?" asked Raheem with a frown.
The old man rose slowly, his eyes locking with Raheem's. "Fairy tales are the soul of this town. They give hope when there's none to be found. Yesterday, we faced your forces, and today, we face starvation. Yet, we hold onto our stories because they remind us that we are more than just rebels or outlaws. We are human beings with dreams and fears."
Raheem opened his mouth to argue, but the words died in his throat. He glanced at Rain and Sapphire, who were listening intently. Sapphire's expression was unreadable, but Rain's eyes held a rare softness.
"Have you ever seen a child cry out of hunger?" the old man continued. "Have you watched your loved ones perish because they cannot afford the taxes imposed on them? We are not your enemies, sir. We are just trying to survive."
Raheem felt a pang of guilt. He had always believed in the righteousness of his cause, but now, standing in this humble courtyard, he saw the human cost of his actions.