I Already Know My Magic Power Is Ridiculously High! Now I Just Need a Cute Wife... - Episode 66

A sudden explosion echoed through the marketplace, and an uneasy tension began to spread.

“What the hell…?”

“Hahaha, looks like those judiciary bastards have arrived.”

“No way! Are you serious?”

“Yeah, I’ll be taking my leave now.”

“Hey, Drow!”

“See ya, Zoan. Ortenos can’t stand up to tax officers. You should get out of here too.”

Leaving behind those ominous words, Drow vanished into the crowd.

Sensing the hostility in the air, the merchants around them quickly began packing up to flee.

Zoan also decided to withdraw, but it was already too late—

“How disgusting, to see so many illegal residents gathered in one place.”

A strange group appeared, clad in black judicial robes and curled wigs.

Leading them was a man with a pompous expression, scowling as he spoke.

“I am Azalash, a First-Class Tax Officer. Hear me, illegal residents! Rejoice, for from this moment, Fort Bangwall is under the rule of the Judiciary. Know this: your happiness lies in absolute obedience to us.”

Azalash’s voice was magically amplified as he declared their authority.

The people present were thrown into confusion and despair at the news that the Judiciary had taken control of Bangwall.

Zoan was shaken, but after hearing Drow’s warning, part of him had expected this.

Voices of concern rose from the crowd: “What happened to Lord Shalka?”

“Rebels like him are unfit to protect this land. That is why the Larenec Consulate has decided to hand this territory over to the Judiciary. Listen well—don’t even think about resisting. Under the ‘Special Taxation Law,’ we have the authority to execute you at any time!”

The merchants collectively turned pale at Azalash’s threat.

Hearing that they could no longer rely on Shalka, they lost all hope.

And with the dreaded mention of the Special Taxation Law, they were left speechless.

The law granted the Judiciary unlimited taxation rights—meaning they could demand any amount of wealth from the citizens of Ortenos.

Failure to comply would result in execution. Even if they simply lacked the means to pay, they would still be beheaded.

“However, we are not heartless. An empty city would be inconvenient for us as well. So, we shall give you a chance.”

At Azalash’s words, the merchants looked up in desperate hope.

It was like a spider’s thread dangling above a pit—they had no choice but to grasp it.

“We will now select those among you who are worthy of gaining citizenship in Bangwall. There are two conditions. First, fill this sack to the brim with valuables and hand it over.”

One of the Judiciary men stepped forward, carrying a massive burlap sack.

The phrase “fill it with valuables” was merely a euphemism used by tax officers.

Zoan and the merchants immediately understood what they meant.

(In other words, we have to hand over everything we own…)

None of them possessed enough wealth to fill such a sack.

All around, whispers of “That’s impossible…” could be heard.

“And the second condition is… Hey!”

Azalash called to one of his subordinates.

A Judiciary officer stepped forward, holding a finely engraved copper plate.

At the sight of the image on the plate, several people gasped and pressed their hands together in silent prayer.

“Kuhaha, the man depicted here is none other than this fort’s acting lord—Shalka. Each of you will step forward and trample this image to prove your loyalty to the Judiciary.”

Azalash grinned wickedly.

“T-There’s no way!”

“I can’t do that!”

Several merchants protested in outrage, unable to contain their disgust.

Azalash’s eyebrow twitched. With a flick of his fingers, he signaled to his subordinates.

“Do it.”

“Yes, sir.”

In an instant, the tax officers reached the dissenting merchants.

They drew their swords and, without hesitation, beheaded them.

Screams erupted as the crowd panicked. Some, too frightened to stay, attempted to flee.

(No! Running will get you killed!)

Zoan realized the danger, but before he could shout, the fleeing merchants were cut down just as swiftly.

It all happened in an instant.

Zoan instinctively turned his face away from the gruesome slaughter.

This was the Judiciary.

Even the slightest displeasure could get a person cut down like a piece of trash.

(Damn it! There’s no choice but to comply now…)

Zoan remained still, waiting for their judgment.

Then, a single woman stepped forward.

“Excuse me, esteemed officers of the Judiciary. Don’t you think this is a bit excessive?”

The woman, dressed in a nun’s habit, had a tear-shaped beauty mark under one eye.

Zoan recognized her—she was the sister from the Eastern Star Church he had seen earlier.

He worried she would be executed on the spot.

“Halt! Who are you?!”

Azalash ordered her to stop.

Magic users could sense each other’s presence, and Azalash was clearly wary of her.

“I am Evelyn of the Ballista Church, under the Eastern Star faith.”

“What?! Ballista?!”

Azalash flinched at the name.

It was as if a local law school graduate had suddenly found himself facing an elite international lawyer.

But then he sneered, recalling that those days of prestige were long gone.

“Hmph. A mere fugitive of a fallen order. Your past status means nothing now. If you dare to interfere, you will be treated as a criminal!”

“I have never heard of such a brutal taxation law. As someone who serves the law, I cannot overlook such atrocities. By what right do you justify this cruelty?”

Evelyn’s expression showed genuine disbelief as she questioned Azalash.

Her sharp, authoritative gaze irritated him.

She looked at him as if he were nothing but filth, and that infuriated him.

“I have no obligation to explain anything to a mere foreigner. Seize her!”

“Yes, sir!”

Two tax officers leaped from behind Azalash and grabbed Evelyn by both arms.

They forced her to the ground.

“Ugh… What are you doing?!”

Azalash crouched in front of her.

With his right hand, he lifted her chin.

“Ngh…”

“Kuhaha, so your name is Evelyn, huh? You’ve got some nerve standing up to us. And I must say… you’re not bad-looking at all.”

He curled his lips into a sinister grin.

Drool dripped from the corner of his mouth as he leered at her with a disgusting smile.