Episode 66: First-Class Tax Officer Uzelashi
Suddenly, an explosion echoed through the market, and an ominous atmosphere began to spread.
“What in the world…?”
“Gahaha, it seems the Court of Justice guys have arrived.”
“What! Could it really be?”
“Yeah, I’ll take my leave here.”
“Hey, Drow.”
“…See ya, Zoan. Ortenos can’t stand up to these tax collectors. You should get out of here too.”
Drow left those troubling words behind and disappeared into the crowd.
The surrounding merchants seemed to sense the grim atmosphere as well, and hurriedly began preparing to evacuate.
Zoan decided to evacuate too, but it was already too late—.
“Honestly, to think so many illegal residents have gathered here, how filthy.”
What appeared was a strange group clad in black legal robes and wearing curled wigs.
The man walking at the head of the group spoke imposingly, his face contorted in a grimace.
“I am Uzelashi, a First-Class Tax Officer. Listen, you illegal residents! Rejoice, for from this moment on, this Bangwall Fort will be under the control of our Court of Justice. Know that the happiness of you people lies in obediently following us.”
The tax officer who identified himself as Uzelashi announced, amplifying his voice with magic.
Hearing that the Court of Justice would become the rulers of Bangwall, those present wore expressions of confusion and despair.
Zoan was also confused, but having heard Drow’s story, he felt a sense of inevitability.
From among the people, voices could be heard asking, “What happened to Lord Sharka?”
“Those insolent enough to defy us are not strong enough to protect this land, therefore the Lanecki Consulate has decided to entrust this land to the Court of Justice. Understand? Don’t think about unnecessary things. The Court of Justice, in accordance with the ‘Special Taxation Act,’ can subject you to the ultimate penalty at any time!”
The merchants turned pale at Uzelashi’s threats.
They all believed Uzelashi’s words that they shouldn’t rely on Sharka.
Furthermore, they were rendered speechless by the final blow of the Special Taxation Act.
The Special Taxation Act, simply put, grants unlimited taxation rights.
In other words, the people of the Court of Justice have the right to demand as much wealth as they please from the citizens of Ortenos.
If they don’t comply, they will be beheaded, and even if they can’t meet the demands, they will still be beheaded.
“But we are not demons. It would be inconvenient if there wasn’t a single person in the town. Therefore, we will give you a chance.”
At Uzelashi’s words, the merchants looked up with desperate hope.
It was like a spider’s thread that they had no choice but to climb if it was lowered.
“From among you, we will now select those worthy of obtaining citizenship in this Bangwall. There are two conditions: first, you must fill this bag with valuables and submit it…”
One of the group brought forward a huge hemp sack.
To fill it with valuables is a metaphor used by tax collectors.
Zoan, along with the other merchants, accurately understood the intentions of the Court of Justice man.
(In other words, they want us to contribute all our assets…)
There probably wasn’t anyone here who had enough currency to fill the hemp sack.
Voices murmuring “It’s impossible…” could be heard here and there.
“…And the second is… Hey!”
Uzelashi called out to one of those behind him.
One of the group brought forward a copper plate on which a person was elaborately depicted.
Seeing the copper plate, some of the people gasped and put their hands together in prayer.
“Kuhaha, the one depicted is the acting lord of this place—Sharka. You will take turns stepping on this to show your loyalty to the Court of Justice.”
Uzelashi said with a wicked grin.
“T-That’s…”
“There’s no way I can do that!”
Some of the merchants raised their voices in protest, overwhelmed by a sense of rejection.
Uzelashi’s eyebrows twitched, and he instructed the tax collectors behind him.
“…Do it.”
“Yes, sir!”
The tax collectors reached the merchants in an instant.
Then, they drew the swords they wore at their waists and, without any emotion, sent their heads flying.
Screams erupted around them, and some, overcome with fear, began to flee.
(Damn it, we can’t run!)
By the time Zoan thought that, the tax collectors had caught up, and those who had fled were beheaded before they could even utter a death cry.
Zoan instinctively turned his face away from the momentary massacre that had unfolded before his eyes.
This was the Court of Justice.
If they were even slightly displeased, you would be cut down like a piece of trash.
(Damn it! Now that it’s come to this, I have no choice but to do as they say…)
Just as Zoan had resigned himself to waiting for his fate, a woman stepped forward in front of Uzelashi and the others.
“Excuse me, esteemed Satella, aren’t you being a bit too harsh?”
A woman with a beauty mark, dressed in a nun’s habit.
It was the Eastern Star Sect sister Zoan had seen earlier.
Zoan was terrified that she would be killed, but that didn’t happen.
“Stop! Who are you?!”
Uzelashi urged the sister to stop.
Magic Users can apparently sense each other’s Magical Power.
That’s why Uzelashi was wary.
“I am Evelyn from the Eastern Star Sect, Ballista Church.”
“What! Ballista?!”
Uzelashi flinched upon hearing the woman’s origin.
To Uzelashi, it was like boasting about graduating from a private law school, only to encounter an international lawyer who graduated from a foreign university.
However, he remembered that it was already a thing of the past and wore a contemptuous smile.
“…Hmph, aren’t you just a runaway from a defeated faction? Past authority no longer holds any sway. If you interfere with us, you’ll be just as guilty!”
“I’ve never heard of such an atrocious taxation law. As someone who also serves the law, I cannot overlook such actions. What right do you have to commit such atrocities?”
Evelyn asked Uzelashi with a face that showed she truly didn’t understand.
Uzelashi didn’t like Evelyn’s accusatory, overbearing attitude.
The way she looked down on Uzelashi and the others, as if to say they were noble beings, was extremely irritating.
“…I have no obligation to tell an outsider and illegal resident. You men, capture that woman.”
“Yes, sir!”
Two tax collectors sprang out from behind Uzelashi and pinned Evelyn’s arms from both sides.
Evelyn was pushed to the ground.
“Ugh… What are you doing!”
Uzelashi stepped forward and crouched down in front of Evelyn.
Then, he used his right hand to lift Evelyn’s chin.
“Ugh…”
“Kuhaha, so you’re called Evelyn, huh? You’re a courageous woman to object to us, and not bad-looking either.”
Saying that, Uzelashi raised the corners of his mouth.
Uzelashi drooled from the corner of his mouth, wearing a hideous, lecherous grin.