The Strongest Farmer in Another World ~I'm a "Farmer", Not a Demon King! ~ - Chapter 267

The Strongest Farmer in Another World ~I’m a “Farmer”, Not a Demon King! ~

Chapter 267   Talk with the village chief

“……Oh, I, I apologize for the wait.”

The man who appeared seemed somewhat uneasy, with a mix of fear and confusion, about 40% fear and 60% perplexity, perhaps?

Well, yeah. If we’re frolicking like that at the entrance, it’s understandable. There was this ridiculous conversation happening in front of the entrance, like, “The dangerous guys from Karakas are coming,” and he was on alert and scared. In that situation, bewilderment would likely outweigh fear.

“Ah, thank you. I believe the conversation has already begun, but your territory attacked Karakas this time, and as a result of repelling it, Karakas has decided to take control of this area. We came here to explain that, but may we come inside for that?”

“Uh, ah, yes. Please, come in.”

The village chief, who seemed nervously surprised, had probably not expected my polite response, especially after the commotion at the entrance.

Although still cautious and not entirely at ease, he seemed to have developed an interest in hearing our story, so he invited us into the house after the earlier uproar at the entrance.

“Now, for the detailed explanation, there’s something I’d like to ask first. When you initially agreed to this becoming Karakas territory, someone must have come here. What did that person say?”

Having entered the house, which thankfully wasn’t a trap set up for an ambush the moment we entered, we sat down face to face and began our conversation. It’s truly wonderful that we can have a normal conversation.

“Uh, yeah, if they’re lending a helping hand when needed, I don’t mind the tax being at 40%, you know. And there’s something about benefits…”

“So, did you agree to that?”

“Y-yes. The tax until now was 80%, so most of it was being taken by the lord. Especially around here, there’s been no development, and we’ve been living in a state where we’re just managing to survive, thanks to the damage from monsters.”

“If that situation continues, even if we join Karakas, having a 40% tax seems more attractive than being in a state where we’re mostly taken advantage of, right?”

“Yes.”

Reducing the tax rate to 40% was something I had heard about in advance.

As for why we, a gathering of criminals known as Karakas—though they seem surprisingly kind—are in this situation, it’s because this area had already been exploited to its limits. The previous lord must have been quite foolish, leading to a dangerous situation where people were starving to death.

While the most straightforward tax to understand is the one imposed during harvest, there are various other types of taxes, such as head tax, land tax, and inheritance tax. Taxes are also levied during marriage or death. Depending on the place and time, there could be even more variations.

I think they might have thought that increasing taxes when money is needed is a reasonable approach, but things had gotten quite severe.

I was actually shown documents, and if I were to compare it to Japan, having a constant income tax rate of eighty percent. Isn’t that ridiculous?

At the rate things were going, even if we continued to exploit, it wouldn’t bring in any income. It might become stricter later on, but for now, it seems better to relax a bit and let prosperity take its course. That seemed to be the conclusion, with Edward handling the calculations and details with a smile, so I wasn’t particularly involved.

But for the residents, if their taxes were suddenly reduced to 40%, wouldn’t they be happy?

“S-so, is that… is that story true?”

“Yes, I don’t mind the tax being at 40%.”

The village chief probably finds it incredibly unbelievable that the tax rate is not increasing but rather decreasing after becoming affiliated with Karakas.

I can understand that too, but the current situation is just unacceptable. Whether they collect taxes as they have been or use them for something else, either way, it doesn’t seem like it would contribute much to our strength.

It might be better than nothing, but just being better than nothing doesn’t make it meaningful. Properly managing and nourishing what you have is more beneficial than sucking it out of those who have nothing.

Moreover, until now, they haven’t rebelled because they were under the jurisdiction of the nobility, but from now on, they’ll be under the control of criminals. Due to this change, villagers who have been harboring dissatisfaction might revolt.

Rather than letting that happen, it’s definitely better to start by lowering the tax rate, being kind, and approaching things in a friendly manner.

So, while the tax is fine, becoming under Karakas’s control will bring about changes other than just the tax rate.

“Speaking of things other than taxes, it’s the laws.”

“Laws?”

“Yes. Since the country you’re affiliated with is changing, it’s natural that the laws will change too, right? Here, take a look at what’s written about the laws.”

As I said that, Sofia, who was standing nearby, took out several sheets of paper and handed them to the village chief.

There, the laws we established when creating our country were written.

Though when we say “laws,” it’s not as if anything significant is written.

Basically, we intend to create and enforce reasonably decent laws everywhere except Karakas and Flower Garden. We plan to govern properly. Otherwise, the developmental potential of the country would die off if we let it progress in a disorderly manner.

