Chapter 258: Severe Losses

Lei En took the report, and its contents left him stunned.

First, the Wizards' casualties.

Before this, Weizelan Fu Kong Cheng had over five hundred Wizards, of whom 107 died outright and 15 were seriously wounded but not yet recovered. Those fifteen seriously wounded Wizards, even if they heal, will find it hard to regain their former power, their future cut off, even regressing to ordinary people.

Including the 76 Wizards sacrificed on the New Continent, this time Weizelan's loss of Wizards approaches two hundred!

Moreover, of the original eighteen Legendary Wizards, only eleven remain.

Among them are three Legendary High-rank Wizards.

After this battle, Weizelan Fu Kong Cheng's strength was almost halved; counting the Holy Soul Wizard's own injury, the remaining power may be less than half.

The civilian casualties in Fu Kong Cheng were even worse.

That day, over ten thousand civilians were killed, more than three hundred went missing, countless were lightly injured, and only a few dozen were seriously wounded.

Ordinary people encountering the Undead Army, Death Knights, or Lich die at the first touch; few survive injuries. Those few dozen seriously wounded civilians were crushed by collapsing buildings, and after being rescued they healed quickly.

Even so, the civilian casualties were still too severe.

The Fu Kong Cheng's resident population is about one hundred thousand; on average one out of every ten people died, some were turned into Undead, finally purified by Arcane fire, leaving no bodies.

The report also tallied Fu Kong Cheng's economic losses.

The cost of repairing buildings, streets, public facilities, the alchemical materials consumed, plus compensation for Wizards and civilians, and reimbursements for hundreds of shops, totals 8,500,000 Gold Shield!

This is an astronomical sum.

Know that Weizelan Fu Kong Cheng's annual total revenue is about 5,000,000 Gold Shield.

These funds provide welfare resources for Wizards and daily maintenance of Fu Kong Cheng; already running at a deficit, its debt rises each year, always in the red, so it cannot muster such an amount.

Lei En set the report down and saw several Speakers looking worried.

"Let's all discuss what to do,"

Anxiwodasi had already read the report; these past two days he had been considering how to raise funds, the 8,500,000 Gold Shield pressing this Holy Soul Wizard to the point of breathlessness, having not rested for several days.

"This sum is too large; it will be hard to gather," Kaidejia frowned and said, "Can we cut a portion?"

"No, it must be paid in full," Anxiwodasi's attitude was resolute.

Lei En nodded in agreement.

In any case, the money must be paid.

No matter how great Weizelan Fu Kong Cheng's reputation or standing, without compensation or payment, both civilians and Wizards will become dissatisfied, causing morale to disperse.

When morale scatters, the troops become hard to lead.

Fu Kong Cheng has just suffered a heavy blow, a time when it needs to regain confidence and hope; stirring people's economic interests now would undoubtedly sow disaster for the future.

Even a reduction is not acceptable.

For Fu Kong Cheng's grand future plan, not a single copper coin of the 8,500,000 Gold Shield can be omitted.

Kaidejia originally wanted to ask, since reduction is impossible, could we consider postponing payment, but seeing several Speakers disagree, he gave up.

Kelaoaosi, looking like a high elf, said, "Fu Kong Cheng has been in debt each year; now that so many Wizards are lost, the corresponding expenditures have also dropped sharply, easing fiscal pressure, and next year there will be a large surplus."

"If we could first borrow the 8,500,000 Gold Shield to get through the crisis, then repay over five years, it should be fine."

Kelaoaosi said this while stroking his smooth chin.

Lei En seemed to see the gleam of Gold Shield in his eyes.

He quickly performed a calculation.

Wizard numbers have dropped by forty percent, so their welfare resources can be saved, roughly 1,800,000 Gold Shield per year, which fits perfectly over five years.

He couldn't help glancing at Kelaoaosi; worthy of a dragon, so sensitive to wealth, he instantly thought of a solution.

"Teacher, Speakers,"

Lei En spoke up to draw everyone's attention, "The Vice President of the Mechanical Guild, Akaland, asked me to convey the President's words a few days ago: the Mechanical Guild is willing to provide a 3,000,000 Gold Shield interest‑free loan, to be repaid in ten years."

He originally intended to tell the Teacher privately, but the timing is right, so saying it in the council is fine.

"3,000,000 Gold Shield..."

Anxiwodasi's snow‑white beard twitched, his face surprised: "Omni Saia, that stingy fellow, when did he become so generous?"

He looked at Lei En, "Are you sure it's an interest‑free loan?"

"Yes, Teacher."

Lei En answered very confidently, thinking to himself that the Mechanical Guild's President is named Omni Saia, a name that doesn't sound human.

Anxiwodasi thought for a moment, then decided, "Regardless of the Mechanical Guild's demands, I accept this favor. Lei En, tell Akaland to deliver the money to Fu Kong Cheng as soon as possible."

"I'll inform him after the meeting ends," Lei En replied immediately.

Anxiwodasi nodded and continued, "We still lack 5,500,000 Gold Shield."

The long‑silent Roni asked, "GrandSpeaker, what is the Supreme Council's conclusion on this incident, and has the Empire allocated funds?"

"The Supreme Council's resolution is to hold off; Naksa's Fu Kong Cheng is missing, and we will retaliate when the right opportunity arises. As for funding, I proposed a motion, but it was not passed," Anxiwodasi's eyes flashed with a hint of gloom.

"Why is no funding given?" Roni asked.

