I never thought I’d have to see this despicable face again…
Our unwanted visitor is that perverted ratface who previously came as the seigneur’s messenger to extort an OUTRAGEOUS amount of land taxes from Elle Village!
He was apprehended during our last encounter, but nothing happened to him because things got hectic between Aela’s arrival and the Grand Magis’ assault. He seems to have shrewdly escaped during the chaos. Sly rat.
“It’s good to see you again. The last time we met, things went south for everyone, but I am relieved to see you and your village survived,” drawls the lecherous deviant with a smarmy grin.
As always, his smile gives me the creeps.
Just like before, we’ve shown him to the visitor’s parlor and are having Jasper the Trembler acting as the representative. Julius and I are hidden by invisibility magic again, but I have every intention of directly inflicting punishment if he does anything rude.
“It’s been a while since your last visit, sir. What business brings you here? We have already paid the appropriate taxes without delay. Furthermore, Prince Guido is the current seigneur presiding over this region,” Jasper says, cleverly cutting the messenger’s legs out from under him before he can say anything.
Jurisdiction over Elle Village belongs to Prince Guido now. That said, he lives in the capital, so his appointed representative handles things on his behalf. And since this is someone Prince Guido picked, they’re a decent person who rules with a fair hand.
Elle Village now pays the appropriate taxes determined after a proper discussion with the deputy seigneur.
“True enough. However, I know you must have unspoken issues with the new ruler. Am I wrong?” the rat-faced messenger asks with a suggestive grin.
“We have no issues. Only respect for being treated well,” Jasper says, careful not to be led into saying the wrong thing.
“Yes, yes, I understand you completely. You needn’t say it out loud. The third prince is a naïve, spoiled little boy. Surely he knows nothing of land management. He is even exploiting citizens out of their hard-earned crops. Don’t you agree?”
“His taxes are paltry compared to the amount you suggested last time.”
“I have good news for people who are struggling to pay such preposterous taxes. I come bearing a splendid deal that will make your entire village tax-exempt,” the messenger suggests, brimming with confidence.
Yeah, but we don’t have any complaints about our current seigneur! Jasper has been stressing that fact from the start, too. This dirtbag just doesn’t listen.
Even Jasper, the talented negotiator that he is, lets the smile freeze on his face. Communicating with this man is near impossible.
The messenger drones on, unaware—or just uncaring—that Jasper isn’t on the same page. “As I’m sure you already know, it was the witch in league with the third prince who destroyed this village last time,” he says, spewing utter nonsense as though he’s conveying some grave piece of factual information.
It’s true that Elle Village was partially decimated during his last visit, but that was the work of Analia’s Grand Magi.
“I managed to escape from the wicked third prince’s henchmen, but my heart ached for what happened to this village afterward. Extraordinary effort must have been required to rebuild the village.”
“Uh-huh,” Jasper sighs.
“But instead of apologizing, the notorious third prince is squeezing the life out of this village with high taxes…! What a ruthless scoundrel he is!” the messenger laments.
Seriously, what is this guy after? Does he not notice that every single villager is apathetic to his spiel?
“As I have stated since the beginning, our taxes are fair. We are not dissatisfied. Furthermore, the ones responsible for partially destroying Elle Village are—”
“The former seigneur I serve is also grieved over Elle Village’s desperate plight.”
“Excuse me, but would you please listen—”
“Yes, yes. I understand. I more than understand and sympathize with how you all feel,” he says, nodding like he knows everything we’re thinking.
“So what is it you are trying to say?” Laurent asks outright, unable to put up with it a moment longer.
“Ooh! Why, if it isn’t the local master sorcerer! Perhaps I have taken up too much of your time. Allow me to get straight to the point. Per the good offices of His Lordship, he is offering Elle Village the opportunity of becoming tax-exempt upon his return to his former position.”
“Tax-exempt…?” Jasper repeats in a tired voice, sounding disinterested, although the effect is lost on Smiley the Messenger.
“Indeed. Upon one condition, however. The condition is…,” he starts, then goes on at length about the tax-exemption condition with a sickeningly sticky smirk.