Chapter 88: Alchemist

Inside the Great Hall of Winterfell, the Alchemist Ginter proudly displayed the Wildfire in an iron jar; the flames emitted a jade-colored and emerald-green glow.

Ever since the dragons went extinct, in a world that has lost Dragonfire, Wildfire is perhaps the most lethal flame.

The financial advisor Klar looked at the Wildfire, somewhat afraid, "In Braavos, people say that not even water can extinguish Wildfire."

Ginter said smugly, "Wildfire is sacred. We members of the Alchemists' Guild don't even call Wildfire by its name; we call it 'this substance.' Not only can water not extinguish Wildfire, but water will also burn when it encounters it. Some fools see a small amount of Wildfire and choose to pee on it to put it out; the Wildfire will follow the urine and set their manhood on fire!"

The financial advisor Klar was somewhat skeptical, "Is it that wicked? If even water can't extinguish it, doesn't that mean it's impossible to put out?"

"There are still ways; bury it with sand and soil to cut off the air, and the Wildfire will go out." At this moment, the Wildfire in the iron jar in Ginter's hand grew weaker and finally extinguished, "Once the Wildfire burns itself out, it will naturally extinguish as well."

Ginter put away the jar and said respectfully to Eddard: "Lord Eddard, perhaps I am not a qualified glassmaker, but as an Alchemist, I am undoubtedly excellent. Back then at the Alchemists' Guild in King's Landing, my abilities were superior, which is why I was ostracized by the likes of Rossart, Gaulders, and Hallyne. They drove me out of King's Landing and made me responsible for the Alchemists' Guild in White Harbor."

Eddard looked at Ginter, who was wearing a dirty wool coat and shabby clothes, "How has the Alchemists' Guild in White Harbor developed? In any case, this is the first time I've heard that White Harbor even has Alchemists; your influence in White Harbor must be very limited, right?"

Ginter said gloomily: "Lord Eddard, a new emperor brings new courtiers! During the time of the 'Mad King' Aerys, we Alchemists were deeply favored by the royal court. At that time, wherever an Alchemist went, their pockets were full of Gold Dragons. The Wise Man Rossart even served as Hand of the King! Although he died only a few days after taking office."

"After King Robert Baratheon ascended the throne, the lives of Alchemists have gotten worse and worse. Our Alchemists' Guild hall in King's Landing used to be full of guests and many apprentices; now, only a few Wise Men remain with a handful of apprentices struggling to hold on. Many apprentices have left, and the guild hall has become incredibly desolate, with no visitors."

"As for White Harbor, White Harbor is the domain of the Silversmiths' Guild; there is no place for Alchemists there. Weiman Mandele Bojue funds the Silversmiths' Guild but refuses to give the Alchemists a single Copper Coin. That is why I left White Harbor and came to Winterfell, hoping to serve Lord Eddard."

Eddard pondered for a long time, "If I hire you and keep you in Winterfell, what can you bring to Winterfell?"

"I can bring Wildfire!" As soon as Ginter mentioned Wildfire, his eyes seemed to ignite. He said excitedly, "As long as Lord Eddard is willing to pay, I can help you find those Wise Men or apprentices who have drifted into the common folk, and I can also train apprentices. Winterfell can produce Wildfire."

"Give me one year, and I can produce hundreds of jars of Wildfire to store in the warehouses of Winterfell and Winter Town. When winter comes and the world is covered in ice and snow, the people of Winterfell and Winter Town can use Wildfire to keep warm. In the winter, the Wildfire in the ice and snow can help the North dispel the darkness and stage a Song of Ice and Fire!"

The financial advisor Klar clapped in approval, "Lord Eddard, I think Ginter's plan is good. Using Wildfire for heating is a good idea; we can save the wood of the Wolfswood and sell it to Braavos to make money."

"Using Wildfire for heating?" Eddard shook his head, "Klar, you don't understand this substance called Wildfire. Hundreds of jars of Wildfire piled together, once ignited, would be enough to burn down all of Winterfell. The safety risk is too great."

Klar suddenly realized, "Is it that dangerous?"

"Lord Eddard, as long as it is handled properly, the risk is controllable." Ginter almost began to beg, "It's just like building a fire; would you stop burning wood for cooking and heating just because you're afraid of a fire?"

Eddard shook his index finger to show his refusal, "I have read books on Alchemists, and I know Wildfire very well. Wildfire is the excrement of Alchemists; it is dangerous and lethal. Ginter, I will never allow Winterfell to store such dangerous goods as Wildfire on a large scale."

Ginter looked like a wilted eggplant and said disappointedly: "Since Lord Eddard is not interested in Wildfire, then I must take my leave."

Ginter turned to leave, and Eddard said: "Don't be in such a hurry to leave. Although I am not interested in Wildfire, you can stay in Winterfell and become a member of my think tank."

"Really?" Ginter was overjoyed, "Thank you, Lord Eddard! However, if you are not interested in Wildfire, what else can I do for you?"

"I do not allow the large-scale production of Wildfire, but Wildfire can be made on a small scale; storing a few jars of Wildfire carries a controllable risk." Wildfire is very useful on the battlefield; this substance can burn on water, which means that whether in naval warfare or land warfare, using Wildfire can catch the opponent off guard.

When Eddard went on an expedition to Skagos, he also used fire attacks when ambushing the Rockborn in the Ice Valley. However, the Northern soldiers at that time could only rely on collected wood as kindling.

In wet or rainy weather, fire attack tactics on the battlefield are difficult to be effective. With Wildfire, one need not fear weather or terrain factors; Wildfire is a sharp weapon for fire attacks.

Of course, besides producing Wildfire, Eddard had other expectations for Ginter.

"You are an Alchemist, not a fire-mage; you can't only know how to perform the trick of making Wildfire, right?"

Ginter said happily: "I know many things; I can do the work of a glassmaker, a Smith, and a silversmith, but to be honest, I am indeed not as good as professional craftsmen."

Eddard leaned forward, "I have read some books on Alchemists, and they say that the highest realm of an Alchemist is to be able to turn stones into gold, refining stones or scrap iron into gold."

The smile on Ginter's face disappeared, and he said awkwardly: "Lord Eddard, our organization has indeed been committed to the research of turning stones into gold for thousands of years, and we have also tried to refine metals like iron and copper into gold, but unfortunately, the research of Alchemists ultimately failed. Some Wise Men in our organization also believe that turning stones into gold is a dream that is difficult to realize."

Eddard smiled, "I don't expect you to turn stones into gold; as an Alchemist, you must be very familiar with refining metals, right?"

"That is natural." Ginter said seriously, "Our organization records that when the dragons of the Targaryen Dynasty were alive, we produced Wildfire and refined metals more easily. After the dragons died, our speed of producing Wildfire slowed down, and refining metals became more difficult, but I am familiar with these processes."

Eddard felt that Ginter could be trained as a chemist, and he would be useful for many things in the future.

"Welcome to Winterfell!" Eddard and Ginter shook hands tightly.

(End of chapter)