Chapter 95: The Mass Production of the Ice-Blue Magic Potion and the Signing of Commercial Contracts

Standing behind Vilin, Kyle carried a wooden box to the two of them, aimed the box opening at Leila, and slowly opened it.

An exquisitely crafted dagger lay inside the wooden box, radiating a silver-white luster.

“Is this dagger made of mithril?” Leila asked with some uncertainty.

“Leila sister truly has extensive knowledge—this dagger is eighty percent mithril.” Vilin picked up the dagger and handed it to Leila.

“This—this is far too precious.”

Leila held the mithril dagger and roughly estimated its weight. It was about one jin.

According to the mithril prices she knew, one gram cost four gold coins. This dagger contained eighty percent mithril—four hundred grams—worth sixteen hundred gold coins.

Yet the official price was fixed by the kingdom; privately, one gram usually fetched ten gold coins. On the open market this dagger could fetch at least four thousand gold coins.

“Calculated in gold, this dagger could hire only a magician or a priest skilled in potioncraft.”

“Furthermore, the mithril dagger is only basic in form—at best fine quality. To unlock its true value you will also need master magic craftsmen and forging masters for further processing.”

“But you have already paid the fee.”

Leila still refused the gift.

“Using a mere toy to invite you here—how can I possibly feel at ease? Next time I doubt I would even have the face to face Aunt Flora.”

Vilin spoke with deliberate difficulty.

Seeing this, Leila wrestled with her conscience for a moment before nodding and accepting the gift.

“Leila sister, how is production at the magic potion workshop going? Any points of caution?”

Vilin patted the outer shell of the magic machine and asked.

Leila returned the dagger to the box and answered, “The workshop completes one Ice Blue Grass every three minutes and yields two bottles of Ice Blue Magic Potion. The separated dregs, being less perfectly processed than handmade, still contain trace amounts of magic potion essence.”

“Residual magic potion essence.”

Vilin stroked his chin; an idea flashed in his mind. Perhaps it could be turned into face masks and sold to noblewomen, bringing in extra profit.

Leila did not know his thought, and continued, “Although the workshop can run continuously under the small elemental pool, I advise stopping work for three hours every twelve hours. High-intensity operation may damage some magic arrays.”

“Belde, note this.”

“Yes, master. I will record it in the processing manual.”

Belde answered at once.

After the magic potion workshop tour, Vilin had someone notify Nankur Chamber of Commerce’s Hook that tomorrow morning’s trade negotiations would be held at the Star Prayer Town Guard Mansion.

At this time Hook had been in Star Prayer Town for more than a month, eating, drinking, and enjoying himself while admiring the scenery around Star Prayer Lake.

“Master, a knight asked me to convey that tomorrow you are to go to the Star Prayer Town Guard Mansion to discuss the magic potion matters.” As soon as Hook entered the inn, the servant waiting there stepped forward respectfully.

“It seems the Ice Blue Magic Potion can be mass-produced. My happy days are coming to an end.”

Hook regretfully patted his stomach. Seeing the servant hesitate, he said, “My mood today is good. Ask whatever you wish.”

“Master, I wish to know why you are willing to wait here more than a month. Even if Leila is the daughter of Lord Medmonchi, she could not ask you to wait so long.”

“It is simple,” Hook replied, stroking his beard. “First, the third-largest shareholder of Nankur Chamber of Commerce is Baron Ostia. By seniority the local lord is Ostia’s nephew. Second, through Leila’s close ties with the lord I infer Lord Medmonchi must be on very good terms with him. Third, the Ice Blue Magic Potion holds great commercial value; reselling it to those who need it, even a doubling or tripling of the price is conservative.”

“Master is indeed wise.” The servant still harbored doubts but feigned sudden enlightenment and flattered Hook.

“My lord is in a good mood today and allows you to dine at the same table.”

“Thank you, Master. Thank you, Master.”

The next morning Hook arrived early at the Star Prayer Town Guard Mansion.

Approaching nine o’clock, Vilin entered the hall.

“Hook, you are early.”

“Lord Vilin, it has been a month since we last met. You remain as dashing and romantic as ever.”

“Hahaha, come, sit.”

Vilin took the main seat, sat down, turned to Hook, and said, “Today I summoned you to discuss the Ice Blue Magic Potion trade.”

“Kyle, give the sample to Hook.”

Hearing his master’s command, Kyle placed the wooden box before Hook and then stood behind Vilin again.

Hook offered Vilin an apologetic smile and carefully opened the box, revealing twelve bottles of Ice Blue Magic Potion. He took out one, removed the stopper, and sniffed it gently.

“Lord Vilin, please forgive me for testing the Ice Blue Magic Potion with other methods.”

“It is acceptable.”

Vilin wondered what method this merchant would employ.

Hook muttered a spell and a magic array appeared on the floor.

“Chirp chirp chirp.”

Suddenly a bird-like creature materialized before Vilin, causing his expression to turn instantly cold.

Hook’s face changed; he rose at once to explain, “Please do not misunderstand. I swear by the God of Wealth and the Goddess of Life that I have not inquired about any intelligence concerning your lord’s territory.”

“This white-feathered bird is my summoned beast, skilled at analyzing various potions.”

“Continue.”

Vilin’s expression eased after hearing the explanation.

Yet it also served as a reminder: important facilities must be better protected, or regret would come too late.

Hook then conversed with his summoned beast in bird language, which Vilin did not understand at all.

More than ten minutes later Hook turned to Vilin and said, “Lord Vilin, I already know every characteristic of the Ice Blue Magic Potion. Our chamber is willing to purchase at three gold coins per bottle; we will come to collect the goods ourselves. May I ask how many bottles you can supply annually?”

The price was identical to before. It seemed Hook had not lowered his offer despite any weakening of the potion’s efficacy.

“Six thousand bottles. I can supply six thousand bottles every year.” Vilin did not reveal production volume but stated the shipment amount directly.

Hook’s eyes spun rapidly as he calculated.

Six thousand bottles at an eighteen-thousand-gold-coin purchase cost, round-trip teleportation fees to the two provinces estimated at six thousand gold coins, and a minimum sale price of eight gold coins per bottle would yield a minimum profit of twenty-four thousand gold coins.

“Lord Vilin, our chamber is willing to sign a ten-year commercial contract with you.”

Vilin sensed something amiss but still signed the contract, though the term was reduced from ten to three years.

After both parties wrote their names, the contract suddenly glowed with golden light, then calmed once more. This was the final rite that invoked the gods’ authority to bind the agreement, ensuring neither party would break the terms.