"Any objections?"
A huge golden figure suddenly appeared before them.
"This—"
"This—"
"This—"
They stared at the huge figure before them, Emperor's Sword in hand and radiating the Emperor's light.
It left them utterly bewildered.
Why was the Emperor's radiance shining upon the very man they had come to tax?
And...
Where had he stolen Emperor's Sword from?
They had never felt such overwhelming pressure, not even from the Emperor's champions.
This had to be the Emperor's incarnation descended into the world.
After hesitating for a moment.
This...
Wasn't right, was it?
But how could they resist in a situation like this?
Resisting him would mean opposing the Emperor, wouldn't it?
Yet exercising their right to collect taxes was also their solemn duty.
That seemed contradictory.
Caught between two impossible choices, they could only follow the nearest principle. One person slowly knelt. Once the others saw someone kneel, they promptly followed suit, kneeling before the huge golden figure and declaring their loyalty to the Emperor.
"Governor."
"Where is our flagship?"
"The Emperor has sent it on another mission."
"But it is only a tax-collection vessel. It isn't suited for that."
"Are you questioning the Emperor?"
"..."
"..."
"..."
What a charge to pin on someone.
"And you have been requisitioned as well."
"..."
They were numb.
They had spent their whole lives collecting taxes.
Yet one day, they themselves had been requisitioned.
And...
They had no way to argue, because this might have been the Emperor personally conscripting them.
"We are willing to give everything for the Emperor."
"For the Emperor."
Meanwhile, the other ship...
Had indeed been conscripted, just as Cisrain had said.
It had simply been requisitioned in a different manner.
After all, they truly needed an Imperial ship like this—especially one with a large number of operators