The citizens of Tebura tilted their heads in confusion after reading the announcement.
"So, they're saying they'll be making regular announcements like this from now on?"
"...I can't read, so this is a big problem."
"If you have complaints, they're telling us to come to the mansion. Anyone want to go to the lord's mansion with me?"
"Don't say such reckless things. Don't you know how terrifying our lord is? Not long ago, the younger brother of a general store owner insulted the lord and got executed—his head was hung in the square."
"...That's scary. I guess I should learn to read."
『Citizens of Tebura will now be divided into five grades based on their contribution to the city's development.
Most of you are Grade 5 citizens. Aside from being allowed to live in Tebura, you receive no benefits. Contribute to the city's development, raise your citizen grade, and enjoy the benefits.
Grade 4 citizens will receive priority access to certain events in Tebura ahead of Grade 5 citizens. This priority can also be used in other areas.
Grade 3 citizens will receive priority access and a 1% discount at the Korea Trading Company.
Grade 2 citizens will receive priority access, a 3% discount at the Korea Trading Company, and a 10% discount at Tebura's public facilities.
Grade 1 citizens will receive priority access, a 5% discount at the Korea Trading Company, a 10% discount at Tebura's public facilities, and a 10% tax reduction.
Additionally, we will select exemplary citizens each month and award them gifts, so please do your best to contribute to Tebura's development.
The required contribution points for each grade are as follows:
Grade 4 – 1,000
Grade 3 – 3,000
Grade 2 – 5,000
Grade 1 – 10,000』
"Citizen grades? What's this…"
"It's not like we become slaves if our grade is low, so what's the problem? In fact, the higher your grade, the more benefits you get—isn't that good for us?"
"Hmm. Is that so?"
"Unbelievable. If you become a Grade 1 citizen, you get a 10% tax reduction."
"It doesn't say how to become a Grade 1 citizen. How do we earn contribution points?"
"Wait a minute. Let me keep reading."
『This time, Tud Pulse has donated 3 million nerl for the territory's development and has become a Grade 4 citizen. Congratulations! As the first donor, his contribution is specially recognized.
Felg has reported citizens hindering development and has become a Grade 4 citizen. Congratulations!
Katarina, the Madam of Heaven by the Sea, has made many sacrifices for the territory's development. We will not forget her contributions. Katarina has become a Grade 2 citizen. Congratulations!
Becan Drock, the owner of the Korea Trading Company, has perfectly fulfilled the lord's requests for the city's development and has never missed a tax payment. We recognize his contributions and have selected him as this month's exemplary citizen. Additionally, Becan has become the first Grade 1 citizen. Congratulations!
As a benefit for being an exemplary citizen, he will receive a letter from the lord, premium wine, and beef. Furthermore, next month's taxes will be reduced by an additional 10%.』
"So, to become a Grade 4 citizen… do we have to donate 3 million nerl to the lord?"
"Look carefully. It says his contribution was specially recognized because he was the first donor. I doubt 3 million nerl is enough."
3 million nerl was an amount one could earn after two months of work. For commoners, it was a large sum, so they couldn't recklessly donate. Moreover, there was no guarantee that donating would make them Grade 4 citizens.
"That bastard Felg! He's the one who reported the general store owner's younger brother, leading to his execution! And now this despicable guy is a Grade 4 citizen…!"
"Reporting… I see."
Some were furious, while others pondered deeply.
Just because they lived in the same city didn't mean everyone was on friendly terms. If reporting someone could raise their citizen grade, wasn't that a benefit?
"Heaven by the Sea… sigh. That place is incredible."
"Katarina… isn't she that prostitute from the brothel? That whore is a Grade 2 citizen?"
"You've never been to Heaven by the Sea, have you?"
"I've heard of it. But it's just a brothel, right? I have a proper wife. No reason to go there."
"Tsk tsk. To have never been to Heaven by the Sea… I pity you. Katarina becoming a Grade 2 citizen is only natural. That place is truly… sigh. Just thinking about it makes my heart race."
"...Is it really that good? Aren't there just dirty prostitutes there?"
"If you go even once, you'll never say that again. It costs 200,000 nerl an hour, but… I've never regretted it. The women there are several times prettier than your wife."
"If you're saying that much… I guess I'll have to visit there today."
Heaven by the Sea had transformed into a high-class brothel that rivaled those in the capital. Men who had visited even once never complained—except about the price.
"Becan of the Korea Trading Company became a Grade 1 citizen. Hmm. I can accept that."
"Thanks to the Korea Trading Company, there's been a lot of liveliness lately. The cigarettes they sell are the reason I live."
"I heard the Korea Trading Company has close ties with the lord… Most of the strange items they sell were developed by the lord himself."
『As you all know, the Black Tiger Trading Company has been involved in bribery and smuggling crimes. Enraged by this, the lord broke the Black Tiger's fangs and claws. The Black Tiger left behind its black hide and departed for the afterlife.
But there's no need to grieve. The Black Tiger Trading Company has been reborn as the Korea Trading Company.
To celebrate its opening, we're holding a collaboration event. For the next week, customers who purchase items from the Korea Trading Company will receive a 10% discount coupon, worth up to 100,000 nerl.
Additionally, a limited-edition opening commemorative package will be released. The package contains daily necessities and can be purchased for just 99,800 nerl.
