Chapter 308 - 277: An Extra Layer of Insurance (Part 2)

Chapter 308: Chapter 277: An Extra Layer of Insurance (Part 2)

Shire felt that his excuse had more or less passed muster. After all, compared to other goblins, he was far more intelligent and could understand what Lust said. For Lust, a clever and obedient goblin was probably much better than those humans with their hidden agendas.

’I know this battle against the Feathered Serpent Kingdom isn’t like a game where I can just pull all the mobs and AoE them down. This gives me another layer of insurance. If the Feathered Serpent Evil God attacks my fortress directly, the Elephant Lord is here. If I choose to launch a direct assault, I can borrow power from Lust.’

"Still, these two Magic spells are incredibly powerful," he said, summoning his status panel again to examine their descriptions. They didn’t specify the type of Magic. ’If I want to learn the details, I’ll probably have to ask someone with more authority.’

Shire walked over and placed his hand on the mirror, his reflection mimicking the motion. ’If Uncle Musa can meet Vivian and ask my sister’s teacher for me, maybe I’ll learn something. I just wonder how he’s doing, and whether he’s finished building the Teleportation Gate in Torch City.’

...

"What’s his situation now?" Third Prince Theodore repeatedly wiped his blood-stained hands with a silk handkerchief. "That old fellow rented a house in Plantagenet City?"

"Yes, Your Highness. And he didn’t rent in a wealthy district. He chose a place in the commercial storage area near the city gate," the guard said, nodding respectfully.

"The warehouse district?" Theodore’s eyes narrowed. He looked down at his hands; most of the blood had been wiped away, but dark red stains still lingered in the creases of his skin.

"Sigh," he let out a soft sigh. "Being a noble is such a hassle." He then tossed the blood-stained silk handkerchief onto a nearby table, where someone would surely come to collect and dispose of it.

"This Island Merchant is a competent one. Now that he’s made a connection with the Royal Family, he’s already preparing to set up a hub in the Royal Capital." Theodore strolled calmly through the royal building, his hands clasped behind his back, walking over the ornate floor tiles. The guard followed respectfully behind him.

"Unfortunately, a man’s greed must be matched by his strength," Theodore said as he walked, pausing deliberately. The guard behind him froze for two seconds before quickly nodding again. "You are right, Your Highness."

The Third Prince glanced at the guard. ’A little slow, but not completely stupid.’ "What else did he do after renting the house?"

"Renovations."

"Renovations?" Theodore raised an eyebrow. "He rents a house and immediately starts renovating? A house in the warehouse district, no less."

He ground his teeth, pondering the Island Merchant Salumu’s motives.

After less than ten seconds, he patted his robes as if brushing away invisible dust. ’So he’s a major merchant, one who appreciates the finer things. Even when living in the warehouse district, he can’t stand the squalor. A greedy man... good. Greed means he has desires, which means I can continue to use him.’

’If he had left his residence, gone straight to the Four Gods Cathedral, and spent several days in pious prayer while living there, then I would have to reconsider this partnership.’

"Renovations," he sneered. "What would those bumpkins from the Archipelago know about high-end materials?"

"The merchant bought a large quantity of white stone tiles," the guard quickly added, taking a step forward. "He gets upset if there are any variations in color. In his words, white is ’more high-class, more pure.’"

"A strange preference," Theodore said, shaking his head. "Later, find someone to send some white floor tiles over to him."

’He really does seem like a good partner,’ he thought, glancing at the overly eager guard behind him. "How are things with Red Bull?"

"It’s working very well, Your Highness. With Little Blue Star out of stock, they’re constantly asking about alternatives. I’ve even heard some are trying strange things, like gecko blood," the guard said with a small laugh. "We just have to place our prepared Red Bull and vials of deer blood in front of them, and these nobles bow their heads like dogs."

Theodore shot the guard a cold look. "I am one of those nobles, you know."

"Your Highness..." The guard was momentarily speechless and quickly offered a respectful apology. Theodore didn’t press the issue. Instead, a look of faint satisfaction crossed his face. ’Like dogs. So even you lot have moments like this. We’ll see who dares call me ’Poodle’ in the future.’

’I know I got that nickname back at the Grammar School. But somehow, before I knew it, it had spread through all the noble circles in Plantagenet City. No one would say it to my face, of course—they all observed the proper etiquette. But behind my back, I definitely heard them.’

’And all because I struck up a few conversations with the daughters of Great Nobles,’ he’d think, grinding his teeth at the memory. ’What choice did I have? What would happen to me if one of my brothers became King? I had to keep looking for opportunities, for any support I could get. And for that, they call me ’Poodle.’ They mock me as something that just fawns over noblewomen.’

’The Eldest Prince was stripped of his inheritance and thrown in prison, but he has an uncle who commands a massive army—and the Duke of the North adored his sister. The Second Prince is even more formidable. All of Plantagenet City sings his praises, yet my own mother died under mysterious circumstances. Just thinking about his methods makes my skin crawl.’

"Now, I finally have something that can influence those Great Nobles." The corner of his mouth curved into a satisfied smile. "In the future, once I have this completely in my grasp, the entire Fran Kingdom... no, the entire continent will be under my influence."

’Perhaps they’ll stop calling me ’Poodle’ and start calling me the ’King of Aphrodisiacs.’ I don’t care. The most important thing is to gain tangible benefits. Once you have real power and achieve success, people will naturally sing your praises. Who knows, maybe then my Title will become the ’Sun King.’’

"Have men watch Salumu closely." Theodore looked at his guard, his eyes narrowed. It was the second time he had given the order, and the guard nodded with a grave expression. It was clear the Prince placed great importance on the Island Merchant.

"And Valentine. Watch him closely too," Theodore continued. The order made the guard’s expression flicker with astonishment. He clearly didn’t understand. ’Isn’t the Border Count a future ally?’

"I’ve never trusted any noble," the Third Prince said in a casual tone, rolling his head to stretch his neck. "There are no friends, only shared interests."

With that, he clasped his hands behind his back and continued on his way, the guard following silently behind.

「Meanwhile」

In a hidden parlor in Benier Palace on the outskirts of Plantagenet City, a Clerk was complaining with a frown to a grim-faced old Mage. "Master Cunningham, our rivals have released this new product, and many people are asking where to buy it. But your Little Blue Star... we barely have any left in stock. We’re going to suffer huge losses!"

"I already told you, we’re out of the raw materials," Great Mage Cunningham said, paying no mind to the Clerk’s complaint. He merely shot the man a sidelong glance, but that single look was enough to make the Clerk stumble back several steps in alarm.

"Master Cunningham, are we really out of materials?" a cheerful voice called out as a tall young man pushed the door open and entered.