I kept being called incompetent at home, but it seemed super competent globally

Oh! This is Lake Lamia!

Leaving the city of Raja and heading southeast in the express carriage for about three days.

Through the gloomy forest, glittering waters jumped into my eyes.

Lake Lamia is the confluence of large rivers that flow through the central part of the continent.

It's so big that the mountains on the other side can be seen blurry, and it's likely to be mistaken for the sea.

“Nice view. Rock, one of the best resorts on the continent.”

If you have time to spare, you might want to swim.

"I thought your sister said that, so I brought you a swimsuit."

Oh, be sharp!

Beautiful lakes and white mountains beyond.

A landscape reminiscent of a painting raised us naturally.

So, while everyone is talking to this, the carriage moves on, and eventually you can see the city of Elmar.

Is that the Valdemar castle on the hill?

Yeah, it was originally a fortress to protect the city.

Well, that's why the atmosphere is different from the others.

A beautiful cityscape with a pale cream exterior and red brick roof.

In the hills beyond, there was a heavy castle.

I thought that I lived in a martial arts building for a long time to be the lord who ruled the city of art...

I see, if it was originally a fortress, I'd understand.

"It's been gorgeously renovated inside." I'm sure you'll be surprised, it's more luxurious than any royal palace in the world. ”

"That's exciting..."

"... nh? What is that?"

Kurta suddenly interrupted the conversation and pointed forward.

Looking beyond the line of sight, a kind of checkpoint is set up to block the street.

What, did it happen?

As soon as we stop the carriage, a guard-like figure comes running up to us.

"Elmar is a member of the Guard. Give me your ID."

"Oh, yes, please."

We immediately handed over our guild cards.

The guard who confirms it looks a little surprised.

Oh, it's unusual to hear from Raja.

I've done a big favor, and I've got a little extra time to rest my bones.

That's right. Then the five of you... pay me 50,000 gold as the entry tax.

"... eh?"

We weren't able to respond immediately to the unexpected amount of money.

There are occasional cities that have a city entry tax, but the price is about 1,000 gold per person.

I've never heard of 10,000 gold per person.

“Wait a minute. There shouldn't have been such an extraordinary tax on my previous visit.”

How long ago was that?

About two years ago.

"If that's the case, you don't have to know." It wasn't until a year ago that this tax was set. "

"... what happened to the city?"

Liza-san asked unexpectedly with a strange look on her face.

Then the guard shrugged his shoulders in apologies.

"We don't know why either." It was decided by the lord's sight. "

"Is such a lawlessness going to pass..."

"I'm sorry, rules are rules. If you don't pay, I can't let you through."

”... I can't help it”

Kurta gently took out five coins from her pocket and handed them to the guards.

Liza's face seemed to be unconvincing, but Kurta whispered softly.

“If I get in trouble here, I won't be able to go to the Valdemar house.”

"That's true... but I feel like I've lost somehow."

"You didn't win or lose, did you?"

"But I don't know what to say..."

"All right, here's the permit."

Instead of my sister Liza, the guards handed me a permit to make a quick cleanup.

When we receive it, we drive the carriage again towards the city.

“But why did taxes suddenly go up again?”

Huh? Didn't you even rebuild the castle?

"Even so, I think ten thousand gold is too much to do..."

"I think there's nothing I can do about it." Ah, yes, onee-sama, this. "

Having said that, Nino handed over the city tax that Mr. Kurta had replaced.

We will also hand over our share to Mr. Kurta.

If you don't do this properly as soon as possible, it will cause you to rub it later.

Yes, we've arrived.

Nino, who was the ruler, stopped the carriage when he entered the city square.

Without a doubt, the horse slowly stops.

When you step outside the carriage, it's like a big city.

It was supposed to be a glamorous city of art...

Nowhere, the whole city is lively.

”... it's kind of quiet, isn't it?”

“This may be right to be lonely rather than quiet.”

"It's strange. When I came here before, there were entertainers and musicians there..."

It was Liza who looked around, but there was no sign of them.

On the contrary, the streets themselves are quite sparse.

The well-maintained road was even more creepy.

Is this also due to the entry tax?

"That's all, you'll be so lonely to the boulders." Maybe there's a lot more. ”

”Be... there are still mysterious taxes?”

“I don't know, but I'm pretty sure we should get this over with right away.”

We immediately nodded to Mr. Rowga's words.

Anyway, let's get to the Valdemar house and get the Oriharkon knife.

I feel like something bad is going to happen in this city.

"Well then, I'll ask you to do it, sister." I can only rely on your sister's introduction, right? "

"I know, let's go."

"...... I'll tell you in advance, even if something unreasonable happens, you can't get into a rampage, right?"

"I know that much!" Don't treat me like a child! "

So we went with our sister to the castle of the Valdemars.