Chapter 167

So how long do you plan on keeping Port Citys tax rate that high?

Cordnell asked Isaac, having finished giving his progress report and summarising their current financial state to Rivelia, Soland, Rizzly, Laila, and him.

Hm? Until everyone from Port City leaves of course.

So youre going to drain them dry, is it?

I told you. I hate it when someone else tries to take a piece of my pie.

The tax rate was 200%. That meant they had to pay double their income as tax. Essentially, they had to f.u.c.k off if they didnt like it. The only reason this preposterous policy even pa.s.sed was because Port City was Isaacs land.

As according to the laws of fiefdom, if the citizen didnt like the tax rate, they were free to leave.

But these Port City idiots, whose hatred against Isaac burnt eternally, didnt leave purely because the future ahead seemed to look so sweet.

Materials gathering would begin attracting people and their money. Port City was bound to grow much larger than it was now. So the citizens had been trying their hardest to tough it out.

Politics in Gabelin were in chaos too, as factions who created slush funds through the casinos illegally were being attacked by their foes, leading to endless fights of counterattacks after counterattacks. During the process, they realised the power of the media and came to the conclusion that they needed to misdirect the public eyeand thus they went searching for a suitable target.

What better target than New Port City, the source of the illegitimate funds? The attacked parties were busy cutting their losses while redirecting the daggers aimed at them toward Isaac. Because of the connections Port City had, they overheard that inspectors would be coming to New Port City. They dreamed of the inspectors beating Isaac down, and leaving the city afterwards to be theirs once more. This was the reason why they clung on so desperately despite the 200% tax.

What will you do if all Port City citizens leave?

Ive got citizens from New Port City. There were so many business ideas I wanted to try but couldnt because we lacked s.p.a.ce. Now, well have the chance to do so. New Port City will have plenty of s.p.a.ces once I move all New Port City citizens into Port City.

Youre going to move them all?

Thats the plan. So make the policy as discriminatory as you can. Make it so blatant that they leave out of spite and disgust more than anything. Got it?

Yes, lord.

Cordnell merely nodded at Isaacs order. In the past, he would have made some effort to change Isaacs mind, but what pity and affection he had for Port City evaporated when its citizens rampaged through New Port City.

Plus, he did a quick calculation of how much profit there would be once New Port Citys residential areas were redeveloped. The answer was outstanding to say the least.

The Magical Spire district, casinos, and warehouse districts were the main source of their income. But the casinos were robbed by the rioters and the warehouses burnt down, resulting in ma.s.sive losses. If there was one saving grace, it was that Isaacs quick response of compensating the merchant guilds for their lost product was much less of a blow than expected.

The tax rate was almost non-existent for the warehouses, but these merchants and their greed wrote much less than what was there to further evade taxes. But New Port City was only responsible for what was written in the books, so the merchant guilds had to just eat their losses.

And since this was entirely illegal, they couldnt even complain to anyone else over this topic. Some of the guilds couldnt recover from the losses, leading to bankruptcy. The aftereffects were enduring , but that was a problem for the government to solve, not New Port City.

And with everything burnt down, they could start rebuilding the warehouses with proper schematicsoriginally, they were simply expanded when needed, resulting in a complicated sprawl of buildings. After all, what mattered was the warehouses contents, not the warehouses themselves. It took so little time and money to rebuild them, it wasnt even a loss at that point.

The Security agents moved back to their posts in your lands along with the mercenaries, distributing the lands into their own districts for reorganisation. As ordered by you, Lord Isaac, we are creating a standing army and disarming and firing all who are uncooperative. That has led to some bloodshed internally. Perhaps you should tone down a little. It would provide a good excuse for the government if they wanted to intervene.

Cordnell too had connections of his own, and his ears picked up on the rumours. Most of the rumours hinted at the capitals impending move on New Port City. Too many things had been done under the capitals tacit approval. If the capital wanted to intervene, they could easily sink New Port City under the weight of its illicit activities.

Dont worry about that. The higher-ups will make sure to handle it.

Isaac responded nonchalantly, when the meeting rooms door burst open and Kainen shouted desperately.

Were in deep trouble!

Now youre saying were in trouble too? In fact, why are you still here? Why arent you working somewhere else?

I have taken over Mr. Kaldens position.

Isaac looked to Cordnell in response.

Are we really that short on personnel?

Cordnell looked back as if he was looking at an idiot and argued.

Why dont you bring in someone more capable than a College Graduate if youre so good?

So whats the problem?

Isaac naturally ignored Cordnells jab and asked Kainen.

The Inspectors are here!

Theyre just going to act their part then leave. Give them a warm reception and send them off.

Im not talking about inspectors from the Department of Administrationtheyre the Inspectors from Central.

Why are they here?

