Chapter 301 - 274: Doubled Red Bull

Chapter 301: Chapter 274: Doubled Red Bull

After meeting Shire, Uncle Musa had felt that breaking into Plantagenet City’s upper echelons of power would be a monumental task—one even more difficult than figuring out how to hide Shire’s current situation from Vivian. And yet, while he was still mentally rehearsing his story for Vivian, he’d already managed to meet with the official in charge of port affairs.

The official’s initial attitude was dismissive. After all, as he put it, he saw plenty of merchants applying for tax exemptions every day. The only reason he’d agreed to this meeting was that Uncle Musa had paid him a hefty sum.

Uncle Musa could only force a smile and present his application. But just as the official was about to go through the motions and send him away, the Beast Cores made their entrance.

Three Intermediate Beast Cores earned Uncle Musa a front-row seat to a spectacular Face-Changing performance. The official went from disdain at the sight of the box, to disgust as he prepared to open it, to disbelief upon seeing the Beast Cores, and finally to wide-eyed, dumbfounded shock. Uncle Musa savored every moment of it.

Things went very smoothly after that. The application form was tossed aside, and the plain water on the table was replaced with chrysanthemum tea from the Archipelago. When Uncle Musa tried to mention the types of goods he was selling, the official cut him off, intending to grant him the maximum possible tax reduction directly.

But a corner of Uncle Musa’s mouth twitched, and on a whim, he said, "Is a full tax exemption possible? I can get my hands on more Beast Cores."

Shire had given him the entire case of Beast Cores, and Uncle Musa was gratified by his young master’s trust. Over a dozen Intermediate Beast Cores, just handed over to him like that. He knew full well what a fortune they would fetch on the Black Market.

Hearing Musa’s words, the official hesitated and put down his pen. He explained that a full tax exemption required approval from the Kingdom’s highest authorities—primarily, the consent of the Royal Family. However, if Musa could really provide more Beast Cores... with just two more Intermediate Beast Cores, he was sure someone would push the exemption certificate through.

Then, after Uncle Musa gave the official two Basic Beast Cores, he immediately got to experience the official administrative channels firsthand.

He was provided with the fastest and most comfortable transport for the entire journey. In less than two days, he arrived on the outskirts of Plantagenet City. He saw a group of guards in the distance protecting several carriages and learned upon asking that it was Valentine’s party. He, on the other hand, didn’t have to camp in the wilderness. A single written pass opened the city gates for him, and he checked into a high-end inn that very night.

Uncle Musa had always known that Intermediate Beast Cores were precious among the nobility. After all, they could be made into Secret Medicines that significantly enhanced physical constitution and delayed aging. For those nobles who sat on piles of money, the one thing they desired most in life was to reclaim their youth. They lacked for nothing but constantly yearned for their younger, more vigorous selves. That was why the bribe of two Basic Beast Cores had been enough for the port official to practically worship Musa.

And at this point, the story Uncle Musa had prepared to hide the truth from Vivian had only just taken shape; it hadn’t even been polished yet.

Things had progressed that quickly.

After resting for two days, he was escorted one morning to meet the Third Prince, Theodore. The prince’s manner was refined and gentle, putting him completely at ease.

It was clear the Royal Family’s education was quite excellent. As for why the Eldest Prince had killed the new Queen, that remained a mystery.

Facing one of the most powerful figures in the country, a Prince of the Fran Kingdom, Uncle Musa did not let himself be charmed by his refined conversation. On the contrary, he noticed the prince was constantly, and subtly, trying to probe the origin of his Beast Cores. After all, it was rather strange for an Island Merchant to possess Beast Cores. Uncle Musa’s explanation was simple: he worked with Pirates. He claimed those scoundrels sometimes resold their plundered goods to him, and the Beast Cores were part of the haul. After all, if the Pirates tried to sell the Beast Cores themselves, they would undoubtedly attract the attention of the Public Security Bureau.

Sipping his Golden Flower Tea, Uncle Musa calmly bad-mouthed the Pirates, adding that he only paid a high price for their Beast Cores to ensure his own safety at sea, not for any smuggling purposes.

Theodore immediately expressed his understanding, putting on a concerned facade about the great risks sea merchants like him faced.

After the show of concern, the Third Prince began asking about Uncle Musa’s business ventures. He didn’t make any promises about the tax exemption, nor did he outright refuse it. Instead, he remained noncommittal and beat around the bush, giving off a clear "I’ll judge based on what you’re selling" vibe.

Uncle Musa knew this was the moment for the main event. He simply listed his goods: honey, salt, tea, Healing Potions, and Red Bull Powder.

Just then, a guard knocked and entered to announce the arrival of Count Valentine. Just as Uncle Musa thought their meeting was about to end, the Third Prince unexpectedly asked him to stay, and even intended for him to meet Count Valentine as well.

This move immediately put Uncle Musa on high alert. He didn’t know why the prince would make such an arrangement. ’Has he seen through the appearance-altering Magic Item I’m wearing?’

But he knew that many Great Nobles were not Mages; more accurately, they were unwilling to let their children study Magic. For one thing, learning Magic required a talent that had nothing to do with noble blood. If one of their children rashly studied Magic and achieved nothing, it would lead commoners to believe that the so-called "noble blood" was nothing special. For another, those who walked the path of Magic suffered the agony of the Demon Plague for one or two days each month. This could become their "weakness." Great Nobles, seated upon their thrones of power, would never allow themselves to be so vulnerable.