Chapter 228. Situation in each country (5)
“One thing, we cannot afford this amount.”
I have no choice but to beg for mercy.
I have no money.
No town would be able to afford such a ridiculous amount.
“Yes, I guess.”
Even officials acknowledged it.
He frowned.
As you can see, the town's financial situation was dire.
None of the houses are well-maintained.
Even the nutritional status of the villagers is poor.
It was so miserable that even a plague would perish within a month.
“It's like tsk.”
But it's not a sympathetic look.
Anyway, why am I in such an unpleasant place?
It was just such contemptuous eyes.
“After many young people could not return from the battlefield, this year due to drought, they could not farm properly. We simply cannot afford this amount.”
“I know when I see it.”
For an instant, the village headman's eyes were filled with anticipation.
It probably won't pay much attention.
If at least they were given a reprieve...
Then at least somehow... The villagers...
But his hopes were dashed because of the words that came out of the official's mouth.
“So according to the laws of the Empire, you must pay for not paying your taxes.”
Chills ran down my spine.
The official looked at the residents while receiving the list from the accompanying soldiers.
“Hmm... only 120 people? It would be difficult to use a toothbrush. Well, if it's a child, I'll use it somehow.”
“Me?”
What the hell is that person talking about?
Suddenly, I felt like I was out of breath.
The village chief had to suffer from exploitation by many high-ranking people in his life.
In some cases, it's not once or twice that I thought it was really bad.
But it's the first time I've felt as frustrated as this time.
Something is going wrong.
“lily? What are you saying...?”
“The law changed this year. Those who fail to pay taxes will have to pay for it as slaves under the revised law.”
His words were undoubtedly conveyed to all the villagers.
Everyone is shocked as if they forgot to breathe.
Are you a slave...?
Only then did they understand the identity of the gaze he had been looking at them from just before.
to enslave.
It was to measure the value and number.
“Because it was judged to be beyond the ability to pay. From now on, all the inhabitants of this village, including you, will be enslaved... Take it out!”
“yes.”
Only then did the soldiers who had been waiting silently rush towards the residents.
The village became an abyss in an instant.
They know very well how miserable life is as a slave.
As less than tools, they are treated better as livestock, and no one even mourns them wherever they die.
Of course, no one was eager to get caught.
However, as if they had already anticipated that they would try to escape, soldiers blocked them from all sides and mercilessly trampled them with iron boots and tied them up.
“Don't kill me. number is reduced Isn't the lord already having a headache because he couldn't meet the required number!”
The official frowned and annoyed at the death of the slave as the soldiers trampled on him mercilessly.
“A slave! You are too! We have lived in this village for generations and have lived faithfully as citizens of the empire.
But how could you do such a merciless treatment!”
The village chief cried out and protested, but he did not listen.
Rather, he frowned, as if in displeasure.
“What use is that? If you can't pay, you'll be a slave.”
No sympathy whatsoever.
Everyone was in despair about that fact.
“Categorize according to what you catch and load them. Guys and girls who can work. And classify each child.”
The official ordered grimly.
Residents classified as such would be scattered in various places as slaves.
and never to be reunited again.
....It will never be possible for most of them to set foot on this land alive.
Soldiers mercilessly snatch the baby from the woman and load it onto a cart.
A young man who was desperate and rushing forward is mercilessly beaten and dragged away with his limbs broken.
The lives of the residents who were poor but still tried to live with hope every day were ruined in an instant.
“...It can't be like this...
The official glared angrily at the village chief, who was weeping in despair.
“Come to think of it, that guy is old and worthless.”
Saying just that, he instructed the soldier accompanying him by pointing at the village chief.
“has no value. Take care of that.”
There wasn't even a hint of remorse in that voice.
“Currently, the state of the slave market in the Merman Empire is truly a mess.”
Ian, who is in charge of a large-scale slave store in Ernesia Kingdom, sipped tea and said that.
“A bitch?”
As he explained, I tapped my finger on the table for more detail.
Now I am at the slave market for the first time in a long time.
It wasn't that I really wanted to buy a slave.
Already, the number of enslaved soldiers and slaves used for labor in Fahilia is close to saturation.
Of course, I'm not trying to personally buy a slave.
If you do, the eyes of the people around you are very salty.
Well, if an elf comes out, I'll think about it.
Anyway, I'm not here to buy a slave.
To put it bluntly, I want to hear about the current situation of the slave market.
Ian's main business base is within Ernesia Kingdom, but it doesn't mean he doesn't trade with foreign countries.
That's why they have some information about the situation of the slave market in other countries.
The purpose is to hear it.
“I won’t ask you to hear it for free, so tell me everything you know and guess.”
