Wizards: Starting as a Potions Master!

Chapter 39 Epirus, the Absolute State

Su Nan had the AI ​​calculate the possibility of designing a separate werewolf potion version for Robert.

However, this would require the AI ​​to obtain more information about the Storm Knights, not just experimental materials, but ideally a complete set of information about the Storm Knights' heritage.

This is not difficult for southern Jiangsu now.

There is already a formal Storm Knight in my own territory, and even if he is unwilling to provide one, there are plenty of Storm Knights in the surrounding territories.

With a little effort, I can obtain this information myself.

The carriage quickly returned to the castle.

The reason Su Nan was in such a hurry to go back was because he had arranged to make a deal with someone in his castle today.

A wandering nobleman from Epirus (the county), a small state next to the Storm Kingdom, arrived in his territory yesterday.

After learning that Su Nan would exchange gold and treasure for ancient books, especially those ancient classics with a long history, he became interested and contacted the head maid, Pera, through a servant in the castle.

Pera then informed Sunan about this.

The wandering knight confidently claimed that he possessed a box of ancient books unearthed from the tombs scattered throughout the forests of Epirus.

He even claimed that the owners of these ancient books were of very high status, perhaps dating back a thousand years, so he had to meet Su Nan in person before he could offer a price.

Of course, he was just peddling his own wares.

It's hard to say how much of it is true.

The idea that you can only set a price after you see yourself is mostly just a fear of being taken advantage of.

Su Nan directly instructed the old steward to invite the man into the castle. Su Nan sized up the young nobleman, who was dressed in a travel-worn manner. After Su Nan invited him into the castle, the nobleman seemed uneasy and very reserved.

Su Nan pointed to a stool and said to him, "Sit down. Let's get straight to the point. Let me see your so-called ancient book, and I will personally verify its authenticity and give you appropriate compensation."

The minor nobleman sat down somewhat guiltily. "By the God of Law, you are indeed as rumored, not discriminating against us heretics who believe in the God of Law."

"You are a lord with a broad vision."

Su Nan didn't answer, but just looked at him with a urging gaze.

The young nobleman, somewhat at a loss, instructed one of his personal male servants to quickly open the box and hand several ancient books to Su Nan.

As Su Nan took the ancient book, he began to peruse and examine it, while pondering the situation of the Epirus despotism.

It is indeed possible that a large amount of material related to wizards and magic has been preserved in the Epirus region.

Epirus is a region covered with hills, mountains and primeval forests. The weather there is often gloomy. Even now, many primitive people still live there, maintaining an ancient way of life. There are also legends that some fragments of witchcraft still remain among the primitive tribes of Epirus.

Moreover, the Epirus despotism itself was a remnant of some Eastern empires, and it worshipped a god of law.

Fifty-seven years ago, the first group of Storm Knights from the Storm Kingdom trampled the Empire. Although they destroyed the main body of the Empire, they did not completely conquer the remaining fragments because they lacked follow-up military strength.

The title "Epirus" carries typical characteristics of Eastern imperial culture.

According to the naming conventions of the Storm Knights from the Holy United Empire, the Despotism of Epirus was merely a slightly larger countdom located in a remote, deep mountain forest.

It was only because the region of Epirus was too barren and it would have cost a lot to conquer that the first group of Storm Knights failed to capture this tiny country that claimed to be one of the legitimate successors of the Eastern Empire.

Similarly, there are at least three other remnants of the Eastern Empire surrounding the Storm Kingdom, most of which are only the size of earls to dukes, yet they call themselves autocratic states.

However, the largest remnant—the Kingdom of Nicaea—is still in the east, ready to launch a counterattack against the Kingdom of Storms at any time, and truly possesses an area, population, wealth, and army equivalent to that of the Kingdom of Storms.

Therefore, the Storm Royal Family is not having an easy time either.

To the north lie the large nomadic tribes of Bulgaria, to the east the Kingdom of Nicaea, poised for revenge, and to the south a host of pirate nations.

Meanwhile, within the country, a large number of knights and nobles don't really obey the orders of the Storm Royal Family.

No wonder the royal family is constantly pressuring them to pay back the money.

The royal family themselves don't have much money, and they might be hoping to repay the debt and help him out.

Su Nan glanced at the several ancient books in his hands. These books were all made of parchment scrolls, and the languages ​​recorded on them were very ancient and niche.

However, the AI ​​had previously analyzed this language.

"These are not items belonging to any royal family or nobles, but rather burial goods belonging to a chieftain-like figure from one of the countless small tribal states in the Epirus region before it was conquered and assimilated by the Eastern Empire." Su Nan's eyes became slightly serious.

