Chapter 347: Outbreak Potion Successfully Developed

High above, the dragon soared.

As a member of the dragon species, Carlos’s growth period was extraordinarily long, yet his strength could not be judged merely by level.

Since escaping the cave that had imprisoned him, Carlos had spent half a year living freely.

In an environment of full meals every night and peaceful slumber each dawn, his level progression had barely advanced—but his body had grown. Now, including his tail, he was roughly ten meters in length.

No one knew to what extent such a creature might ultimately mature.

Between Wushan Fortress and Marsh Town, Carlos had flown many times; at full speed, it took little more than an hour to land at Marsh Fortress.

As the most accessible town connecting Wubei Domain to the outside world, Marsh Town had now become the vital hub linking the hinterland’s Mountain Village, Three Villages, and Black Earth Town.

Lord Elron, who governed Wubei Domain, resided within Marsh Fortress. Others—Wilson, Chahar, Garen, and Bella—had all relocated here as well.

Compared to his last return, Ronin noticed more people in the fortress. He saw numerous new faces among the servants bustling in the courtyard: some tending ornamental plants, others repairing rooftops, still others clearing drainage channels.

“Garen.”

Since Chahar had assumed the role of financial officer, the position of castle steward had fallen to Garen, once Ronin’s personal manservant.

Over these past months, having learned and consulted under Chahar, Garen had gradually mastered the duties of his new station.

Yet he could not help feeling a quiet disappointment: the lord was perpetually away, traveling endlessly, leaving Garen’s life tinged with dullness.

At the sound of that familiar voice, Garen trembled, then whirled around—there, striding toward him, was the towering figure.

“My lord! You’ve finally returned!”

His startled cry caused all the busy servants to freeze. They turned as one toward Ronin, their eyes wide with awe—this was their first glimpse of the master of Wubei Domain, and they felt a tremor of fear.

“What are you standing there for? Greet your lord!” Garen barked.

They snapped to attention, bowing deeply in unison.

Ronin smiled warmly. “What’s all this commotion?”

Garen chuckled. “Marsh Fortress hasn’t been repaired in ages. I figured you’d return before year’s end, so I arranged a full renovation. Didn’t expect you’d come back before we finished.”

Ronin nodded.

As the only castle truly worthy of his name in Wubei Domain, it certainly needed proper repair.

“Carry on, everyone. Mind your safety.”

Ronin turned to Garen. “Go notify Elron, Wilson, and Chahar. Have them come to me.”

“Yes, my lord!”

Ronin walked straight to his study.

Though he had been gone so long, the room remained immaculate—clearly swept daily.

With the lord’s return, the servants found their anchor; the atmosphere in the fortress grew livelier than ever.

Elron, residing within the fortress itself, arrived first.

“By the Light above, my lord—you’ve returned at last!”

“Long time, my great physician. Your power has advanced significantly.”

Elron’s current cultivation had reached the rank of Archmage (2090/3500). Had it not been for Ronin’s own level cap, he could have already broken through using Essence Cores.

Elron then reported on recent progress in magical potions and herbal studies. Thanks to newly established supply agreements with external merchants, many rare materials were now obtainable—and progress had been swift.

“My lord, this is the explosive potion I’ve just perfected. Heh—he cost me a fortune and no small effort to acquire the blood of a sixth-tier beast.”

Ronin’s eyes lit up.

Back when they first entered Stone City, Elron had desired to create this very potion.

But Carlos’s blood had proven too potent to neutralize—lacking the crucial ingredient, it had remained impossible.

Ronin examined the brown pill in his palm. “This will grant a knight a fifty percent surge in strength?”

“Yes, my lord. I tested it on Reg Hodge—it worked marvelously!”

Elron was immensely pleased with this breakthrough. Though the side effects were severe, the ability to unleash such power in a moment of life-or-death could mean salvation.

“Reg Hodge?”

Ronin frowned. The name was unfamiliar.

“He’s a bronze knight who recently came to Wubei Domain seeking your patronage. His ancestors were once honored knights, though the family has since fallen into obscurity.”

Elron explained: “The explosive potion requires a minimum of bronze knight strength to use—any lower, and the user would rupture. Since Ridal and Macken are absent, I had no choice but to test it on Reg.”

Ronin laughed. “I thought Yusef’s arrival was impressive—yet here’s another bronze knight. When we hold the assembly in a few days, have them all come meet me.”

“They’ve been eager to see you,” Elron smiled. “Besides Yusef and Reg, I’ve approved ten other professional knights to join us—including a high-rank knight named ‘Damon.’ All came drawn by your reputation.”

Ronin’s fame, forged in that last battle, had spread far and wide. It was natural that others would flock to him.

And once word reached the kingdom of his impending barony and his betrothal to Branci, even more would come.

Ronin asked a few more questions, then returned to the topic of the potion.

“How many do you have on hand?”

Elron held up five fingers. “Including the one in your hand, I have five total.”

“Only five?” Ronin sighed.

“The blood of sixth-tier beasts is scarce, and the failure rate remains high,” Elron explained. “But I plan to sell each for three hundred gold coins—I could recoup three or four hundred per batch.”

Ronin nodded. If the side effects weren’t too severe, this could fetch far more.

“Give me four.”

He intended them for himself, Ridal, Macken, and Karada.

“Of course—I can, but…”

Elron grinned. “My funds are depleted, my lord. If you won’t let me sell them, you’ll have to fund me first.”

Though Elron had earned some gold these past two months from selling spell scrolls and herbs in Pasture City, magical potion research demanded far more than he could afford.

Ronin burst out laughing. “I suspect your real purpose in coming today was to beg for investment?”

Elron chuckled sheepishly. He had, indeed, planned exactly that.

Ronin didn’t hesitate. He immediately allocated three thousand gold coins. “We must establish a potion sales network quickly. Our domain’s expenses will grow immense.”

“Rest assured, my lord. With Jennie and Yusef as my senior mages, things are much easier. In six months, we’ll be turning a profit!”

Ronin nodded.

Perhaps it was time to publicly announce Elron’s titles: Archmage, Master Alchemist.

A mage of such caliber carried immense influence—just as he himself drew commoners and knights to Wubei Domain, he might draw more mages.

“Perhaps… I should consider building a magical academy in Wubei Domain.”