The Wizard's Secret Journey

Chapter 239 Considerations (4k)

Samuel had only asked casually, feeling a little embarrassed because he hadn't bought anything, but to his surprise, Carls' face lit up and he nodded emphatically.

“Of course, no problem, Mr. Samuel. Our Rankin Chamber of Commerce happens to know a little about it.”

"...How much does this intelligence cost?" Samuel asked after a pause.

"The price..."

Lynn, who was standing to the side, was also curious and urged, "I'm also curious about this information. I'm willing to share the magic stones with Samuel. Please name your price."

Carls nodded, smiling as he held up five fingers.

Samuel frowned instinctively: "Five high-grade magic stones?"

"You misunderstand, sir. It can't be that expensive. It's only five basic magic stones," Karls quickly explained.

It wasn't that Karls didn't want to ask for a high price, but rather that this intelligence wasn't exactly a rare secret, and Lynn and the others would find out sooner or later, so it wasn't worth the price.

Besides, Karls rose from a lowly apprentice to the position of leader of the Chamber of Commerce by virtue of his sincerity, so there's no need to lose sight of the bigger picture for a small gain.

"You are indeed a very honest person," Lynn praised.

Karls smiled and said, "However, this is a long story. Why don't we tour the cargo ship first and then go to the reception room to talk in detail? I recently discovered a flower tea that is exceptionally good, which would be perfect for us to enjoy together."

Lynn nodded, agreeing without question, and Samuel had no objections either.

The three continued walking forward and soon finished touring the cargo ship.

Samuel eventually took a liking to a unique meditation blanket woven from plants and bought it.

Carls' tone became even more enthusiastic.

The meeting room that Carls mentioned was located on the third floor of the main cargo ship and was usually used to discuss large business deals.

Information about five magic stones is hardly a big deal, but the presence of two first-tier wizards from the Silver Ring Allies school is worth Karls receiving here.

"Please have a seat, both of you." Karls gestured for the two to sit down, then instructed his apprentice to bring some good tea. He then asked Lynn, "Before we talk, why don't you give me the list of materials for the magic array you need? I'll have my apprentice prepare them for you in advance so you can take them with you when you need them."

“Okay.” Lynn nodded and began to list the names of the materials one by one.

While waiting for Carls to take notes, Samuel looked around the reception room.

His gaze lingered for a moment on the emblem of the Lanjin Chamber of Commerce hanging on the wall beside him, feeling a sense of familiarity. After a moment of contemplation, he suddenly realized:

"Lankin Merchant Guild... Lord Karls, do you have a shop on Wusen Street that mainly sells witchcraft tools and robes?"

Just then, Karls finished recording Lynn's needs, handed them to the wizard apprentice waiting nearby, and turned to Samuel with a smile:

"That's right, No. 6 Wusen Street is a property of the Lanjin Chamber of Commerce. Have you ever bought anything there?"

“I bought a witchcraft item.” Samuel nodded. “No wonder the Rankin Merchant Guild seemed somewhat familiar.”

The group had been chatting for a while and had become somewhat familiar with each other. Karls jokingly said, "It seems that my Lankin Merchant Guild is not well-known enough, otherwise you wouldn't have only remembered it now."

He then added, "However, precisely because of this, our Lanjin Chamber of Commerce needs to seize this opportunity presented by the Gray Forest Ruins."

"opportunity?"

“That’s right. The reason you two want to know is also related to this opportunity—the reason why Silver Ring Academy issues so many trade licenses.” Karls nodded seriously, then said, word by word,

"Silver Ring Academy will build a new city in the Graywood Ruins!"

Both Lynn and Samuel were taken aback by these words.

"A new city..."

“That’s right.” Karls smiled slightly, not surprised by their shock. He paused and continued to explain, “Do you two know how Silver Ring City was established back then?”

"Could it also be related to the Gray Forest... Black Moon Ruins?" Samuel asked in surprise.

“That’s right.” Karls stopped beating around the bush and proceeded to recount the information he knew.
"We all know that the Silver Ring Wizard was promoted to a third-tier high-level wizard because of the Black Moon Ruins in Silver Ring City, but he was able to be promoted to a fourth-tier wizard because of the Silver Ring City that he later founded."

