Rising Of The Shield Hero Web Novel ver

Shogun-sama

On our way north, we came across a town.

Naofumi: "What? There's a toll fee?"

The guards stopped us as we were about to enter the town and asked for a toll, so I showed them the note I received from the feudal lord of Forest village...

Guard: "These kinds of things aren't accepted! Pay quickly!"
Raphtalia: "But-"

The guard didn't even respond when Raphtalia tried to negotiate, only asking for gold.
Despite all that negotiating, the guard held his ground.

Naofumi: "What a stubborn bastard!"

Even though the guard looked like he was going to rush us, he stood there and just glared at me with hostility.
Hmm... Something must have happened here.
After I started peddling in this world, I learned a few things.
No one would perform such unreasonable extortion unless they had strong backup.

It seems whoever this person works with is powerful.
It seems we have to call this guy's partner to negotiate, we'll have to discuss about human relations.
It'll only work if his partner is not hostile though.
As for why this guy's partner isn't here, there are a few reasons...

Naofumi: "The Feudal lord here must be an outrageous bastard."

I muttered while looking at the town. The guard's expression changes upon hearing that.

Guard: "Don’t you dare speak ill of the lord! Or else I will punish you!"

Ah I see. So it's a problem with the top dog. In this case, neither threats nor negotiations will be effective.
The road is closed so I can't pass. There will be punishment if caught.
Maybe if I make enough of a commotion for the lord to appear.
However, there is little reward for such a risk...

Naofumi: "I understand. You guys have it tough too..."

I hand the amount asked to the guard.
The guard looked a little shocked.

Guard: "Yeah... This is good"

The guard whispered to me.

Guard: "I'm sorry..."
Naofumi: "It can't be helped."

Is this in the jurisdiction of that trash king? Or is this country's feudal lord also rotten.
I intended to sell the food loaded in my carts, but I stopped when they collected tax.

The inn seems to be fairly high class, at least when compared to the neighbourhood.
Everything in this town seems to be taxed: daily necessities, food, weapons, armour, crafted goods and even the hotel fee. Everything is expensive.
Living here must be hard.

The commerce is totally in decline and the markets aren't lively at all.
The unreasonably heavy taxation must have taken its toll.

Naofumi: "Collect information on the village that's short on food"
Raphtalia: "Understood"
Filo: "Okay~! Master I want a souvenir~"
Naofumi: "You eat so much food and you still want more?"

This Filo, demanding a souvenir despite the high prices...
We head to the bar with Firo in her human form.
By the way, I changed my shield to the Book Shield.

There, I saw a fellow who I would rather not have encountered.

"Fellow": "It seems that way"

Although he has a bow, there is also a sword on his waist, his equipments also seems to be of low quality.
Similar to my Book Shield as camouflage, the bow is small and plain.
If this was our first meeting and if he wore a glove, I wouldn't have known him.
But, his companion was dressed in very conspicuous colours. It looks like he's trying to hide himself. Probably.