CH769 Alex's Castin Scheme I
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"I apologise on behalf of the magistrate's administration for the delay in salaries. As you know, the domain is still recovering from the effects of the Great Beast Tide that struck only half a decade ago. Our finances are stretched thin trying to cover a variety of administrative expenses.
"Revenue leakages and the reduction of income sources—including your town's continued failure to pay taxes—have contributed significantly to the delay in salary payments," Alex said with a small smile.
In other words, he was telling them that the reason the guards had not been paid was because the town itself was not paying its taxes.
The expressions of the Castin representatives immediately darkened.
Alex, however, continued as though he had noticed nothing.
"However, there is no need for concern. With my appointment, the Empire has seen fit to inject several tens of thousands of berserk stones into the domain to accelerate its development.
