Chapter 483

Chapter 483: The Devil’s Kingdom

Karoso had a new ring on his hand, which made everyone feel very heavy-hearted.

Especially Tige, who no longer pressured Karoso and 『』 to train together, but silently returned to the cabin.

"Don’t worry, teacher, I will definitely solve this," Karoso reassured 『』.

"Hmm, I believe in you…" 『』 held Karoso’s hand.

Although she didn’t know what the solution was, she could only believe in Karoso at that moment.

The worst-case scenario is living in Acheron in the future.

It is clear that Tige does not want Karoso to be in a place like Acheron, but if Tige cannot get Karoso out, he still believes he can find a way for both of them to live normally in Acheron.

……

September 26th.

Teresa walked aimlessly on the land of Presea; the death of Emperor Augustus hit her very hard.

She didn’t know what to do or what she was capable of doing.

She randomly chose a noodle shop and ordered a bowl of hot soup noodles.

She was quietly eating her noodles when she suddenly heard shouting.

"Damn it, how dare you not pay taxes?"

Bang!

Teresa watched as the store owner was kicked out.

Teresa was eating noodles at the door.

Although Presea is quite cold, it is September now, and many restaurants have outdoor seating.

With a sun umbrella and a table, customers can relax in the breeze while enjoying lunch.

Teresa slurped the noodles into her mouth and frowned slightly.

Can’t we negotiate properly without paying taxes?

Forget it, maybe the mood is just bad.

In Teresa’s eyes, it was quite normal for people to resort to violence.

Some people are so unreasonable; if you don’t fight back, there’s really no way out.

In the age of netizens, there were lazy people, bullies, and troublemakers who picked on their classmates. I believe netizens would be happy to see them get a good beating.

Teresa wasn’t thinking about other people’s business; she was out for a walk, not on a secret visit.

"Please, sir, please…" the owner clung to a tax officer’s leg. "We had enough money for our taxes, but with the new State Funeral Tax and the new policy tax, we just don’t have it!"

"Every year when I run my shop, the money I earn is only enough to pay taxes and for basic food and drink; I can’t even afford my children’s school fees…"

"Do poor people even deserve an education?" The tax officer kicked the owner, making him stumble. "If others can pay, why can’t you?"

"But, but… many people can’t afford it either!" the owner shouted. "How many on this street can pay?"

"Hmph, you think you don’t have to pay taxes?" The tax officer sneered. "Let me tell you, if you don’t gather the tax money, your child will have a criminal record, and won’t be able to hold any public office or join the army in the future. Don’t even think about going to school; I can’t promise he’ll graduate!"

After hearing this, the owner’s face turned pale.

Just controlling these people and their children is enough.

The tax officer finished speaking, left the store, and went to the next shop.

It was clear that the next shop could not pay either.

After visiting six shops in a row, only one could afford to pay.

So annoying!

Teresa finished all her noodles and felt something was not right.

One person might be a deadbeat, but among so many shops, only one could pay—there is a problem here!

Moreover, looking at this city, this street is one of the busiest, which means it should be making more money.

If this place can’t pay, what about the others?

The owner was sighing deeply while counting the money when Teresa approached him, "Boss, what is this State Funeral Tax and the new policy tax about?"

"I don’t know, it just happened for no reason." The boss said a little sadly, "I prepare the ingredients at two or three in the morning, open the shop at five, and rest at nine in the evening. I can’t afford to be lazy at all."

"I haven’t been to a pub in many years, not even to a cheap dance hall."

"Year after year, I haven’t dared to take a single day off."

"The machines and furniture at home haven’t been changed for many years; I even hesitate to spend too much money to repair them when they break."

"If I can use a fan, I won’t use the air conditioner; if I can keep the lights off, I will; I even don’t dare to light a candle carelessly."

"But even so, I still can’t afford to pay the taxes now…"

"How much do you have to pay each year?" Teresa continued to ask.

"This…"

"Let me see the account book." Teresa placed a 1,000 Forged Coin bill on the table.

The boss quickly took out the account book.