"The reason why Silver Ring City was able to gather so many wizards back then was not only because the Silver Ring Wizard was a highly skilled wizard, but also because of the Silver Ring Ruins."

"Now that the Graywood Ruins have appeared within the territory of Silver Ring Academy, coupled with the recent recruitment of wizards and the issuance of a large number of trade licenses by the Silver Ring wizards, it is easy to think of the time when Silver Ring City was founded."

"Back then, the Silver Ring Wizard used a similar method to make Silver Ring City a well-known trading city. Finally, after the Silver Ring Wizard advanced to the fourth rank, it became the Silver Ring Academy, which dominated the region."

Samuel, only half-understanding, asked with a puzzled look, "Your Excellency might explain more clearly: why is the recruitment of wizards and the issuance of numerous trade licenses linked to the founding of Silver Ring City?"

"Please don't be impatient, sir. I will explain it clearly until you are both satisfied." Karls nodded, picked up his teacup and took a sip. "You two may also try my flower tea."

Samuel picked up the teacup and took a sip, then raised an eyebrow: "This tea is indeed quite good."

Seeing this, Lynn also took a small sip.

As the warm tea enters the throat, a rich, unknown floral fragrance immediately fills the entire mouth, then spreads throughout the body, bringing a warm and comfortable feeling, as if the whole body has received the best health care, and even the spirit is refreshed.

He couldn't help but praise, "Excellent tea."

This flower tea clearly has the effect of relieving fatigue, nourishing the body, and thus calming the mind.

"Hehe, this tea is called Lan Jin Hua Tea, a unique product newly developed by our chamber of commerce. Long-term consumption has great benefits for the body, and can greatly relieve mental fatigue, and even help repair mental damage."

"If you two like, why not have some?"

Karls deliberately wore a smile that looked like a successful scheme but wasn't offensive, and began promoting Lan Jin flower tea without hesitation.

Lynn knew that information about these five low-level magic stones wouldn't be easy to obtain. Samuel, standing beside him, was rather shy and hesitated before saying, "This tea is indeed excellent, but..."

"Please continue your story, sir, so we can also try some Lan Jin Hua tea."

“No problem.” Carls nodded repeatedly. He paused, worried that Lynn and Samuel might be getting impatient, and then asked…

"What do you two think is most needed to build a city?"
"Powerful wizards, good order, or...population?"

Lynn narrowed his eyes and said, "You mean, the Silver Ring Academy recruited us and issued so many trade licenses not primarily to guard this ruin, but to supply it with a large population?"

“Indeed, Your Excellency is truly insightful!” Karls praised, then added, “So, after learning that Silver Ring Academy had issued so many trade licenses, most of the merchant guilds who knew about the past understood the Silver Ring wizards’ intentions.” “But I still don’t understand,” Samuel said, frowning. “People forcibly recruited can never be retained. Besides, we only have so many people. Even with caravans like yours, it’s far from enough to build a city, and it won’t attract more wizards. If Silver Ring Academy wants to build a new city, where will they get more people to this desolate land?”

Karls smiled and said, "Lord Samuel has overlooked a key point: this is not some desolate place."

"Here lies the ruins of Black Moon Academy, exactly like the Silver Ring City of yesteryear."

Seeing that Samuel was still puzzled, Karls put it more directly: "The Graywood Ruins are a treasure trove. Although they are currently under the strict guard of the Silver Ring Academy, which does not allow any wizards to enter, the Silver Ring wizards will one day discover it."

"At that time, this place will be open to all wizards for a fee, just like the Silver Ring Ruins of the past—all wizards who want to have a good adventure will come here to try their luck."

"And the products produced there will become the most sought-after commodities. At that time, more merchants will come attracted by the prospect of profit. And with the prosperity of commerce, naturally more wizards who want to earn magic stones will come."

At this point, Lynn and Samuel fully understood Carls's meaning.

It turns out that the Silver Ring Wizard had such profound considerations behind these actions.

However, Lynn had a sudden thought, but pretended to be puzzled and asked, "Why are the products from the Gray Forest Ruins the most sought-after commodities?"

Karls, unsuspecting, patiently explained, "Because everything obtained from the Graywood Ruins, such as Black Moon Relics, may contain knowledge or heritage from the Black Moon Academy. No wizard would not be tempted to buy a few and try their luck."

