Chapter 56

"What? Kail's village was attacked by monsters?"

Zayd Gandar Bairod, the second son of the border lord, perked up with a delighted expression at the urgent report that interrupted his mundane chores.

"What!?"

The one who shouted was Jabeel, the alchemist who had come to Zayd's room on another matter. Due to a failed rejuvenation potion, he had become a highly skilled female alchemist with a lolita body.

"Be quiet, Jabeel."

"S-Sorry, my lord. But, Lord Zayd, we must hurry to help!"

Jabeel, flustered and panicked, was a sight Zayd had never seen before. Sighing, Zayd spoke.

"Why?"

"Why? We have an army here!"

"These soldiers are here to protect this village. Why should they be sent to Kail's aid?"

"B-But, my lord!"

"Quiet, Jabeel."

Zayd turned to the messenger.

"So, was the village wiped out?"

"No! They repelled the attack on their own!"

"Hmph. I see..."

"What, you scared me!"

Jabeel, who had been holding his nonexistent chest, let out a sigh of relief, while Zayd's mouth formed a frown.

"Weren't they serious monsters?"

"No, according to the report, it was said to be over three thousand cockatrices..."

"Huh?"

"What?"

"Wait, that must be a false report, right?"

"It's just the first report, so it's possible."

"Hmph. Then it's a false report. Get accurate information."

"Yes! I'll dispatch a squad! Please grant permission!"

"Granted."

"Understood!"

The messenger saluted and dashed out. The sound of hooves could be heard as the squad, which had been waiting, galloped away.

"Hmph. Cockatrices are quite troublesome monsters, right?"

"Yes. Individually, they can be handled by decent adventurers, but their petrifying breath is troublesome."

"Three thousand? You must be joking. Still, if they have a petrifying breath... If the soldiers were petrified in one breath, it would be disastrous."

"Ah, that's a misunderstanding."

"What?"

"The petrifying breath's effect depends on the amount inhaled. Unless a large amount is inhaled, petrification starts from the extremities and gradually spreads. If a small amount is inhaled, the petrification is limited and slow."

"Is that so?"

"If it petrified instantly, the world would be ruled by cockatrices."

"That's true."

Jabeel, with his flat chest, crossed his arms and thought.

(With that person around, there's no problem with petrification reversal or prevention potions, but the ingredients are a bit troublesome. No, the adventurers in that town should be able to gather them easily. Still, I think we won't have enough if the number is in the thousands...)

"Anyway, as long as Lord Kail and that person are safe, that's good."

"...Hmph."

Zayd returned to his chair, not hiding his displeasure.

"More importantly, the tax revenue! Why isn't there proper tax revenue despite the numerous inns?"

"It's not that there's little."

"Indeed, it's not little... but considering the number of inns and the number of carriages passing through, it's too little!"

"Indeed..."

Jabeel (legal lolita) sighed openly at Zayd.

"Most of the cargo on the carriages passing through this town belongs to the Akindo Trading Company."

"So what?"

"Who is the guild master of the inn guild in this village?"

"Akindo, right?"

Jabeel (extremely small mademoiselle) sighed deeply again.

"Yes. The carriages belonging to the Akindo Trading Company stay at Akindo's inns. Wouldn't they get a discount?"

"...Huh... Ah, ah!?"

"Of course, it's not a complete exemption, just a general discount. But considering the number of inns and carriages, it makes sense that the revenue is low."

"Wh-What! Such a ridiculous situation! How did this happen!?"

"Lord Zayd, you approved the establishment of the inn guild by Akindo."

"O-Oh, so it's my fault!?"

"This can also be seen as a significant achievement."

Jabeel explained with a troubled look.

"You can say that you attracted a large number of merchants to a previously uninhabited border area."

"Ah, I see..."

(But since the destination is Golden Dawn, the impact wasn't that great.)

Jabeel forced himself to swallow the words that almost slipped out.

"The village has developed from its initial state. I think you can be proud of that."

"I see..."

Zayd seemed somewhat unconvinced but decided to end the matter for now.

"Then, we should impose a toll."

"Lord Zayd, I've told you many times, that's the worst possible policy."

"Why! Every day, a huge number of carriages pass through! The toll revenue would be considerable!"

"Then, if you set up a toll in this village, they would just take a detour."

"I don't understand! This place has already become an inn town! How can they choose not to stop in one of the few villages that can provide supplies in the middle of a difficult route!?"

"Logically, that's true. In a dangerous border area, camping is difficult. A caravan that has been camping for dozens of days would naturally want to rest."

"Right! So they would be willing to pay a toll to stop here!"

"Yes, but several problems arise."

"Problems?"

"Yes. Normally, a toll is paid in cash or a portion of the goods."

"Right."

"Most of the cargo the merchants are carrying now is volcanic ash and lime."

"Huh?"

"If I were Akindo, I would order them to pay the toll entirely in goods."

"What would happen then?"

"The volcanic ash and lime, which no one would pay for except in Golden Dawn, would pile up in the village."

"..."

It seemed Zayd was finally grasping the situation.

"I have the recipe for alchemical hardened rock from that person, so it's not impossible to use it."

"Then, why not sell it?"

"It's not that simple. It requires a certain level of alchemist. Not only is it difficult to gather the valuable alchemists, but if we create alchemical hardened rock in this village, it will just solidify."

"What do you mean?"

"Currently, the only way is to place alchemists at the sites where alchemical hardened rock is needed, transport the materials there, and create it on-site."

"Then, if Jabeel uses it in this village..."

"I serve Lord Zayd on the condition that I can conduct my research freely. Of course, I will help with such consultations."

"Gr..."

Zayd recalled his contract with Jabeel and had no choice but to swallow his words.

"In any case, I will return to my research. I need to review the report from that person."

"Wait! How are we supposed to increase tax revenue!?"

"That's the lord's job. When you have a clearer plan, I'll help you again."

Ignoring Zayd's further attempts to speak, Jabeel (transforming alchemical lolita) left the room.

"Really... Can't Lord Zayd grow up a bit more?"

Sighing in relief, Jabeel (lolita grandma) looked up at the sky.

"I feel like I've been mocked for some reason..."

It's just your imagination.

"The Thousand Line Flash Battle" (Sen Sen Sen Sen) is a bit silly, isn't it? w

It's a bit of a silly move. w