I Pioneered Scientific Magic C.202: Taxless Wizards and the Disheartened Commoners

The mention of these figures overwhelmed Lynn. He had been intimately involved in the entire event and had anticipated numerous casualties, but he hadn't expected this magnitude.

"In addition, during the subsequent investigation, the security team discovered something peculiar. On the day of the catastrophe, the spirits of nine wizards within the town were inexplicably harmed. Five confirmed dead, the remaining four suffered severe brain injuries, nearly indistinguishable from death," Orlando reported.

"After searching these wizards' residences, the security team found some books on psychic magic and this... Orlando placed a small box in front of Lynn, containing nine ring-shaped items.

"They each carried this thing. Judging by the runes inscribed, it might be a form of communication magic, but the enchantments are defunct, impossible to trace," Orlando elaborated.

"I'll take care of this. When I have time, I'll delve into it with Master Raphael." Lynn nodded calmly, taking the "Faceless Ring" items, intending to transform them into "Mystic Rings" later.

Orlando nodded in agreement and proceeded to mention another matter.

Upon the exposure of Herlram's demise, over thirty wizards chose to depart from Iyeta Harbor. Some even changed their allegiance, joining other sects, taking some apprentices with them.

"Should I send people to invite them back? I believe they'd be quite willing," Orlando chuckled.

He figured these wizards, upon learning of Lynn receiving the Sun Crown Medal, were probably consumed with regret.

Unbeknownst to them, the Iyeta Sect hadn't declined but instead showed signs of soaring success.

"No, since it's their own choice, let them be." Lynn shook his head, unperturbed. These individuals didn't harbor a sense of belonging to Iyeta, so their departure might not be a loss.

Sometimes, internal threats were trickier than external enemies. Though he lacked personnel now, not just anyone would do.

Contrarily, Lynn felt that despite the hardships the harbor city had faced, it hadn't been all bad. At least, most of the unsettling factors within the sect had been removed.

"What about the distressed commoners and their families? Are they settled? Has compensation been distributed?" Lynn inquired with concern.

Though this matter wasn't directly related to him, it was caused by Herlram. The council, for the stability of the wizard territory, had concealed this information. They, at the very least, needed to ensure these innocent victims were taken care of.

The total population of Iyeta Harbor wasn't large. The wizards considered the impoverished people residing in the South District as dispensable waste, yet to Lynn, they were valuable laborers.

"Well... currently, Iyeta might not have that much funding," Orlando hesitated, wearing a somewhat helpless expression.

Lynn was taken aback. As the largest harbor city in the wizard territory, monopolizing a portion of external trade, it should have been wealthy.

Could it be that while Herlram was secretly researching psychic magic, he siphoned off Iyeta Harbor's reserves?

Rummaging through some financial reports, Lynn discovered the economic situation in Iyeta was bizarre.

Primarily, wizards and commoners operated entirely separate economic systems. Other than the latter supplying food to the former, there was scarce interaction.

Magic materials, treasured by wizards, were sold for a few magic coins, an amount unattainable for a non-mage laborer even after decades of work.

Wizards rarely engaged in ordinary production activities; only they could afford alchemical tools and potions.

Thus, thousands of wizards and numerous apprentices formed a distinct cycle within the wizard territory, constructing an economic superstructure entirely detached from the commoners.

The crucial part wasthese privileged individuals didn't pay taxes!

Previously, the city's finances relied little on taxation; extorting the commoners yielded little profit, mostly symbolic.

The real income stemmed from external trade. Leveraging the geographical advantage of Iyeta Harbor's proximity to the outside world, various ores and rare items from the wizard territory were shipped continuously. Selling these in Greenril City fetched substantial earnings.

Yes, substantial earnings... However, despite the near monopoly, engaging in external trade exposed the entire wizard territory to risks.

As the price for the council's tacit approval, the pre-negotiated prices for transported scarce resources restricted the opportunity for extravagant profits. Each year, they could probably amass around thirty thousand magic coins, just enough to sustain the city's operations.

Due to the interruption of three routes, their major financial source might shrink.

Suddenly, Lynn felt that his earnings from selling glass, paper, and even airships might not be as much as he had thought.

He was still prosperous now, but in a few months, it might not be the same.

With just a few hundred thousand people in the wizard territory, the market was too limited and quickly saturated. Expanding external trade was imperative for his upcoming significant actions.

He pondered for a while, forming a rough plan, and looked at Orlando. "I think I have a grasp of Iyeta Harbor's situation. I'll contribute ten thousand magic coins to the treasury. Let's first settle those innocent victims in the South District; we can't delay this any longer."

"As for the remaining funds, use them to procure these materials." Lynn handed over a thinly written page.

Accepting it, Orlando, despite numerous times, couldn't help but feel a tinge of emotion at the sight of this pristine paper. Who would have thought this was made from wood?

"Ah, saltpeter, charcoal, sulfur, brass..." Orlando glanced through the list, filled with various materialssome common like saltpeter and charcoal, others unfamiliar. Lynn had meticulously noted their characteristics, hoping to find someone familiar with these substances.

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