Chapter 368: Help from the Stepmother

Roning stepped out of Rulance's room, letting out a long, deep breath.

On his way here, he had been plagued by worries that some unexpected complication might arise, preventing Elrond's magic from cleansing the old man's Soul-Devouring Surge, but now that heavy stone in his heart had finally lifted.

"What were you and Grandfather chatting about so happily?"

McKinney came over to greet him, naturally slipping her arm through Roning's, "It has been a very long time since we last heard Grandfather laugh so heartily."

Kabir wanted to know as well.

It wasn't just the laughter; he had also sensed a powerful aura and magical fluctuations rippling from the room just moments ago, and his intuition told him that it was definitely not something a Golden Knight or an advanced mage could emit.

He could not help but look at Elrond, who was following beside them, wondering why Roning had specifically brought this light-attribute mage here—could it be?

Roning let out a vague chuckle; according to the plan he and Rulance had just agreed upon, the old man intended to wait until he broke through to become a Silver Moon Knight before announcing his full recovery to the world.

Therefore, it was not convenient for Roning to reveal the actual situation.

"Just sharing some stories about what I saw and heard in Golden Feather City; the old man's threshold for amusement is just a bit low."

He shifted the topic, "Speaking of which, I really must thank you both properly for the ten thousand people you sent me; they have been a huge help."

"That is a minor matter."

Kabir tactfully refrained from voicing the doubts in his mind, "If there are any further difficulties in the development of the North Dark Territory, you can tell me or your sister. Hey, if Vittorio of Horn City can cooperate with you to build a port, we can also find a project to manage together."

"Haha, then I would desire nothing more."

The few of them chatted and laughed as they left the courtyard.

Not long after, Rulance walked out, habitually leaning on his cane, and headed straight for the mountain behind the castle.

His surging battle qi erupted over the surface of his body, and his entire being dashed across the mountain path like a wild horse broken free from its reins.

At the peak of the mountain, sensing its master's aura, the Thunder Wind-Chasing Beast let out a shrill neigh and rushed down, enveloped in lightning.

Although Rulance had not yet fully recovered, he needed a good way to vent the emotions that had been suppressed for so many years.

...

In the Great Hall of Dark Mountain Castle, Diane was holding a checklist, prepared to take inventory for the upcoming banquet.

Ever since her last visit to her maiden family where she had seen reality clearly, she had stopped offering any opinions on the matter of the succession; as an ordinary person, she had no right to meddle in the struggles between transcendent beings.

Stepping out of her paranoia, besides the return of her rationality, her life seemed to have become much lighter.

Even Rulance's aversion toward her seemed to have lessened slightly, as he was now willing to leave many matters inside and outside the castle for her to handle.

"Madam, Young Master Roning wishes to see you," Holwart came over and reported.

Diane froze for a moment, "Roning is back?"

Then a wave of doubt washed over her; he had never formally sought her out as his stepmother before, making this the very first time.

She could not help but wonder what business he could possibly have with her.

"Bring him to the side hall next door; I will head over right away."

Diane made a mark on the checklist in her hand, then gave a few instructions to the maids before tidying her appearance and walking over to the side hall.

"Roning, welcome home, when did you arrive?"

"Just a short while ago, Madam."

Roning stood up; judging from their last few encounters, he could feel the changes in her attitude and mindset, suggesting that the scene of Breton being forced to oppose him would likely not play out.

This was something Rulance did not wish to see, and fortunately, Roning would not act this way, while Breton had no such intentions either.

"Breton does not seem to have returned yet?"

Diane smiled and gestured for him to sit, "Breton should not be back until the morning after tomorrow. The academy organized a wilderness trial these past two months, and he has been busy with it until now."

Perhaps unaccustomed to speaking with Roning, she could not help but ask, "Just now Holwart said you came to find me, which surprised me a bit. In my memory, you seem to have never taken the initiative to seek me out."

Roning gave a sheepish smile, realizing that emotions required more communication, lest he only seek someone out when he needed something.

"This time, I would like to ask you for a favor."

As he spoke, he stepped over to a nearby table and opened several wooden boxes, inside of which were neatly arranged one hundred goblets.

"This is?"

Diane looked completely bewildered and could not resist reaching out to pick up a cup, "This wine cup, is it earthenware?"

She secretly shook her head, feeling that earthenware could not achieve such an effect.

