บท 38: Ghost Pattern Flower
Upon hearing the words of scholar Caffe, Dovar forcefully suppressed the anger in his heart. Waving his hand, he signaled for others to leave.
In the study, only Caffe and Dovar remained. Facing Dovar's flushed eyes, scholar Caffe remained unmoved and slowly began to speak.
"Firstly, our previous capture of Night Raven City was already unjust. Now that Sauron has returned, launching another expedition against Night Raven City will inevitably draw criticism."
"Even if we manage to retake Night Raven City, it will be with a bad reputation, potentially becoming a future threat."
"Moreover, some might seize the opportunity to take Night Raven City away from us, claiming to uphold justice for the Swain family!"
Caffe's eyes flickered, hinting at something in his words.
Seeing the other party speak this way, Dovar calmed down a bit.
"Furthermore, there is more to consider."
Caffe spoke again, saying softly, "That Sauron is nothing more than a hairless brat. Even if he advances to a Knight at Holy Splendor Academy, what skills and abilities does he have to breach Night Raven City, or even kill Molun Knight?"
"From what I know, in the battle for Night Raven City, Sauron's ability to breach the city gate was entirely reliant on the assistance of Steelheart Knight Conrad."
"And who does Steelheart Knight represent? I believe I don't need to say more, right?"
Dovar's face darkened a bit.
"Second Princess, Hestoria!"
After a moment of silence, Dovar coldly said.
Originally, Night Raven City was already in his pocket, but Dovar didn't expect the Swain family's brat to receive help from Second Princess Hestoria.
When the two hundred Red Feather Guards entered the Western border, Dovar had received information. He had planned to send reinforcements to support Viscount Molun, but time didn't allow it.
Now, Night Raven City had returned to the Swain family. As Oren's only son, Sauron had the legitimate inheritance right. If White Valley City provoked war again, it might be seen as acting against justice.
"Do you want me to let it go like this?" Dovar looked at the head in the wooden box, hatred evident on his face.
"Of course not."
Caffe shook his head and said, "Viscount Molun died in the hands of the Swain family. In any case, we should seek justice for him."
"However, even if we want to retaliate against the Swain family and Sauron, it doesn't necessarily mean we have to personally take action."
With that, a cold smile appeared on Caffe's face.
"Are you saying..."
Dovar looked thoughtful, his eyes gradually lighting up. Now that Night Raven City had a master, he indeed shouldn't provoke a war again.
However, if Sauron were killed by a third-party force, it would have nothing to do with White Valley City.
"I understand."
After a while, Dovar nodded and quietly gave instructions to scholar Caffe.
...
At the same time, on the other side.
Western border, Night Raven City.
Five days had passed since the recovery of Night Raven City. Since comprehending the Darkness Ritual, Sauron had spent the majority of his time meditating.
However, compared to the progress of the Knight's Breathing Technique, the Meditation Method was evidently much slower.
But Sauron wasn't in a hurry.
With the proficiency panel, as long as he was willing to spend time, the Meditation Method would gradually improve, and he would eventually condense a rune.
On this day, in Raven Fortress.
In a spacious hall, with a rectangular table covered with red cloth, a dozen or so members of the Swain family sat there orderly.
The main seat at the front was empty.
After a while, Sauron walked into the hall, directly taking the main seat. The Swain family members at the table stood up one after another.
"Please sit."
Sauron waved his hand.
Due to Oren's "disappearance," Sauron became the master of Night Raven City. Even the three ladies had to wait for his arrival for their daily meals.
As Sauron took his seat, the others sat down one after another.
In the hall, the sound of clinking knives and forks echoed. Today's lunch was very sumptuous, with white bread, jam, meat cuts, sausages, and corn soup.
In a world where resources were not abundant, the daily meals of commoners were often black bread. However, as a noble, Sauron didn't need to compromise himself.
Soon, Sauron finished his lunch.
Putting down his knife and fork, Sauron wiped his mouth with a napkin, then looked at the others.
"Is there anything that needs to be reported to me today?" Sauron opened his mouth and asked.
"Sauron Young Master."
Next to him, Lady Rafe spoke, "There's something I must remind you of. The supply of Ghost Pattern Flowers in the castle is running low. Frost scholar has mentioned several times that without Ghost Pattern Flowers, the preparation of Night Raven elixirs will have to be halted."
Among the three ladies of Raven Fortress, Rafe was the earliest to follow Oren. Originally a slave, she was bought by Oren and had been serving him wholeheartedly. Although she was no longer as beautiful as she was in her youth, she had earned Oren's trust.
Therefore, Lady Rafe also served as the steward of Raven Fortress.
After reclaiming Night Raven City, the first task Sauron assigned to Frost was to prepare as many Night Raven elixirs as possible. It was an essential item for practicing the Night Raven Breathing Technique.
For Frost, a seasoned scholar, preparing Night Raven elixirs was not a difficult task. However, the problem lay in the materials.
"Ghost Pattern Flowers?"
Sauron frowned slightly, pondered, and then said, "Since Frost scholar needs Ghost Pattern Flowers, why not hurry to purchase some?"
"This... probably won't work."
Lady Rafe smiled bitterly and explained, "Ghost Pattern Flowers are a special plant that cannot be cultivated artificially, making them extremely rare."
"In previous years, the Ghost Pattern Flowers used to prepare Night Raven elixirs for the family usually came from two sources."
"Among them, a small portion could be purchased from the Black Sail Chamber of Commerce."
"And more Ghost Pattern Flowers were collected by people sent by Lord Oren to the Mist Forest, which is also the main source of materials for Night Raven elixirs."
Hearing Lady Rafe's explanation, Sauron slightly nodded.
"Since it can be purchased from the Black Sail Chamber of Commerce, why not contact them?" Sauron asked.
"The people of the Black Sail Chamber of Commerce only come to Night Raven City for trade around May. Apart from this time, they won't appear."
Lady Rafe shook her head and said, "Moreover, the prices of Ghost Pattern Flowers sold by the Black Sail Chamber of Commerce are very unstable every year."
"Sometimes, ten Ghost Pattern Flowers might only cost one gold coin, but at other times, they might quote a price of a thousand gold coins for a single Ghost Pattern Flower!"
Sauron slightly frowned.
Then, he wore a thoughtful expression. According to the information in his memory, the Black Sail Chamber of Commerce was an extremely mysterious organization on the Lost Continent. No one knew where their headquarters was, and very few dared to provoke them. The Black Sail Chamber of Commerce never intervened in the power struggles between various countries but possessed strength that even the royal family dared not underestimate.
"What about Mist Forest?"
Sauron pondered for a moment and then asked. Compared to the limited supply of Ghost Pattern Flowers provided by the Black Sail Chamber of Commerce, Mist Forest was the main resource area for preparing Night Raven elixirs.
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