"Ogulwei originally said that Weizelan Fu Kong Cheng does not pay taxes to the Empire, has always been fiscally independent, so the Empire has no reason to allocate funds," Anxiwodasi said calmly. "Tim*Kenan sided with him this time, so the proposal was rejected."

Several Speakers were left speechless.

Lei En also sighed inwardly; the reason was airtight.

Ogulwei, Tim*Kenan, and the Teacher are the Empire's three great heads, each leading a different magical doctrine, forming their own factions in the Supreme Council, each backed by several Holy Soul Wizards.

With two of the greats opposing on this issue, it cannot pass.

Kaidejia frowned, "This disaster also involves the Mo Du aristocracy; they should bear part of the responsibility, at least contribute money."

"The Mo Du aristocracy may not even be able to spare 100,000 Gold Shield now," Lei En shook his head.

Kelaoaosi said, "If not, we can only borrow from the Empire Bank."

"This is the last resort," Anxiwodasi sighed, "Weizelan already owes a huge debt to the Empire Bank; borrowing more would incur exorbitant interest." He hesitated, then tentatively suggested, "Perhaps I should sell the Akus Holy Staff."

The value of a legendary staff is roughly five million Gold Shields, enough to plug this hole.

Several Speakers were greatly startled by the news.

Kaidejia immediately interjected: "GrandSpeaker, we must never sell the Akus Holy Staff."

Roni also objected, "Selling a legendary staff would cause such a sensation that it can't be hidden, and it would attract enemy scrutiny; if the GrandSpeaker were found gravely injured and weakened, the outcome could be worse than lacking funds."

"Roni is right; we must never sell the staff," Kelaoaosi said gravely.

Lei En kept shaking his head; any legendary weapon is a unique existence that even money can't buy. The teacher's Akus Holy Staff was obtained after years of hardship, and it fits the teacher's casting style perfectly, greatly boosting his power.

If it's sold, we may never obtain a suitable staff again.

The Holy Soul Wizard's strength underpins Fu Kong Cheng; losing the Akus Holy Staff would be a huge blow to Fu Kong Cheng.

"Alright, then we won't sell the staff," Anxiwodasi said, seeing the Speakers' strong opposition and thus abandoning the idea.

Lei En let out a sigh.

It's truly a penny that can stump a hero; a dignified Holy Soul Wizard is even driven to sell the legendary staff he's carried for years…

"Teacher, I personally will donate one hundred thousand Gold Shields to Fu Kong Cheng free of charge."

Lei En estimated the cash on hand and potential funds, then said, "Give me half a month; I should be able to scrape together five hundred thousand Gold Shields, maybe more. Of course, this five hundred thousand Gold Shields would be lent to Weizelan, interest‑free, to be repaid later."

Anxiwodasi nodded appreciatively, "Alright, I'll take it."

"Nobles are indeed wealthy," Kaidejia laughed, showing a hint of envy, "I'm not as rich as Lei En; I can only muster fifty thousand Gold Shields, that's my entire fortune."

"I can also manage about fifty thousand Gold Shields," Roni said reluctantly.

"I can contribute three hundred thousand Gold Shields," said Dalan Deng, making his first speech in the council and impressing everyone.

Anxiwodasi said, "Dalan Deng, you need not strain yourself."

"GrandSpeaker, I am a Master alchemist; over the years I've earned plenty, and three hundred thousand Gold Shields is still within my reach," Dalan Deng said calmly, appearing relaxed.

"That's good then," Anxiwodasi said, without further comment.

While Lei En and the others vied to contribute, Kelaoaosi's expression shifted slightly, as if weighing a difficult decision; when everyone looked at him, he finally spoke in a deep voice, "I won't fund any money, but I can lend Fu Kong Cheng two million Gold Shields, provided they pay me a minimum annual interest."

Roni was astonished, "Teacher, you actually have two million Gold Shields!"

Kaidejia and Dalan Da were also very surprised.

It's not obvious, but Speaker Kelaoaosi is actually the wealthiest.

Lei En knows Kelaoaosi's background; he isn't human at all, but a red dragon.

Rumor has it every giant dragon hoards treasure, possessing riches that countless people covet. Now it seems the rumor is reliable; Kelaoaosi is willing to lend two million Gold Shields, and even with interest, that's already quite rare.

Getting a giant dragon to donate money for free is impossible!

Anxiwodasi clearly knew Kelaoaosi's identity, so he wasn't surprised; he quickly signed an agreement with the red dragon and borrowed two million Gold Shields at a very low interest.

He tucked away the contract, his expression considerably relaxed.

"I'll also put up five hundred thousand Gold Shields; with the Speakers' collections, we'll still be short of two million Gold Shields," Anxiwodasi shook his head and sighed, "This time we'll have to humbly ask the Storm Queen for a loan, hoping she won't charge too much interest."

The Storm Queen is one of the Twelve Holy Soul Wizards of the Supreme Council.

She also rules the Hohawen Principality, wielding massive wealth; it's said her net worth ranks among the world's top ten richest individuals.

In the Supreme Council, the Storm Queen often supports Anxiwodasi, making them allies.

The economic difficulty is temporarily resolved.

The Weizelan council discussed several governance issues of Fu Kong Cheng for over an hour, then concluded the meeting.

Several Speakers departed one after another.

Lei En teleported into the teacher's study and saw that the teacher was not sitting behind the desk as usual, but standing by the window, anxiously gazing at the northern sky.

(End of chapter)