Where There's Money, There's a Crowd - 2
The waters off Tianzhou were suddenly swarming with merchants all hunting for Ppiae, packed as tightly as the seas before the New World overflowing with pirates chasing after One Piece. Who needs some far-off new world? If you set sail with dreams and ambitions, this was it.
"I never imagined it would even dive underwater."
"They're never gonna catch Ppiae like that anyway. Must be exhausting, though."
Ak I-yeon and I stood there, faces kissed by the sea breeze, taking in the beautiful, bustling spectacle. Truth be told, we weren't the only ones admiring the so-called New World. With merchants abruptly abandoning their stalls to take to the boats, the locals and some of the vendors were crowding the docks just to watch. Anyone would think the navy's out on maneuvers.
"What is all this commotion!"
Even the officials who'd rushed over after spotting the disturbance joined the fray, turning the docks into a seething mass of humanity without a single inch to spare.
Ppiae's launched glob shot skyward in a high arc.
Time to wrap this up.
The situation had escalated to drawing local officials; leaving the crowd unchecked could lead to accidents. For safety's sake, it was time to disperse them.
"You there."
I called out to who appeared to be the lead official among those just arriving at the docks. Sure, flashing my authority would work fine, but local matters were best left to local officials. No matter my higher rank, disregarding their position wasn't the way.
"Who dares—!"
The official whipped around, eyebrows shooting up at the sudden informal address, only to spot the official badge in my hand and instantly switch to deference. "Greetings to the Left Deputy Censor-in-Chief!"
Quick on the uptake—impressive. Officials didn't take casual speech from civilians, but from an inspector? That was par for the course.
"Perfect timing. With this many people crowding the docks, someone could fall into the sea or get trampled in the crush. Disperse the crowd."
"Of course, sir! We'll handle it right away!"
"Then issue docking orders to those merchants milling about out there. No issues now, but they could collide at any moment."
"Yes, sir!"
The official nodded with the vigor of a captain before his colonel and sprang into action.
"Disperse! Everyone, clear out!"
"Docks are now under restricted access! You're free to conduct business, but stay back from the water!"
Despite the abrupt controls, the locals complied without fuss. They'd only gathered out of curiosity at the crowd, not because they had business at the docks. Only the merchants who'd already charged out to sea knew about Ppiae, along with a handful who'd hung back fearing official wrath.
"Is it really okay to force them to disperse like this?"
Ak I-yeon whispered cautiously in my ear as she watched. A necessary safety measure, sure, but officials wielding authority to compel the people might strike a novice bureaucrat like her as potential overreach.
"This much is fine. It's preventive, before any accidents happen, and we're not using force."
I patted her back reassuringly. This was legitimate exercise of public authority, not abuse. What did the government exist for, anyway? The peace of the realm and the well-being of its people.
Anyone could see the crowd risked injury; ignoring that would be shirking duty.
"Still, if officials raise their voices, the people might get scared..."
"That's why trust matters. They shout for the people's sake, and if folks comply, it ends with just raised voices."
"...So, they need faith that the government won't harm them?"
"Exactly."
Ak I-yeon's quick grasp brought a smile to my face. Trust was essential between officials and the people. Crush them with raw authority, and rebellion brews; let the people distrust the state, and chaos follows. Mutual faith and care—that's the path to happiness for all.
Ak I-yeon, as a bureaucrat and royal kin, needed to learn this. Murim scum excepted, of course—they'd already betrayed trust first, so a firmer hand was warranted.
"Sir!"
As I gave the rookie bureaucrat her on-site lesson, the official who'd been carrying out my orders hurried back.
"All dockside civilians have been dispersed! Docking orders are en route to the merchants at sea!"
Glancing seaward, I spotted a vessel speeding toward the merchants' New World.
"Perfect. Good work."
"Not at all, sir! If anything, I'm ashamed we didn't anticipate the crowd buildup!"
The official bowed repeatedly, almost embarrassingly so. The port and docks normally maintained decent order despite the bustle. Ppiae's escapade was the culprit here.
