They all call me Great Master-Chapter 411 - 408: Entry-level Atlas!
Scheming?
I really just need ships and more knowledge of the mystic side!
Arthur let out a helpless sigh from the bottom of his heart.
Telling the truth, why does no one believe it?
Are the proceeds from South Town large?
One could say they are large!
One could also say they aren't!
For a small town of twenty thousand people, which sprung up around a mine, as long as the mine does not run dry, it is a constant stream of wealth.
But, such wealth couldn't possibly all fall into one's own pocket.
Because there are taxes!
And there is the maintenance of South Town!
Among these, taxes must be paid, otherwise in South Los you could be literally struck by lightning!
This is absolutely not a metaphor.
It means being literally struck by lightning in various senses.
The Countess, who claimed to live in isolation and truly did stay out of the public eye, was absolutely unforgiving towards anyone who dared evade taxes.
If the circumstances were severe enough, there would be a strike of lightning.
If more severe, there would be two.
In any case, taxes are a major concern.
Even if the Countess received a part of the profits as dividends, it would be the same, unless the coal and iron mine became entirely hers, which might exempt her from taxes.
And the maintenance of South Town was also a major concern,
And it was stressful and demanding.
A small town of twenty thousand people is absolutely not simple to manage; just the basics of eating, drinking, and sanitation were enough to give Arthur headaches.
Add to that security, transportation, and communication issues, Arthur simply did not have enough manpower.
Especially in terms of communication, with the Countess getting involved in the South Town coal and iron mine, it was bound to become extremely important — and among his men, there was no one who could truly deal with the people the Countess sent.
Arthur himself was capable of handling it, but for Arthur to invest himself fully in it was not worth the loss.
Moreover, one thing Arthur could be sure of was that if he truly showed up, the Countess would certainly not mind sending more people to 'solve the problem' with him — because tying up all of his energies in South Town would very much suit the Countess's interests.
An 'Entrant' who could be seen every day and was exhausted with trivial matters was something any lord would loudly praise and reward.
Thus, Arthur had very straightforwardly exchanged a portion of the profits for things he needed more with Marinda before.
Now was no exception!
Compared to him, Marinda had much more experience dealing with the Countess, and she also had ample manpower.
Moreover, Marinda needed South Town more.
To him, South Town was a complex and exhausting 'profit', far less appealing than acquiring more ships for 'tax-free' coastal trade.
But for Marinda, owning a piece of land like South Town meant there was much she could do.
Not to mention the distant future, just the 'Lady of the Long Night's Salon' would move up two levels!
More importantly, the subsequent 'auctions' would be greatly enhanced, able to attract more people — compared to South Los, South Town was safer for some.
As for mystical knowledge?
The books brought from Yumir Manor had all been read by Arthur; he needed more books to broaden his 'mystic side's horizon.'
However, he could not say that directly.
And his original excuse could no longer be used after hearing Marinda's words.
At that moment —
The young 'Spirit Medium' looked at the 'Lady of the Long Night' in front of him and sighed softly.
"I say I don't, do you believe me?
I really just simply want twelve brand new Kirk Sailboats and some mystic side knowledge."
Marinda blew a thick puff of smoke towards Arthur.
The lady answered with her actions instead.
In the rich scent of mint mixed with a faint medicinal aroma of the smoke, Arthur spread his hands wide.
Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freewebnσvel.cøm.
Then, Marinda did not advance further.
The lady was very good at keeping a measured distance.
The next moment —
A large smoke ring came out, and Marinda entered back into the smoke ring.
About ten seconds later, Marinda came back out again, her hands now holding a brown notebook the size of a palm, wrapped with a black string.
After untying the string, Marinda tossed the notebook directly to Arthur.
"Here for you!
This is a combination of various necromantic mystiques I learned and some conclusions I drew — although it only reaches the entry-level part, the entry-level atlas I read back then was the core legacy of the 'Black Robe' at the Tower of Mist: the Rite of Souls!
Moreover, I can guarantee that this chart is complete and intact!
So...
Skip the ships!"
Entry-level Atlas!
Arthur felt a chill inside, but his expression remained unchanged.
"Heh heh, you think it's still useful to me now?"
Arthur said as he rolled his eyes.
The seemingly normal words were hiding tests.
Arthur was quite familiar with Marinda's power,
beyond the "Undead".
There was also smoke!
Moreover, the proportion of smoke was significantly larger.
Could one person use two "Entry-level Atlases"?
Arthur guessed at the bottom of his heart.
At the same time, he awaited Marinda's response.
And this lady, naturally, did not disappoint Arthur —
"Why would it be useless?
Although most people would choose only one chart close to their own power, you are the 'Black Cat' of this era!
The 'Communicate with Spirits' secret technique you hold and the entry-level chart you choose are inevitably related to death.
And this 'Rite of Souls'?
It also possesses traits of death.
So, there is no conflict!
And...
You had already calculated everything, hadn't you?
From the moment I appeared before you, you were scheming it!
I suspect now that the day I went to see you was also arranged by you!"
Saying this, the lady took a deep drag of smoke.
And Arthur?
While memorizing this information, he raised his hand and gave her the finger.
"Arranged by me?
Isn't it because you wanted to use me casually, then suddenly realized something was off about my identity, investigated thoroughly, discovered clues, and then coveted the 'Communicate with Spirits' secret technique and entry-level atlas of my Cat Faction?"
At this moment, Arthur was giving no ground.
Because, Arthur had discovered that this woman wanted to make him feel guilty.
And then...
Give him fewer boats!
This wouldn't do!
My friend, a Spirit Medium's boats shouldn't be in debt!
However, Arthur still had some doubts in his heart —
"Have I been shearing Marinda's wool too much recently?
Why does it feel like I'm being a bit petty?
Should I give Marinda a break, too much shearing will lead to baldness!"
Thinking thus, Arthur's gaze swept over Marinda's head, where a fine Deerstalker Cap sat.
"Could she really be bald?
Why else would she always wear a hat?
Or is it...
She hasn't washed her hair?"
Arthur thought to himself.
"I think you're thinking something quite offensive to me—6 boats!"
As she spoke these words, Marinda suddenly made a counteroffer.
Having been found out, the lady stopped pretending and went straight to business.
Faced with such a straightforward 'price tag', Arthur wasn't afraid, and immediately responded.
"12 boats!"
"7 boats!"
The tug-of-war bargaining began.
It finally settled on 8 boats.
In the end, Marinda clung to it stubbornly.
Arthur could only agree.
However, looking at the notes beside him, Arthur knew that he had made a major gain.
If it weren't for the absolute asymmetry in information, that everyone thought he was already an 'Entrant', this notebook with the entry-level charts, even if he had a cooperative relationship with Marinda, would have exploded into a price unimaginable to him.
And this was still due to 'friendship'.
After all, rarity breeds value!
And now?
It might as well be 'dirt cheap'?
Arthur thought to himself, as he reached out to pick up that notebook.
And just as Arthur's fingers touched the notebook, the young Spirit Medium was taken aback because—
Rows of text surged upwards.
Looking at these texts, only one thought remained in Arthur's mind.
This time, he had really earned a fortune!
