Old Bernard rang the bell beside the bed, and a moment later, Housekeeper Gerry and two maids walked in. While the maid was changing Old Bernard's clothes, Gerry handed a piece of the town's quarterly financial report to the mayor. According to the report, revenue rose again in the last quarter. However, more than seventy percent of the income had to be handed over. For Border Town, this was undoubtedly a heavy burden.

As for the remaining 30%, besides the town's own budget, ...