When the conscription notice reached Sōma for the second time, a statement of outstanding debts had been attached.
Three days of emergency grain.
One medical examination at the checkpoint.
Two nights at a temporary campsite.
And protection of the roads by the Western Border garrison.
Each item had been converted into silver, with a final line stating: those unable to repay must offset the debt with six months of border defense service.
Sōma set his own roadwork payment statement beside it.
"I completed the three days of roadwork. The food was payment under the contract."
The border defense messenger pointed to the other items.
"The examination, lodging, and protection weren't payment for roadwork."
"The examination was required to pass the checkpoint."
"And people are needed to guard the checkpoint."
"So everyone who passes through owes six months of service in the Ninja Forces?"
The messenger did not answer.
The temporary travel permit had made Sōma's name traceable for the first time.
In the past, when the Border Defense Office dealt with a migrant who had no records, it had not even known where to send a conscription notice.
Now his identity had been recognized, but the old system had immediately interpreted "can be located" as "can be controlled."
Gen demanded that the Border Defense Office explain the basis for each charge.
The three days of emergency grain had come from the Western Border disaster reserves.
The distribution notice had explicitly stated that no conditions of allegiance or service were attached.
The medical examination had been required by checkpoint security procedures, and its cost was already included in the annual garrison budget.
The first two nights at the temporary campsite fell under migrant relief. Only from the third night onward was payment in labor or silver required.
Sōma had stayed only