"If you're truly brave, why didn't you resist the tyranny of the former god Enel? Or is it that just being a Skypiean automatically means someone will bring a better life?" A few guards moved to seize the Skypiean who had just spoken against Rosen, but Rosen raised a hand to stop them.
Many turned to look at the man. Some recognized him as a petty thug from Lovely Street, notorious for picking on the weak.
But since he only targeted fellow Skypieans, Enel had never bothered to eliminate him.
"That's Rokarim, a thug who bullies the weak," someone whispered, afraid to speak too loudly.
"He never respected any authority, just never said it out loud before. Maybe he thinks the new god is more lenient."
"Not sure, but that guy's probably in trouble now. Not the smartest thing to say in a moment like this…"
Skypieans whispered among themselves.
"I… I…" Faced with Rosen's question, Rokarim was momentarily speechless. Others were also thinking. Does being a Skypiean automatically mean one can rule well? That couldn't be right—how else would they explain Enel?
Gan Fall's god guard, hundreds of soldiers, had been detained for years under Enel, and many had died. Countless families still hated him.
"How do we know you won't be like Enel? You're still wearing a mask. Why should we trust you?" another troublemaker asked, emboldened by Rokarim's defiance.
"Divine messenger Gan Fall, inform him of the new laws being enacted today," Rosen said calmly.
Gan Fall paused briefly, then understood what to do. "Starting today, all Skypieans' taxes to the god will be reduced to one-third. Those with monthly incomes under 100 million Iku will be completely exempt…"
The entire crowd was stunned. Then, joy erupted.
Was this real? A god who lowered taxes instead of raising them? No demand for more tribute or divine gold? And low-income citizens would be exempt?
Unbelievable. Without tax revenue, how would the god maintain a military or fund any personal desires? Wasn't he worried about assassination?
But the news set off a wave of excitement. Under Enel, heavy taxes were unavoidable—even if they didn't break people, they were still a major burden.
Rosen, however, didn't care about the quality of his "godly" life. He wouldn't be staying in Skypiea. Gan Fall and the Shandian chief would share Enel's old office and act as administrators.
As for military funding, it wasn't a huge issue. Even if taxes were tight, winning over the people was more important. And Rosen already had a plan.
He would open trade routes. With Enel gone, people from other sky islands—or even the Blue Sea—would start coming to what was once called "Demon Island."
Trade could resume, and financial concerns would fade.
"This is real?!" the two thugs were dumbfounded.
"If it weren't confirmed law, it wouldn't be announced. And whether I wear a mask or not—what meaning does that have for you? When you commit a crime, do you care who's watching? And if you're not a criminal, why worry whether someone is a god or not?" Rosen retorted.
"I-I didn't mean it that way. I'm no criminal!" the thug stammered, sweating profusely.
"He has a point. What the god looks like doesn't matter much," someone murmured. To ordinary folks, a god's appearance wasn't important.
Those with guilty consciences, however, would worry more. What if the person they crossed paths with was actually the god in disguise? That fear alone might deter crime.
The unknown was often more terrifying. And gods were thought to be all-powerful. Maybe now even bullies would think twice—what if a stranger they messed with turned out to be the god?
"Anyone else have questions?" Rosen swept his gaze around. Silence.
Even Rokarim didn't know how to respond. A law publicly announced would have to be enforced—otherwise, the new god would be a joke.
"I understand your doubts. But believe me, we only want to build a better life for all Skypieans—Shandians and Angel Islanders alike. Let time be the judge. If we fail to meet your expectations, the First Divine Law will allow citizens to elect a representative to revoke a god's status and recommend a new one. In other words, a god will no longer rule permanently. If unfit, the people will have the right to vote," Gan Fall declared.
"We can choose the god ourselves?!" the crowd was stunned. Even if through a representative, this kind of power in the hands of the people was unprecedented.
It made them feel they had a say in the nation's future.
"That's right. If within five years the lives of Skypieans haven't improved, I will step down and let someone more capable take over. This will be written into the new laws as the First Divine Law," Rosen said calmly and steadily. The new order was gradually taking shape. It wouldn't be accepted overnight, but the seed had been planted. Whether it would succeed would test if the system could work.
"I believe in Lord Gan Fall's judgment!" someone finally declared.
"I trust the chief too!" said War Demon coolly. Though still uneasy about a Blue Sea person leading the Sky Kingdom, he couldn't deny that they had done a lot to help.
From defeating Enel, to honoring the long-kept mission, to discovering the Golden Bell and sharing the truth about Rolando's descendants—the Shandians had no real reason to resent these Blue Sea dwellers.
"New god!!" someone shouted from the crowd, sparking a wave of support. Soon the entire island echoed with chants of approval. On the surface, at least, the situation had stabilized.
Rosen remained composed as he ordered, "From today, this is the beginning of a new era for Skypiea, and a new dawn for the world. All food and drink—unlimited. On the god's tab!"
A celebration was the easiest way to unite people—at least in this world. So Rosen was generous. Though the "god's tab" technically came from his own pocket, since the "divine department" was just a name for now.
"WO~!" The people of Skypiea erupted in cheer. Though unsure if the laws would truly be enforced, this god already felt different.
Previous gods had always been distant. None had ever involved the people like this—let alone treated them to a feast.
Conis began to play the lyre, other music followed, and the former god's guards, already prepared, brought out casks of fine wine. People were shy at first.
But as time passed, everyone relaxed. The atmosphere turned joyful and harmonious—a release after all the despair they had felt.
All of Skypiea celebrated. Meanwhile, in a secluded corner, seven or eight people gathered behind a large tree.
Rokarim looked uneasy, but also expectant. A tall figure approached—Robin. She handed him a chest full of Ik, exchanged from Beli, and said calmly, "Your acting was terrible, but since it worked out, your payment's all here."
"Thank you, thank you, my lady!" Rokarim beamed as he accepted the chest. He was just a thug—who ruled made no difference to him. He was just playing a role.
Robin then made her way discreetly through the crowd, delivering payment to others who had spoken up, both those who objected and those who first shouted in support of the new god.
"What a strange strategy... but it worked," the chief and Gan Fall reflected, recalling Rosen's candid pre-ceremony confession and how he had orchestrated the "script."
They hadn't expected it to work so well—especially in convincing people to accept both the mask and the fact that Rosen was not a Skypiean.
(End of Chapter)