Chapter 398: A Pirate Visitor? (2/2)
”They were cooperative after we gained the support of their deity. However, the food we provide them with is quite lacking compared to the one you made, and it's putting a toll on the cooks,” Rosa continued.
”I'll hire more people from the neighboring city,” Ma proposed, adjusting his tie. ”I have a few friends working in famous restaurants.”
”Build a giant cookhouse for the whole camp. This is one of the most important things. Make it a priority. Hire a few hunters and butchers as well. We can't treat our people cheaply,” his words made Courage smile. ”Did I have any visitors?”
Arthur remembered that she should arrive by now. If she did not, then that means she simply bailed out. Courage seemed a bit surprised but still took out a form to show him.
”There was a captain of a ship who passed by in the river and sent one a crew member relay a message: they wish to meet you. But since we don't have a harbor, they docked their ship in the next city, waiting for our response.”
”I see,” Arthur smiled lightly. ”That means we got a captain for our trade, a capable one too.”
”Do you know them?” Rosa asked with a hint of unease. ”I heard that they were... pirates. They had a black flag too, so there is no mistaking them. I don't think it's wise to hire such people.”
”You discriminate, Rosa,” Arthur shook his head. ”Not all pirates are the same, and not everyone is bad,” he could feel Courage raising a brow at his word, as that was quite different from before, where he trusted no one and fought with everyone.
”I... understand,” Rosa nodded. ”I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.” Arthur was amused by her response, as she was usually headstrong for things like principles and goodness.
”Big bear,”
”Yes, My Lord,”
”Uh,” Arthur was surprised by the way he addressed him and glanced at Courage. Before, Big Bear would only address the Titled Knight. ”Have you cleared all monsters from within our borders?”
”Not yet, My Lord. The process is getting delayed because of the huge expanse of land our city occupies. That's why we are having a difficult time locating the monsters.”
”I'll provide you with artifacts that navigate you toward the monsters,” Arthur nodded. ”I'll also provide aid myself; we need to establish security within our borders as fast as possible. After that comes land allocation.”
”My Lord, our treasury is getting emptied by the second. New shipments arrive every day to complete the construction of the city. Rumi is ordering every minute as we speak, and the gold is dwindling,” Gruen said with worry. ”We can either impose taxes or start selling right away.”
”We are not offering anything at the moment to impose taxes,” Arthur shook his head. He didn't know what the right thing was, but he didn't like the idea of putting these people through hardships simply for existing. ”Of course, we'll impose taxes once we establish the routes and the auction house.”
There will be a sales tax on every transaction going in his city. He would provide people with a place to work, the infrastructures, and the housing in return for a percentage of their sales.
This was the concept of Hidden City, a trading hub of the kingdom. Once he establishes trade routes over land and water, the place will have more visitors and sales.
Arthur dismissed everyone after that, allowing them to tend to the finer details. He had Ma arrange a meeting with the neighboring city as soon as possible, as he also wanted to meet the Greatest-Pirate-to-be.
After they left, Arthur retired to his room, where he found a girl and a spirit waiting for him. The window was frozen and forcibly opened, and he sighed as he walked over to close it.
”You could have been a bit gentler with my house,”
”It's your fault for not expecting my arrival,” Dia smiled as she clapped her hand against Rega's roots, playing some sort of game. ”This spirit freaked out a few citizens of your city, so you'll have to address the matter before something thinks this place is haunted.”
”Ha,” Arthur sighed as he sat beside them, leaning back. He wanted to grab a cup of water on the stand, but he realized that it was on his left and armless side. Without saying anything, Dia stood up to pour some water for him.