A mage's journey begins with a battle mage.

Chapter 516 Mendetk

"What's wrong? Why do I feel so uneasy?"

Ethan rubbed his throbbing temples.

As a legendary knight, he made many vows, including the oath of protection.

That's why he was sent to Mendetke, such an important place.

"How is the Empire doing?"

With a sigh, Ethan asked Liam beside him.

"The situation is not optimistic. Too many nobles have chosen to declare themselves kings, and the Senate has had to send people to quell the rebellion. Fortunately, at least the eleven legendary-level elemental nodes are still in the hands of the Empire."

Liam replied, though he carried an inescapable weariness.

Like Ethan, Liam is a member of the Senate, and he chose to go here to defend.

He was also a knight, and he had sworn an oath to protect.

This gives him and Ethan extraordinary defensive capabilities and a terrifying ability to forge defensive lines.

But the price they paid was that they could only hold their ground and had no option to retreat.

If Mendetek falls, then death awaits them.

However, these two were not stupid. As a legendary elemental node, Mendetk contained an extremely high concentration of elements, which would activate the laws to a certain extent, thereby accelerating their cultivation.

Furthermore, the active laws can even enhance their combat abilities to some extent.

"No one will attempt to attack this place anytime soon. After all, those so-called nobles are nothing but charlatans. I can take on ten of them!"

Ethan sneered, "There are differences even among legends. He rose to the level of a legend step by step, steadily and firmly building his foundation."

Those who became legends through crooked means are no match for him.

"Better safe than sorry. I'll go check the city defenses to make sure no one can get in."

Liam said that, rationally speaking, he didn't believe anyone could attack, but there were some things that had to be guarded against.

Ethan nodded, saying nothing more and not stopping him.

He simply flipped through the letters.

"Another banquet? I don't know what's wrong with these nobles."

Upon seeing the banquet invitation, Ethan refused without hesitation.

He didn't have time to attend such banquets; as a legend, he was very busy.

"Help me write a letter to decline."

Ethan casually beckoned over an official and gave the order.

"Yes, sir."

The officials had no reason to refuse the legendary request.

Soon, a letter of rejection was sent out from the city lord's mansion.

"Farmers can't afford to pay taxes anymore?"

Picking up another letter, Ethan's face immediately darkened.

It's important to understand that although extraordinary individuals are at the center of the world, apart from mages who have secret techniques that allow them to abstain from food at the mid-level, other professionals can only achieve this at the high-level.

Clearly, no matter how elite the army may be, it's impossible for the empire's army to be composed of high-ranking extraordinary beings.

Therefore, food supplies were of paramount importance to the empire.

Normally, if they are able to absorb elements, they can just eat some grains and meat and don't need much. But who would have thought that these farmers couldn't even pay their taxes?

Who would believe that if I told them?

"They can't even pay a measly 20%? I think they're asking for trouble!"

The civil official watching was terrified, fearing that Ethan would take his anger out on him and find a pretext to kill him.

"Sir, they have already paid their taxes, it's just... um... maybe they paid a little too early."

Looking at this legend, the civil official knew it was time for him to step forward.

"What do you mean?"

Ethan was somewhat puzzled.

"You're too late. The taxes here have all been collected fifty years from now. They really have nothing left."

"You're talking nonsense! I clearly saw a bountiful harvest in the fields outside the city. These farmers had so much grain left; how could they not be able to pay their taxes and have nothing left?"

"My lord, that's the private property of nobles, and according to the law, it's not subject to taxation..."

Once the civil official explained it this way, Ethan understood immediately.

That's how relationships are, but who exactly created these laws? How can people be so wicked?

"What do the soldiers eat?"

The city has enough food supplies for five months, which is quite a lot, but still not enough.

No matter what, there are only two of them, Ethan and Liam. Even if you add the six legendary earth elemental golems they brought from the treasury, it's still too few people.

This setup requires at least a dozen high-level legendary units to conquer.

However, with the help of soldiers and the support of the city walls, they could hold off several more high-level legendary figures.

Therefore, he had to ensure that the army was adequately supplied no matter what.

"You could try borrowing some from the nobles..."

"This is my territory, why should I borrow it from them?"

Ethan's tone was filled with disbelief.

"According to divine law..."

"Never mind, I'll go buy some."

He waved his hand, too lazy to say more. It was just a little bit of food, enough to sell for hundreds of years with just a sliver of it between his fingers.

Then, he was stunned.

"What do you mean by owing tens of millions of magic stones in military expenses?"

"This was owed by the previous master for some reason, and we don't know why."

It's obvious he's playing dumb; this is embezzlement of military funds.

"How many military personnel are there actually?"

"My lord, I am a civil official; I know nothing of these things!"

He stared intently at the civil official before him; his attitude alone spoke volumes.

He doesn't know? I think he's just too afraid to know!

"Investigate! Investigate thoroughly!"

Ethan's face turned completely dark. Luckily, he had asked, otherwise he would have been unaware that the situation here had deteriorated to such an extent.

"Your will."

Immediately following Ethan's orders, the garrison in Mendetek began a full-scale investigation, and many ledgers and accountants perished in the fire.

Ethan was at a loss; he couldn't really conduct a thorough investigation, lest he implicate some of his colleagues, which would be embarrassing.

Of course, although there was no thorough investigation, all those involved were severely punished by Ethan. Anyone who dared to do this at a time like this really had a death wish.

After a thorough investigation, Ethan nearly fainted from anger.

High-end weapons such as the Magic Cannon have not been maintained for many years and are basically unusable.

Now we can only import them.

The city wall is in pretty good condition; at least there aren't any major problems.

There are widespread problems of soldiers receiving salaries without working and those who are owed salaries.

Many of the elite troops in people's minds are actually just a group of pampered young masters.

Withholding military funds, concealing personnel numbers, and engaging in corruption—this is the army of the empire.

Fortunately, it was discovered early, and everything will get better in a few years.

Unfortunately, there's no time left.

Because Jiang Shuzhou is already on his way.