Chapter 302 - 274: Doubled Red Bull (Part 2)

Chapter 302: Chapter 274: Doubled Red Bull (Part 2)

Of course, some children of the nobility are very talented and willing to learn Magic. They might choose to distance themselves from their families, but they never sever their ties completely.

As for the children of lower nobles, like Knights or Barons, they didn’t have many special options.

Upon seeing Count Valentine, the man was clearly a bit surprised. He couldn’t understand what Theodore was thinking, having an outsider—an "irrelevant" Island Merchant, no less—present at such a high-level meeting tinged with politics.

"Appraise the Beast Cores?" Count Valentine was taken aback for a moment. He glanced at Uncle Musa, who sat calmly on the sofa opposite him, his expression unwavering. The Count then opened the wooden box on the coffee table and carefully examined the three Intermediate Beast Cores inside.

A few seconds later, he closed the lid. "Very nice. They’re all complete, high-quality Intermediate Beast Cores."

"Mr. Salumu here can provide more of these in the future," Theodore said with a smile, gesturing toward Uncle Musa. "It seems a lot of these are being smuggled out through various channels."

"Hmph." Count Valentine mulled it over. "It’s true that Adventurers smuggle them. After all, the area where the Nightmare Forest borders the Kingdom is quite large. Plenty of Adventurers have the opportunity to acquire these things."

"Is that so?" Theodore smiled and looked at Valentine. "These Adventurers must be quite formidable, to get their hands on Intermediate Beast Cores."

Uncle Musa watched the two of them "clash" without a change in expression. He could tell they were subtly discussing the "production volume" of the Beast Cores, and perhaps the "future development prospects" of this resource. However, his attention was focused more on the guard who had entered the reception room with Valentine and now stood quietly to the side.

Auberto. His appearance stunned Uncle Musa. Although the man was currently wearing a full suit of Black Lion City Armor, his face and demeanor were completely unchanged. He simply didn’t recognize Musa because the Magic Necklace had altered Musa’s own appearance. He just stood there, looking like a diligent guard on duty.

’The young master’s personal guard has become Count Valentine’s personal guard?’ Uncle Musa reached for the tea on the coffee table and took a sip. He deliberately drank it in the Islander way, making a few loud slurping sounds, which successfully drew the attention of the Third Prince and Count Valentine.

"I haven’t made the introductions yet. This is Count Valentine, from the Northern Border," Theodore said with a smile. "And this is Mr. Salumu, who brought us the Beast Cores. He wishes to apply to the Royal Family for tax exemption at Torch City Harbor."

"Tax exemption?" Valentine said in a low voice. "I’ve requested tax exemption from the Merlot Clan before. A pity they’re so arrogant."

"Count Valentine of Black Lion City?" Uncle Musa greeted him, neither servile nor overbearing. "Just last month I shipped a boatload of Healing Potions that was bought up entirely by people from the Count’s Mansion."

"Healing Potions?" Count Valentine frowned. He didn’t usually concern himself with such minor matters. He looked up at the standing Auberto, who nodded vigorously. "It seems that did happen. The Quality of those potions was quite good."

Uncle Musa smiled, glancing at the impassive Auberto. ’It seems he isn’t just an ordinary guard to Valentine. He’s clearly highly trusted.’

"So you two have already crossed paths," Theodore said, keeping the meeting on track. "Now, we just have to wait for the test results for the Red Bull."

Uncle Musa sat silently on the sofa. When he had first mentioned his scope of business, the Third Prince had asked what Red Bull was and what it was used for. After Musa’s detailed explanation, the Third Prince had become noticeably excited. This surprised Uncle Musa. ’Does this Prince need to rely on aphrodisiacs at such a young age? Or is it that all the Great Nobles in Plantagenet City can’t... get it up anymore?’

But Theodore didn’t explain anything. He just had his men take the small bag of Red Bull Powder that Uncle Musa had brought and sent it off for testing.

Now, after a short period of idle chat in the reception room, there was a knock on the door. A guard entered, and the Third Prince, Theodore, received the answer he was waiting for: "Completely effective. Safe and non-toxic."

"Mr. Salumu, how much of this Red Bull Powder can you provide?"

The Third Prince asked with a smile. His smile was much more sincere than when Musa had first entered, but if you looked closely, you couldn’t feel any sincerity on his face at all.

"I can provide some. Enough for many people for a period of time. But the next shipment will depend on the yield. This stuff is still in the promotional planting stage. And as you know, things are chaotic over in the Archipelago." Uncle Musa leaned back slightly, reciting the lines Shire had provided him with earlier.

"I’ve seen your list. I’m prepared to buy all of it. And I can offer Two Gold Coins," Theodore said, holding up two fingers.

Two Gold Coins. The price stunned Uncle Musa. He knew the Prince meant Two Gold Coins per unit, and that one unit was the single spoonful Shire had mentioned before.

’What a joke! This powder sells for Two Gold Coins? I saw the Red Bull plantation in the underground Fortress, and I saw how those goblins make the powder. This stuff can actually sell for Two Gold Coins a spoonful?’

’This isn’t business; it’s highway robbery.’

"Alright, no problem. I’ll make arrangements as soon as possible to increase cultivation in the Archipelago. It’s just that," he paused for a few seconds, "there’s a lot of fighting in the Archipelago. The various tribes are always fighting over sugar plantations. To cultivate Red Bull peacefully, we’ll need considerable strength. Our tribe’s weaponry is..."

"No problem," the Third Prince said, lightly slapping his own thigh. "I know the Kingdom’s armory has some old weapons and Armor. I can sell them to you at a discount, or simply have them ’scrapped’ for you to take back."

He held up a single finger before his face. "I have only one condition: provide more Red Bull as soon as possible."

"Yes, of course." Uncle Musa nodded emphatically. At the same time, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Count Valentine sitting across from him, looking restless, as if he wanted to say something but was holding back. But whatever the Count wanted to say had nothing to do with him. "So, about my tax exemption certificate?"

"I’ll have someone arrange it right away. You can stay in Plantagenet City for a few days, do some sightseeing. I’m sure Perfume Lily Avenue will be an unforgettable experience," the Third Prince said with a nod.

Having received his answer, Uncle Musa quickly stood up. He deliberately walked over to Auberto’s side, then turned back to give a slight bow to the Third Prince, Theodore, thanking him for his help.

Only after Uncle Musa had left, looking "satisfied," did Count Valentine ask with a frown, "To think the Prince would treat a mere merchant with such courtesy. How approachable you are."

"Did the Count think I was putting on a show for you?" Theodore leaned back and called for a guard. "Pour out that tea. And throw away the cup."

He pointed at the utensils Uncle Musa had used and gave his orders. "And send a few more men to tail him. I want to see what that old man gets up to."

After the guard bowed and left, Theodore had someone bring red wine. He raised his glass to Count Valentine and said, "Lord Count, what did you think that Red Bull was?"

"An aphrodisiac?" Count Valentine sneered dismissively.

"No. Your Excellency hasn’t been a permanent resident of Plantagenet City, so you don’t know the market here. A Little Blue Star this big," the Third Prince said, making a gesture with his hands, "has already gone up to Four Gold Coins a piece. And it’s in short supply. I don’t know who’s making money behind the scenes, but if I have Red Bull Powder, I can sell it for Three Gold Coins."

"To me, this stuff isn’t an aphrodisiac. It’s my war chest."