CHAPTER 62: TAXES AND GOLD

Viviene nodded. She knew where the safe was where Nozel kept all his wealth such as gold and jewels.

Its location wasn’t in their bedroom, but in a hidden room known only to Nozel and Viviene.

They went up to the second floor and stopped in front of a room with an iron door, the second room with an iron door.

She pulled out a small key from the pocket of her dress and unlocked the door. What Gideon saw inside the room was something he didn’t expect.

The room was empty, with no furniture at all, only a floor, walls, an oil lamp, and a glass window.

Even so, Viviene clearly said that this room contained all of Nozel’s wealth during his time as Baron.

Is she lying?

Viviene stepped inside and stood at the east wall. She reached her hand forward and pressed a part of the wall that looked slightly dented and caved inward, used as a button to open a secret passage.

Gideon was shocked and taken aback. Even though he was currently in a fantasy world, he didn’t expect a mechanism like this, resembling modern design, to be used for hiding a secret room.

The wall slid open automatically to the side, revealing a wooden door that was unlocked. Viviene turned and gestured for Gideon to open it.

Carefully, Gideon stepped up to the door and pushed it inward. His eyes widened sharply when he saw the gleam of shining gold glowing from inside the room.

Yes! What Gideon saw was a pile of gold coins lying inside the secret chamber.

My God! How long did it take him to gather this much wealth?

The coins were scattered across the wooden floor, no longer in the hundreds, but in the thousands, stacked in heaps.

Among the piles of gold, Gideon faintly caught the blue glimmer of jewel, fewer in number but far more valuable than gold.

"What did he do to gain wealth like this?" asked Gideon, turning to Viviene.

"Taxes from villages and business owners in every village. Not only that, he also received gifts from merchants who benefited from his decisions," answered Viviene.

"So he sold his decisions to build his fortune? Am I right?" asked Gideon. Viviene nodded.

Hmm... just like corrupt politicians.

"Do you know the exact amount?" asked Gideon.

"I never counted, and neither did Nozel. When he got a full box of gold, he simply put it in here," replied Viviene.

For those who craved worldly pleasures, seeing such a mountain of gold before them could completely change their character. But not Gideon. He wasn’t focused on wealth or power.

If he had gained this much wealth through his title as Baron, then he would rather use the gold and jewels to help people instead of enriching himself.

I cannot allow anyone access to this place except me. That would cause chaos.

"Who has access to this place?" asked Gideon.

"Only me and Nozel."

"Give me your key," said Gideon, turning and extending his hand.

"B-But I still need—"

Gideon quickly raised his SIG M17 pistol toward Viviene with firm intent, making her gasp in shock and step back instinctively.

"Didn’t you promise not to kill me?"

"I made it clear. Your life depends on your behavior," replied Gideon.

"If you refuse, that means you are disobeying me!"

"Give it," Gideon ordered.

Viviene was torn apart inside by the situation. She didn’t know what to do. She still needed money to live for herself and her children after Gideon occupied this house.

Of course, it wasn’t proper for Viviene to stay here if Gideon was also living here. She had only met him today. She was neither his friend nor his wife.

To Gideon, Viviene was just a stranger who happened to be willing to help him.

In the end, she chose to hand over the key instead of having her head pierced by the black iron weapon. Later, Viviene would have to figure out on her own where she and her children would live.

Viviene stepped closer to Gideon and handed him her key. She also offered to bring him Nozel’s key, which was always kept in the desk drawer of his study. Gideon told her to go and get it herself.

She walked out of the room. Gideon shut the wooden door of the secret chamber and pressed the dented wall again. The wall closed automatically, then Gideon walked out of the room.

At least the main issue about funding is solved. I need to find out what the problem with Rockvalley really is.

Has Noelle already met with the village chief?

Not long after, Gideon turned to the side and saw Viviene coming back with the key, half running. Now Gideon held two keys, and no one else knew about the room except Viviene.

"Good," praised Gideon.

Viviene nodded and lowered her head, relieved that her life had been spared, but still worried about what her future would be. For now, she thought it best to focus on helping Gideon until he no longer needed her.

