Chapter 75: The Princess Has Never Forgotten Her People! (33)

Knight Captain Kaodelin, find a trustworthy group of knights, take the Forest Spirit emissaries to properly tour Crescent City, and be sure to protect their safety.

Clerk Klub, go to the newly built Crescent Inn, assign them the best rooms and the finest food, and be sure they are satisfied.

Ignini, have your people rest well for a day; tomorrow we will discuss matters properly.

Yes, my lord.

Ignini has also long wanted to stroll openly through Crescent City, rather than, as before, only peeking from afar.

After Knight Captain Kaodelin escorted the Forest Spirit emissaries away, everyone dispersed, each attending to their own tasks.

Selena immediately returned to the inner chamber to contemplate spells.

Luosen did not hurry back to the underground Magic Method Laboratory; instead, he sat in the outer administrative study, patiently awaiting the arrival of the old acquaintance.

Clearly, the old acquaintance was also impatient, racing on a swift horse.

In less than an hour, he arrived at Crescent Castle with two guards and a man of unknown identity, though obviously a shrewd merchant.

A few minutes later, the old butler Afu brought the guests in.

Two people arrived.

One was the old acquaintance, namely the younger brother of the Count of High Mountain County and the Baroness of Shire County, the Sir Hanflei we met at Blue Whale Mansion that day.

The other was the shrewd merchant.

Luosen waved his hand for the butler to close the door, then cast a Two-ring Arcane "Seal Barrier" at the doorway, isolating the study from the outside.

Sir Hanflei removed his black round hat, placed it on his chest and bowed slightly: "Salute to the Baron."

The merchant beside him likewise tipped his hat in salute.

Luosen nodded in return, then opened a bottle of fine maple wine and poured a glass for each: "Sir, and this gentleman, the conditions are modest; please sit as you wish."

Against the wall in the study stood a sturdy thick leather bench of good quality, reserved for honored guests.

Now the two sat down without hesitation, and Sir Hanflei laughed: "It seems my sister's soul gem has taken effect on the Baron."

Luosen, of course, understood the implication.

"Indeed, the effect is extraordinary. It has greatly accelerated my cultivation speed, allowing me to instantly breakthrough to Intermediate Mana. At this pace, I estimate within a year I can reach Advanced."

Low‑level mana is becoming insufficient; constantly borrowing Selena's mana is inconvenient, so Luosen plans to "ascend" two levels.

As a Baron lord, with the aid of a precious soul gem, possessing a high‑tier profession is reasonable and not ostentatious.

Sir Hanflei himself is a High-tier Mage; knowing that the advanced realm of Three-ring poses little difficulty, he formulaically offered congratulations, then immediately got to the point.

"Baron, I originally thought your domain would be in chaos, but now it seems you have largely quelled the internal strife, correct?"

Luosen nodded: "More or less. A complete resolution may still take half a month."

"Much faster than I imagined, yet not surprising; after all, the Baron's victorious stratagem clearly foreshadowed this."

After saying that, Sir Hanflei patted the slightly restrained shrewd merchant beside him.

"This gentleman is Mr. Aji, the most loyal confidant of my Wolfran family, and also one of the biggest smugglers in the Shire County Black Market, specializing in smuggling scarce and expensive magical supplies into High Mountain County."

"Count Robert is well aware of this, but since it is a small business the Countess runs to support her natal family, he keeps his eyes closed."

Luosen nodded in understanding.

He could sense that this black‑market merchant was not the main course today, but a little dessert the Sir offered himself.

He also understood why Hanflei considered it a dessert, because he surely thought he lacked magical supplies.

In reality, he was not lacking; he could even purchase raw materials for processing and export them.

Of course, until he discerned their intent, Luosen pretended ignorance.

He looked intrigued: "Mr. Aji, what magical supplies can you obtain?"

Regarding culinary skills, Aji immediately began his confident explanation.

"Various magical devices from White Continent, secondary‑processed mid‑high grade magical materials, the latest spellbooks, recent research papers, crucial magical intelligence and current affairs news, etc.; anything I deem useful to the Count, I will find a way to bring in."

"Baron, if you need equipment, I will do my utmost to help, though the price will be one or two percent above Shire County market rates."

Luosen's face lit up: "Of course I need it."

In truth he didn't much need it, as he could produce it himself, but he did require a visible 'source' to explain the origin of the high‑grade goods in his domain.

Muraldi is a 'source', and now Aji can also serve as a 'source.'

Seeing Luosen take the dessert, Sir Hanflei continued: "Baron, there is another matter I wish to discuss with you."

Originally, he hadn't intended to come, as his main purpose was to seek Count Robert, but his sister Kailina insisted he stop by to consult the Baron's opinion.

Thinking the Baron, though young, was indeed sharp, and that the Princess was on the island with a short journey, he, who should have returned directly to High Mountain County, took a detour and hurried here.