But wait! There's more!
Purchasing the commemorative package also grants 5 contribution points—a golden opportunity!
Note: Contribution points are only awarded for the first purchase, even if you buy multiple packages.
Here's the package's contents:
Toilet paper, shampoo, soap, sanitary pads, canned tuna, canned ham, 3 packs of ramen, 2 pots, 2 packs of cigarettes, 3 sets of socks....』
"Wow. There are over 10 items. Isn't this a bargain?"
"Since there are limited ways to earn contribution points… it's best to buy while you can."
"Hmm. Is this really worth 100,000 nerl? I need to think about it."
『We regret to inform you of some unfortunate news.
To support the territory's development, taxes will unavoidably be raised. But don't be too disheartened—your taxes will all be used for the territory's growth.
Our beautiful city, Tebura, will flourish even more thanks to your efforts!
A new public institution, the Tax Office, begins operations today.
All tax-related matters will now be handled at the Tax Office. The officials will kindly assist you. Taxes must also be paid here, and you must receive a tax receipt.
The previous 50% tax rate has been increased to 60%.
"It's an unavoidable measure for the city's development."
There are 611 tax delinquents. We are aware of all of them. During the next two weeks—the voluntary reporting period—please pay all overdue taxes.
-If you attempt to flee the city and are caught, confiscating all your assets won't be the end of it. Your family's heads may be displayed in the square, so be careful.
-If you refuse to pay taxes until the end, terrifying guards will visit your home.
"FBI, OPEN UP!"
The marriage tax has been raised from 1 million nerl to 3 million nerl.
-The marriage tax must be paid at the Tax Office when submitting a marriage registration form.
-Both spouses must be present. A husband cannot submit the form alone without his wife.
-Failing to register a marriage may result in a fine of over 30 million nerl.
"Marriage is no joke~"
With the marriage tax increase, you'll need to think more carefully before marrying.
The death tax has been raised from 800,000 nerl to 1 million nerl.
"Paying your taxes ensures you go to a better place."』
"...Sigh. Taxes really went up."
"With a new lord taking over, a tax hike was expected. Nothing we can do."
"What power do we have to resist the lord? But raising the marriage tax to 3 million nerl… that's too much."
"Does anyone know what 'FBI' means?"
『Feeling down about the tax increase? Don't be too depressed. We've got good news.
Next month, a public bathhouse will officially open. All citizens of Tebura can use it. Let's all stay clean.
One of the upcoming events: The Tebura Beauty Pageant is in preparation.
Total prize money: 100 million nerl!
Winner's contribution points: 2,000!
Who will be Tebura's most beautiful woman?!
Only women may participate. Judging will be conducted by the lord and your votes.
In addition to the prize money, incredible gifts are prepared, so we hope for many participants.
This concludes Announcement 1.0. Please look forward to the next one.』
The citizens gathered around the bulletin board began buzzing with excitement.
"100 million? It really says the prize is 100 million nerl?!"
"The total prize money is 100 million. The winner will probably get around 50 million. Plus, the winner gets 2,000 contribution points—enough to become a Grade 4 citizen immediately."
"This is exciting. My wife could win the beauty pageant easily."
"Sigh… Didn't I tell you before? You're blinded by love. I guarantee no one but you will vote for your wife."
"Hehe… I'll send my daughter. My daughter, the most beautiful woman in Tebura… winning will be no problem."
The citizens were looking forward to the beauty pageant. The reason? The prize money was far larger than they imagined, and it would provide new excitement in their dull lives.
***
"Hehe. How are the pigs reacting?"
I sipped my tea and asked Yuria.
Pigs.
That's what I call my citizens.
If this were modern times, they'd probably revolt over such insults, but democracy doesn't exist in this world. Even if my citizens rebelled, I have Yuria.
An aura expert of the highest rank and a high-level shadow mage.
With her, any rebellion would be crushed instantly.
"The reactions aren't bad. They're looking forward to the beauty pageant with its huge prize money."
"Of course. Tebura has always been a quiet city with no festivals or events until now. They must be excited."
Medieval commoners are mostly stupid. Most have no proper education, and at least 80% are illiterate. Forget elementary school—they don't even have kindergartens.
The fraction of commoners with functioning brains is less than 10%.
And I have zero intention of building schools or educational facilities for them.
"Stupid pigs are easier to control. Right, Yuria?"
"Your words are wise. They have no value beyond labor. They should be grateful to be ruled by you, Master. All they need is bread and circuses."
As expected of Yuria. She knows things.
Bread and circuses.
An ancient Roman policy. Stupid commoners are easier to manage.
"Kukuku. I'm really looking forward to the beauty pageant."
The beauty pageant will be held at an appropriate time later. Its purpose is to easily identify all the beauties in Tebura so I can claim them.
The "appropriate time" refers to when I have complete control over Tebura.
And my ultimate goal is to claim every beautiful woman in this city. Even if they have husbands, it doesn't matter. What's important is that I claim them before their husbands do—the right of the first night.
"I can't wait for that day."
[Ending the game.]
[Calculating experience.]
[Pethas's bond level is 3.]
[Rizel's bond level is 2.]
[Katarina's bond level is 2.]
[Elona's bond level is 4.]
[Fatima's bond level is 3.]
[Nephea's bond level is 1.]
[Aisha's bond level is 1.]
***
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