"You can go back to the backyard and stay with Sheilla and Isabella. I’ll call you after I’m done talking with the Rockvalley village chief," Gideon ordered.

"Y-Yes, Lord Gideon."

He went downstairs to the first floor and saw Noelle arriving with a middle-aged man, about fifty-five years old, with graying hair and wrinkled skin. He knelt respectfully, but Gideon told him to stand.

"Greetings to Lord Baron Gideon. I am Clark, the village chief of Rockvalley," Clark introduced himself.

"Chief Clark. Thank you for coming. Let’s talk calmly," said Gideon.

Viviene had returned to the backyard and saw her two daughters playing carefree, without worry. She looked so sad, not knowing where to go after Gideon took this house.

Elsewhere, Gideon and Clark sat in the living room, served with snacks and a bottle of wine. Noelle joined their conversation, while Silva busied herself collecting all the luxury items as Gideon had ordered.

"Since I am the new Baron replacing Nozel, I don’t know what has been happening in Rockvalley village," said Gideon.

"I thought the carriage earlier was bringing Nozel, but it was you, Lord Gideon. On behalf of the villagers, I sincerely apologize," said Clark, bowing his head.

"Misunderstandings happen. Besides, I understand why you all hated Nozel so much."

"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Gideon," replied Clark.

"Alright. Where should I begin," said Gideon.

He fell silent for a moment. He had seen glimpses of Rockvalley’s condition and observed carefully.

The villagers had indeed been rough and hostile toward him earlier, but that must have been driven by something that forced them to express their anger.

"Taxes?" asked Gideon.

"What about the taxes?" he asked again.

Noelle turned to the side, watching Clark, who was still silent while fiddling with his fingers nervously.

"If I may speak, the taxes Nozel imposed are strangling us."

"How much?" asked Gideon.

"About one gold coin for every worker each month," answered Clark.

"And what is the average income of workers in the village per month from various jobs?" asked Gideon.

"It varies. Some earn three or four gold coins, some only two, and some less than one," replied Clark.

Gideon nodded. He had to admit, one gold coin was a significant amount, since many basic goods and other needs were priced in silver and copper coins. No wonder they were so angry about the high tax.

"Does that apply to other villages as well?" Gideon asked Noelle.

"No, but they still have to pay taxes, which are collected by the village chief. It’s different from Rockvalley, where each individual has to pay directly," explained Noelle.

"How much?"

"About five silver."

"What can you buy with five silver?" asked Gideon.

"Only basic needs, like vegetables, wheat, and rice. Not including meat or sauces."

"Nozel also imposed a housing tax on all heads of families, one gold coin," added Clark firmly.

Gideon sighed, not knowing what other taxes Nozel had forced on his people. Altogether, each family had to hand over at least two gold coins a month.

That was a huge sum. And if collected from the whole village? Nozel was truly rich and greedy.

"I understand the tax issue. I’ll handle it later."

"What about health care? Education? Roads? Clean water?" asked Gideon.

"W-Why do you think about matters like that, Lord?" asked Clark.

"Because it’s important. I’m your leader now. I cannot ignore all of my people. Without you, there would be no government," replied Gideon.

"Health care matters because it concerns lives and work productivity. Education is the key to improving people’s well-being. Good roads make trade and logistics easier. Clean water is a basic human need."

"Do you understand now?" asked Gideon.

Clark was stunned, then glanced at Noelle. Before, he had been skeptical that the new Baron would ever care about the people. But Noelle had repeatedly told him that Gideon was different.

Today, in the Baron’s residence, Clark saw Gideon’s wisdom with his own eyes. He cared more about his people than his noble status. Instead, he used his noble position to improve the standard of living of the villagers.

Clark saw a new light of hope in Gideon’s leadership.

"Alright. I will discuss with the village elders to put together our problems. May I?" asked Clark.

"Yes, do it quickly. Within three days, you must come back here and bring me the information I need," replied Gideon.

"I understand, Lord Gideon."