Dear Broom Knight.

Chapter 802 Ezra Who Couldn't Understand

Without knowing that there are demiplanes that can be temporarily inhabited, the Astral Fortress is not a habitable place.

Not to mention, if he stayed on the ground, Bowen could even become Hamilton's invisible lord.

However, the relationship between the older generation was so incredibly close that it was almost unbelievable.

Bowen chose to give up these promising prospects and go into seclusion under the stars.

He is clearly someone who enjoys lively gatherings and is extremely curious about all kinds of new knowledge and information.

While the Astral Fortress might not completely miss out on the new information, it will certainly be slightly behind.

Bowen imagined that, as he was now, he could immediately grab his money bag and rush into the teleportation array to buy anything new that appeared... but that was simply impossible.

In addition, Ezra was quite supportive of Bowen staying on the ground.

Unlike Ezra, who appeared enthusiastic and had friends all over the world, but in reality most of them were just fair-weather friends who would forget each other once they parted ways, Bowen had friends and family.

Entering the starry sky like this was a huge test for Bowen.

No one can so easily sever all ties with the past; it's too painful.

As for what happens next... with Armes and Persephone around, Bowen doesn't need to worry about aging.

He just needs to continue managing Hamilton steadily as before.

This is actually easier than following Ezra around every day.

Armies provided a lot of related information and offered many lucrative benefits some time ago... but it seems that it all failed.

He didn't have any ulterior motives.

However, even someone like Armies would test his parents, whom he had personally chosen, repeatedly!

Not to mention Bowen, who indeed has many secrets.

Unfortunately, his plan ultimately failed.

So all those things he told Lowry about the future were clearly just... bubbles.

They are all illusions that shatter at the slightest touch.

That's something I can't say anymore.

Although the territory still belonged to their family, the emperor was far away and the people's hearts were the hardest to control.

He couldn't assure Lowry that Hamilton wouldn't cause any problems for the neighbors afterward.

Moreover, Armies didn't think his two attendants would be willing to stay and work in Hamilton... He had originally planned for his son to have to share some of his father's responsibilities.

Those are clever people who rose through the ranks of the royal palace.

Furthermore, since the main temple of Almes is very likely to be built in Hamilton, the title of high priest or something similar could also be of some use.

His dear friend would definitely choose to endure it for his sake.

But if we directly replace Bowen, that definitely won't work.

Smart people aren't easily fooled!
Besides, he can only present the facts and reason, not lie.

You can't fool someone who grew up with you and spends every day with you, especially if they haven't hidden their true personality.

Almes hesitated for a few seconds, then suddenly asked, "Lorry, how many resources would it take to make one of those magic arrays that can monitor the entire territory and calculate the tax rates of each year?"

"Could you lend a hand, or provide a diagram?"

Katarina was stunned: "Huh?"

The various tasks in Qingfeng Territory are actually quite easy to complete, as long as the person in charge is honest enough.

Lowry was, after all, someone accustomed to a high-tech lifestyle, so when constructing the energy circuits that covered the entire territory, he casually added some auxiliary arrays that only required the dissipation of energy to complete the task.

For example, agricultural taxes are set based on the grain yield calculated according to the weather conditions of that year.

In addition, a commercial tax of one-fifteenth of the selling price is levied.

This was considered an extremely generous commercial tax in the Northern Kingdom, but in Lori's eyes it was more than enough.

After all, merchants who could establish themselves in Qingfeng Territory, with its well-developed infrastructure and affordable basic necessities provided by the lord, made substantial profits.

If we were to calculate their profits and then collect taxes meticulously, the smuggling that Lowry had worked so hard to suppress would inevitably resurface.

Given Qingfengling's current revenue ratio, there is absolutely no need for it.

So far, Qingfengling's logic has been working.

With the omnipresent monitoring array, it is difficult for merchants to hide their income.

Qingfeng Village sets its own prices and does not allow outside merchants to arbitrarily set prices.

They are allowed to follow the market, but they must indicate this in advance.

A price increase should only occur when all prices are rising, not because I think my goods are more valuable and therefore raise prices temporarily.

Therefore, calculating commercial taxes in Qingfeng Territory is not too difficult.

Fiscal revenue and expenditure are both accounted for by the magic array. When people are merely assistants, it is difficult for those with ulterior motives to do anything.

Of course, it's impossible to make absolutely no money.

But at the very least, it cannot be taken directly from the treasury.

Even His Majesty Travis greatly admires Green Maple Territory in this respect.

It's not that he can't do it, it's that he's incapable of doing it.

