The Fat Aristocrat Waltz in the Labyrinth - Chapter 45
Chapter 45: The fat aristocrats keep a household account book
“A household account book?”
Canule stopped brewing tea and tilted her head slightly. The hood pulled deeply over her head created a dark shadow, completely concealing her face.
Her voice was light and girlish, but her appearance was unknown due to the coat that covered her entire body.
In fact, beneath the fabric was a skeletal body, with a skull hidden under the hood. Due to a curse caused by a relic produced by the labyrinth, she had turned into a skeleton girl.
“Yesterday, I thought about it more deeply—I have to start keeping track of my finances.”
“I see, that’s necessary.”
Canule nodded once and poured tea into a cup, offering it to Mitrof.
Mitrof accepted it with thanks and stared at the surface of the steaming tea.
The surroundings echoed with lively voices.
This was the tenth underground floor of the labyrinth. There was a small room in front of the stairs that had just descended from the ninth floor. Many adventurers were sitting there, taking their time to eat and rest.
“I wonder how much this tea costs?—I always depend on Canule for this kind of thing.”
“Don’t worry about it—I prepare it because I like it.”
“No, this is part of the party supplies—I’ll pay for it.”
“Then, don’t we need to keep a record of the party expenses?”
“Hmm… no, you’re right—it’s only natural that I separate and manage my personal funds.”
“Mitrof-sama, are you considering starting a business?”
“No, not at all.”
“I apologize for being rude—I was just curious because adventurers may not be consciously aware of bookkeeping and financial management.”
Mitrof sips on his tea. As always, Canule’s tea tastes good.
“I’m getting used to the labyrinth—I have some room to think about money—as an adventurer, I need to earn it properly.”
“Speaking of earning money, do adventurers pay taxes?—I also need to complete some procedures for paying taxes somewhere…?”
Merchants are also subject to taxes. Bakers, blacksmiths, and thrift shops must pay taxes to their Lord once a year based on their sales.
Mitrof laughed and nodded at Canule’s question.
“I know it’s hard to understand, but there are many taxes imposed on the labyrinth—adventurers, of course, pay taxes as well.”
“I don’t remember paying any taxes.”
“The guild collects them—the guild buys the products produced in the labyrinth that the adventurers bring back—and the tax is deducted from the payment made at that time.”
“The guild does that?—They manage the labyrinth and adventurers…”
“Of course, that’s their main job—however, their essential role is to manage the financial accounts related to the money involved in the labyrinth—the labyrinth is somewhat like a domain… all tax revenue is directly connected to the country—the more adventurers there are, the happier the country is.”
Mitrof also believed that nobles were essentially the same. They talked about tradition, bloodline, pride, and honor, but in essence, they were just collecting and managing the money for the country and the royal family.
“Everywhere you look, people build structures and work for money—even if you talk about freedom, you can’t do anything without money…”
Mitrof sighed.
No position, no title, no money.
He thought he had only gained freedom, but even that required money.
For weapon maintenance, for armor, for first aid equipment, and for supplies to bring into the labyrinth. If injured, he would have to go to the medical facility, and until he recovered, he would have no income.
“Being an adventurer is a harsh job.”
“…Um, if you need money, you can reduce my share.”
Canule spoke hesitantly. Mitrof, of course, refused.
“I won’t do that—Canule has helped me a lot.”
Grace, Mitrof’s partner, had returned to her hometown, and he was prepared to become a solo adventurer again. Originally, Canule was just a baggage carrier for the party as a porter.
Due to her appearance, it was difficult for Canule to register as an adventurer. Although she remained in the position of porter with lenient screening, due to Canule’s request, she was now participating in battles.
The curse she received from the labyrinth’s relic gave her not only her appearance but also monstrous strength.
Utilizing this monstrous strength, Canule held a round shield and took on the role of a “tank” to block all enemies’ attacks.
“I want to earn more money to reward your hard work.”
“…Even those words alone are more than enough. I am grateful just to be accepted as part of the party with this cursed body—please do not worry about me.”
The voice from under her hood was light and girlish, her tone of voice gentle.
Mitrof didn’t know what position Canule had or where she had lived. He had never asked.
However, from her behavior, knowledge, and even the way she chose her words, she was clearly not someone of low social status. Mitrof thought that Canule might have been a servant of a high-ranking person.
Regardless of the circumstances, it was not something that could be talked about while holding tea in the labyrinth. Canule seemed to be avoiding the topic, and Mitrof did not intend to force the matter.
However, when Mitrof considered how curses had distorted the life of this young woman, he experienced a sharp pain in his chest. Her appearance resembled that of a monster, and she would undoubtedly be persecuted if seen. It was precisely because of the curse brought about by the relic in the labyrinth that the procedure for lifting the curse had to be found within the labyrinth.
To achieve Canule’s goal, the pursuit of money was necessary.
The more money they had, the better. With better equipment, they would have more leeway with their lives. Staying at a good inn would invigorate them, and eating delicious food would satisfy their bodies and minds.
“Let’s move forward.”
And the only way to earn money was to continue exploring the labyrinth.