30 - You should offer more and more as a tribute

The next day, the mayors returned to the Demon King’s castle with tributes in hand, all aiming to reduce the amount of taxes she would impose on their settlements. Among them were treasures of gold and silver, local delicacies, ancient antiques, and some even brought women as sacrifices.

In total, they made a mountain behind Merle’s throne, and needless to say, she got the resources and valuables she asked for.

“I’ve received a lot as tributes,” she said. “Not to imply that I’m not grateful, it just seems like a little much.”

“It’s no trouble at all, but about the taxes…” one of the mayors say, his mouth trembling.

No matter what was said, the mayors were ready to have their souls crushed. In some settlements, it’s difficult to grow food due to geography. Many citizens don’t know what they’ll have to offer if they can’t afford to pay the tax.

“Ah, right,” Merle said. “What can your town offer?”

“My settlement is by the sea, so the fishing industry is thriving and I can deliver a certain amount of fish and seaweed to your castle every month.”

“I see,” Merle said. “It’ll be nice to get some fresh fish. What can I get around this time of year?”

“It’s currently the egg-laying season for armored fish, so you can receive a lot of armored fish and sizable eggs. Their scales are hard but they are quite delicious when fried.”

“I see, then bring me this much every month,” Merle said, as she raised three fingers.

The mayor wondered just what she meant by it but hesitated to ask. 300 kilograms? 3 tons? No, because it’s the Demon King, it may be an even larger amount. He was so afraid to hear the answer he couldn’t even open his mouth.

But he had to ask. As long as he was the ruler of the town, demands from on high must be swallowed.

“Demon King, pardon me, but how many do you mean, precisely…?”

“30 fish,” Merle said. “Only myself, Lucille, and Slime will be eating, so bring 30 every month. I expect them to be fresh and in excellent condition.”

The mayor’s face turned white. 30 fish. Whereas he was fearing a tremendous number, Merle’s demands were magnitudes below that. With such a paltry sum, it can be set aside in less than a day.

Confused by the amount far smaller than the former King’s demands, the mayor asked, “Pardon, Demon King, my ears are going deaf, did you just say ‘30 fish’?”

“Yes, 30 fish,” Merle said. “Deliver them at the start of each month. Also, the deliciousness of fish depends on the season, so switch to whatever is good at the moment.”

“I-I understand,” the mayor said, leaving the castle without a clue of what kind of face he should have.

The other mayors stare blank-faced and open-mouthed as they witnessed the decision.

“30… just 30. 30. 30…” the man gradually starts laughing like a man driven insane.

“Oh no, he’s completely lost it,” Merle thought as she sighed and turned her gaze to the others, believing she might have asked for an unreasonable sum.

In truth, the mayor’s heart is so light he feels like he could break out into song and dance. If you fish for an hour, you could easily catch 30 fish, you only have to maintain the population. The mayor repeatedly replayed his unexpected exchange with Merle.

His town used to send a large number of fish to the King every month. They had to limit distribution to their businesses, the margins were so tight. However, from here on out, surplus catches can be freely distributed to other settlements.

In short, they could make a profit and develop the town more than ever.

“My town. My town is saved!” the mayor cried, running off to share the good news as soon as possible.