The official led the merchants back inland upon docking. He offered to escort me too, but I said I'd visit later on my own time, and he accepted. No doubt all of Tianzhou was in an uproar the moment he returned. A Left Deputy Censor-in-Chief casually saying 'I'll drop by whenever'—what locale stays calm after that?
"...All gone?"
"Yes. No one's left."
Thanks to them, the docks fell quiet well before sunset. Taking the cue, I crept to the water's edge.
"Ppiae. You there?"
- Ppiae.
Crouching and whispering brought Ppiae popping up like it'd been waiting. Impressive—it had gauged the situation from underwater and held position.
"Good job. Stick with me from now on."
I scooped up Ppiae, who'd gone rogue with an unplanned game of submarine hide-and-seek. Apart from me, it got mistaken for a wild specimen; with me, it'd clearly be an official's pet.
I could've grabbed it right away when the merchants first spotted it, but I lacked confidence in calming their gold-turtle frenzy. Merchants sometimes prioritize greed over authority.
"...What's that on its shell, though?"
- Ppiae?
Now I noticed an octopus clinging to Ppiae's back. How deep had it scuttled to pick up an octopus sidekick? Fortunately, just a regular one—no spirit beast—so I released it back to the sea.
After reuniting with Ppiae, we headed to the inn the Inspector Escort had secured. Good thing Gaga had insisted on some alone time and sent the inspector and kids ahead—otherwise, the merchants' frenzy might've targeted us instead of a hidden sea turtle. Eyes would've naturally gravitated to the deer, snakes, and Maek right in front of them.
I was admiring Gaga's sharp judgment when—
"You're back..."
The faint weariness on the Inspector Escort's face signaled trouble.
"S-Sir!"
"Greetings to the Left Deputy Censor-in-Chief!"
Noticing the merchants loitering in the inn's ground floor clinched it. Not the ones who'd vanished with the officials, nor the maniacs who'd launched boats for Ppiae—these seemed like ordinary land-bound traders.
"What's going on?"
Gaga sensed the odd vibe too, her expression stiffening as she spoke.
"Forgive the sudden visit, sir! This humble merchant is the head of the Moonlight Merchant Group—"
"This one is the chief of the Eastern Sky Escort Bureau—"
Before Gaga could finish, the merchants launched into self-introductions, bowing in unison. Chaos. Polite enough, but nearly ten voices at once made my head throb.
"Enough."
Gaga raised a hand lightly, silencing the merchants and escorts.
"I get who you are. What I want to know is why you're here."
Her firm declaration made the rowdy group falter, exchanging glances. Strange. For civilians to seek out officials first—let alone a third-rank royal like Gaga—meant serious cause. They'd braced for her rebuke too. Yet with the floor open, they hesitated. Baffling by any normal logic.
"Sir, it's just..."
Patience paid off; the frontmost merchant stepped up as spokesman.
"Forgive me truly, but... could we perhaps touch the spirit beasts you keep? Even just a little?"
"...What?"
"We know it's an outrageous request! Trivial to you, sir, but we'll pay any price!"
He prostrated himself flat.
"Please! Just let us see the spirit beasts!"
"We beg you, sir!"
"You're our last hope!"
The sudden pleas and sobs left Gaga blinking in stunned silence. The Inspector Escort mirrored her. Probably my face too.
"Gaga."
No matter the shock, a royal—or any official—couldn't heartlessly dismiss pleading civilians.
"Y-Yeah?"
"Maybe... hear their story first?"
Steadying myself, I suggested it. Gaga nodded solemnly.
"Everyone, sit. Can't listen with all this racket."
Her compassionate tone soothed the weeping merchants. Gaga's heart was warmer than anyone's. She could've dismissed their rudeness, but honored my request.
"S-Sniff, h-hic..."
"...And stop crying."
"Y-Yes, sir...!"
Gaga's gentle reassurance quieted their sobs bit by bit. What could drive grown adults to such tears, risking rudeness to beg Gaga for spirit beasts? Curiosity burned.