Lick, lick. Night's tongue was like a wet alarm clock on Aqua's face.
"Master, rise and shine! It's chaos in the village!" Night exclaimed, nudging Aqua awake.
Rubbing his eyes, Aqua groggily asked, "What's all the ruckus about, Night?"
Aqua, puzzled by the commotion, echoed through the marketplace, Night I think we should hurry I can hear the commotion. aqua left the house and ran toward the market.
A man, as round as he was richly dressed, commanded from his makeshift throne, "Pay the taxes!"
Aqua weaved through the crowd, spotting Tien and Sherry.
"Oi, Tien! What's the big idea here?" Aqua called out as he dashed closer.
Tien, with a finger to his lips, cautioned, "Easy there, Aqua. Let's not turn heads. Keep it down, will ya?"
Gasping for air, Aqua inquired, "What's the turmoil?"
"The tax collector has arrived, demanding dues from all. But Mr. Oikawa, the landless laborer, hasn't the coin to settle his tax," Tien explained.
The tax collector, with a sneer, addressed Oikawa, "You pitiful man, how do you propose to fulfill your tax obligation?"
Oikawa, prostrate and tearful, clutched at the tax collector's feet, "I beg mercy from you, my lord, grant me some time this once. I'm merely a laborer without land, striving to provide for my family."
"Is this an act of rebellion against the king's mandate?" the tax collector barked.
"By no means, my lord. I am but a humble man begging for your compassion. Grant us time, and we shall labor with all our might to pay what is due," Oikawa pleaded with desperation.
At that moment, a woman burst through the crowd, falling at the tax collector's feet. "Mercy, my lord, for my husband," she cried, revealing herself as Oikawa's wife.
"Why have you come?" Oikawa's voice shook as he addressed his wife.
"Don't worry, Papa, we'll ask the gentleman to let you go," a young girl, balancing a toddler on her hip, called out bravely.
"We're here together, love. We'll plead with the lord for leniency," Oikawa's wife assured him, her voice heavy with tears.
The tax collector chuckled at the scene. "What a splendid family drama," he jeered. "How much is their debt?"
"Exactly one gold coin, my lord," the assistant confirmed, eyes on his ledger.
"One gold coin? I'll grant you a reprieve—for now. But if you fail, I'll claim this lady with the blue seal," the tax collector declared, his laughter echoing with malice.
"My lord, why target her? She's marked with the blue seal," Oikawa implored, his hands clasped in a desperate plea.
The tax collector's smirk widened, "It's simple. My leniency comes at a price. Now, you owe five gold coins. Fail to pay, and the woman with the blue seal will be mine."
Aqua's face turned a shade of thunderous fury, his eyes blazing with the desire to challenge the injustice. Tien, sensing the brewing storm, grasped Aqua's hand firmly, "Please, hold back. If you strike now, we'll face the wrath of an entire army."
"It's a grave injustice," Aqua muttered, his voice laced with anger.
"I understand, but we must protect our village from destruction. Confrontation is not the answer," Tien implored with urgency.
With a final, scornful laugh, the tax collector announced, "I'll be back in a month. Pay up, or your dearest will pay the price." He then retreated to his opulent carriage and was whisked away, leaving a trail of dust and simmering resentment behind.
Oikawa lay on the ground, his tears mingling with the dust, while the villagers' faces were etched with sorrow and despair from the subedar's cruelty.
"Must we endure this oppression forever? Will the royals continue to exploit us? Oh, divine powers, if you exist, come to our aid!" the crowd's pleas rose to the heavens, a chorus of the weary and wronged.
"What are we to do if we can't pay the tax? That tyrant will snatch away our loved ones!" another villager lamented amidst sobs.
A woman in her thirties, unlike the rest, stood with a defiant spark in her eyes. "This will not be our fate," she declared.
"Chief Maria," Tien acknowledged her presence.
Aqua, curious, inquired, "And who might she be?"
"She's the chief, chosen by us villagers. A woman of integrity and humility, tirelessly working for our welfare. Her husband fell to the royal guards for defying the crown, and now she lives with her daughter, who serves the royal family," Tien recounted.
"And what service does she provide to the royals?" Aqua probed further.
"Ah, Miss Violet. She's employed at the royal court for her exceptional talents. It's rare for a commoner to even step foot in the palace, but the king himself appointed her for her magical abilities and strategic acumen," Tien explained.
Aqua pondered, "Her husband was killed by the royals, yet her daughter serves them? That's quite peculiar."
Maria addressed the villagers, her voice steady and reassuring, "Fear not. Together, we can gather the funds and pay the subedar. United, we can avert this calamity."
"Please, Chief, save us," Mrs. Milli implored, clutching at Maria's feet.
"Stand up, Mrs. Milli. Together, we'll find a way," Maria comforted her, helping her to her feet.
Another woman from the crowd spoke up, her voice carrying a note of hope, "If we all pitch in, we can overcome this crisis."
The crowd echoed in agreement, "Yes, Oikawa, you're not alone. We stand with you." the enviornment suddenly changed a ray of hope emerged for the villagers.
Aqua stepped forward, "Excuse me, Chief."
Maria, taken aback, asked, "Who are you? You're a stranger to this village."
"I am Aqua, from the forest," he replied.
The crowd gasped in disbelief, "The forest? But it's teeming with monsters!"
Maria was skeptical, "Are you jesting? No one survives the forest."
Aqua shared his story, "I lived there with my grandfather, but after his passing, I left in search of others."
Maria eyed him dubiously, "And you expect me to believe that tale, young man?"
Just then, Tien and Sherry emerged from the crowd, "Chief, please hear him out. Aqua saved us!"
They recounted how Aqua had bravely rescued Tien from a wolf.
Maria was shocked, "He has a beast with him?"
The villagers began to protest, "Banish him! He doesn't belong here!"
Amidst the uproar, Night, Aqua's companion, let out a low, menacing growl.