Chapter 378

At the Developing Village in Baron Degusal’s Domain
At Baron Degusal’s command, the Kiblinki Saltas were accepted as the town’s new defenders.

The decision to lower taxes likely played a role, but it seemed that the town had serious security concerns, making them willing to accept even tamed monsters as long as they were strong.

Three of them would be responsible for the town’s defense.

Additionally, a group assigned to crop exploration would remain for a while to reinforce the town’s worryingly low walls.

These spiders really could do anything.

That wasn’t the end of our role, though.
We were also tasked with delivering Kiblinki Saltas to assist in the development of a village alongside Baron Degusal.

While there, they were also planning to discuss the tax rate changes.

I was curious to see whether the Kiblinki Saltas would integrate well into the developing village, so this was a perfect opportunity.

I felt bad for dragging Marquis Vardmoi and Young lady Kou along, but we’d be making a slight detour to the developing village.

The village was about a day’s journey away by Baron Degusal’s carriage.
The village chief—or rather, the one overseeing it—was Baron Degusal’s second son.
However, their relationship was strained, and they frequently clashed over taxes imposed on the farmers.

It seemed this visit was also meant as an apology.

At the village entrance, Baron Degusal spoke to the gatekeeper and had him summon his second son.
Before long, a young man arrived—his tanned skin and toned physique made him look nothing like a noble’s son.
Was he really Baron Degusal’s second son?

"Rugio, can we talk for a moment?"

"Old man, what are you doing here?"

"I came to apologize for the past. The town has already been informed, but I will be changing all tax rates. From now on, the share of crops paid to the nobility will be set at fifty percent of the yield."

"No. Lower it to forty percent for the next five years. The farmers are already exhausted."

The second son was quite direct.
Even though he was a noble, there was still a clear difference in status between a lord and his children.
Yet he was willing to stand his ground for the farmers' sake.
That was pretty admirable.

"… Alright. I’ll do as you say."

"… Old man, I have to ask—what happened? I never thought I’d see the day you’d lower taxes."

"I received advice from a woman in the Trade Guild. Apparently, if taxes are too high, commerce is stifled, trade slows down, and in the end, both income and tax revenue decrease. I had never considered that before."

"I see. So someone in the Trade Guild finally had the guts to speak up to you. Either way, I’m glad you came around. If things had continued as they were, some of the farmers would have starved to death."

Whoa, it was that serious?
Taxes really were important.
I didn’t think I’d ever be suited to a leadership position.

"So, is that all you came for? You’ve brought quite the entourage. If I’m not mistaken, that’s Marquis Vardmoi standing behind you."

"Ah, yes. There’s another matter to discuss. Marquis Vardmoi has agreed to lend us a certain tamer’s tamed monsters. They specialize in agriculture and vegetable farming. I’d like your village to test them out."

"Tamed monsters? Will the tamer be living here too?"

"No, only the monsters. But their safety is guaranteed by Marquis Vardmoi. In Vardmoi’s town, these monsters are already being used for security."

"Monsters… as guards? That’s hard to believe, but if Marquis Vardmoi personally came here, then I suppose it must be true."

Hmm, he was still skeptical.
Well, that was understandable.
We’d just have to let the Kiblinki Saltas prove their worth through their work.

What do you think about this chapter?