“Oh, it’s fine. Thanks to the last war and thanks to Arell's advice, I got my share right. If I think of it as a repayment at that time, my mouth can be lighthearted as long as it is a trivial story like this.”
Ian trembled and continued the story he had just told.
“Did you hear that the number of slaves in the Merman Empire is rapidly increasing?”
“....well? I don't know.”
I had heard something from Pena before, but for now I pretended not to know.
“Currently, the slave traders in the empire are said to be very confused. Ah.... This is something I heard from a trader who does the same thing that I often do business with.”
“okay?”
“It is said that the village, which was fine until yesterday, will be sold at the market the next day, including adults and children, even livestock.”
If I hadn't been informed to some extent by Pena beforehand, I might have been mad at Ian for not lying.
It's such an absurd story.
Now the Empire enacts ridiculous laws to cover the number of slaves it needs.
And for all sorts of reasons, they are downgrading commoners to slaves.
You can't pay your taxes, so be a slave.
A criminal sneaked into this town?
It's a shame. be your slave
Do you feel bad, be your slave.
“...It's shit.”
“you're right. In the world, to enslave people so indiscriminately...
The slave trader is enraged when he sees the reality of the slaves.
Have you lost your identity?
I sent a dumbfounded look, but Ian didn't even notice it.
Indeed, you have to have this level of shamelessness to prey on merchants.
Putting that wonderful feeling aside, it deserves anger.
Increasing slaves like that indiscriminately would only lead to the collapse of the empire.
“If you treat slaves indiscriminately, you'll get sick right away. You'll get weak there. As a merchant, it is a disqualification.”
“Ah, were you angry there?”
“hmm? Isn't it?”
“Let's assume that's right too.”
There is some truth in Ian's words.
It is true that the treatment of the slaves was much more humane in the Kingdom of Ernesia.
Even a slave can make a contribution.
Or, there is a possibility of becoming a commoner when there is an important event for the country.
For example, those who fought bravely, including Commander Hermund, who led the former slave army, were granted citizenship of the city for their merits in the previous war.
It's a slave, but it's not like there's no way up.
But the slaves of the Empire are hopeless.
Once done, it's over.
Under the laws of the empire, there was no remedy no matter what.
The handling there is also not good.
It's literally less than livestock.....
Ian doesn't want to let me hear it.
“Anyway, the empire's slave market is in chaos right now. They said they were at a loss as to what to do with new slaves coming in.”
“But then what are you going to do with that slave? Once you bring it to the market, who should you sell it to?”
I took off my pretense and asked.
“That's right. Shouldn't it be sold?”
Ian said with his eyes shining.
“Actually… this is a bit of an absurd rumor.”
“say. Don't worry, there won't be any after.”
“Oh, I'm not worried about that.”
Ian smiled brightly and carefully brought the rumor out of his mouth.
There are rumors that those slaves are being taken away from the Holy Land.”
I clenched my fists.
It's finally coming together.
It's not that I distrust Pena, but I'm not clumsy enough to listen to what she says meekly.
The more you care about information, the better it is to double-check it several times.
And it was correct.
There is no smoke without fire.
It's almost certain that traders sensitive to the slave trade smelled this much.
That the empire was trying to trade its own citizens, and a large number of them, as slaves to the holy nation.
“Payment? How much? Do you have any idea how much money was supposed to come and go?”
“I don’t know that either. Perhaps it was a business led by the imperial family, but it seemed like they kept their mouths shut. Well, if you make fun of your mouth wrong, your throat will run away, so what can you do?”
He pretended to slit his throat in a funny gesture.
Right. The heavier the mouth, the bigger the amount.
As expected, it meant that the amount would be enough to make the foolish emperor's eyes go round. “I see….
Hmmm,
a large-scale slave trade… .
Ian asked curiously.
There is quite a bit of greed in his voice.
He seemed to be expecting a lot if he could take advantage of this information as an opportunity.
“Well... it's not like that. I'll give you some advice for now, but you'd better stay away from it. Don't be frivolous.”
“...I'll keep that in mind.”
Ian's eyes shone fiercely.
I will never listen to anything more than I warned you.
“And... even before Arel-nim said it, I didn't see it very well.”
“hmm? Even if there is a lot of money coming and going?”
“Even so, that deal makes no sense. Oh my god, how stupid to make and move slaves with me. Traditionally, slaves must be properly managed and paid for. Wouldn't that be the shame of a slave trader?”
Only the trade of bright and healthy slaves is right.
Ian insisted.
“Yeah, you did well.”
Ian's iron rules as a slave trader didn't really interest me, so I skipped it.
Well, with this, I'm sure
Just as Pena was worried, the empire is going smoothly.
It really didn't work out for fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m
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