Because from the scroll he had just glanced at, it actually recorded the life of this legendary chief.

This legendary chieftain was born just as his tribe was wiped out by a more powerful tribe. Because he was shorter than a cartwheel, he was spared and became a slave of the more powerful tribe.

But it says here that the legendary chieftain received a divine gift one day when he was worshipping a raven animal god with three snake tails, a local primitive religion of Epirus.

He gained a power called "Transfiguration".

He can command statues, make those stone statues fight for him, and even command stone idols.

Using this ability, the chief rebuilt his tribe and destroyed the more powerful tribe, but he was eventually assassinated because his witchcraft was feared by others.

Su Nan felt that even if some parts of this biographical record were exaggerated, there might actually be some real information in it. He quickly flipped through the parchment scrolls and then asked Warwick to get the remaining parchment scrolls from the box.

After quickly flipping through the scrolls, the AI ​​recorded all the scrolls and, through logical analysis, such as comparing several recorded events with each other, concluded that these things were likely true.

and……

Although this sheepskin scroll does not directly record the legendary chief's so-called transformation techniques, it contains many of the chief's words from his lifetime, as well as his own notes for easy memorization.

This is enough.

The AI ​​was able to deduce and complete the transmutation spell from these scattered and incomplete pieces of information, using the form of a potion.

Although Su Nan still hasn't obtained a complete spell model, he is quite satisfied with his current gains.

"The Epirus region is a world deep in the mountains, where many magical traditions that the various churches haven't yet eradicated are likely preserved," Su Nan thought. "Given the time, I could even go there myself and explore, to see if I can find anything."

"However, having someone explore for me now is much more efficient than doing it alone. That chieftain of the primitive tribe in the Epirus region likely possesses shamanistic talent and unintentionally inherited shamanistic skills."

Upon hearing Su Nan's assessment of the ancient books he had brought, the minor nobleman felt even more uneasy. He said somewhat awkwardly, "Lord Su Nan, does that mean these ancient books are worthless?"

In his habitual understanding, Su Nan's collection of these ancient books was likely due to the kind of collecting hobby common among the sons of old noble families.

If that's the case, then the burial books of a prince of an Eastern empire and the burial books of a chieftain of a primitive tribe in the Epirus region are two different concepts, two different values.

The minor nobleman sighed inwardly. There was nothing he could do; for someone like him, making money was not easy, especially now that his country was destroyed and his family was gone, leaving him no choice but to wander around.

The minor nobleman asked Su Nan guiltily, "Lord Su Nan, how much are you willing to pay for these books? Please give me some money; I went through a lot of trouble to find them."

Su Nan didn't look up, but instead focused on the ancient books, on the records and descriptions related to the use of shapeshifting.

"If I'm not mistaken, you're probably doing the kind of tomb raiding. And not the kind that's very successful, not finding any gold or silver treasures. You finally found a batch of ancient books, so you came to Baron Peter's territory with great enthusiasm because of my reputation for collecting ancient books."

The minor nobleman looked embarrassed.

It wasn't anger, but fear and shame.

As a nobleman and a believer of the God of Law, he is actually profiting from the dead, which is a disgrace to his ancestors and the God of Law.

Su Nan said, "Congratulations, though. I do need these books."

"How about I give you twenty-five gold coins?"

"By the way, what's your name? I think we can collaborate again in the future. If you have any more successes like this, feel free to come find me again."

The young nobleman suddenly raised his head and looked at Su Nan in disbelief.

Twenty-five gold coins?

This is too extravagant! It's not gold or silver treasures, nor is it calligraphy, paintings, or weapons by famous artists; it's just a pile of books that I can't understand.

This was somewhat shocking to the aristocracy of this era, who generally looked down on books.

However, he quickly realized what was happening and said warmly to Su Nan, "I think this is perfect. You are so fair."

"My name is John Ducas. However, I am not a direct descendant of the Ducas family; I just have a surname."

"Hmm." Su Nan raised an eyebrow. Ducas was one of the former royal families of the Eastern Empire.

However, this family had long since fallen into decline.

The last direct heir must have died several decades ago.

In southern Jiangsu, this practice of "spending a fortune to find a horse's bones" has led to an increasing number of people digging up these ancient books from the Epirus region.

Anyway, they couldn't understand these ancient books, and no one else would buy them, so they were of no use to them.

This is far faster and more convenient than exploring the Epirus region alone, like a headless fly.

He also spends time making and researching potions in his spare time.

In short, Su Nan believed that mobilizing the masses was far more efficient than fighting alone.

(End of this chapter)