"At that time, exploring the Gray Forest ruins will become a high-risk, high-reward job, attracting more wizards to come."

As Lynn had predicted, Karls uttered the words "Black Moon Ruins".

Lynn nodded while muttering "Black Moon Relics".

Karls took the bait again, looking at Lynn with enthusiasm and asking, "Are you interested in the Black Moon relics, sir?"

"I am indeed quite interested." Lynn was delighted and asked, "Does the Lanjin Merchant Guild sell Black Moon relics?"

“Well… there aren’t any on the current cargo ships.” Karls gave an awkward smile, then quickly added, “But I can keep an eye out for you when I go back, and bring one or two pieces next time I come—if I can find a source.”

Although Lynn was prepared for a fruitless endeavor, she was still quite disappointed.

He didn't show it on his face, but simply nodded and said, "Alright, then I'll trouble you. Do I need to pay a deposit or anything like that?"

"No need, no need, we believe in your promise," Karls shook his head and said with righteous indignation.

In reality, this was because the Chamber of Commerce occasionally bought and sold Black Moon relics, so he didn't need to pay any extra price to help Lynn buy Black Moon relics; in fact, he found a seller in advance.

Next, Lynn and Samuel inquired about some more details and learned more about the city's construction.

Lynn recovered from the regret over the Black Moon relics and gradually came to realize just how significant this event truly was.

A new "Silver Ring City" will rise on this land, and the opportunities it contains are self-evident.

In this light, these wizards who were forcibly conscripted might not have been assigned a miserable job after all.

Of course, the specifics will depend on the detailed rules issued by the Silver Ring Wizard later.

During his visit, Carls tried his best to sell some more products, and Lynn and Samuel couldn't resist and each bought a box of Lan Jin Hua tea.

"It was a very pleasant transaction with you two, and I really don't want to leave so soon. Unfortunately, I have a mission with the Chamber of Commerce, and I need to visit a few more outposts within the validity period of my trade permit, so I have to leave now."

Karls stood in front of the cargo ship, his face filled with reluctance.

Regardless of whether he was acting or not, his attitude was indeed very pleasant.

“There will be plenty of time in the future, and we will meet again. Take care, sir,” Samuel said.

"Take care, Your Excellency Karls," Lynn said.

Karls nodded, then slowly boarded the cargo ship and left the Horsens School watchtower.

The bustling hillside has returned to tranquility.

The apprentices went on patrol or returned to their rooms to cultivate, and soon only Lynn and Samuel remained at the camp gate.

Lynn watched the Lanjin Merchant Guild's cargo ship sail away in silence, sighed inwardly, and said, "I'm going back to cultivate. Contact me if you need anything."

It's a shame he was so conflicted, hesitating and looking back and forth, but in the end he gained nothing... What a waste of effort.

Samuel nodded, and instead of returning to his own quarters on the other side, he headed towards the watchtower.

The two men's quarters were located at opposite ends of the camp, so that they could better protect the apprentices in case of an emergency.

However, Lynn had just returned to the Black Falcon when he received another message from Samuel.

Lynn looked closely and was immediately stunned.

Another caravan has arrived? It's called... the French Caravan.

Lynn got up and left the Black Falcon, returning to the camp gate.

The other Golden Thorn apprentices also received the news, and although a caravan had just passed by, their excitement was not diminished at all.

A huge crowd gathered again at the entrance of the camp.

A few minutes later, a cargo shuttle with a mottled and old hull came into view first, with two or three apprentice guards in different outfits hovering around it, looking around nervously.

Many apprentices quietly floated into the air, looking over with anticipation and straining their eyes.

However, the cargo shuttle was empty.

This caravan appears to have only this one cargo shuttle!
The excitement on the apprentices' faces visibly froze, dissipated, and then turned into disappointment.

"This caravan is too small."

"Exactly, it looks like there's nothing there."

"Ugh……"

It wasn't that the apprentices were exaggerating.

Although this caravan had cargo shuttles, its scale was indeed too small, far inferior to the Lankin caravan, and even smaller than the original caravan.

It's worth noting that while the initial caravans didn't have cargo ships or flying shuttles, they did have more than ten wagons pulled by magical beasts, each about half the size of a cargo flying shuttle!
(End of this chapter)