"When we grow up, we can naturally learn to transform into mermaids. What's the problem?" a child asked.
"Of course there is." Poirot sighed and explained patiently: "The living environment of the mermaid is restricted. It is almost impossible to leave the Aurora Sea for a long time. But it is different when solidified into a human."
"Although they will lose their affinity for water, all other attributes are stronger than other races of the same level. They can completely leave this star field and go to study, live and work in other parts of the empire."
These are things that children have never thought about. Homar blinked and asked quietly: "You mean, we can choose?"
"Yes." Poirot nodded seriously: "The empire has long promulgated a special decree for the mermaid tribe, and has given various preferential treatment to those who have solidified into human form and are willing to study abroad."
"But we've never heard of it." Several boys replied in unison.
Poirot glanced at Roy, who looked thoughtful and said nothing.
Homar thought for a while and broke the silence: "Actually, the outside world is too far away from us. My biggest dream in this life is to rise to the fifth level and take my family to settle in Haixin City - I heard The houses there are all colorful and there are all kinds of games and toys.”
Poirot laughed, and his big eyes were crooked, making people feel good about him unconsciously.
"How old are you? There will be countless possibilities in the future. Maybe you can try to make your dreams bigger and farther."
The first ray of morning sun on the horizon shone down, and the once noisy sea surface became as clear as a piece of glass.
The old clan leader decided to hold a banquet to celebrate the successful end of the once-in-a-hundred-year purple moon, and also to thank the Shu Lang trio for saving the clan.
All the people walked out of the stone castle. The adults were preparing to go hunting at sea and prepare ingredients for the banquet, while the children rushed to the beach happily to pick up gifts from the tide.
However, at this moment, a group of uninvited guests came to the island.
The leader was a middle-aged man with a big belly, followed by three or four personal followers and a dozen heavily armed guards.
Roy noticed that the words Heiwei Maritime Police Department were painted on the hovercraft they were riding on.
The old clan leader hurriedly led people out to greet them. He obviously recognized the middle-aged man:
"I don't know that Lord Hess is coming here, and I am sorry for not being able to welcome him from afar. Please forgive me." He bowed deeply, his attitude was extremely humble.
"It doesn't matter whether you welcome us or not." Hess yawned: "It's just that the half-year period has passed. It's time for your Black Rock Island sea-related taxes to be handed over, right?"
As soon as he finished speaking, a personal attendant stood up, opened an electronic light screen, and read the content on it loudly:
"The use of the island is 50,000 Austrian coins; the sea area use fee is 25,000 Austrian coins, the fine for illegal construction at sea is 10,000 Austrian coins, the marine life fishing tax is 8,000 Austrian coins, and the public fee for the black sea area is 7,000 meters. The total amount of Austrian coins in the first half of the year was 113,000 Austrian coins.”
"Old rules, you can transfer money, or you can use Aurora Beads to redeem it."
"Here" the old man's face turned earth-colored and he said with a frown: "Sir, you also know that just after the Heavy Purple Moon, the island suffered heavy losses, and also lost several young and strong mermaids. So, can this tax be extended for a few days?"
"Haha." Hess sneered: "You are also a very old man. You should know that this kind of gap cannot be opened, otherwise we will not be able to manage the five mermaid lineages and hundreds of islands in the Black Sea!"
"It is the obligation of every citizen of the empire to pay taxes and fees in accordance with the law. I don't think you want to give it a try to resist the punishment of tax resistance and tax evasion, right?"
Poirot was furious when he heard this. He shook off Roy's hand and stepped forward:
"You are talking nonsense! Since the Aurora Sea was incorporated into the empire a hundred years ago, His Majesty has reduced all exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes - the mermaids live on the island and catch marine life for family consumption without paying a penny! "
Although his voice was still childish, it was clear and loud, attracting everyone's attention, including Hess and his men.
"Where did this kid come from, making such nonsense in public?" Hess's eyes flickered to Poirot, and he checked his identity through his personal system.
"He is a guest passing through the island." The old man explained: "He is still a child and he just said the wrong thing at the moment. You don't need to be familiar with him, adults."
At this time, the system has fed back the identity information of Poirot and his party.
A dark smile appeared on the corner of Hess's lips:
"Poirot. He comes from Baiji Island in the Baiqi Sea. He is also accompanied by your uncle Shu Lang and your brother Roy."
"It's us. I also know your identity. Lord Hess, the domain lord of the Black Sea Territory, is really powerful!" Poirot stepped forward without fear.
When Hess heard this, the smile on his face deepened: "Young man, your adults have obviously not taught you how to talk to superiors."
He raised his head, looked around the crowd, and landed on Shu Lang: "Do you know your guilt for leaving the Baiqi Sea without permission?"
As soon as these words came out, everyone present was stunned.
The mermaids on Black Rock Island never expected that Shu Lang’s uncle and nephew’s trip did not go through approval and was entirely a personal act!
You must know that the regulations governing the divided sea areas and prohibiting the free movement of mermaids have been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people in the past two decades - anyone who tries to resist has paid a high price.
The Aurora Sea's interstellar network is very expensive, but the live broadcasts of various punishments are free to the public, and residents over the age of six are required to watch, so even Homar realized that something was wrong.
Shu Lang and others were thinking of something else. How dare a small Aurora Sea restrict the free movement of citizens within the star? How could such an unbelievable thing happen in the Mio Empire, a seventh-level civilization?
So when the guards came to arrest them, the three of them were very surprised.
"I admit that I did forget to apply when I came out. But I have reached the fifth level and meet the conditions to enter Haixin City, so there is no need for you to detain us, right?" Shu Lang explained after being pushed out.
"Detention? Are you kidding?" A follower behind Hess jumped out and corrected him sternly: "You are committing a capital crime, don't take any chances!"
capital offense? Shu Lang and the other three looked at each other, shocked by such a harsh sentencing.
Roy nodded invisibly, and Shu Lang closed his mouth knowingly, showing an expression of resignation.
Hess glanced at him contemptuously and raised his chin: "You are only at the fifth level, how dare you ignore the laws of the empire? Since you plead guilty, there is nothing more to say. Send them to Haixin City to await trial. .”
Seeing the strong men who dared to go into the sea to save people under the heavy purple moon to be put into the hovercar without any resistance was also a warning to the mermaid tribe on Black Rock Island.
The old man sighed, collected 80% of the tax, and begged the other party for three more days of grace, before sending Hess and his party away.
As soon as they left, the tears that Homar had been holding back for a long time fell.
"Father, do you think my benefactor and Roypolo will both be executed?"
"Homar." Holt's heart was extremely sad: "Remember their names, this is the only thing we can do for them." (End of Chapter)
