The next day arrives and Empress Malty was in a delightful mood. She came to the Roman beach town of Salernum to inspect the construction of her new summer palace. The town towards the outskirts was either one of two things, vineyards that stretched the countryside and wineries that produced Rome's best wines for export across the empire. The others were slums. poor peasants that were, in the eyes of Empress Malty, disgusting and wretched vermin that breaded more disgusting and foul children. Those who were not faithful to the Three Heroes faith. Malty sees them as nothing more than criminals and thieves, taking away from the beauty of the beautiful beach town. Going inwards, the lively market square was full of luxurious goods extracted from territories in the empire. Since the market is controlled by the empire, only the rich aristocrats could afford to purchase these goods. While the aristocracy were living the high life, the poor lived on whatever scraps the rich threw away. Empress Malty is disgusted by the filth of the poor. But that didn't matter to a disgusted Malty for long, for she was about to enter the construction grounds for her summer palace.
The summer palace is NOT going to be built by slaves, Empress Malty prefers that her summer paradise to not be touched by the filthy hands of slaves. Instead, artisans and craftsmen from across the empire are hired to build one of the greatest gifts to the Empress. From woodworkers, to stonecutters, these people are tasked into creating extravagant decor and create even the smallest detail in the palace. A large statue of Malty is being carefully sculpted in the summer palace courtyard. Under the statue is the Lord of the Salernum area, Lord Vegeta. A large man with black spiky hair, wearing a lavish suit and cloak. He too is inspecting the summer palace construction, and he noticed the imperial limousine move in. Surprised, Lord Vegeta walks up to the empress and her loyal advisor, honored and blessed to be in her presence.
"Oh gracious empress!" Lord Vegeta said, "It is a blessing to have you in our presence. I am most truly honored Your Graciousness". He then bows in high respect.
"Oh! Do go off, dear Lord Vegeta" Malty replies.
"I take it that you are here to inspect your summer palace your Graciousness?" Lord Vegeta asks.
"Of course, such a smart mind dear lord" Malty remarks. "I want to see the layout of my summer home and see if it fits my elegant lifestyle".
"Oh my Graciousness, I am one hundred percent confident that you would be most satisfied with the layout and amenities of this extraordinary summer getaway".
"Well we shouldn't be here for long anyway" Kaname says to Vegeta, making Malty scowl at her. "She has an important meeting with the Chairwoman of the Indian government and it could help both nations in times of war". Lord Vegetta just shrugs it off.
"Oh! I'm sure that her Graciousness would have plenty of time to get to that meeting. As I am well aware of the need for strong allies. However, it should not be a problem for our gracious empress to tour her summer palace, and besides, I'm sure that the Chairwoman won't mind if her Graciousness is late. She needs strong allies like us". Malty sticks her tongue at Kaname, making a mental note to slap her wrists for interference again. Kaname just sighs
"Well, let us get going" Malty says growing impatient. Of course Lord Vegetta gets on with the tour, but not before shouting the presence of the Gracious empress causing the workers to work harder. The Palace grounds was to be larger than the town's amphitheater and the town market combined, taking up the place of the former slum homes. The palace walls were to be built from the finest marble and stone from the mines of the Italian regions. The interiors were to be adorned from the finest gold mined from the territories of Brazil. Gemstones would be mined from the Australian territories. And The rugs and curtains made from the finest silk from the Chinese territories. Thousands of numerous paintings are to be hung on the palace walls inside to display great decadence.
Outside in the courtyard, besides the larger than life statue of Empress Malty, bushes, hedges and a water fountain adorned with gold trimming were being planted and placed for decor. On the other side would be a small private theater house where new Roman films and musical compositions can be premiered privately for the empress. And over there would be a sauna, a large swimming pool with an entrance to her own private beach, and of course, a war room in case the Romans were to declare war. The tour ended with a tour of the wine cellar, where various vintage wines were stored for the Empress to enjoy. Lord Vegetta offers a drink to the empress, and a a plate of Roman Antipasti parings and a vintage Salernum made wine from the 1930s.
"Lord Vegetta, I do say. You certainly know how to treat your gracious empress" Malty compliments.
"Oh, it is nothing but the best for you, your graciousness" Vegeta responds. "I would have it no other way for you".
"It really shows" She responds. "I know you would spare no expense for me".
"I pay top dollar to get things done" He says back, now he gets into a more serious topic. "There is something I do want to bring to your attention. It's about the peasants".
"Go on" Malty says annoyed, "do tell".
Lord Vegeta tells Malty of a current situation about one of the peasant families in town, and they proceed to go to the slums to do something about it along with a couple of guards. Apparently, one of the families has not paid their monthly tax dues for two months. A serious felony that would take a family to prison. Wasting no time, Malty and Lord Vegetta hurried to catch the felons. The entered the crowded slums, covering their noses as not to inhale the wretched fumes of the poor.
"Ugh" Malty said disgusted. "Such foul creatures. Look at them frolicking in their own filth".
"It is truly a shame and disappointment of this fine city your Graciousness" Lord Vegeta remarks. "It can't be helped though. They are lazy bums who rather live in poverty than work for a living".