After seeing Luosen's attentive expression, he asked: "There is news of a safe new sea route from White Continent to our northern Weilan; Baron, are you aware of it?"

Luosen's eyebrows lifted slightly; he had long known the new route would cause great upheaval and had already prepared contingencies.

In fact, he and Muraldi have maintained close correspondence, documenting the latest developments surrounding the new route.

As expected, in less than half a month the northern Weilan counts were already alarmed.

He smiled: "Of course I know; this greatly benefits me. Naturally, it also greatly benefits the northern Weilan counties."

Sir Hanflei was rather surprised; he had assumed Luosen was busy consolidating his barren island and had no time for such matters.

Since he knows, they could now discuss business directly.

His complexion grew somewhat sullen.

"The trouble is, Aaron, the Duke, and the continental‑appointed counts of the southern Weilan coastal counties also know."

"These guys can't stand us northern islands reaping benefits; they dispatch pirates along the new route, seizing any merchant ship they encounter."

Sir Hanflei grew increasingly angry, slamming his hand on the chair armrest, producing a loud 'Bang' sound.

"Other regions stealing is one thing, but the southern counties stealing, and the Duke even stealing!"

"It's as if they openly rob money from our northern counties' pockets, yet aren't afraid we might retake it by land?!"

Luosen also knew this was only the beginning; official pirate ships from various factions were still few.

But this profit window is closing rapidly; it is estimated that in a month the new route will be completely discontinued.

Seeing the Knight's cheeks flushed red with anger, Luosen consoled, "What kind of temper does the Knight have again, aren't they always fighting?"

These days, with unreliable navigation, ships fear getting lost and therefore hug the coast, so every vessel bound for the Northern County has to be skimmed of a layer of oil by the Southern County.

Since the establishment of the Weilan Duchy, it has always been like this.

The Knight let out a long sigh: "Mother Nature above, it is the emergence of the new route that made me lose composure."

He looked at Luosen: "What does the Baron think about the new route?"

Luosen crossed his ten fingers on the table, his pinky lightly tapping the surface: "Regardless, at least Levinde and Kao's shipping time to the North has been shortened."

Originally it had to go around Aaron, but now it crosses the ocean directly, saving a third of the shipping time.

"As for other benefits, none are visible for now. Unless our Northern Counties can seize the two mid‑route supply islands on the new route, build naval bases there, and defeat Aaron's Lion Fleet at sea."

Knight Hanflei listened with a bitter smile on his face.

"Aaron commands the largest navy of the Natural Alliance, with over 150 warships of various types; how could we possibly defeat them at sea?"

These days warships are hard to build; their keels require oak that has lived over a hundred years, which is extremely difficult to harvest.

The Lion Fleet of 150 warships is an invincible fleet of this era, capable of marching across the sea.

So he thought Luosen's words were like a dream. Luosen simply spread his hands.

"What I mean is there is no good solution. The other side is using nominal pirates to enforce a blockade, preserving their last face."

"Therefore, under the current situation, we can only accept reality."

Knight Hanflei, of course, also knew that hearing this he was completely disheartened, couldn't help letting out a long sigh and muttered low, "Damn Southern County!"

Compared to Aaron, he hates the Southern Counts even more.

But at that moment, he suddenly heard Luosen say to Aji, "Mr. Aji, if White Sturgeon Island produces some magical items, can you help me sell them into the inland Northern Counties?"

Aji was startled: "Baron, what magical items are you referring to?"

"Mainly various low‑grade finished magical implements."

As he spoke, Luosen pulled a low‑grade Lightning Talisman from the desk drawer and handed it over.

"It's a magical implement of this quality."

In fact, in a sense, the blockade of the new route is not entirely bad for Luosen; it is even a good thing.

Because it means that finished magical implements from White Continent lose market competitiveness due to high prices, and he benefits greatly from those high prices.

For example, this low‑grade Lightning Talisman sells locally in the Northern Counties for over 160 Ogre, while the landed price imported from Aaron to Shattered Gold Wharf is only 120 Ogre.

This means that as long as Luosen sells for 120 Ogre or less, it will definitely sell.

But his production cost, all in, is only 8 Ogre.

Why then are the local prices in the Northern Counties higher? First, because the expensive refining equipment is controlled by White Continent, which initially skimmed off a large wave of profit.

Second, the craft is backward, production efficiency low; without high prices, Northern refining magicians would incur losses.

If the Counts had not deliberately raised the entry customs duties, forcing the market price of imported implements to match the local level, the refining industry in Northern Weilan would have withered rapidly.

Now look at Aji.

He examined the low‑grade Lightning Talisman repeatedly, finding the refining level very high, the Lightning Power very stable, and the workmanship extremely exquisite.

"Baron, what price do you plan to sell? How many?"

Luosen held up a finger: "If it can sell, I'll give you 110 Ogre each, and I currently have 300 of these finished pieces on hand."

