Chapter 707: Chapter 708: Eighty Percent It was all he needed. As of right now, Damon had accumulated quite a bit of firepower. The Wendigo, Wendy, was a powerhouse who was practically immortal against normal people, so long as they met the condition of her immortality. Next was his shadow, Matia, who was a fairy with both the strength and skill to overpower most opponents. Last but not the least was the one person he had been waiting for, Renata Malcrist, the demon kin disguised as a human. With her zero attribute, she was a force to be reckoned with, but what he really needed was her brain. Renata was a master of administration and organization. Most importantly, she did whatever he wanted without question. ’I love me a yes woman.’ She glanced at the chart she had prepared at his behest and outlined a plan for Damon’s taxation policy, which honestly speaking, was just a fancier way of saying he was robbing his peers. "Your plan might... erm... it will meet serious resistance. I would suggest capturing some people and using them as an example to deter and discourage resistance." Damon stroked his chin. Yes, that was a good idea. Renata continued, "It would also prevent us from wasting manpower and fighting needless battles." She explained her thoughts. Damon nodded slowly, while Waton felt his skin crawl. He had a bad feeling about this. Wasn’t this making an enemy of everyone, people who should be their allies? Damon cleared his throat, sitting on the large throne in the center of the tent. "Thank you, Renata. You have done well." She smiled lightly at the praise she received. Now that Lilith Astranova wasn’t here, she had to make her mark and earn herself a spot. His voice was calm. Though he was injured, his charm and charisma were still present. Renata asked the one question she hadn’t before. "What rate would you be taxing, my lord?" Damon sighed softly, looking up at the golden chandeliers. "I am a reasonable man... I don’t want to make things difficult for anyone..." Renata had a bad feeling. Whenever he spoke like that, he would do something diabolical. ’He must be planning to tax people at a 30% rate.’ Damon crossed his arms, leaning back in the chair. "I’ll be taxing them at a modest 80% rate. It’s not much, I know, but I can’t be heartless. I have to give love to my subjects." Waton felt his lips twitch, his hand trembling. His subjects? What subjects? This guy was a commoner, and he was robbing people while shamelessly calling them his subjects. Renata forced a smile, sweat beading on her forehead. Eighty percent. He might as well be taking all their hard-earned medallions. Taxation? He should just come out and admit to robbing them. "Eighty percent, my lord?" He nodded with a gentle, benevolent smile on his face. "I know, I understand, I’m too kind. What can I say? I am a man of the people. Everyone knows me, I am humble, without an ounce of pride." She bit her lips helplessly. That was a very roundabout way to say he was shameless. "Of course, my lord. Why don’t we begin immediately?" Well, there was no stopping him now. Might as well go with the flow. Damon stood up and left the tent, with Matia following silently behind him. When he went out, he found Wendy sitting by a rock with her arms crossed over her knees, looking at the sky with a bleak expression. She noticed him looking at her, then shot him a hateful glare. Damon didn’t mind the hate, it was pretty valid. Standing up, she walked over to him. Damon glanced at her. "Turn into your Wendigo form. I need a mount." She glared at him with disdain. "I not a horse." Damon sighed. "I already told you it’s ’I am not a horse.’ Try again." She corrected herself, learning from his words, but still didn’t obey. Taming her was a pain. "Fine, so be it. I don’t mind walking, but... if I walk, it might affect my chances of reproduction, and we don’t want that now, do we?" 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶 She glared at him. This trick wouldn’t work again. She had evolved past such threats; she was not a fool. "No, you lie.... Liar," she corrected herself. Damon raised his hand in the air. "Fine, so be it. Someone’s never going to be a mother ever again... all because you doubted a well-wisher." Her expression remained the same, maintaining her glare until she bit her lips, knowing she couldn’t risk it. Her bones jutted and cracked, turning her human form into a large Wendigo. Her piercing red eyes glared at Damon as a smile bloomed on his face. Once again, he had reminded her who was in charge. He could have just climbed her back, but Damon felt the need to cause some more trouble. "Lower yourself." She tilted her large snout, jagged fangs bared at him. He smiled, coughing lightly. "I’m injured." Snapping her fangs, she lowered herself and let him mount her. He reached his hand down to Renata, pulling her up behind him. "Alright, we’re headed to the first bridge and occupying it. Matia, you fly above us." She nodded, her icy wings spreading behind her as she soared into the air. Waton glanced around awkwardly at Damon, pointing at himself. "Wait, what about me?" Damon facepalmed, shaking his head. "You’re a fae. You have wings. You can fly, can’t you?" Waton nodded slowly. "Ermh... I can, but what if someone shoots me down? Wouldn’t it be better to ride with you? Wendy’s back is quite large..." Damon raised an eyebrow. Was this guy trying to ruin Damon’s aura farming? Why would he ride with some guy? "Don’t worry. Matia will protect you. If you get shot down, I’ll give you an expensive funeral." Biting his lips, Waton spread his wings, groaning as he mumbled, "That’s not very convincing. I’m a prince, dammit." Damon shook his head, tugging on the Wendigo’s antlers. "Let’s go."