Silenced [Bonus chapter]
Marie explained that Count Clement only had five knights. All the other knights were recruited to the capital or the borders.
One knight each was assigned to guard the entry and exit points of the county in the north, south, east, and west. The people have apparently been thinking of blocking the other entry points due to the lack of knights but it would make escaping in case of an emergency difficult.
The only one left of the knights serving the Count remains on the lookout for when the collectors arrive. He stays at the highest floor of the bell tower. In that manner, he can also guard the Count against danger.
Once the collectors were spotted, the knight in the bell tower would ring it so the people could prepare the money for the tribute and hide the children and young people.