Unable to repay my student loans, I had no choice but to work part-time as a demon hunter.

Chapter 113 The Blind Box of Source Matter

"Gentleman is seeking my advice on the empire, and I intend to write this matter down clearly and plainly."

Gordon borrowed a piece of paper from the Earl and began to draft his ideas for a comprehensive and all-encompassing attack on the Blackwater Hermitage.

As he wrote, the count supplemented the empire's current policies and budgetary procedures.

"If the livelihood of the riverside residents is not resolved, any simple force will only drive the cult activities underground. If violence is used indiscriminately, it will only force more people to stand against the empire, making the cultists consumers and builders of the city." As Gordon wrote, he felt like golden light was shining from the back of his head.

Thanks to their efforts, the letter was completed.

This letter will likely prompt the Lord Gentleman to reconsider current policies and may also drive a new round of urban renewal in Lundenim, recruiting large numbers of riverside residents to join the work and severing the Blackwater Hermitage's ties with the people at the root.

If they had made even a small inquiry into who was pushing the methods for treating the cultists in the city, they would have noticed that Professor Winslow was applying for research funding.

And anyone who cares even a little about cracking down on the Secret Order would notice Gordon, the leading figure in the anti-Blackwater movement.

One arrow kills a hundred eagles.

Gordon took a deep breath, preparing to mail the letter. If this succeeded, Gordon would have another identity: a policy researcher for the Logris Empire.

Dinner time.

Earl Montfort slowly chewed a piece of beef, while Charlotte and Gordon sat facing each other.

"The Midsummer Celebration is an opportunity I have worked hard to secure; it is a grand affair. Representatives from the Royal Family, Parliament, the nine ducal families, the University—the Trade and Colonial Affairs Committee—many people will be present. Many benefits will be exchanged at that time."

"The selection of the source material will be the most important event of the day—three medium-sized source materials," he said slowly.

Charlotte felt a little nervous upon hearing this, thinking about how she would be appearing in front of so many people.

If Gordon were to show off his skills in front of all the city's dignitaries, his reputation would likely soar that very night.

This is also the reason why Gordon has the confidence to refuse to join the Primal Knowledge Conference. After this matter, people coming to see Gordon and to the Carteret Demon Hunter Agency will likely be lining up at the door.

“Charlotte still has priority,” Earl Monford continued. “That’s important, so Charlotte, do you really want Gordon to be in charge of the identification and refining?”

"I will be responsible for the identification, the preparation of the potion, and the follow-up observation. I will provide full-process service and lifelong after-sales support. I will give her a physical examination before the initiation and record her daily afterward."

"You don't understand. No one can guarantee that the source material identification is correct. Rejection, contamination, and death may occur during the refining process unless the quality reaches the level of pure gold, but that kind of potion is too rare." Earl Montfort shook his head.

"I'll try."

"Do you admit that you might fail?"

"The probability of failure may not be high, at least not as high as you imagine."

"What I'm worried about," Earl Monford's voice was clear, "is that you're treating this as some kind of 'research project,' and I won't allow it."

"I would never think that way," Gordon said firmly.

"you----"

The Earl of Montfort was about to say something, but Charlotte interrupted him.

"I know, Father, I want Gordon to help me," she said.

"You know him very well?" the count asked his daughter.

"I know this is dangerous, and I know there's no 100% safe process for refining Source Essence. But since this is my first Source Essence, I," Charlotte said, bowing her head, "I'm willing to give myself to Gordon."

"————" The count looked at Gordon with a look that clearly wanted to tear Gordon into a million pieces.

"I've heard they'll prepare a magnificent summer crown for the finest source potion and the lady fortunate enough to use it to step into the extraordinary realm. I'd like to win it for Charlotte," Gordon quickly promised.

"—Since you've already made your decision, I won't stop you. But Gordon, I need to see you refine it yourself at least once."

"I can't conjure up source matter out of thin air. I need some small amounts of source matter to practice with," Gordon said hastily.

"Father, we should be able to lock in a batch of those that the ducal families didn't choose, right?" Charlotte pressed her advantage.

"This is not simple," Earl Monford mused. "Gordon, organizing the Summer Festival has almost exhausted my influence in Lundnim. What remains—maybe enough to find a few small, weak source materials. I cannot guarantee their quality, but I will entrust them to your use. I want to see with my own eyes how you turn source materials into potions before I entrust such an important task to you."

"Under my control?" Gordon's eyes lit up.

"Of course. Your insights on stocks at the conference earned the Monford family some returns on their investment; that money should be enough to buy those tiny sources. I'm just not sure if anything useful will be left in the end."

In the vast Source Material Exchange, the nine ducal families will always send people to monitor, guard, and monopolize it. The remaining Source Material is like the Sealed Item Management Hall that Gordon visited, where almost all of it is leftovers that are not needed. It's practically like a Source Material blind box.

However, as long as it is source material, it will always have its uses.

At night, Gordon left Monford's mansion and rode his wrath to a secluded neighborhood, where he moved a manhole cover.

"Return, soul—" Gordon muttered, mimicking Eve's way of reciting the Wild Hunt language, using the Return Spell to summon Ratstick.

About ten minutes later, Rat reluctantly crawled out, shaking off the dirty water. Gordon avoided the water and led Rat into the alley.

"It actually works."

"That Golden thing that disturbs the peace and quiet."

"You've gotten so fat."

"Rat is eating well." Rat stroked his beard. "A clever rat never goes hungry."

"I sent you to gather intelligence from the underground. What leads do you have now?"

"Yes, yes." Mouse gestured, "There are main roads, side roads, and paths that only mice can go in underground."

"Where are the wet-footed men? Have they been wandering around underground lately?" Gordon gestured to a man with scales and octopus tentacles.

"Mouse sticks are not free mouse sticks."

"Here you go." Gordon poured out some crystalline salt with scales, and Rat Stick immediately picked it up and ate it.

This was the "high-quality feed" that Gordon had promised—mountains of it and seemingly endless—which was an inexhaustible delight for a rat like him.

Before long, the rat's body visibly swelled.

"Now let's talk about people with wet feet."

"Yes, yes. They carry things, lots of them, big things, and heavy things."

"From where to where?"

"Moving from above ground to underground, and from underground to other places, all in a rush and a panic, as if—the world is about to end." Rat said mysteriously.

"They really are going to be destroyed." Gordon patted Ratstick's head. "Next, I need you to do something more important. I'll make you a living water compass; go find out where they've hidden the good stuff."

>