Chapter 522 – Establishing Authority

Chapter 522 – Establishing Authority

"What is this new system?" Jornis asked with a dark tone.

Nick looked at Jornis without fear.

"From now on, voluntary blood donations will be replaced by mandatory blood donations," Nick said.

When Jornis and Vanessa heard that, they were positively surprised.

That was good, right?

"A powerful city is not supposed to rely on its weakest members to give it stability," Nick said. "Everyone has to contribute to a powerful city."

"The minimum monthly tax will be lowered from 120 credits to 40 credits. Payment via blood is no longer an acceptable replacement for the tax. Everyone has to pay the taxes via credits."

"Additionally, the tax-free age range will be increased to 16. Anyone below 16 years of age is exempt from taxes."

"Okay," Vanessa said with furrowed brows. "And how is the city supposed to pay its tribute to Aegis without that?"

"That's where the new system comes in," Nick said. "Every member of the city, without exception, will have to donate 500 ml of blood every three months as long as they are 16 or older."

"The Dregs, the Outer City, the lower layer, the middle layer, the upper layer, the Extractors, the Governor, the Liaison, the people in this room, the guards, everyone."

"Every single person will donate 500 ml of blood every three months."

"No exceptions."

The people in the room were shocked.

The people in this room as well?

They had to donate blood now?

They really didn't like that idea.

Forcefully taking their blood sounded... wrong.

It felt like something very important to them was being taken away.

Vanessa and Jornis did some calculations.

That would increase the blood gained via the blood tax by over four times!

While the volume of the blood was about the same, the quality of the blood was very different.

After all, blood from Extractors gave much more Zephyx than blood from normal people.

Vanessa and Jornis were happy to hear that.

However, their happiness was short-lived as Nick continued talking.

"It is important to note that the blood gained this way is not seen as Kugelblitz's property. The city's laws are the ones that make it possible to gather this blood."

"Because of that, 90% of the Zephyx produced via this way will belong to the city, and only people working for the city will be allowed to be present in the Crimson Fungus' Containment Unit while the blood is used."

"90%?!" Jornis shouted as he stood up.

"Yes, 90% will belong to the city. 10% will belong to Kugelblitz since you own the Crimson Fungus," Nick repeated.

And just like that, Kugelblitz's profits plummeted.

The Zephyx generated via the blood tax would halve!

"This is unacceptable!" Jornis shouted.

"Jornis!" Aria shouted as a tremendous amount of Zephyx gathered around her.

Jornis looked with aggression at Aria.

"You are speaking to the Liaison!" Aria said with a threatening tone. "You will keep yourself under control! Am I understood?!"

Jornis looked with absolute rage at Aria.

Some tense seconds passed.

Jornis gritted his teeth, looked away, and sat down again.

He didn't want to admit it, but Aria intimidated him.

"I have Aegis behind me," Aria said. "And while they can't save my life..."

"They can avenge me," she said with narrowed eyes.

Vanessa gritted her teeth.

"And even if I were alone," Aria continued.

"I would still be standing here."

Vanessa's eyes narrowed even more as her fury reached new heights.

She glanced at Jornis, who seemed about ready to attack.

She looked back at Aria.

They should be able to win...

But it was risky.

Extremely risky.

The battle was risky, and the aftermath would be even riskier.

She wanted to do nothing but attack...

But her rationality stopped her from doing it.

"This is not the end," Vanessa said as she gestured for Jornis to leave.

The two of them pulled their Zephyx back and walked towards the door.

"The meeting isn't over yet," Nick said, stepping out from behind Aria. "You are not permitted to leave yet."

The two from Kugelblitz looked at Nick with unending fury.

"Shut up!" Jornis shouted. "If you weren't hiding behind a woman like a child, you would be dead right now!"

Aria became furious.

"I'm not hiding behind a woman," Nick spoke calmly but with authority. "I'm hiding behind a Hero working for Aegis."

"I will happily forward your words to Simon Francium, who works under a female Justiciar, who works under the Left Arm," Nick said.

"Your insult only works on insecure people."

"Now, sit back down. The meeting isn't over," Nick commanded.

Now, it became clear.

The city was demonstrating its authority over Kugelblitz.

Nick wasn't even allowing them to leave with some dignity.

This was a humiliation!

"Make it quick," Vanessa said with annoyance as she went back to her chair.

Jornis followed unwillingly.

The other people in the room also sat back down again.

"Now, are there any matters that need addressing from your side?" Nick asked the people in the meeting.

"No," Vanessa answered with a dark voice.

Nick's eyes went to Gemini.

"No," Mindy said with nervousness.

Gemini wanted to address something, but they didn't dare to be the reason why Kugelblitz had to remain in here for another second.

Within less than a minute, the meeting was over since nobody dared to talk about anything.

"Then, the meeting is concluded," Nick said as he stood up and walked to the door.

Aria walked after him, not looking at Jornis or Vanessa.

Vanessa and Jornis looked as the two of them left.

There was a dark glint in their eyes.