Chapter 396 - 321: New Business

Chapter 396: Chapter 321: New Business

[Mysterious Contract of the Vampires and Werewolves: You have successfully resolved the feud between two thousand-year-old families and gained their favor. Your charisma will be enhanced until the contract between the two families is fulfilled.]

"What’s this?" Shire looked at the notification on his panel, a little confused. "These two families don’t really have a feud anymore, do they? Besides, resolving their feud should depend on getting those ’Ears of Jealousy’ or killing the Ratmen. How did it end up being me?"

He glanced at the two Counts of Savoy, who both wore delighted expressions. "I have to say, I can’t do anything about the Ratmen right now. I still have a lot to deal with here. But I can promise you that in the future, once I’m freed up, I will absolutely fulfill our agreement."

"I know," Silver Wolf Count Jean said with a nod. "I’m not asking you to do it right now. Those Ratmen have already dug out the entire underground of the western Nightmare Forest and turned it into their kingdom. With your current strength, I don’t think you’re capable of handling them yet. However, compared to human Adventurers, goblins have a natural advantage for surviving in the Nightmare Forest. I can wait, and my children can wait as well."

"Of course, we both hope your forces in the forest grow as large as possible," Herbert added. "Only when your power is great enough will you have a better chance of finding that pair of ears."

"Once I’m freed up, I’ll arrange for someone to go to Savoy and get in touch with you," Shire said to Jean. Little John was still in Torch City, and Shire needed to wait for him to handle matters there before returning. After he got back, he would have to escort the Teleportation Stone Ring to the Savoy Kingdom.

"Of course, if you have any other interesting goods from the forest, we could also let you open a few shops in our territory," Count Jean said with a smile. "And we can even give you a discount on taxes."

’Interesting goods from the forest?’ Shire thought for a moment, then stood up and rummaged through a leather bag he had placed to the side. He pulled out a glass bottle filled with powder. "You two probably haven’t tried this before. Give it a shot. I call it Dragon Breath."

He placed the glass bottle, which was filled with powdered Dragon Claw Leaves, in front of the two of them and opened the lid.

Herbert reached for the bottle first, staring at the powder inside. "What’s this for? Do you steep it in water and drink it?"

"No, you do it like this," Shire said, demonstrating for the two of them. "You just have to sniff it hard. It’s invigorating, clears your head, relieves stress, and can also dissolve physical fatigue."

"Like this?" Skeptical, Herbert used his fingernail to scoop out a small pinch. After glancing at it for a few moments, he extended his hand to Jean. "Want some?"

"No, thanks, you old bat. We werewolves have very sensitive noses when it comes to strong smells. I’m not touching that stuff." Silver Wolf Count Jean waved his hands dismissively and even shrank back a little.

Shire watched their antics, a smirk playing on his lips. He had already considered what to offer them; Red Bull probably wouldn’t be appealing enough. Besides, it was already being sold in Plantagenet City, and he could foresee a massive demand in the future. His clan’s current cultivation capacity was nowhere near enough to supply such a large market.

His other goods were mostly for his clan’s daily use. Only the "Dragon Breath" snuff was a new product suitable for trade.

More importantly, he believed that only by making these two realize that the forest held even more interesting goods could he truly bring all three parties to the negotiating table. After all, for nobles, profit always came first. Promises alone were not enough to forge a solid relationship between them.

"Hssss..." Seeing that Jean wasn’t going to try it, Herbert placed his fingernail under his nose and inhaled forcefully. He immediately felt his nose get stuffy, then let out two consecutive sneezes. "Oh, this stuff... how should I put it?"

"How does it feel? Why are your eyes red?" Jean’s eyes went wide as he stared at Herbert. "Are you losing Control? Are you about to transform?"

"No, I’m not that fragile," the Vampire Count said with a smirk, glancing at Jean. "This stuff... wow. It’s really something. I can already feel my whole body starting to relax."

He shook his head, rolled his shoulders, and said with a laugh, "Looks like I’ll be able to fly tirelessly all over Yangjiao Town tonight."

"Just be careful you don’t get spotted," Jean said disdainfully, curling his lip.

"Seriously, old timer, you really won’t try it? I’m telling you, this stuff has a real kick." Herbert dangled the glass bottle between two fingers, shaking it slightly in front of Jean’s eyes. He seemed a little strange, as if he’d become somewhat hyperactive.

"You... you seem a little different," Jean said, his nose twitching slightly. He then scrutinized the Vampire across from him. "It’s rare to see you like this. So childish. You’re acting just like you did when you were young."

Shire also watched Herbert, who had clearly become more talkative. He could tell the Dragon Breath Snuff had affected him somewhat.

"Really, just try it. It feels pretty good." Herbert placed the glass bottle in front of Jean and held out his palm, urging him to try it.

Jean looked at the Vampire, then glanced a few times at the goblin opposite them. Skeptically, he reached out and used his own fingernail to pick up a tiny bit.

"That’s all? You kobold," Herbert sneered, clearly mocking Jean.