"The faster we arrest these vermin, the faster we can get out of here" Malty says while walking quickly with Lord Vegeta.
"Well their shack should be close by" Lord Vegeta says, and he's right. They arrived at the presumed home of these tax evaders. Without knocking, Lord Vegetta rudely barges into the shack. Inside, a man with blue hair and a woman with green hair, all dressed in peasant clothing, are shocked to see the lord of Salernum barge into their home.
"Your lordship" the man said, "what are you doing?"
"Good Afternoon. I want to know why you haven't paid your taxes for the past two months".
"I'm sorry, but I cannot pay these heavy taxes and care for my family at the same time. I was recently discharged from the army for disagreeing with the higher-ups and I haven't been able to find a job since". Malty grows tired of hearing the same thing over again with these peasants, the excuse of that they are unemployed and poor.
"Ugh. I'm sick and tired of these excuse for not paying your royal dues". Malty exclaimed, and upon hearing her voice, the two peasants trembled. "You are just too lazy and greedy to pay for my royal coffers". Malty reveals herself to the peasants, and the two of them began to kneel down, tremblingly their presence.
"Y-your Graciousness!" The woman said in fear. "I-I didn't know y-you were in our fair town t-t-today".
"Shut up you filthy peasants!" Malty shouts. "I have been told by by Lord Vegetta that you have not paid your taxes. You know that is a costly felony for peasants".
"Your Graciousness" the man said, "I told his lordship that we cannot pay the taxes. We just don't have the means to pay and survive".
"Whatever do you mean?" Malty asks sarcastically.
"Your Graciousness" Lord Vegeta stated, "he claims that he was discharged from the army due to his radical thinking against the kingdom".
"Oh! I heard about that, his rank was captain wasn't he?" She asks.
"Yes, his name is Gunther Libroman. Discharged two months ago".
"Let me explain your Graciousness" Gunther said. "I just said to a friend that I think that Roman war policies are not good for-"
"You don't think war is good!?" Malty gasps. "Such thoughts are... outright... HIGH TREASON!".
"But your Graciousness, these wars are very costly, and my family can't survive without me-"
"That doesn't matter" Malty says, "what matters is that you are a lazy, greedy, treasonous bastard. That is why I decided to not only take away your property, but to put you under arrest until we decided to execute you". She than ordered the guards to seize the property, the belongings, and the two peasants, who try to resist.
"Your Graciousness" the woman says fearfully, "Please! We just need more time. You can't take our home".
"Watch me" Malty replies with a evil smirk. "I just did".
"But where will our children go?" Gunther asked. "Surely you can't throw our little girls in prison".
"Well, I don't see any children. I bet you said that to earn my pity". Malty turns to leave, but then she saw what proved her wrong. Two girls appeared at the front door. The eldest sister had blue-green hair and the younger girl with blue hair, and they were coming back from the woods collecting twigs for the fire. When they got back home, they saw what was going on and were shocked and curious about why the guards were holding their parents hostage.
"What's going on" the young blue-hared girl asked innocently shocked. Empress Malty walks up to the two sisters.
"Say, are you children the daughters of these peasants?" She asks.
"Yeah" The girl said proudly, "I'm Main, and my older sister is Tuuli". The girls just waved, which pissed Malty, for these girls do not know how to address their gracious empress. But in the eyes of the empress...
"That really doesn't matter".
"What do you mean" Main asks.
"Your father not only refused to pay his taxes, he is talking high treason against the empire. Therefore, your parents are under arrest for such high felonies" Malty says with a sadistic smile. The girls are now scared for their parents and their lives. "And seeing that you two are now orphaned and on the streets" Malty added, "You two will be taken to farms and workshops in Upper Austria, and then you will be branded and become slaves to this glorious empire". She then orders guards to take the children away from their parents and began to destroy their home. The children screamed for their parents, while they can only watch their children being enslaved. Malty just looked at them with an evil, sadistic smirk of satisfaction.
"You" Gunther said to Malty angrily, "you will never get away with this tyranny".
"Such harsh words for a former captain of the empire" Malty said sarcastically, "besides, I just did". The family is separated, the parents being sent to prison and the children taken into slavery. After raiding the home, Malty decides which to sell for extra treasury change and sent whatever else to be smelted for war material. As she is doing that, Kaname rushed to Empress Malty.
"Your Graciousness, there you are" Kaname said, catching her breath having to run to find Empress Malty. "Where have you been, we have to get going at once. Chairwoman Sparkle is here and is waiting impatiently!".
"Ugh, trying to ruin my fun again aren't you" Malty said pissed off again, ready to give her advisor a good slap on the wrist, again. But Lord Vegeta intervenes.
"I think it's best that you talk diplomacy to the Chairwoman, as I mentioned Rome should acquire allies in preparation for the next war".
"I guess you're right".
"Besides, we still need time to complete your summer palace. It will be completed as soon as July rolls around. Make my words your Graciousness, the world will envy Roman high society. We will be number one in culture in no time".
-End of Chapter Nine-