After Con Artist Megan told everyone present everything they needed to know about the tasks World Economic News Agency reporters had to complete, the benefits they could enjoy, and so on, she distributed the certificates signed by the Minister of Finance and the Second-Generation Magic Net Rings to each of them.
"Take these documents, and you will be respectable people commissioned by the kingdom's Minister of Finance to work across the country. You won't need to worry about being questioned when passing through any territory or town. From now on, you are the freest of free citizens."
As she handed out the documents, Con Artist Megan spoke unhurriedly. "However, salaries differ depending on where you go. Border regions come with border subsidies; the current Southlands come with war subsidies; several freezing areas in the Northlands remain snow-covered all year round and come with cold-weather subsidies; when the Month of Heat arrives, some regions will have high-temperature subsidies... Every place is slightly different. It can be said that effort and reward will always be equal. This is the World Economic News Agency's salary standard."
"When you leave tomorrow, you will also receive a sum of operating funds. This money will be enough for you to reach your assigned region, enough to live there, enough to do many, many things—even bribe certain lords and knights. But what I must say is that when accounts are settled at the end of the year, the more you have left over, the greater your reward will be."
"Of course, the ten people with the least money left, if they don't have legitimate reasons that everyone can accept, won't have their salaries, bonuses, or subsidies withheld. But I'll make you streak through Magic Energy Plaza for an hour! During off-hours!"
Everyone knew Con Artist Megan was