Chapter 61

Chapter 61: The Law of Hillenbrand!

After Lolth finished her declaration, the residents of Hillenbrand Town fell into a brief silence.

Then, someone cautiously whispered as if asking a question.

"Is this… true?"

"Absolutely!"

Upon hearing the whisper, Lolth raised a horn on the stage to respond.

The residents of Hillenbrand Town looked at each other.

Soon after, someone started cheering, and then everyone cheered together.

"Hooray!"

"Yay! Lord… Lord Zhi!"

"Silly, it’s Master Lolth!"

"The Abyssal Demon turns out to be not a bad guy after all!"

Although many people didn’t fully understand what Lolth said, the residents still grasped the main idea.

First, reduce taxes! And it’s a huge reduction!

The nobles used to not only collect land taxes, but also head taxes, security taxes, business taxes, finding different ways to tax the people every year!

The lord collected from the barons, the barons collected from the knights, and the knights even collected from the messengers!

Now, the demon race has promised to only collect taxes once a year, based on income proportion.

Even if this payment is substantial, it’s definitely better than the insatiable nobles from before!

This is real benefit!

The second point was a bit confusing for everyone, but they probably understood one thing.

It seems like the new demon race lord who just arrived is going to pay for building many buildings.

Undoubtedly she will need to hire people to construct them, and she also seems to be planning to employ people to manage the completed buildings.

Just providing food and shelter alone is enough to entice many idle farmers!

The third point stands in stark contrast to the past nobles.

This demon race lord says she can help deal with monsters!

In the past, the nobles, knights, and Superoperators of the Qinma Principality used to send messengers to collect money every now and then, but they never pitched in to handle monsters in the southern forests and the monsters or even common beasts without magic in the western riverside!

The whole town depended on the self-organized guard team made up of strong young men and the mayor who had retired from the position of an adventurer twenty years ago, struggling to support it!

Of course, there are some powerful beings in this town, so there hasn’t been any deadly attacks by monsters on humans.

But the villagers are still troubled by them!

Now, this lord unexpectedly offered to help with the monster problem as well…

Even if it’s just to win people over, this attitude is better than the so-called "lords" of Hillenbrand Town in the past!

Even the mayor in the crowd quietly put down the short sword hidden in his sleeve, touched his sparse hair, and felt puzzled.

"These demons seem different from what I’ve heard in rumors…"

"Well, anyway, it’s good for Hillenbrand Town!"

At the edge of the crowd, Uncle Maider and the young man Ann stood beside the landlady, who were still bewildered by Lolth from yesterday, watching the excited crowd and the succubus on the stage with a megaphone.

"Landlady, you are very knowledgeable. What does this succubus plan to do? Win people over?"

"So strange… the demon race shouldn’t be like this."

The landlady took a puff from her pipe and squinted her eyes.

"You two know nothing about the demon race. The only difference between you and these common folks is that you’ve heard some more colorful rumors," she said, blowing smoke rings and staring at Lolth. "But… creatures like her are rare in the demon race."

Of course, Lolth didn’t notice the three figures at the edge of the crowd.

She was very pleased with the effect of her speech!

Although most residents remained wary of her, after a brief moment of joy, their attitude towards the entire demon race would not completely change.

But the fact proved that common folk were not foolish; as long as their lives were comfortable, everything would be fine!

Of course, Lolth also admitted that her introduction of these new policies was not solely due to her noble character and concern for the people.

She still had a tiny bit of selfishness.

As a former "human", she herself used to come from a humble background, so she also hoped that these people would have a good life.

Moreover…

Troublesome people are often found in poor and dangerous places!

If these residents are not well-fed and clothed, as a compassionate ruler, she would feel even more restless!

Moreover, reducing taxes and providing job opportunities are also beneficial for herself.

In the future, even with Tina and Isabella managing her new projects, they would still need help!

Furthermore, wars will always come to an end one day.

Who knows, someday these two might be exchanged as bargaining chips back to the Holy Alliance and their respective forces.

Therefore, Lolth also needs to nurture some new personnel to help herself.

However, during this time, these two people are definitely still needed for help.

Thinking about this, she turned back to look at Isabella and Tina behind her, showing them a friendly smile.

"What do you think, everyone’s reaction is good, right?"

Lolth looked at the two people and thought to herself that even the people’s reaction was good, these two should realize that she is a good succubus!

And Tina’s eyes lit up, immediately praising Lolth.

"Indeed, Master Lolth, you managed to enchant most of the people so quickly! Your manipulation and utilization of people’s hearts are truly exquisite!"

"Oh, stop it…"

Lolth modestly waved her hand, but felt that something was off.

Why does the Elf Princess’s praise sound lacking good words…?

However, the praise sounded genuine, so Lolth didn’t pay much attention.

Isabella, on the other hand, remained cold.

"I hope you’re not deceiving these fellows…"

She certainly didn’t believe that Lolth would consider the common people’s well-being!

But this attitude was expected by Lolth.

After all, Isabella is a "human noble lady," who had only recently arrived at the Interrogation Department for reeducation. Showing signs of being narrow-minded was normal.

"Deception is not my style. We succubi value honesty," Lolth said firmly, looking at the crowd and raising her horn once more. "Are there any skilled stonemasons or carvers in town? Raise your hand so I can see!"

Soon, five people raised their hands, all of them sturdy adults.

"Any of you can read?"

"Yes!"

A strong reply came from below.

"Very well," Lolth nodded, "Next, I will give you a new Lord’s decree for Hillenbrand Town. It will contain what I mentioned earlier and some modifications to the existing decrees – you are responsible for engraving these decrees on a stone, making a stone tablet, and placing it in the town square! Let everyone see it!"

"You five, this is the payment in advance for you!"

Lolth took five silver coins from her pocket and accurately tossed them in front of the five volunteers.