Helping with Adventurer Party Management - Chapter 156

Sara continues, unfazed by the deacons’ reactions.

“You saw the village fields, right? They’re mostly just wheat. But for the farmers living here, they can’t eat the wheat because it’s taken as tax. So, they grow barley and beans in small hidden fields outside the village to avoid detection by the officials.”

“Are you saying that the church priests are overlooking this?” Clement asks, his frustration growing.

“Well, the farmers have no choice but to do this to survive,” Sara replies calmly.

Deacon Clement, now infuriated, snaps back, “So, this is how you justify tax evasion! This is why common people can’t be trusted!”

The argument between the two seems to be a fundamental clash of perspectives—those who benefit from taxes versus those who bear the burden. 

Seeing no resolution in sight, I decided to intervene. “Both of you, let’s stop here. When arguments can’t resolve an issue, we need to investigate the facts. Sara, have you found these hidden fields?”

Sara nods confidently. “Of course. While walking along the village’s fence, I noticed a break in one section where the grass was worn down, like people had been passing through frequently. I followed the trail and found part of the forest cleared to create small fields where barley and beans are planted.”

She continues, addressing the deacons. “If the farmers could pay their taxes and still live well, they would. But because they can’t, they’re forced to create fields in dangerous areas outside the village. Those small fields in the forest are risky due to monsters, and they yield very little, but they have no choice but to use them.”

After her explanation, Sara turns and looks at me directly. “Kenji and the deacons are going to do something about this, right? That’s what the investigation is for, isn’t it?”

Do something about the farmers who can’t eat, huh? Sara’s expectation weighs heavily. 

Hidden fields are certainly not an efficient farming method. Clearing land is hard work, and there’s always the risk of being attacked by monsters or wild animals during cultivation.

Yet, the farmers persist in creating these hidden fields because the taxes imposed by the church don’t seem to align with the village’s actual situation. To move forward with the development project, it might be necessary to review the tax system.

For now, regardless of what’s right or wrong, it’s crucial to get an accurate understanding of what’s really happening in the village.

“Let’s start by investigating what’s going on. Does that sound alright?” I ask Sara and the deacons, and they reluctantly nod.

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“Let’s say there is a hidden field in the village. What do you think is the best way to investigate them?” I ask the deacons. 

After a moment of thought, they suggest various methods.

“Maybe we should ask the church priest. If we swear by God, he might confess.”

“What about going through the harvest records? We might find some unusual values.”

“We could conduct surprise inspections of the wealthy farmers’ warehouses. They must be hiding some of their harvest somewhere.”

While all these methods are direct and seem potentially effective, they would likely result in losing the villagers’ cooperation in the future. I wonder if there’s a gentler approach.

“Sara, do you have any ideas?” I ask the person who sparked the discussion.

Sara thinks for a moment before responding. “Maybe we could ask the person who seems to be struggling the most in the village to share their story. Isn’t it the deacons’ job to listen to the troubles of others?”

The deacons, who had been aggressive earlier, look a little embarrassed after hearing Sara’s simple and kind answer.

Somehow, Sara is always right.