Teresa glanced at the money earned each day and the daily tax, her pupils shrank, "Is the tax this high?"

"Isn’t it?" The boss sighed, "What can we do? We have to see if we can sell some furniture to get through this tough time."

Bang!

At that moment, a gunshot was heard in the distance.

Hearing the gunshot, Teresa quickly left the store.

She stared blankly into the distance and saw a clothing store owner shot dead, being dragged away.

"Everyone listen up! If anyone doesn’t pay their taxes in the future, this will be their fate!"

"The latest tax policy is the emperor’s new decree. Anyone who does not follow it is opposing the emperor!"

The other bosses looked around and fell silent, quickly going back to work, trying to find ways to pay the taxes.

"The taxes are so high, will they kill if they can’t collect the money?" Teresa felt a surge of anger rise to her head.

"Hasn’t it always been this way?" the boss casually replied.

"Always this way?" Teresa clenched her fists, "Haven’t you thought about fighting back?"

"Fight back? Fight back against who, the emperor?" The boss gave Teresa a scornful look.

"The emperor is wrong, why can’t we fight back!" Teresa didn’t understand the meaning of Easley imposing these two taxes!

State Funeral Tax, when a father dies, does the whole country have to pay taxes?

And what about that new policy tax, Teresa didn’t even know what it was for!

Previously, the country spent a lot of money on military costs, and everything else could barely function.

With these two new taxes, the whole country might be crushed.

Easley, are you really that clueless?

Or is this just the city’s own actions…

The boss’s face changed, and a hint of joy appeared in his eyes, "Um, miss, can you watch the store for me? I will be right back, really, just a moment."

"Sure!" Teresa glared with anger at the two tax officers as they walked away.

She was thinking about whether to take matters into her own hands and deal with them!

People like this are bringing shame to the country left behind by her father!

However, after spending so much time with Karoso, Teresa had calmed down.

She was wondering if it was just personal reasons or if the whole city was like this.

This matter must be investigated thoroughly.

Before Teresa could think it through.

Suddenly, the boss entered the store with a group of police officers and pointed at Teresa, saying, "It’s her! She disrespects the emperor’s policies and even says she wants to rebel against the emperor!"

Teresa’s thoughts were interrupted by what was happening.

She was a bit stunned.

I spoke up for you and gave you an extra thousand dollars, and you reported me?

Several police officers quickly drew their weapons and aimed them at Teresa.

"Come with us!"

The chief stepped forward, tossing out a card.

[Name: Iron Cage]

[Category: Spell]

[Star Level: 3]

[Grade: Blue Rare]

[Occupational Restriction: None]

[Description: Traps the enemy in a cage]

"Huh, I still have some things to investigate, I don’t have time for you."

After Teresa spoke, she didn’t even use a card, and the magic power inside her exploded.

Bang!

The iron cage was blown to pieces.

The boss was startled and quickly hid behind the sheriff.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The gun’s barrel spat fire, and countless bullets shot towards Teresa.

With a swift grab, Teresa caught a large number of bullets in her hand.

Seeing this terrifying speed and magic, the sheriff immediately realized he was in deep trouble.

The sheriff wanted to move, but saw Teresa sweep her leg out.

Bang!

Her powerful kick sent several people flying away.

"Professional, it’s a high-level Professional, call for backup!"

After the sheriff fell to the ground, he quickly pulled out a communication crystal.

Teresa ignored these people and disappeared in a flash.

As long as it is not the main city of a province, no one can stop a master like Teresa.

……

Teresa did not go far but quickly arrived at the tax office.

In no time, the people at the tax office were already kneeling.

Teresa looked at the tax report with a dark expression, slammed it on the table, and growled, "Tell me, who gave the order! Was it Duke Tulip? Or was it the City Master of this city? Or was it you yourselves!"

"I wouldn’t dare decide…" the tax officer said quietly, "This is the national standard for collecting taxes… every city does this, and if you don’t believe me, you can ask."

Swish!

Teresa summoned two large swords and held them across the necks of the two tax collectors, "Who gave you the right to kill when you can’t collect taxes?"

Teresa would find out about this national standard.

