Edge of the Apocalypse
Chapter 1016: Slyn

["Knock?" "What do you mean, kid? Are you insulting an imperial official, a tax official from Sardinia?" A duck cried.

Alan followed the sound and saw a man standing behind a group of stag soldiers. Not tall, with a big nose. Wearing a crooked official hat, the system on his body had a black background and a yellow edge. There was a badge on his chest. The pattern of the badge was a balance. However, there was a slight difference from the Sardinian City logo in that there were a few scattered coins on the left side of the balance and a key on the right side. This is the common symbol of an Imperial Tax Officer.

Edward sneered, "Since you're a tax officer, you should know that the Empire's tax code states that caravan tariffs are uniform in every city." The caravan can each pay ten silver coins to enter the city, so you can tell my lord the tax official. When did the tariffs in Sardinia suddenly increase tenfold? Otherwise, why would you charge us a gold coin each? "

While Edward was questioning him, Shawn gave Alan a brief account of what had happened. It turned out that when he went through the formalities to enter the city, he suddenly heard that the tariff had increased tenfold, and his tone was too extreme. The tax official immediately asked the soldiers to take down Shawn. Fortunately, Edward intervened in time to prevent Shawn from being captured. Seeing that Edward's armor was glossy and dignified, the other party immediately summoned a group of Bucks to confront him.

"What do you know? The Empire's tax laws are only applicable to ordinary cities. Sardinia is a trading capital with independent rights to adjust taxes as needed!" The tax official shouted.

"Of course I know that, but I also know that there is an additional provision in the Empire's tax law regarding the special case of Sardinia. That is, the adjustment limit should not be higher than 20%. Sir, your tariff has increased tenfold, obviously more than 20%, right? Or is it that you actually made your own decision to impose the extra part?"

The Tax Officer was stunned. He didn't expect Edward to be so familiar with the Empire's tax laws. He even knew such an incidental rule so well that he was speechless. The onlookers began to point their fingers at him, and the tax official's face became unbearable as he roared, "They just beat up the officials and soldiers of the empire. I want you to capture that Fatty!"

Shawn said angrily, "I clearly didn't even touch a hair of yours. How did I beat you?"

The tax official sneered, "I said I'll beat him up. Put this bitch in jail!" He said to Edward, "You'd better not interfere, or you'll be accomplices! Aren't you familiar with the empire's constitution? Tell me, then, what's the crime of assaulting an empire official?"

Ellen smiled and pushed away the two guards. "I'll answer for him. Assaulting an imperial official will be punishable as the case may be. From three years in prison to sending the imperial mine to slave labor. Master, am I right?"

The tax official narrowed his eyes and said, "It's best to know." He raised his chest and came out from behind the soldier. He pointed at Shawn and screamed, "Then catch this Fatty."

Ellen walked up to him, put his hand on the Tax Officer's finger, and smiled, "But Lord Tax Officer, you said he beat you. But I don't see any traces of you, which puzzles me. Do you think it's an illusion?"

"Bullshit!" The tax official jumped up and pointed at his chest. "That bastard punched me in the face. It's still swollen and painful here. With clothes blocking it, you naturally can't see it. Do you want me to take off my clothes and examine my injuries? What a joke!"

"There's no need for that. You said he punched. Do you think so?" Alan suddenly raised his hand and slapped the tax officer. He hadn't dared to use his heavy hand yet, but the slap was so loud that the tax official fell to the ground and half of his face swelled up. '"Aiya!" Alan waved his hand and said, "I was mistaken. This is clearly a slap. How about a punch? Otherwise, let's do it again?"

The Tax Officer struggled to get up from the ground and pointed at Allen and shouted, "What are you waiting for? You are openly beating up the officials of the Empire, yet you are not going to take them down."

The Bucks immediately stepped forward and Alan snorted. The Bucks soldier immediately staggered around like he was drunk. He felt his ears buzzing, his head dizzy, and he couldn't distinguish between the east and the west. Alan said, "Go get my medal."

Edward nodded and left. He came back a moment later and handed him Allen's knighthood. Allen took the medal and pinned it to his chest. He lifted the tax official up like he was catching a chicken and said indifferently, "Big Zhang, take a look at your dog eyes. See what this is!"

The Tax Officer unconsciously glanced at it, but his entire body suddenly trembled as if he had been electrocuted. He could no longer move his gaze away and only said with a trembling voice, "Sir Medal … Viscount? Are you a viscount?"

Ellen pushed him away and sneered, "You said that beating an imperial officer was going to jail. Now tell me, what is the crime of blackmailing an imperial knight?"