The fact that we can maintain 80% of the national treasury and palace coffers is all thanks to the Northern King's tough rule and ruthless killing.

Unfortunately, while he can kill those whose weaknesses he has uncovered, he cannot solve the problem at its root. Unless a king emerges who can command the entire realm and incite all territories to follow suit.

Almes had seen the so-called world of pure order before.

This is true for most of the worlds under the control of the Demon Tomb.

However, it still cannot be done.

After all, even among different Demon Tomb, it's important to distinguish whether they share the same direct superior.

Differences naturally prevent cooperation.

Then, even if the nobles of the territories wanted to emulate Lori's approach, it would be virtually impossible for them to do so.

Discontent within the family, suppression from outside... even a powerful grand duke couldn't overcome it.

Lowry, of course, had nothing to fear.

Leaving aside the powerful figures standing behind him, just look at the time when the Church of the Dark Night, the Church of Wealth, the Church of the Earth, and even the Church of Knowledge all suffered defeats at his hands. As a result, the leaders of these churches, their true gods, seemed to have a pretty good relationship with Lori. Who would dare to do anything to him?
They didn't even dare to publicly express their dissatisfaction.

Who would think their head is tougher than those powerful figures?
However, while the previous Hamilton wasn't good enough, the future ones will be fine!

We can leave Almes out of the picture for now.

The way the gods treated Hades makes it clear that they had completely accepted Hades.

Hamilton is now in the realm of gods, so of course he can learn from the neighboring Qingfeng Territory.

Now, the only question is whether Lowry is willing to help with this.

Although this magic array is not the kind that is particularly difficult to figure out.

But the mages won't waste their time on things that aren't in demand or can't be sold.

Only a kind mage like Lori, who dislikes having too many mortals in his territory but still chooses to accept them, would have the leisure to do so.

“I’ll consider it… but you’ll have to take those eyes back first,” Katarina said carefully. “A little… disgusting.”

“I…I wasn’t thinking anything,” Armies said wistfully. “I just think you’re such a good…”

"Stop! Whether the person behind you is a good person or a good mage, it's no different from swearing at someone, you know that?" Katarina stopped him impatiently.

"Then... can you help?" Armies asked with a smile.

"What kind?"

"All."

“Mr. Armies, do you know how long your bill is?” Katarina tilted her head.

“You can rest assured about that,” Armes said, narrowing his eyes. “If this treasury isn’t enough, Persephone has the money.”

"Huh?" Persephone, who was mentioned, released her hand that had been patting the flower of the underworld, and asked with a confused look, "What about me?"

“You also have an obligation to help with our family’s future,” Armies said without turning his head.

“That’s true.” Persephone thought for a moment and then answered decisively, “It’s up to you.”

Katarina hesitated for a moment, then turned back to ask her, "If you are just like before, doing nothing and just wasting your time, then what Armies said is indeed correct."

But you'll be joining the battle later, won't you?

So you... you're just going to let it go like that?

"Ah...right!" Persephone suddenly realized.

But she quickly recalled the conversation between Pearl and Armies at the beginning of their journey and shook her head helplessly: "It was all agreed upon beforehand."

Including my best efforts.

“Hmm… I see, there’s a reason why Greek merchants prefer to worship him.” Katarina nodded in satisfaction.

"Lowry went to look up information?" Armies asked calmly.

"How did you figure that out?" Katarina slapped her left front paw in dissatisfaction, her fur standing on end. "I acted so knowledgeable!"

“Lowry won’t use the things he thinks I did well to mock me,” Armies chuckled. “You still have a lot to learn!”

Ezra tugged at Bowen's sleeve: "Did they just discuss who they were looking for?"

“Hmm.” Bowen nodded. “Although it was very subtle, the basic conditions were all explained clearly.”

You didn't understand because you didn't listen carefully during the previous treasure trove.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have misunderstood.

“I think you’re trying to fool me.” Ezra looked at Bowen with suspicion, then turned to the Countess. “My dear, what do you think?”

"I have a vague feeling, but I can't understand it or figure it out," the Countess replied simply. "Then don't think about it."

What are you thinking?

If they had the ability to think independently, would they have failed to even secure a position as deputy commander-in-chief of the King's Army?

Despite various reasons that limited their path.

But in reality, it was just a routine promotion path.

Because it's not just him who can do it, but he's the best at it, those limiting conditions only apply.

The military is both realistic and pure.

Ezra sighed: "It's not that I necessarily need to find out, but I'm the only one who doesn't know anything..."

"Katarina doesn't know either!" Gale Wolf slapped the ground in dissatisfaction.

(End of this chapter)