Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 352: Tolls
Tauro, Ragune, Ankh, Malak, Zumei, and Reeva crossed from Count Graunewald’s territory into Viscount Bomen’s domain.
The first checkpoint stood at the border town, but the entrance toll was small.
“This appears more ordinary than I expected,” Malak said without lowering his guard.
“So far, it matches Count Graunewald’s information,” Tauro replied.
The border town was crowded with merchants. Its large market and busy streets confirmed that most external trade occurred there.
“It seems outsiders really do conduct almost all their business near the border,” Zumei observed.
“Let’s find transportation to the territorial capital,” Tauro said.
They soon reached a plaza where carriages gathered. Signs divided the vehicles by purpose, including carriages for peddlers, local residents, and travelers.
“Which should we take?” Ragune asked.
“The one that reaches the capital fastest,” Ankh replied, pointing to a large four-horse carriage preparing to depart from the peddlers’ area.
“Then we’ll ask its driver.”
Tauro approached the coachman calling for passengers.
“Can the six of us ride with you?”
“Are you merchants? Do you have travel permits?”
“Permits?”
“Then you’re outsiders. Movement through this territory requires a permit. Most people travel only as far as the next town, but checkpoints inspect everyone whether they walk or ride. You can buy permits at that office.”
The coachman pointed to a small hut marked Permit Sales Office.
“Residents receive a different permit and pay lower tolls,” he continued. “Outsider permits are expensive, and every checkpoint records where you travel. The system makes moving secretly almost impossible. Try slipping around a checkpoint, and if guards find you in another town without the proper record…”
He lowered his voice.
“You may disappear before the end of the day.”
“Thank you for the warning.”
Tauro shook the man’s hand and discreetly left a silver coin in his palm.
“Be careful, boy,” the coachman whispered. “People here are rewarded for reporting others.”
Following his advice, the group purchased six outsider permits and boarded a carriage reserved for travelers rather than peddlers.
“The next town is four hours away,” their new coachman explained as he collected the fare. “We’ll pass several checkpoints. Keep your permits ready and expect to pay at each one.”
“This journey may be more troublesome than we expected,” Ragune muttered.
A checkpoint stood immediately beyond the border town’s gate.
The group presented its permits.
“One silver coin per person,” the guard said.
A silver coin merely to leave the town?
Tauro concealed his surprise and paid for the entire party. The other passengers reacted similarly but handed over the money.
The carriage had barely resumed its journey when another checkpoint appeared at a fork in the road.
“Another one already?” Reeva asked.
The placement suggested that checkpoints might control every major junction. At this rate, each traveler could pay nearly twenty silver coins before reaching the next town.
“This territory is absurd!” one passenger complained after paying more than ten silver coins. “There are checkpoints everywhere, and they’re draining us dry.”
Tauro and his companions would probably have reacted the same way without Count Graunewald’s warning.
“I understand your frustration,” the coachman said, “but if you continue speaking that way, I’ll be required to report you at the next checkpoint.”
“Report me for telling the truth? No other territory charges travelers this much!”
“Please lower your voice. I don’t want trouble either.”
The coachman’s patience was fading.
“Then report me! I’ll tell the guards themselves that this is robbery.”
The next checkpoint came into view almost immediately.
“Very well. You can explain it to them now.”
The coachman stopped and handed the passenger over to the guards.
They truly arrest people for merely complaining?
Tauro’s party silently paid the next toll and watched the protesting traveler being taken away. Their unease about Bomen territory deepened considerably.