As a characteristic of the East Continent where the Florece Kingdom is located, there is a system of “Parent Nobles and Child Nobles.”
The names vary by kingdom, but the concept is the same.
While titles are directly granted by the King, there are a considerable number of nobles holding titles, making it difficult for the King to manage them all.
Therefore, nobles with less power or lower titles are managed by stronger nobles.
Basically, newly ennobled nobles become children of some Parent Noble.
A Parent Noble who has multiple Child Nobles gains power solely by that fact.
Of course, there is a danger of Parent Nobles becoming too powerful, but that is up to the King’s discretion.
Neither the Parent Noble nor the Child Noble can choose their partner; the King decides.
Generally, minor nobles in the vicinity of a Parent Noble’s territory become their Child Nobles.
When a country was first established, in remote areas where central power was difficult to reach, trusted nobles of the King were placed to control the surrounding nobles.
However, as years passed and generations changed, the balance of power between the King and the frontier would be disrupted, so it wasn’t always a good thing.
In that regard, the Florece Kingdom has skillfully utilized this system and can be said to have governed well, at least until now.
This is where Kousuke’s question to Achilles becomes important.
“I was also levied in the neighboring territory.”
“Me too.”
The adventurers, who had been watching Kousuke and the others converse, butted in, perhaps out of interest.
For them, taxes that made no sense were a source of dissatisfaction.
Or perhaps it was their way of saying that since they paid, Kousuke should pay as well.
Of course, Kousuke didn’t think he should listen.
Because.
“Is that so? That means, at worst, the Parent Nobles are also involved.”
“…What are you trying to say?”
Achilles frowned, wondering what Kousuke was implying.
“Since you are involved in taxes, I assume you know this…?”
Kousuke began with that preamble.
“Adventurers, in their position, are given preferential treatment regarding taxes compared to ordinary citizens, in order to secure them as a force in times of need.”
“What are you stating as obvious…?”
As Kousuke began to speak, Achilles looked at him with a doubtful expression, wondering what he was going to say now.
“And regarding that, at least in this Florece Kingdom, it is guaranteed by the country, and by extension, the King.”
“………”
“It is only natural, because if heavy taxes were imposed, unlike other countries, there is a possibility that adventurers might leave.”
In fact, there was a country in the past that, by taxing adventurers, experienced an outflow of adventurers to other countries and could not suppress monster floods.
Because of this, most countries try not to tax adventurers as much as possible.
Incidentally, there were also countries that did not impose taxes in the past, but it has now been standardized to impose a certain amount of tax, as countries with strong national power ultimately have an advantage.
For this reason, at least on the East Continent, adventurers’ taxes should be the same.
…Or at least, that’s the official story.
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Achilles, perhaps sensing something unsettling in Kousuke’s words, interrupted him.
“I understand you have some knowledge, but what are you trying to say?”
As if to say he already knew, Achilles looked at Kousuke.
“Is the activity tax you just mentioned a tax decided by the country?”
This was the reason Kousuke was pressing the issue.
At Kousuke’s words, the adventurers who were listening began to murmur.
They seemed to have started to realize something was wrong.
By the way, Kousuke is speaking with such certainty because he has solid backing.
After all, he has Former Princess Floria, whom he can contact at any time.
Furthermore, when he returned to this inn, he also spoke with former Prince Alec.
At least on this matter, Kousuke was one step ahead.
Unaware of any of this, Achilles retorted with a look of exasperation.
“Didn’t I just say? This tax is decided within the territory. It should be the same for other territories as the ones your companions mentioned earlier.”
The adventurers already present in the dining hall were watching the unfolding events with bated breath.
They might want to support Kousuke, but they could also understand Achilles’s position as a representative of the lord.
Kousuke, while looking at Achilles, was actually speaking to the adventurers.
“In other words, the territorial lords are defying the King. I’ve heard that nobility treason is a serious offense, so that must be difficult.”
At this remark, Achilles was finally surprised.
His expression became flustered.
“T-That’s absurd…! How can Amidio be defying the King!?”
“As I said before, the King decides on taxes for adventurers. Territorial lords should not be able to arbitrarily levy taxes on adventurers.”
Incidentally, Kousuke said this with conviction.
After all, he heard it from Alec, the former prince of this country.
However, he hadn’t predicted that something like this would happen; he had asked in advance about the taxes that would be imposed upon entering the country.
At these words, the adventurers seemed to have fully understood Kousuke’s point.
While still somewhat in disbelief, they seemed to think Kousuke’s argument was valid.
The men who had brought Achilles, however, seemed flustered by the unexpected turn of events.
They must have felt like they had been trying to corner a kitten, but ended up provoking a great tiger.
As for Achilles, who was facing Kousuke, he had completely lost his expression.
He wasn’t angry or panicked.
Rather, he looked resigned.
“Understood. So, you intend to defy Lord Amidio.”
“I don’t understand why you say that is defying him. We are merely asserting a just claim.”
Feeling Achilles’s gaze, Kousuke calmly retorted.
Achilles also seemed to be having a detached conversation.
“Is that so? Understood. Then, I will convey your assertion to Lord Amidio.”
With those words, Achilles, along with the men who had accompanied him, left the dining hall.
Kousuke fully understood the hidden meaning behind Achilles’s words.
In essence, Achilles was implying that with the lord’s power, he could easily deal with someone like Kousuke.
For someone with a little knowledge, like an adventurer, that would be enough.
At least, that’s what one would normally think.
Some of the adventurers who were watching also perfectly understood Achilles’s words.
When one frequently escorts nobles, one learns to understand their peculiar way of speaking.
“Hey. Are you alright? They’ll surely retaliate.”
At the adventurer’s words, those who hadn’t understood finally grasped the situation.
Gasps could be heard from all around.
“Well, I think I’ll be alright. Besides, aren’t you looking forward to what they’ll do next?”
Kousuke said with a smile.
Seeing Kousuke and the women around him, the adventurer who had been worried broke into a smile.
“Hahaha. You’ve definitely got the upper hand here. I’ll bet on you.”
This was a declaration that, if push came to shove, he would stand by Kousuke’s side.
This was something only an adventurer, unbound by territory, could say, even if it meant they might not be able to stay in this land.
As if drawn in by that adventurer, the other adventurers who had been watching also began to look amused.
If Kousuke’s argument prevailed, they wouldn’t have to pay extra money, which was a practical benefit, but the true “adventurer’s spirit” was also a significant factor.
At least on the surface, by this point, the adventurers in the dining hall had become Kousuke’s allies.