The Tax Officer could not say a word for a long time, but Edward said calmly, "The chief messenger shall be sentenced to hanging for all conspiracies against the knight of the empire."

Alan said "Oh" and patted the tax official's face. "Do you understand?"

The Revenue Officer's blood immediately faded and his legs trembled. At this moment, the sound of horse hooves resounded in the city, and the onlookers were separated by another group of Bucks infantry. Following a few rides, an old man with white hair and a dignified and solemn face sat on a tall horse in the lead. A scar slanted across his forehead, almost splitting his entire forehead in half. The old man was dressed in black and covered in silver armor. The armor was decorated with intricate patterns, and on his chest was a stag pattern. Wearing a dark green cape, it was like a ball of jade flame.

Alan looked over and heard a few shocked cries from the crowd, "Isn't this General Slyn?"

He exchanged glances with Edward and thought to himself that his master had finally arrived.

The old man on the horse did not look sideways, nor did he look at the trembling Tax Officer. His gaze landed on the medal on Alan's chest. He narrowed his eyes and got off his horse. A smile appeared on his face, like a sunshine that broke through the clouds. "This must be Sir Alan?"

Allen smiled and nodded, "That's strange. When did I become an empire celebrity? The general saw through my identity with a single glance?"

These words were suspected of being sidetracked, but Slyn's answer gave some clues. The old man smiled faintly and said calmly, "Whoever can pass through Old Horn's hands two times is qualified to let me know his name. Besides, at this time, there are knights from the South who are heading north. Perhaps Sir Alan is the only one? So, it's not hard to guess."

"That's why." Alan thought to himself. Slyn's answer was flawless.

Then Slyn glanced at the tax officer and said, "What's going on?"

The tax official wanted to step forward to speak, but Slyn casually ordered a Bucks soldier and said, "Come on."

The soldier didn't dare to hide anything and immediately told the truth about what had just happened. '"Put him in jail and let the people of the Tax Department explain themselves to me. When did our tariff in Sardinia increase tenfold and I didn't know anything about it?" Slyn said straightforwardly.

He simply didn't listen to the tax official's explanation and directly ordered someone to take that unlucky man away. Then he smiled and said to Alan, "If you can trust me, leave this matter to me and I will give you a satisfactory answer before the Jazz leaves the city."

Ellen naturally wouldn't make a fuss about it. Whether it was the tax official's impromptu intention or someone behind it, he was too lazy to pursue the matter any further. After all, he was just a small character. Since Slyn had taken care of this matter, he was willing to give Slyn face. Seeing that Alan nodded in agreement, Slyn raised his hand and a clever young man ran over. Slyn patted his shoulder and said, "This is my messenger, a clever boy. He will take you to the best hotel in town. Sir Alan stays in Sardinia, and he is at your disposal. He knows where you want to go and what you know. There's nothing he doesn't know about this boy. Just ask him."

The young man saluted Ellen seriously and shouted, "Private Bucks, Private Fayken, is at your disposal at any time, my lord!"

Edward quietly tugged at Alan, secretly reminding him that it might be Slyn's spy. Alan naturally knew, but he didn't refuse and accepted it generously. '"It's rare for Sir Alan to come to Sardinia," added Slyn. "I'll make the decision to prepare a dusty dinner for the knight tonight. As for the exact time and place, Fayken will tell you later. Sir Alan won't refuse, will he?"

Ellen laughed, "I can't wait to get close to General Slyn and the celebrities in the city. Why would I refuse?"

"That's good. I still have matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave first." Slyn reached out and shook Alan's hand. Then, he mounted his horse and directly turned back into the city.

With Fei Ken's guidance, the caravan quickly went through the formalities to enter the city. Soon after, they entered Sardinia City. Fayken brought the caravan to the hotel to stay, while Slyn rode his horse towards the General's Mansion. He didn't gallop on his horse, so the team didn't move fast. At this moment, a middle-aged man stepped forward. A hesitation flashed through his grey-blue eyes, but he still gritted his teeth and said, "General, the customs matter has nothing to do with Harry."

'"I'm still wondering when you're going to stand up. If you're not going to stand up when we get to the General's Mansion, then I'll kill that nephew of yours. Now, tell me, Witt, why did you do that?" Sling said indifferently.

"General, he ruined our business. Lega's back has already said everything, so I..."

"You want to make things difficult for him? That doesn't make any sense, Wright. I have my own concerns about this. If you dare to make any more decisions, don't blame me for being unreasonable." Slyn snorted heavily.