Chapter 382: Disposal of Potions

Mountain Forest Town.

After several population relocations last year, the town’s population now exceeds ten thousand.

From above, construction teams had erected numerous factory-like dwellings—temporary shelters.

Those who had settled stably in the town applied to village chiefs for homestead plots to build their own houses.

Compared to two years ago, the town now brimmed with palpable life.

Luo Ning crossed the Northern Wastes to Mountain Forest Town and headed straight for the Ironwood Workshop.

After several expansions, the workshop now boasted vast warehouses and multiple factories.

Under Luo Ning’s guidance, William organized the workforce into assembly lines for processing and assembling ironwood.

Chahar, seeking to maximize profits, consulted with Wilson to replenish the workforce in multiple batches. Upon arrival, Luo Ning saw nothing but bustling figures.

The work was grueling, but the pay was comparatively generous.

With improved grain yields in the Northern Wastes, merchants occasionally visited, their pockets full of coins and eager to spend.

“My Lord!” The workers instinctively dropped their tools and bowed in reverence as Luo Ning appeared.

“You’ve worked hard,” Luo Ning greeted them with a wave, then summoned William.

Though William’s skill paled next to Master Dann’s, their roles differed—one oversaw ironwood production, the other researched and organized new projects.

With more workers, William, as manager, thrived in his role.

He cherished his current life and revered Luo Ning wholeheartedly.

“My Lord, just send word if you need me,” he led Luo Ning to a cleaner rest room. “The workshop is dusty; your noble presence here makes us feel unworthy.”

Luo Ning chuckled, commended William’s achievements, then revealed his purpose.

He now had a batch of high-quality concave and convex lenses, and the next step was to craft barrels for the objective and eyepiece to assemble telescopes.

William had never done this before, so Luo Ning sketched a rough diagram and explained the process and expected outcome in detail.

As a craftsman, William grasped it instantly—it wasn’t overly complex.

Without ironwood involved, the process was manageable. He assured Luo Ning of results within seven days.

After leaving a concave and convex lens behind, Luo Ning departed.

Upon returning to Marsh Keep, he heard the good news of Rognar’s breakthrough.

The auxiliary enhancement potion’s efficacy surprised Luo Ning.

“My Lord, Rognar consumed one of the ten ‘High Enhancement Potions’ we brewed; nine remain,” Elron presented the tray. “How shall we handle the rest?”

Luo Ning picked up a vial; the red liquid seemed ominous.

“The Northern Wastes’ high knights—only Damon remains, right?”

“That was last year, my Lord,” Elron chuckled. “Lately, many more have come to pledge allegiance. After Rieg’s screening, we retained two high knights, four middle, and six junior knights.”

“We now have thirty-three professional knights—soon we can form three squads!”

Luo Ning was surprised but not incredulous.

His reputation had spread; three viscounts’ sons had come, and many career knights seeking to “start a business” chose to test their luck here.

Though high knights had joined, Luo Ning hesitated to hand out the potions immediately.

Their loyalty and abilities were untested; giving away potions worth hundreds of gold each would be wasteful.

“Can middle knights use them?” Luo Ning asked.

“Yes, but diluted. One high potion yields three suitable for middle knights.”

“Dilute them. Give Tom, Horn, Clami, and Bablin several each. For others, they can buy with their wages. Internal staff get a fifty percent discount.”

Luo Ning smiled. “But warn them: anyone caught reselling will face restitution, punishment—imprisonment or exile for starters, execution for worse.”

Elron nodded.

Even at half price, a high potion cost over a hundred gold—more than a high knight’s wage. They’d need to borrow from family or friends.

But it was worth the gamble; a bronze rank would quadruple annual income, paying back the cost in a year.

“Should we make potions for bronze and silver knights? Typically, one flamegrass makes ten high potions, but only three for bronze and one for silver.”

Costs varied; the choice was between boosting middle ranks or strengthening the top.

Luo Ning pondered. His top fighters were sufficient, middle ranks were growing, but the upper echelons needed bolstering.

After discussion, they decided to produce potions in a 5:4:6 ratio based on flamegrass supply.

“I’ll soon receive fifty thousand gold—our domain isn’t short on funds. Let’s keep these potions internal.”

Elron was stunned.

He’d always thought magic potions were the fastest way to profit, but Luo Ning’s earnings surpassed even that.

In a single trip, fifty thousand gold.

“Here are the Spirit Spring and Starlight Grass for Awakening Potions,” Luo Ning tossed the materials. Elron’s eyes gleamed.

“My Lord, your efficiency humbles me,” Elron said, shamefaced. “Though you brought the ingredients, I haven’t yet crafted the inscribed containers for Awakening Potions.”

Awakening Potions required not just divine light but containers inscribed with special runes.

Elron had tried repeatedly, consuming magic crystals and a bit of mithril, but failed each time.

After all, this was knowledge only Archmages possessed; he had no prior experience to draw from.

“No matter,” Luo Ning encouraged. “Use this time to have Rieg train youths under nineteen with strong physiques—select those suited for Awakening Potions.”

He planned to create a promotion path in the Northern Wastes, allowing commoners to advance through martial prowess.

But Awakening Potions differed from Enhancement Potions; their cost meant they wouldn’t be consumed internally. Only external sales would break even.

Luo Ning was no charity boy, nor a benevolent lord without return.

Those who successfully awakened must sign contracts—no leaving the Northern Wastes to serve others.

(End of Chapter)