The drizzle continued, and the cold raindrops hit the steel shell of Alchemy Golem, making a crisp knocking sound.
The Fearless stood silently in front of tax collector Brent, his red eyes coldly scanning the surroundings, ready to respond to possible attacks at any time.
The Lizardfolk leader's Communication Stone lights up, it neighs a few words in a low voice, and then steps aside.
Not long after, there was a steady sound of footsteps in the rain.
Werewolf Warlock Frost Fang walked slowly, his blue-gray fur wet from the rain and clinging to his curvy body.
Its eyes glowed green in the dim light, and the tips of its claws gently tapped the bone staff on its waist, making a subtle "click" sound.
"Human."
Frost Fang said, "You shouldn't come here."
Brent forced himself to straighten his back, although there was still a dull pain in his chest.
He stared at Frost Fang, a trace of contempt flashing in his eyes.
In his opinion, the warlocks among the monster race are still just slightly smarter Beast.
"We are here on behalf of Ironthorn Viscount." The tax collector said coldly, "Scale-Earth Rift Road is the territory of the viscount. If you trade and make profits here, you must pay the due taxes to the viscount."
Frost Fang's eyes swept over the Fearless and then returned to Brent.
"Taxes?"
It said in a strong tone, "There are no taxes in the wilderness, only transactions."
While speaking, Werewolf Warlock's ears trembled slightly. If you look carefully, you can see that there is a small Sound Transmission Stone in its ear.
At this time, Frost Fang is the microphone of Garos.
And Garos showed a tough attitude when he came up.
He is prepared to negotiate first, but he also knows that when dealing with the other party, you must not let the other party feel your weakness, otherwise more intense oppression will follow and continue.
Brent didn't expect a Werewolf to be so tough.
Since the Sound Transmission Stone in Frost Fang's ears emitted a subtle light and had no intention of concealing it, Brent could guess that the Werewolf warlock in front of him was just a microphone, and there was someone else who was really talking to him.
And Brent itself is actually the spokesperson of Ironthorn Viscount.
Standing behind him was the noble lord. Brent did not show any timidity, but also showed a tough attitude, and continued, "This is the law of Lothern Federation! Any trade conducted on the commercial road must pay fees to the lord!"
Frost Fang spoke calmly and relayed Dragon Lord's will, "Your human laws cannot control the wilderness."
The tax collector's face darkened.
"You are challenging the Viscount's authority." He lowered his voice and threatened. "If you refuse to cooperate, the consequences will be serious."
"Really?" Frost Fang tilted his head slightly. "Then you can try it."
Brent clenched his fists, but in the end he did not have an attack.
He knew that now was not the time to break up.
The Viscount wants wealth, not destruction.
"Listen, Beast." The tax collector said solemnly, "The Viscount can send the garrison to wipe out you. What we are giving now is a decent choice. We did not bring the army here, but negotiated with you in the rain, and we have shown our sincerity."
He took out the tax order and showed it in front of the monsters, and the rain immediately spread on Lothern Federation's fire paint mark.
"Scale-Earth Rift Road is a branch line of Trail of a Thousand Snakes. You are making profits here and you must pay taxes every month."
He raised two fingers and said, "Five thousand gold coins per month! Or the equivalent value of magic minerals."
"Considering that you have been operating illegally here for many years, Lord Viscount mercifully omitted the petty profits, no late payment fees, and allowed you to only pay one year's back taxes, a total of 60,000 gold coins or the equivalent value of magic minerals."
After a pause, he added, "If it is traded with magic minerals, the specific value will be verified and judged by our people."
There is no doubt that this is the lion's opening.
Because he did not receive the next step of instructions, the Werewolf warlock fell silent and showed no expression.
On the opposite side, the tax collector smiled half-heartedly and said, "If you cannot accept this condition, the generous Viscount has given you a second option."
He said, "On the first day of every month, you can just hand over one copper coin."
"Then two coins on the second day, and four coins on the third day. If you pay it for a full month, it can be directly counted as one year's tax."
The tax collector's face showed the superiority of a civilized person and said, "There are two ways, the choice is left to you."
"After you choose, we will provide specific Magic Contract as a guarantee for cooperation between both parties."
Hearing this, Frost Fang's eyes flashed.
Copper coins? That sounds like a pretty good condition to meet.
It seems much simpler than the monthly requirement of several thousand gold coins. As for the daily increase, Frost Fang is not good at calculations. He just feels that this number is not much, but he also thinks that humans must have no good intentions and there is a trap in it.
Behind the scenes, listen to the two approaches proposed by the tax collector.
Garos shook his head insignificantly.
Does this mean he is a fool? Do you really think that wild monsters are all stupid and unintelligent creatures?
However, since it is a negotiation, there is room for negotiation.
The unrealistic demands made at the beginning were just for better price negotiation.