"That person already owes too much tax; he… he should be executed according to the law…"

"That should be decided by the court, not by you!" Teresa shouted fiercely, "Who gave you the power, who gave you the courage?"

"Everyone does this everywhere…" the two soldiers trembled slightly.

Swish!

Teresa swung her sword back, and two streams of blood splattered onto the ground.

The two tax collectors who shot a boss were slain by her sword!

Teresa was very angry.

Is this how they treat ordinary people? Teresa used to live in Winterfell City, which is the royal city, and the safety there was definitely better.

Teresa knew the people were struggling, but she didn’t expect it to be this bad.

She knew officials would bully ordinary people; this is human nature and cannot be changed. No matter the system, this problem will always exist. Just look at the internet age—wasn’t it the same then?

However, Teresa didn’t expect them to be so bold as to kill in the streets. Do they really think Presea has no laws?

Is this the strongest empire?

Can a country like this, where ordinary people live in such conditions, really be called a great nation?

"Tell me, how much have you stolen?" Teresa pointed her sword at the tax officer’s neck.

"I wouldn’t dare…" The tax officer was so scared that he nearly wet his pants, "I really didn’t steal anything; the taxes are just this high…"

Buzz, buzz, buzz…

At that moment, the sound of the helicopter blades could be heard outside.

Teresa knew that if they didn’t leave soon, they would be caught.

She grabbed her sword and the tax officer and suddenly vanished from the spot.

It wasn’t that she had mastered the rules of space; her speed made it hard for anyone to see her.

……

This stop was the tax officer’s home.

Teresa looked at the tax officer’s house and fell silent.

"Your house… is quite nice," Teresa said with a slight frown.

She found the tax officer’s savings and some other things.

But, while this money was not little, it was only enough for a normal life, better than those who owned shops.

If he had more children, even with the help for official’s children going to school, it still wouldn’t be enough.

"How can we act reckless…" the tax officer lamented, "I am not a noble; making so much money would be like asking for trouble!"

In this age of nobility, it is very easy for nobles to oppress commoners and make a rich merchant go from having great wealth to having nothing.

Nobles are even more ruthless than bureaucrats.

At least officials do some things quietly, but nobles act without any shame.

The royal family, nobles, officials, and commoners, this is a food chain.

Money is very important, but it cannot completely show one’s status; power can mysteriously fill the country’s pockets with money.

Those who truly built big businesses all had their own noble status and their own armed forces.

"Was it like this when the former emperor was alive?" Teresa sighed.

"When the former emperor was alive, it seemed planned…" The tax officer hesitated, "As long as there are no major illnesses, it is enough for a normal life, unlike these days with sudden tax increases. Each city has its tax quota, and we can’t let the noble lords take the money, can we? When the tax quota falls on common people, it feels a bit too heavy."

"Where can we small officials find money? Our power only lets us live a little better, just a little…"

"So what is your dream?" Teresa suddenly asked.

"I…" The tax officer paused, "I want to be the head tax officer."

"Your subordinates want to be tax officers, and you want to be the head tax officer. Ha, what a simple dream…"

……

Teresa did not trouble the tax officer; instead, she went to the place where ordinary people lived, which was the less prosperous streets.

Those ordinary people had lifeless eyes and hurried steps, afraid to slow down even for a moment.

Many homeless people lay on the ground, waiting for charity from passersby.

But each passerby was struggling to make ends meet after paying taxes on their meager wages, so how could they help the homeless?

A single illness can destroy a family.

Unless luck is on their side and they find a day when the church offers free treatment…

"Don’t run over there!"

At that moment, a police officer caught a street woman.

"Let go of me, let go of me! I just want to buy a house! What law have I broken?" the street woman shouted. "Just as I saved a little money, you catch me! Is there any law left?"

"Hmph, your health certificate expired two days ago and you also owe taxes. If we don’t catch you, who should we catch?"

Can’t even a street worker, who makes money quickly, survive?

Looking at the devil-like city in front of her, Teresa felt a little dizzy.

The scariest part is that she has walked through three cities in a row, and they are all like this!