"This is porcelain, a specialty of the North Dark Territory. I would like you to use this batch of goblets at the upcoming banquet, so that the guests can come into contact with this kind of vessel."

Diane came to a sudden realization; it turned out he was using this banquet to market the goods of the North Dark Territory to the outside world.

She could not help but carefully examine the cup in her hand.

This item was not only delicate and exquisite, but its texture was not a single bit less smooth than finely polished silverware, and the key lay in the pattern on the body of the cup, which did not look as though it had been painted on.

"This cup is very distinctive, how much do you intend to sell it for?"

Roning thought for a moment and said, "As for the price, it has not been determined for the time being. However, it will definitely be more expensive than an ordinary earthenware cup, though for this set, the price cannot match silver cups."

Long-distance trade and transportation difficulties were among the main reasons why porcelain was expensive in medieval Europe; the transportation conditions here in Roning's territory were not great, but they would not make the price of porcelain outrageously high.

Of course, there was still plenty of room for improvement in the craftsmanship and luster of this batch of goblets.

Therefore, he temporarily set the price right between earthenware cups and silver cups, which could provide a new option for those nobles who could not afford custom silver tableware but felt earthenware cups were too rustic.

Diane studied it for a while longer, placed the cup back, and said with a smile, "Your cup should have a certain amount of sales, but if the colors of the patterns on it were a bit richer, and at the same time the painting technique improved a little, I think it would command a better price."

Roning could not help but raise an eyebrow; it seemed his stepmother understood merchandise quite well, pointing out two key factors all at once.

"Regarding the pigments, we are still researching them, after all, they are not quite the same as those used for regular painting. As for the painting technique, as you know, the North Dark Territory is a remote and impoverished place, so being able to paint leaves to this extent is already very remarkable."

Diane pondered slightly, "How about I find some people who are skilled at painting for you?"

She explained, "When I am bored, I love to plant flowers and grass, and sometimes I go out sketching with some friends."

In truth, for Diane, she knew that Roning's weight in the Dark Mountain Territory was growing heavier by the day.

If nothing else, all three viscounts of the Dark Mountain Territory had sent their sons to the North Dark Territory to gain experience, and from this alone, one could see that his status was no longer what it used to be.

Looking back at her maiden family.

When Breton had just obtained the right of succession, many nobles and knights of the Dark Mountain Territory had intentionally or unintentionally gravitated toward Black Python City.

Yet as her father's cultivation was crippled by Rulance, coupled with Roning's powerful and rapid rise, Black Python City now showed a strong tendency toward being isolated.

Therefore, whether for Breton's sake or her own, offering assistance to Roning was by no means a bad thing.

Roning had not expected her to offer help proactively, but he did not mind her assistance at all.

The artwork on porcelain could serve as an art form with its own unique aesthetic value. The skill, style, and theme of the artwork would directly affect the overall beauty and artistic value of the porcelain.

Generally speaking, porcelain with superb painting techniques, unique styles, and distinct themes would naturally command a higher price.

Roning needed people who were good at painting, and not just one, but a whole group of them.

"If I could receive your help, Madam, it would be my honor!"

Diane broke into a smile, "But let us agree beforehand, whether it is me or my friends, giving you help is not a free service."

"Hahaha, that goes without saying."

Luoning chuckled. "Clear accounts between brothers, after all. Relying on unpaid help isn't sustainable."

They discussed the matter in greater detail, ultimately deciding that Daini would open a studio in Wushan City to train skilled workers.

As for future profit splits and compensation, Luoning would have Chahar set prices based on artistic skill.

Luoning hadn't anticipated that merely asking Daini for help would end up convincing his stepmother to work for the Northern Wuhu Lord—skilled labor, no less.

What a pleasant surprise.

Not long after, Holwart knocked and entered. "My lady, Sir Omair has arrived with his son Vasily."

Daini's brow furrowed slightly. True to form, not a single direct heir from the Hyde family had come this year.

She knew all too well that Osun and Ballington's resentment toward Rulans could never be set aside.

The two families now maintained only a facade of peace. Should conflict arise in the future, her role as mediator would be painfully awkward.

"I'll go now."

She nodded to Luoning before moving toward Holwart. "Holwart, please take the cups Luoning brought. I intend to use them at the banquet."

"Yes, my lady." (End of Chapter)