Chapter 1193: Managing the Household, Earning Money, and Meeting Communiqués

"No, although the Tower of Time is earning more now, its expenses have also increased. Soon, a large number of Apprentices will promote to Official Mages, and at that time, the maintenance costs for the Tower of Time will rise significantly."

"Furthermore, there are the costs for purchasing Magic Items from the Ming Shui Chamber of Commerce. If the sales of the Tower of Time's Magic Items happen to be poor, those mere tens of thousands of Gold Coins might just be the final straw!"

After finishing speaking about the financial situation of the Tower of Time itself, Niya expressed her doubts regarding the number of Murlocs, "Only two Murlocs have been discovered so far!"

"Even if there are more that slipped through the net, for now, it won't have much of an impact on the Territory. There's no need to make such a big fuss; it won't be too late to clear them out once their numbers increase."

Niya's words were reasonable and well-founded, but Xia Duo still insisted on his own view. If they didn't start controlling them while their numbers were low, by the time they increased, the cost of management would be many times what it was now.

Moreover, one had to consider the variables that might exist during this period, such as another "kind gesture" from the Elves—would they come to liberate the Murlocs after finishing the liberation of the Gnomes?

Xia Duo shared these thoughts with Niya, and only then did Niya's attitude soften. So, Xia Duo changed his approach and continued to persuade her:

"Do you know how much the development plan for the Savile Territory costs each month?"

"How much?" Niya asked directly.

She could have checked the relevant data through the Tower Spirit, but since Xia Duo had deliberately brought it up, she was willing to listen to his explanation.

"At least fifteen thousand Gold Coins per month!"

"Ah! That much?!"

Niya felt very surprised by this figure. If she remembered correctly, the Territory only gave 5 Silver Coins per day to the residents who volunteered to participate in the development. How could it cost so many Gold Coins in a month?

Niya did a rough calculation. Based on an expenditure of fifteen thousand Gold Coins per month, at least one thousand residents would have to work for a full thirty days each month.

This figure did not match her intuition, nor did it match the facts about the development that she understood.

So, Niya couldn't help but look at Xia Duo suspiciously, "Is this number something you just made up? Just to persuade me to send people to clear out the Murlocs?"

"How could that be?"

Xia Duo shook his head. Ever since he became able to analyze Subconscious Information, he no longer lied easily. Even if he were to lie, it would be lying for the sake of lying—a selective strategy—rather than lying for other purposes, which would go against his inner heart.

It could be said that he had basically achieved the unity of knowledge and action now. Especially after becoming a Senior Arcanist, what kind of existence would be worth him going against his heart to lie and deceive?

"Niya, you overlooked the extra expenses of the Territory Guard during the development period, as well as the consumption of food and tools, and even the compensation for casualties. Additionally, some Senior Adventurers also deserve higher wages. Fifteen thousand Gold Coins a month—this figure is actually not that high."

After listening, Niya was lost in thought, "So, without realizing it, the Tower of Time's operations have already spread so wide!"

"You shouldn't underestimate the potential of the Tower of Time. The issue you mentioned earlier about the maintenance costs rising due to the mass promotion of Apprentices is actually not a problem; they themselves can bring in a large amount of revenue. Besides, after I return from Leisen, I will manufacture a batch of high-quality Amulets of the Mind—well, consider it a contribution to household expenses!"

In reality, if Xia Duo really wanted to make money, there were plenty of ways.

If nothing else, as long as he put the word out that he was willing to serve as a Mage Consultant for a certain chamber of commerce, even if he didn't do any work and just hung his name there, he could earn at least a few thousand Gold Coins every month.

If he did a little work, there would be additional wages, which could even be higher than the consultant fee for just hanging his name. With some effort, he could earn enough for an ordinary Mage Tower in five or six years.

This speed of making money was equivalent to earning two hundred million on Earth in five or six years, averaging over thirty million a year, which wasn't too exaggerated.

If he were to take on some private jobs or side hustles, the speed of making money would be even faster.

Basically, for a Mage, once they reached the Advanced Rank, if they didn't have any grand goals to achieve, they could live very comfortably on their own.

Not to mention a Senior Arcanist; even now, with a Territory and a Mage Tower dragging him down, Xia Duo had never worried about money.

Compared to when he had just transmigrated here and had to haggle over even a single Copper, his view on money had undergone a earth-shaking change.

"It's settled then. The Murloc problem is urgent. After I return from Leisen Territory, I'll find a way to earn some money. I definitely won't let the Tower of Time or the Savile Territory go bankrupt!"

"Mm, I believe you!"

In the end, Niya was persuaded. In fact, the moment she learned that the development plan connecting the Savile Territory south to the Daxia Territory cost at least fifteen thousand Gold Coins per month, she had already agreed.

It was just spending another ten thousand Gold Coins a month; once her mindset calmed down, even if it doubled again, she didn't feel much pressure.

"Then during this time, I'll go help at the Magic Technician Office!" Niya suddenly said this.

Xia Duo was immediately amused. In reality, given the production methods of the Magic Technician Office, adding one more Niya wouldn't result in much improvement.

It wasn't that Niya, as an Advanced Rank Mage and Arcanist, was of no use, but that the products currently produced by the Magic Technician Office only carried some low-level Spells, and the production process had been completely broken down.

Under these circumstances, the actual role Niya could play was not essentially different from that of a low-level Mage.

It was the production line that limited Niya's performance!

Only in the future, when the Advanced Rank production line was opened, would it be the time for Advanced Rank Mages to completely liberate their own productivity!

However, since Niya had the heart, Xia Duo wouldn't discourage her. Recently, Niya had been busy with the research of the Communication Mythallar, and the progress wasn't ideal. Changing her work for a while to adjust her mood might not be a bad thing.

"Then I'll wish Magic Technician Niya a quick fortune!"

"Hmph, that's for sure!"

Niya tilted her head and said quite haughtily.

Time flew by, and five days passed.

Xia Duo, who had only returned from Seventon a few days ago, set off again. However, this time he did not head to Seventon, even though he could indeed do so, and to a certain extent, he even should have.

But he gave up on it anyway.

He had already declined the invitation from the Council of Great Arcanists. As for the discussion on Demon Summoning research, if nothing unexpected happened, it should have been rejected this time.

And the explanation from the Seventon Council regarding the liberation of the Gnomes had already reached Nan Jing via the channels of the Arcane Union the day before yesterday.

The result was as expected: it was indeed a requirement from Cormanthor, joining with the other Northland nations, for Netheril to join the Northland Alliance.

Of course, in return, Cormanthor and the other nations also agreed to many of Netheril's conditions and resolved many historical issues.

For example, in the past, Cormanthor often drove Orcs into Netheril territory, and the eastern territories were plagued by them, yet they were helpless.

One must know that most of the eastern territories had intricate connections with the Jannick Tower, and many were even directly within the camp of the Jannick Tower.

If even they were helpless, one could see the extent of the trouble this issue caused.

Furthermore, in the past, Cormanthor Elves often entered Netheril territory directly without permission, and various disputes occurred from time to time.

In most cases, it was the humans who ended up suffering.