However, these laws apply only to the surrounding areas, while in the city of Karakas itself and Flower Garden, different rules exist.

… No, it might be more accurate to say they don’t exist.

The reason for such a peculiar expression is that in Karakas, no laws are applied.

No crime is considered a sin in the city of Karakas. No matter what wrongdoing, no matter what villain or lunatic, within the city and its certain surrounding area, they are never held accountable for their crimes.

It’s not without feeling a sense of unease about what’s happening in creating a country, but those residing there are criminals. Opposing them by making a fuss about crime in that city is sure to meet with resistance.

Moreover, Edward and the old lady didn’t approve either. According to them, it’s because it would become difficult to earn money and survive.

I didn’t understand the old lady’s intention when she said “survive,” but certainly, if you create strange rules, it might become challenging to make money.

But still, if it’s Edward, couldn’t he create and manage laws to draw money from a different direction? I asked, thinking along those lines, but that was denied.

“While it’s true that I can earn money, it would mean others can’t. This place is a space where anyone, regardless of status, position, or criminal history, can rise to the top with strength and talent. I’ve done it myself, and others have done the same. I don’t intend to deny that.”

That’s what he said. In other words, the phrase “unable to earn money” wasn’t referring only to himself, but rather it meant everyone would lose the opportunity to earn money.

“And, those words were connected to the phrase the old lady used, ‘unable to survive.’

To explain what that means, even though Karakas gathers criminals, there are some relatively minor offenders among them, like those we currently employ in Flower Garden.

However, in this world, it’s tough on criminals. Even if it’s a small crime, there’s a possibility of oppression once identified as a sinner. While that might be the case in any world, in this world, it could literally be a matter of life and death.

Additionally, there are those who have been falsely accused of crimes. There might be various reasons for that, but sometimes individuals who can no longer live in normal places due to being accused of a crime end up here. If you were to accuse them of a crime again, they would have nowhere else to go.

That’s why it’s better not to create laws haphazardly.

Furthermore, without laws, as Edward mentioned, there are no restrictions, meaning one can rise to the top. If you can rise to the top, even someone born in a slum, someone sold as a slave, or someone who has given up on life can live with hope through hard work. Everyone, regardless of their background, can have hope through effort.

In fact, the old lady used to be just one of the prostitutes in a brothel, managing things a bit. Still, she rose to the position of the boss.

Her life must have been full of various experiences. The weight of those words was something I couldn’t easily deny.

Of course, the safety aspect becomes the worst in exchange for that, but it can’t be helped. If you don’t like it, don’t come; become stronger. That seems to be the philosophy.

Well, if you move away from the city of Karakas, it’s a normal world where laws are effective, so if you don’t like it, you can just not come, and if you were born in Karakas, you can leave.

Then, there’s another point: causing trouble in Flower Garden is not allowed. Well, this is obvious. That city is marketed for its safety, and it’s a place I, acting as the king, created. In a sense, it can be considered similar to a royal palace. There’s no way I’d allow issues in such a place. If something happens, I’ll crush it, even if it’s not covered by the law.

Those are the major provisions. There are some others written in a good and appropriate manner, but rather than changing everything, it’s easier to get used to what we’re already familiar with. So, basically, we’ve borrowed the laws of the Zaviet Kingdom.

“Well, wait a moment. The country is changing… Ah, does that mean that city belongs to some country!?”

However, before reading the papers with such laws, the village chief exclaimed while standing up. It seems he heard that Karakas had taken control, but he hadn’t heard that Karakas had become independent as a country.

“Rather than being affiliated, it’s more accurate to say that it has newly become independent as a country.”

Well, we haven’t officially declared it to the surrounding areas yet, so saying it has become independent might not be entirely accurate? Well, it doesn’t really matter.

“Newly…?”

“Yes. In the recent war—well, Karakas overwhelmingly won that war—we received land, so we decided to go ahead and create a country. We haven’t made the official declaration yet, but once we do, that city will officially become independent as a country. Along with that, there will likely be more envy and interference from others, but well, that can’t be helped.”

“T-that is…”

“It’s too late to back out now.”

Upon hearing about the creation of a country and potential interference from the surroundings, the village chief seemed to become more cautious.

However, we don’t intend to back down now. This isn’t a discussion about whether he agrees with our plan or not.

Agreement is assumed from the start, and we’re here to discuss what comes after. Refusing at this point won’t change anything. If he were to refuse, we would simply replace him.

Perhaps the village chief had intended to insist that even if the village is under Karakas’s control, they would only follow orders and claim they had no choice. However, once they participate as a country, such excuses won’t hold.