Chapter 58: 58 Preliminary Cooperation

Chapter 58: Preliminary Collaboration

For Ronin, entering the Silva Magic Energy Trading House was for shopping, but that didn't prevent him from gathering a wealth of information.

Hook, eager to secure the deal, essentially divulged everything he knew and could say.

Aside from the prices of various goods, Ronin discovered something interesting—magic cores.

In his understanding, magic cores were the source of magical energy for magical beasts, akin to batteries. Through Hook's explanation, he deepened his comprehension of their function.

Magic cores were crystalline substances; even when crushed into granules, they could react with magical power, which was why they served as material for magical ink.

Moreover, when a mage used their spiritual energy to perceive a complete magic core, they could sense the magical patterns within.

These magical patterns were the key to why magical beasts could use magic, and also the origin of how early mages mastered magical patterns.

When a magical beast could use multiple spells, its magic core often contained many magical patterns. These patterns could be tightly interwoven, requiring mages to separate them—one of their daily research tasks.

Through such research, mages could greatly enhance their chances of mastering that magic, far more effective than practicing by studying spell books.

Ronin felt little about this, since he mastered spells by practicing a few times with spell books, sensing no great difficulty in learning magic. Perhaps the difference between geniuses and ordinary folk lay here.

Thus, the conversation lasted a long time before both sides finally steered the topic back to shopping. Ronin wasted no time, immediately requesting five purple magic crystals, twenty-seven bottles of second-level magical ink, six pieces of second-level magical beast leather, and the spell books for "Small Flame" and "Fireball."

The magic crystals were for the first recharge; the magical ink and beast leather were pre-prepared materials for mages to craft spell scrolls at the Silva Magic Energy Trading House.

A 10-milliliter bottle of magical ink cost six gold coins, typically used to draw one second-level spell scroll; a piece of magical beast leather cost fifteen gold coins, generally used to make five spell scrolls.

The two spell books were relatively cheap, basically half the price of a scroll of the same level, totaling only ten gold coins.

These four items amounted to 762 gold coins! The bulk was still the magic crystals, five worth 500 gold; the magical ink 162; the leather was less, only 90 gold.

Ronin now had thirty bottles of magical ink, paired with six pieces of beast leather, allowing him to produce thirty spell scrolls, recouping 510 gold coins—spending much, earning plenty.

Seeing such a huge order, Hook nearly saw stars, wishing he could call Ronin "grandfather."

Of course, Ronin had to haggle a bit, ultimately cutting 32 gold coins, and securing a fine feather pen and a book explaining spell scroll crafting.

When escorting Ronin out, all the staff on the first floor were astonished, showering Ronin with their most enthusiastic glances, especially some attractive female attendants, regretting they had no chance to follow him.

Outside the trading house building, Hook escorted Ronin out.

"Master Ronin, then it's settled. One month later, early October, I will arrange a caravan to your territory!"

"Ha, welcome, welcome!"

Ronin smiled and extended his hand, shaking it warmly twice in the other's bewildered state.

The suggestion for the Silva Magic Energy Trading House to come to Mountain Forest Town was actually proposed by Hook; ostensibly to collect newly made spell scrolls, but secretly to continue selling magical ink and beast leather to Ronin.

After all, even if Ronin made thirty Healing spell scrolls over the next month, the trading house would profit only a few dozen gold coins. But selling more magical ink to Ronin would yield greater profits.

For Ronin, Mountain Forest Town rarely saw trading houses. He could use the Silva Magic Energy Trading House's visit to promote externally, perhaps generating positive effects, sparking other trading houses' interest in Mountain Forest Town.

Regarding the risks of traversing forested lands to Mountain Forest Town, Ronin needn't worry. The Silva Magic Energy Trading House was the kingdom's largest mage trading house; its strength spoke for itself. Arranging high-level knights for pickup and delivery posed no problem. Not just magical beasts, even Baron Thunder of Saine Territory wouldn’t easily provoke upon sight.

Watching Ronin and his two companions depart, Hook's smile never faded. Encountering such a wealthy patron was his fortune!

"Promotion, salary increase!"

Hook grew excited just thinking; in his eyes, Ronin was a money tree, especially one facing him.

"Such a major client must be reported to Basecuda!"

Basec · Herl, head of the Silva Magic Energy Trading House's Horse Pasture City branch, was a fifth-level chief mage, spending most of his time in the trading house building.

Hook organized receipts and gold coins, spiraling up the stairs to the top floor.

Regardless of Hook's affairs, Ronin, emerging from the magic energy trading house building, had completed his main purchases in Horse Pasture City. Remaining items to buy were wrought iron, agricultural tools, and inquiring about slave prices at the slave exchange.

As noon approached, Ronin led Elron and McKen into the tavern agreed with Tom and Gallon.

Called a tavern, it was essentially a restaurant, just with many drinking patrons in the hall.

Entering, clamorous shouts and calls flooded Ronin's ears; here was more bustling than the morning market. Ronin glanced; most dining and drinking in the hall were hunters and mercenaries. For these accustomed to adventure and travel, eating and drinking with companions was joyous times; thus, most drank boldly, spoke loudly, some habitually uttering crude phrases.

They were mostly free citizens, only a few special slaves not farming. Among them were professional knights, but few reached mid-level knights.

Though superhumans, lacking ancestral background or connections, they rarely entered nobles' or major factions' sights, lacking avenues to join them. For some nobles, superhumans of unclear origins were preferred for temporary hires rather than accepting allegiance.

Ronin briefly considered hiring professional knights to deal with Saine Territory, but instantly dismissed the thought. Mercenary business focused on escorting caravans, accepting specific contracts to hunt magical beasts, protecting certain figures—having them confront noble territories required exorbitant prices. Even if paid, they assessed chances and potential risks. If odds were slim and possibly offending greater nobles, mercenaries likely wouldn’t risk lives despite high pay.

Moreover, due to mercenary instability, lacking loyalty of territory knights, Ronin feared hiring them might leak plans to Baron Thunder before any action against Saine Territory.

However, if mercenaries earned enough, reached certain strength, or formed powerful mercenary groups, they could negotiate with nobles. Rumors said leaders of Black Gold Brotherhood and Polante Thief Gang active in southeastern Wushan Territory started as mercenary groups. Now successful entrepreneurs, occupying southeastern cities, leaving Viggins helpless.

In short, nobles lived noble lives, commoners commoner lives, mostly non-interacting.

Ronin paid eight silver coins for the attendant to prepare a spacious private room, isolating most outside noise.

He held five magic crystals, also retrieving the magic crystal trophy from Pedro from his spatial ring. Six magic crystals assembled; now time for the first recharge.

(End of Chapter)