How would they know, was the phrase on the tip of everyones tongue, but they decided to remain silent. There were too many reasons for why theyd come.

h.e.l.lo. I am Colins, Centrals special inspector department. Just call me Cols.

The man extended his arm for a handshake, smiling warmly. Isaac on the other hand looked back awkwardly.

Ive never heard of Central employing inspectors.

Ahaha. We arent exactly folks who come invited, you know.

Colins laughed lightly despite Isaacs inhospitable response. Isaac c.o.c.ked his head. Cols mischievous conduct was strangely familiar.

Have I met you before?

I wonder. Its the first time for this body.

Watching him smile, Isaacs arms instinctively moved to smack his head. Realising this, Isaac continued to ponder.

This all feels strangely familiar. Why does it feel like I should hit you here and now?

Colins overheard Isaacs monologue and twitched. He took a few steps back, all the while maintaining his smile.

Well, you may as well have some fun before you leave.

Isaac turned around to head back into his room when Colins stopped him.

Ah! But my mission is to keep a watch on you, not to inspect the city.

Isaac stopped in his tracks, slowly turning around again to see Colins, face to face.

Watch? Me?

Yes.

Thats a little too direct. Who ordered this?

It was the Grand Council.

What?

Isaac, who was expecting the Emperor, Pendleton, or even the Queen, frowned at the unexpected answer.

Why is the Grand Council getting involved now?

Because there is a good reason to. Inspecting New Port City is just a cover. My true purpose is to watch Lord Isaac, identify your intentions, and figure out whose side you are on.

Isaac did suspect that inspecting the city wasnt their true goal, but he didnt expect their candid approach to it. No, didnt the Director of Surveillance announce that theyd never intervene?

Does the Director of Surveillance not trust me?

This was a decision made by the Grand Council. The Director of Surveillance wasnt involved. The Director of Surveillance rejected this idea, but they couldnt convince the Grand Council against it.

That either means that the Director of Surveillance has lost a bit of influence, or theres an opposing faction. But the Grand Council, using humans? Now that I didnt know.

Ah, Im just a poor old middleman. The real head of the inspectors is elsewhere.

Colins smiled and pointed his hand to the sky. Isaac raised his head up, and voiced his impression.

Its a dragon.

No.

Its not?

Yes.

Then what is that?

Isaac pointed to his sky, showing a giant dragon circling above the city.

Grekonian. A race known as the Three-eyed.

Three-eyed?

Yes.

First time hearing them.

Thats not unexpected. They are notorious for long periods of idleness, similar to dragons. They are perhaps the most conservative and isolated race of all non-humans.

And theyre taking action this time?

They are endangered species. They dont even attend the Grand Councils meetings.

Over a petty reason like that?

It isnt a petty reason. Extinction is what all non-humans are most sensitive about. Because they are so few in numbers, each individual is treated as a representative of their race. And the Three-eyed are treated with even more regard by all.

Why?

The third eye on their forehead has the ability to see the traits and talents of a person. So the Three-eyed are usually responsible for teaching non-humans.

Like home school teachers?

Yes. But as I said before, they are extremely conservative and strict. Their innate abilities are perfect against children too.

What is their ability?

They have the power to control their target. But demanding orders greatly reduce their lifespan, so they typically use it for more simple orders such as sit and stand. But those are also the perfect ways to discipline children. Thats the reason theyre acting like that; they know it first hand.

Colins snickered and pointed behind Isaac. Isaac turned to see not only Rivelia, but Rizzly, Kunette, and Reisha running in circles chaotically as if they were in a horrible nightmare.

Whats up with you guys?

Sunbaenim, Its the Three-eyed! The Three-eyed!

Isaac, tell it to go away!

Uwak! Its the Three-eyed! Did I do something wrong?

Uuuh The memories from my childhood

Reisha, Kunette, Rizzly and Rivelia were shaking with horror when the dragon thatd been circling above landed.

Is that how I taught you to greet a guest?

The dragon that had been descending with such velocity as if it was about to crush them transformed, turning smaller and smaller. By the time his foot was on land, he looked like a human. Isaac whistled at the smooth transformation.

The man wore a black coat which extended down to his ankles. His hands were hidden under his large sleeves and rested near his stomach. Both of his eyes were closed, and there was a faint slit across his forehead.

So you are Isaac, Invader.

The man spoke without a shred of hospitality. Isaac shrugged and answered.

Ill consider it an honour that you know my

Straighten yourselves.

The Three-eyed ignored Isaac completely and s.h.i.+fted his gaze to Rivelia, the elf, and the two North Bears. The line on his forehead opened, revealing an eye which burned red.

Isaac mumbled to himself, watching the eye perform a spitting imitation of the final boss in the Lord of the Rings.

What are you, Sauron?