This business channel was originally opened up by Ironthorn Viscount's family. If the negotiation can be carried out properly, Garos has a long-term vision and does not mind letting the other party get some benefits.
Immediately, Frost Fang received the instruction and said, "One hundred gold coins per month, this is the bottom line we can accept."
Five thousand is directly reduced to one hundred.
The tax collector opened his eyes wide and wanted to scold these Beast for not understanding the rules of negotiation.
But considering his mission, he took a deep breath, suppressed his dissatisfaction, and continued to negotiate with Werewolf.
The rain is getting heavier and heavier, and time is passing by bit by bit.
The two sides continue to negotiate and test each other's true bottom line.
After a while, the tax collector's mouth became dry.
He refused to let go of the three thousand gold coins per month and had to pay one year's back taxes at once. Frost Fang proposed three hundred gold coins per month in the future and no back taxes.
After talking about this.
The tax collector didn't let up at all.
Because he represents Ironthorn Viscount, and Ironthorn Viscount has told him that these three thousand taxes and one year's back payment are the bottom line, especially the one-time payment, and he must not let go.
Ironthorn Viscount knows that such conditions are already a bit thirsty for fishing.
But Magic Academy is about to enroll students, and what he needs now is a quick sum of money, so he is willing to sacrifice longer-term interests. Not to mention the wilderness of Scale-Earth Rift Road, he has directly sold off a lot of his more formal properties.
The other party didn't let go.
Frost Fang was also bitten to death and remained unchanged.
After wasting another ten minutes.
The tax collector was full of impatience and scolded, "Beasts! That's enough, don't be disrespectful! This is the most honorable choice for you!"
Frost Fang sneered, showing the sharp teeth in his mouth.
"Humans! It's you who don't appreciate praise! We have shown enough sincerity, but you are wearing down our patience."
"The wilderness is not your territory. You have no privileges here."
It took a step back, and the tall and majestic Ogres, who were fully armed and surrounded by them, took a step forward and surrounded it.
The Fearless raised the giant sword inch by inch in silence, the red light in his eyes becoming more and more dazzling.
The atmosphere became tense in an instant.
The tax collector stood in the rain, and the cold rain gradually calmed him down.
He slowly exhaled and said, "It seems we can't reach a unified opinion."
"In that case, let your lord come and talk in person."
He said coldly, "I disdain to negotiate with low-level monsters like you. I need equal dialogue."
Really self-righteous.
A tax collector thinks he has equal status with us Dragon Lord?
Frost Fang was silent for a second and said sarcastically, "Our lord is not interested in discussing with a servant. If you are really sincere and want to resolve this matter in a peaceful way, then let someone with more weight do it."
Brent wanted to say something more, but Frost Fang took a few steps back again.
The tall and heavily armored Ogre stood over like a wall, with Dire Wolf Knight standing around, focusing their fierce eyes on the tax collector and his party.
This first negotiation broke down.
The tax collector snorted coldly and said, "We will come again. Let your lords be prepared to welcome us."
He no longer struggled, and under the escort of the Fearless and several human warriors, he set foot on Scale-Earth Rift Road again, staying away from the monsters.
The two sides drifted further and further away from each other, becoming increasingly invisible.
"Damn monster, can't listen to anyone."
Brent cursed under his breath.
He doesn't like dealing with monsters.
These guys lacked due respect for bureaucrats and respect for nobles, which made him feel unhappy.
"Sir, why don't we come back and kill this monster and let them know how powerful we are."
The human warrior lowered his voice and said.
Brent said with a sullen face, "The Viscount's order is to negotiate, not to go to war."
"But these monsters obviously don't take us seriously!"
"Huh." The tax collector sneered, "This negotiation is just a trial. Let them be proud for a while. Sooner or later, they will know what true "respect" means."
He looked into the depths of the rain curtain, with a fierce look in his eyes.
The group of people did not leave the wilderness, but directly stationed themselves at the entrance of Scale-Earth Rift Road. Brent stood in the temporary tent, with rainwater dripping down the canvas and gathering into small puddles on the ground.
He took a few deep breaths, considered it in his mind, and then took out Communication Stone.
"Lord Viscount, these monsters have a very tough attitude and don't know how to appreciate others."
"Their lords are willing to come forward and talk again, but only if their identities are equal."
Brent contacted Ironthorn Viscount to report the results of this negotiation.
Meanwhile, Conifer Valley.
Red Iron Dragon stood up and stretched his body. The hard dragon scales crushed the raindrops falling on him, and then he stood directly in the wind and rain, silently.
Iron Dragon Sorog, Red Dragon Samantha, Fairy Dragon Vera are also here.
"They are not negotiating in good faith."
Sorog looked fiercely, his pupils shrank into dangerous thin lines, and said, "These humans are too greedy, too self-righteous, and too arrogant!"
Samantha also growled, "A group of humble reptiles dare to blackmail and rob us Dragonkin!"