2B, who had just circled the island at full speed, isn't even panting.
But in the data transfer with Arion, not only does she pant, her pale skin becomes glistening with sweat, as if oiled, adding a certain irresistible charm to her massive form.
Bound tightly in his arms, he holds her close, sharing that lingering sensation.
After a brief rest, once 2B's body cools, the sweat dries and her skin ceases to shine, Arion releases her and tidies his clothes.
The beach here is secluded, with trees and rocks for cover, but it's still not ideal to linger.
Arion looks up at the sun and says, "It should be near noon, right?"
Assistant: "There are twenty-three minutes until twelve o'clock."
"Not early then, let's go."
The two finish preparing and leave the beach, heading toward the village church.
The church sits on the highest hillside in the village, a somewhat ornate European-style building that is visible as soon as you lift your head.
Along the way they meet several villagers passing by heading to the church for the funeral; they greet Arion and 2B warmly, offering grateful words.
Arriving at the church, most people have gathered. Hina is there too, her red suit buttons mended, but she remains tense, like a spider ready to pull a ferry at any moment.
The two exchange a distant glance, nod, and greet each other.
They find seats; not long after, the church bells ring and the pastor steps up to speak.
After the pastor finishes, he asks Arion to speak as well, though he's unprepared and ends up saying something like, "The deceased are gone, the living remain." He makes do with such platitudes.
As Marines Captain, Hina naturally takes the stage to declare that pirates will not be treated leniently, and then, led by the pastor, they proceed to the cemetery behind the church to lay flowers and bury the deceased.
After the funeral, since there's no feast here, they head to a tavern for lunch and then back to the inn.
They stay at the inn until evening, until Marines soldiers knock on their door and escort them to the captain's cabin aboard the warship moored at the dock.
This is Arion's first time visiting such a wooden warship, and it feels novel; he stares around, feeling small as he passes beneath the massive mast, imagining the grandeur of this giant riding the seas.
How much wood would be needed to build a ship this large?
"Knock knock~"
"Report, Captain . I've brought Mr. Arion and Miss 2B."
"Come in."
The marines salute and step aside; Arion and 2B push the door open.
Hina remains in her red suit, standing by the porthole and gazing at the sea reddened by the setting sun.
Seeing this, Arion can't help but joke, "Weren't we supposed to have a date? I thought you'd dress up a bit, at least in a sexier gown or something."
Hina curls her lip at that and says, "I thought you'd come alone."
With a date having a third person present, tonight's plans were doomed, leaving Hina disappointed.
"I have to protect his safety," 2B explains.
"Protect? In East Blue there's no place safer than my ship."
2B doesn't answer; she crosses her arms and sticks to her stance.
Even though 2B feels she shouldn't have come, Arion didn't want her to stay at the inn alone, so she came along anyway.
Besides, even if Arion told her to stay at the inn, she'd still follow.
To 2B, nothing is more important than his safety.
"This is your bounty," Hina signals, placing a black briefcase on the table. "Those pirate's heads plus their ship and treasure total thirty and six million Belly."
"Only thirty and six million Belly?!" Arion is surprised. "That pirate leader alone would be worth a ten million, right?"
And the ships are even more valuable; Arion recalls from Water 7 Saga that a used ship slightly larger than Going Merry can be worth over a hundred million Belly.
For many pirates, their heads aren't worth as much as the ship they ride.
This is one reason many don't go to sea—the ship's value alone is enough to deter them.
It also proves how wealthy and flush the fishing village must be to gift such a brand-new ship.
Selling eels is that lucrative; no wonder pirates target them.
Hina sits on the sofa, crossing her long legs, and explains: "First, pirate ships are harvested for parts, so their value is naturally far lower than comparable ships on the market."
"Second, taxes. Whether it's pirate ships or pirate bounties, the income is taxed—by the World Government, by the kingdom... Here are the documents; you can verify."
Arion takes the documents Hina hands him and his eyes widen at the deduction for taxes.
Damn, more than half is taken!
The king's taxes take the biggest chunk!
Fists tighten.
"So you understand? After taxes, this is all that's left."
Hina's tone turns insistent; though her monthly pay isn't taxed by the World Government or the kingdom, there's always a hefty "heavenly gold" that gets deducted every month.
As for ordinary people, heavenly gold paid to the Celestial Dragons plus the kingdom's taxes are combined, which explains why the kingdom's taxes take the largest share.
"Understood," Arion unclenches his fist slowly; tax rates are so high that it's no wonder people keep going to sea to become pirates.
He understands, but that doesn't make it right.
If escaping such exorbitant, unfair taxes and going to sea to pursue legitimate business is fine for some pirates, that's one thing.
But for most pirates, going to sea means looting, rape, and plunder—becoming scum.
What difference is there between such scum and the kingdom or Celestial Dragons?
"By the way, I want to ask, if going to sea legally, how much Belly would you have to pay?"
"One hundred million."
"What!" This is the second time tonight Arion has been shocked. "That's way too much!"
"Yeah, so if you don't have enough money, better abandon the idea of going to sea," Hina glances at Arion coolly, "If you go illegally, you'll be marked as a pirate."
Considering they saved the village and prevented greater bloodshed, Hina may overlook them once. But if they encounter other Marines later, she won't be so lenient.