Commerce in Steel City

It wasn't that Mel refused to collect commercial taxes. It was just that, compared to taxation, it was better to use low taxes to attract more merchants here for now. That way, the various tools forged from iron ore could be sold, and the people of the territory could buy a wider variety of goods.

Once they truly unified an entire nation someday, they would have the confidence to levy commercial taxes.

In Duni City in the north, a red-haired girl led an adventuring party to the city gates and clashed with the guards there, eventually drawing over the bearfolk general in charge of defending the city.

Both sides were somewhat dumbfounded at the sight of each other, because they knew one another. After all, they had studied at the Royal Academy together and were from the same class.

"I never thought it would be you, you bear! How did you join that evil dark mage?!"

"I only came out to find work and earn money. This Archmage is willing to take in beastfolk and demi-humans, so of course I'm willing to help him! Besides, he has never been as bloodthirsty as the rumors say. At the very least, he has never massacred civilians. Those nobles committed evil deeds and deserved to die."

"You bastard! I'll make you regret this!"

"Miss Xi, watch your words. I don't have time to fight you right now. If you want to fight, that would count as attacking the city. I will send troops to shoot you dead with crossbows!" The bearfolk's expression quickly turned cold. He was now one of the generals of the Commoner Army. With Lord Westland still in Edge City to the south, he needed to manage the city even more carefully.

"Enough, calm down. We're only here to adventure.