Aji almost jumped up on the spot: "How can it be so cheap? Baron, where did you get this stock?"

He didn't think the goods were produced on White Sturgeon Island, instinctively assuming the other side also had smuggling channels.

And similar implements at Shattered Gold Wharf have a floor price hovering around 120 Ogre.

Now, the Baron sells at 110 Ogre; he can take the goods straight to Shattered Gold Port, flip them to local black‑market merchants, and instantly earn 10 Ogre.

Those 10 Ogre are just the profit from an extra 60 km of safe waterway.

Luosen smiled mysteriously: "Mr. Aji, I naturally have my supply channels, but that doesn't seem like something you should be asking about, does it?"

"Right, right, that was my nosy comment."

Aji pointed at the low‑grade Lightning Talisman in his hand and said, "If the other talismans are of similar quality, I'll take all 300."

After acquiring the goods, he naturally wouldn't sell them in Shire County, because the profit wouldn't be enough.

He plans to take this batch of good goods to High Mountain County, hand them to the Count of High Mountain County to sell above 170 Ogre, earning excess profit.

Luosen smiled: "Of course it's the same quality."

Aji asked again: "Baron, do you have any other goods on hand? Preferably something higher‑grade."

Low‑grade Lightning Talisman is already the most common defensive magical implement, low level, and its spell energy is cheap.

Although it has a large presence in the folk market, it can't fetch a high price.

Luosen shook his head plainly: "This is the only batch for now; future shipments will be similar. I can't obtain high‑grade goods."

"Alas," Aji said, a bit disappointed.

Luosen shrugged: "The supply market for high‑grade goods has always been dominated by White Continent, especially the Aaron people."

"They keep a tight grip on this juicy piece; my channel suppliers lack the ability to craft and dare not sell."

Cutting off people's money and property is like a parent killing a child; now White Sturgeon Island has little self‑defense ability, directly going after the 'fat meat' the Aaron speak of will truly invite the Lion Fleet.

So Luosen plans to develop a lower‑tier market that the Aaron don't pay much attention to, first taking the 'rural encircles city' route to accumulate strength.

Aji understood and sighed lightly: "Baron, that's what I mean."

He asked again: "Baron, how do you intend to receive payment—cash, magical supplies, or what?"

Luosen replied without hesitation: "We'll accept various methods, but primarily goods, preferably primary resources produced by the Northern Counties."

Primary resources are various raw materials; these are the most scarce things on an island.

Having finished, he sighed deeply: "For a barren island like mine, foreign trade is vital, but the Duke has issued me a trade prohibition."

In the end, he sighed helplessly again.

"Let the Duke eat shit!"

Those words were spoken by Knight Hanfulai.

It was clear that this Knight had a very irritable temper.

Hanfulai felt that he understood.

The Baron's smuggling route for this cheap artifact was most likely linked to some big figure inside Dawn City.

That person definitely wasn't the Duke, because the Duke despised the Dawn Princess to the core.

It could be Shahelamu Master.

Thinking he had figured it out, Knight Hanfulai said: "Baron, since the Duke doesn't care about the life or death of our northern counties, our northern counties have no need to heed his ban."

"As long as you can get affordable, high-quality artifacts, we'll take as many as we can. Then, just give us a supply list, and we'll find a way to transport them to you."

Luosen wanted exactly this line: "Knight, you're truly refreshing!"

"Since the Knight is so refreshing, I'll give you a straight fact. In the South there are also big figures dissatisfied with the Duke, thinking the Duke is a spineless wimp!"

"So, someone is willing to covertly support my wife, and my wife is a fiercely strong‑willed woman."

"She despises Aaron to the core, and has never forgotten her people!"

Upon saying that, Luosen pointed forcefully toward the South and said bitterly: "He wants to keep treating outsiders like dogs, rummaging through his own people's rice bowls everywhere to snatch food, making everyone's lives miserable."

"But my wife wants to stand as a human, and also wants her own people to all stand as humans together!"

Hanfulai believed this, because he had personally experienced the night at Blue Whale Mansion and heard the Dawn Princess utter a sacred oath with his own ears.

At that time he was so shocked that he wanted to launch a great undertaking.

He originally thought that when the Dawn Princess arrived at White Sturgeon Island, the harsh environment would erode her oath.

But he didn't expect that the Princess, not only had a fierce temperament and strong initiative, also broke through the Four-ring in her arts, and even connected with the forces of the South.

Princess, she might be able to get things done! Thus, Luosen's few words made his blood boil, as if he had returned to his youthful, passionate days.

He clenched his fists tightly and swung them forcefully: "Baron spoke well! Our northern counties have long had enough of that wimp!"

"As long as the timing is right."

Luosen immediately signaled to keep quiet: "Knight, don't act rashly; any great undertaking requires strength. When strength is lacking, it's best to stay low‑key."

Hanfulai nodded repeatedly: "You're right, you're right, I was reckless!".

(End of chapter)