Episode 8 TaxIncrease

I who returned together with Dojji to the residence called Pikaru to my oval office.

How may I help you?

Pikaru, how is the tax rate of this place currently?

The farmers are paying 40% of their harvest to Carlo-sama and the merchants and craftsman are paying 20% of the income they made.

It was a system where the farmers had to pay four-tenth of the farms products as land tax and the people with monetary income would have to pay 20% of it as taxes.

Inform me about the present financial status.

The current financial situation cannot be described as good. This area has bad drainage and it is impossible to expand the farmland so if the harvest is bad there would be a famine and the tax revenue would decrease. It seems like this year there was a good harvest and we are able to catch a breath.

How is the cash flow?

Not good. Braham is distant from the castle town so they are having trouble exporting. The commerce and industry dont develop too much either because the prices are too high and there isnt anything we could call a specialty available here.

Its like this after all, huh?

The productivity is low because the social infrastructure isnt stable.

If we dont do anything having a stable territory management would be difficult and if thats the case I fear the Hero and the Demonlord might neglect this place.

There will be a huge event five years later and now I have to set the stage for it.

Pikaru, make an announcement. This year the tax rate will be raised by 1. 5 times.

Eh?! Carlo-sama, what are you saying? If we do something like that the whole country will be thrown into chaos.

I dont care. Wasnt there a huge harvest this year?

This might be true, but the tax rate hasnt been changed since the time the predecessor

If the harvest was good then they are able to live. Give an official announcement that the farmers are to give 60% of their harvest and the merchants and craftsman are to pay 30% of their income.

Please reconsider, Carlo-samas reputation will be ruined if you do something like that!

Well, I figured as much.

They are happy they had a good harvest this year and can live a rich life and then suddenly the tax rate gets raised by 1.5 times.

This countrys people will bear a grudge against Carlo and will raise voices of protest.

My originally earnest mind aches when I think about it.

But Im the villain, Margrave Carlo de Medici.

I cant be afraid of being hated by other people.

The more Carlo is hated the higher the hero Kazumas popularity will be.

I decided to become an excellent villain and lead this story to the ending.

To let the novel, which I wrote, have a conclusion.

I dont care. I do not intend to listen to the voices of the people. Please announce it as soon as possible.

Pikaru stared at me with eyes seeming to want to say something, but after he realized I wouldnt change my mind he just lowered his head and left the room without saying anything.

Fuu

I was lying on the sofa while wearing shoes.

To be frank, I was tired.

Not physically but mentally.

Its hard to be hated by people.

Originally I hated to fight with people.

I lived my life minding other peoples mood.

Its considerably hard for that me to live as a villain.

But I decided this by myself.

To live as a villain, to be the heros rival.

Ill become an excellent villain.

While I was lying down I rang the bell resting on the desk.

Ting Ting

How can I be of service?

Melissa entered immediately.

She watched me who was plopped down on the sofa with a puzzled look.

Its nothing, just a little tired.

Melissa thought for a while and then smiled at me.

I heard a little from Pikaru-sama. But Carlo-sama must have a plan. Because I believe in Carlo-sama.

Aah, Its good that there is a person supporting me.

Sorry. Oh yeah, Melissa do you know a person who is able to use magic?

Magic, is it? Theres one person I am distantly related to. Even though they are young in age, I heard they are rather talented.

I see, in fact I want to learn how to use magic. Can I ask you to contact this person?

That person is actually rather odd, I wonder if they will be useful. Shall I call them here?

No, if its here Pikaru will nag again. Ill go meet that person myself soon.

Certainly, I will contact them. Also, Marcus-sama and Carlo-samas newly appointed captain Fui-Fitz

Fitzgerald, huh?

That is right. He said that he wants to greet you on the occasion of being appointed to the new post.

The letter F(efu) will be enough as a name. I also call him like this. Let him through. (TN: The author wrote the letter F and then the phonetic reading in katakana (efu) next to it)

Then I shall lead Marcus-sama and F-sama into the office.

After Melissa left F came in together with Marcus.

Excuse me. Thank you very much for appointing me as Captain of the Imperial Knights.

You dont have to be so stiff. Sit.

I urged F who stiffly stood at attention to sit down on the sofa.

Marcus sat down long before being told to do so.

Marcus, I caused trouble for you.

No, no, this was just a simple job of writing on a piece of paper.

Following Marcus, F started to talk.

I, with a low social standing, joined the Imperial Knights and shortly after for patronizing

Its nice to be formal.

I used my hand to interrupt F who tried to thank me again and talked to Marcus.

And? Did you think about the later arrangements?

I think its a pretty good hand.

Marcus grins.

Hoo, what kind of hand?

I will soon announce my resignation of my seat as the Imperial Knight leader.

Fumu, and then?

Then I will select a successor from the Imperial Knights. Specifically, how about I hold a sword fighting tournament between the five captains and make the winner the new head?

It might turn out to be very interesting!

Indeed, fufufu

Will Leader Marcus quit?

Watching the excited me and Marcus, Fs eyes roll in bewilderment.

Thats to be expected, suddenly when you came to this place after being newly appointed to the post of captain the leader starts to talk about quitting.

Rather than quitting, getting promoted to a general. Ill let you, F, become the leaders successor.

N, No matter how you put it

Fitzgerald, those are Carlo-samas earnest hopes. Dont refuse.

Marcus was obviously amused.

Let me in, too.

The purpose of the sword fighting tournament is to let you win. You wont lose, F

W, well Ill do my best, however

Impatient Fs sidelong glances accelerate mine and Marcus wickedness.

I also came up with something good, Marcus.

Hoho, I wonder what it is?

The tournament just having five people is badly divided. Ill participate, too.

Hoh, Does Carlo-sama also have confidence in his sword arm?

Im not bad. Right, F?

The Margraves ability is considerable. Its not on a level most people would be able to match.

Thats interesting, shall I pull some strings so that Carlo-sama and Fitzgerald will fight in the finals?

Marcus exchanged looks with me and chuckled to himself.

Marcus, your lord is also bad.