Myth: The Ruler of Spirituality

Truly engaging in combat, Laine, who was also adept in fighting skills, could perhaps easily throw down these few 'society individuals' who lacked even a weapon, but if he can solve it with a mere Light Spell, that was naturally a good thing.

So very soon, under the heartbroken gazes of Wes and others, Laine's waist was adorned with eight unfamiliar coin purses. The only pity was that there were no Ginstatt gold coins inside.

However, that was normal, considering that in the original historical trajectory, a massive silver mine had been discovered near Ancient Athens, which brought wealth that supported the rise of the city and eventually dominated the entire Ancient Greek civilization circle. It was very likely the same in the Transcendent version of the world, hence silver naturally far exceeded gold in quantity.

This imbalance in raw materials reflected in coinage meant that small-scale consumer transactions were commonly based on silver coins. In large transactions, even if there were tens of thousands of silver coins packed in large chests, they would rather not trade with equivalent but more portable gold coins.

"They're really rich, probably enough for a month."

As the saying goes 'coveting every small amount as if it were dirt when spending,' Laine held no particular dearth of appreciation for this unexpected wealth. But after collecting 'well-intentioned' sponsorship, Laine had a somewhat strange expression on his face.

"I had not expected that the reason they all carried a wooden stick was because of The Church of Justice... No, it seems the Saint Knights aren't entirely church personnel."

"Looking at this, I need to buy more materials for constructing Spirituality barriers."

Noting this down mentally, Laine watched as the warm local people awkwardly left. He collected the hair he had taken from several individuals and placed it into a separate package.

Killing seven or eight people outright in the city would indeed be too dismissive of others, especially when Saint Knights were temporarily residing there. Even these 'vigorous society members' had not dared to use sharp weapons, so Laine only took a lock of hair from each in front of them, scaring Wes and the others half to death.

In the eyes of these low-tier societies, non-church spellcasters are all adept at casting curses and killing invisibly. For Laine to take a part of their body was almost no different from taking their lives.

"Indeed, as I had anticipated, when Godhood Practitioners spread out, the demonization and ostracization of wizards were almost foreseeable events."

"Athens and the Church of Knowledge are already among the more neutral, even the King himself is proactively promoting the development of the Alchemy industry, trying to overtake the western major countries by cutting the corner through population and land advantages. Yet even so, such exaggerated rumors still widely exist among the people."

Shaking his head slightly, both professions of spellcasters, Godhood Practitioners and Wizards, held such differences, and naturally, there were reasons behind it, but Laine decided not to ponder this subject that could be named 'Transcendent Sociology' any longer.

He returned to the corner where he had changed clothes earlier and put on the fine plain robe again. When he walked back to the southern district, he was completely indistinguishable from a standard Athens aristocrat.

In any era, disguising oneself as a respectable member of the upper class had its benefits; they were treated with respect wherever they went and naturally gained the trust and respect of strangers.

Just like now, if Laine were to enter the city again, those fully armed Guards would probably not only not take his money but would also salute him from afar, welcoming him.

...

South City Turingen, outside a three-story standalone loft.

Tap, tap, tap...

"...so, this is another potential direction for the future development of Athens."

"As the only great nation near the East Sea among the Panhellenic states, connecting the central part of the continent with foreign countries through sea trade, mutual exchange is also very necessary. Besides alchemy, this is also one of the strategies that the Kingdom can attempt to implement."

"After all, alchemy requires technology, time, and has a narrow audience—you can't expect ordinary craftsmen to afford expensive Alchemy Constructs," walking on the road, Laine casually discussed some classical social theories: "but trade is different."

"It only needs policy support, then Athens' merchants and nobles would spontaneously engage in commerce for profit-seeking, and such large-scale trade would necessarily bring benefits to the people, conducive to the export of excellent domestic crafts, and the wealth brought from other countries could also enrich the pockets of the upper echelons in the Kingdom, leading to greater sales of Alchemy Products."

"Of course, all this is based on Athens' superior system and local craftsmanship. Only these are the foundation that guarantees everything."

"Truly enlightening..." with an admiring look, a gorgeously dressed young man couldn't help nodding in agreement: "Mr. Aiven, you are truly learned... It's a pity that I only met you today."

"It's all God's guidance."

With a smile, Laine spread his hands slightly helplessly.

"Though it's a bit regrettable, this is where I'm renting."

"I've not been in Turingen for long and don't have a permanent business, I'm afraid I can't invite such a distinguished guest as you to sit upstairs."

"Ah—sorry, it's my intrusion."

Suddenly realizing that they had walked all this way, the young man who had just met Laine during dinner felt a bit rude.

It really was because classical locals had never heard of this kind of theory that could be recited by everyone in future generations, he was so captivated as he listened.