章節 15: Chapter 14 Transactions (Please follow for updates!)
The Fischer family soon recruited five more guards, all of whom, unlike the novice guards selected and trained from the servants, were experienced old soldiers, retired mercenaries, and skilled sailors brought by Lucius.
Their combat abilities were clearly stronger, but the expenses for food, clothing, housing, and wages were also greater, such that the current finances of the Fischer family could only support the many guards and servants for a few months.
The Fischer family desperately needed more money, whether it was to buy Extraordinary materials, maintain the family's fixed expenses, or to figure out a way to purchase Mysterious rare artifacts.
Irene naturally did not forget the important oracle; the mission of the Fischer family was to find Mysterious rare artifacts for the great Lord of the Lost.
However, Mysterious rare artifacts were exceptionally valuable, costing even more than Extraordinary materials.
According to information obtained from sea merchant John, even the lowest level "Collectible class" artifacts were priced the same as Class 2 Extraordinary Materials.
The price of Class 0 Extraordinary Materials was around one Gold Coin, while Class 1 Extraordinary Materials fluctuated between five to ten Gold Coins, and Class 2 Extraordinary Materials and Collectible class Mysterious rare artifacts required at least thirty Gold Coins to have a chance of acquisition.
Thirty Gold Coins were equivalent to a whopping twelve thousand copper nals, a sum that many ordinary people in Nasir Town could likely never earn in a lifetime.
The wealthy sick in Nasir Town had already been thoroughly exploited, and the chance for Irene to heal others and earn money from the wealthy had become more difficult.
As for the money from the poor.
The poor also get sick but truly have no money.
Irene often treated the town's poor for free. At first, Lucius had some objections, but later he understood that accumulating goodwill from the common people was also a resource, only insisting that she must accept the most basic treatment fees to avoid resentment from the wealthy.
Simply put, the Fischer family urgently needed a way to further obtain funds.
Today, a distinguished guest arrived—the heir to the knight clan living in South City, the Taylor family.
The Taylor family's heir was named Robert, who appeared very scholarly, distinctly different from his uncles and aunts who revered the knightly spirit.
The Taylor family inherited the bloodline of the Firework Giant Lizard, with a total of three Extraordinary Exponents at the first level of power of Bloodline, including Robert's father, uncle, and grandfather.
While Robert was not yet an Extraordinary Exponent himself, his family was gathering funds in hopes of concocting another Magic Potion to awaken the bloodline and make him the fourth Extraordinary Exponent.
He had left the Cyart Kingdom several years ago to study abroad in the Lorne Empire, the central part of the Ouden Continent.
The Lorne Empire, often referred to as "The Empire" by many, is one of the most powerful nations on the Ouden Continent, against which the Cyart Kingdom and the other three countries of the eastern continental region could not stand to compete.
The East Coast area is only a part of the Cyart Kingdom, and the port town of Nasir in the East Coast is not even one of the most notable towns there.
When Robert Taylor arrived at the Fischer family, he was received by Irene and Lucius; Irene was the only publicly known Extraordinary Exponent in the Fischer family, while Lucius acted as the regent of the household.
Robert, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and sporting a small mustache, dressed in elegant light purple attire, sat down and smiled, saying,
"I didn't expect that a few years after I left Nasir Town, a new Extraordinary Exponent would appear here."
Lucius displayed a trustworthy smile and said, "It's nothing more than the gods' blessing and good fortune for the Fischer family to have an Extraordinary Exponent among them."
Robert instructed his servant to bring in a gift, then continued speaking,
"I have recently returned from studying in the Lorne Empire, and I can feel that the developments there are starkly different from here, particularly in the last few years, something called a 'steam engine' has played a significant role."
Irene, sitting beside him, couldn't help but ask, "The steam engine you mentioned, is that a Mysterious rare artifact?"
Robert was startled for a moment, then laughed and answered, "That steam engine is not a Mysterious rare artifact. In fact, so far the steam engine has not shown any Extraordinary traits, although many believe it to be a marvel of its own."
"The power of a steam engine is comparable to a horse's; it can easily and automatically drive various things without the help of human or Extraordinary power."
"In a few years, I've seen the Lorne Empire progressively use steam engines in mining and textile production, greatly increasing the output of both, and I've come back this time to raise funds to buy a batch of machinery for the Cyart Kingdom."
He said this while pushing up his glasses and naturally remarked, "It's just that the current available funds of the Taylor family are somewhat lacking."
The implication was obvious, and Lucius, with his life experience, knew all too well that those who borrow money are the real bosses; he has never taken to such schemes.
Lucius chuckled, his eyes narrowing as he said, "I believe that the sea merchants, the town chief, the clan elders, and the respected Lord Baron in Nasir Town all have the ability to provide more funds. They would probably be glad to invest in you."
"It's just that the Fischer family has been having quite a difficult time with cash flow recently, and we really can't be of help."
Irene knew nothing about what a steam engine was and immediately fell into a deep silence.
She also felt it was unreliable, more like some sort of scam to get people to invest; perhaps it would be better to find a way to dismiss the matter.
Suddenly, Irene felt an indescribable, great will—an awareness that it originated from the Lord of the Lost, and that He was interested in that man's "steam engine"!
In the past six months, Irene had had few chances to receive divine revelations, yet her faith grew increasingly devout.
Whether rich or poor, after she had healed others time and time again, she constantly reaped their gratitude and amazement. That warm force always managed to display the greatness and benevolence of the Lord of the Lost.
Oh great Lord of the Lost, Your will is the destiny of the Fischer family, and I, your faithful servant, have heard Your thoughts!
Disappointment that was hard to conceal spread across Robert's face, but then he suddenly heard Irene say:
"We are willing to invest ten gold coins."
Robert was initially stunned, then ecstatic with disbelief, and asked, "Really? Miss Irene, I didn't mishear you, did I?"
"Of course it's true," Irene said, nodding her head calmly and sincerely.
Lucius, on the other hand, almost fell off his chair, barely steadying himself before he couldn't help but turn to look at Irene in shock.
He saw the extreme piety in Irene's expression and instantly understood what was happening.
A divine oracle from the Lord of the Lost?
It seemed that the "steam engine" was not such a simple scam after all.
Lucius fell into deep thought. He had witnessed the breath of the black light that ends all things and had been contemplating what exactly the Lord of the Lost was ever since he gained his power.
As the time since his contact with the black light grew longer, it seemed like the effects of some extraordinary force were gradually fading, and the awe in the depths of Lucius's heart was slowly unable to suppress his arrogant nature anymore.
In his decade-long mercenary career, he had seen mysterious beings lurking in some villages, claiming themselves as gods by relying on a sliver of extraordinary power, deluding those ignorant folk.
Perhaps, the Lord of the Lost was similar to those beings revered by the jungle natives of the Blood Cult, a very powerful mysterious existence.
Whatever it was, it was, above all, a tremendous opportunity for the Fischer family.
He took a deep breath; it didn't matter what it was, as long as he could use this powerful force to achieve his goals!
Lucius narrowed his eyes and then laughed again, speaking loudly, "Mr. Robert, we actually have one small request."
Robert quickly nodded and eagerly asked, "What is the request? I can help with anything within my power!"
Lucius continued, "The Fischer family would like to purchase some alchemical tools and alchemical weapons, but we currently lack the channels."
He felt it was necessary to make full preparations for the possible revenge of the natives.
Robert answered with a smile, promising, "No problem, I can solve that any time. In fact, I have a friend in the Sun Church who sells alchemical products."
A few days later, the Fischer family obtained a batch of alchemical products from Robert.
They included ten blood potions for healing injuries, costing ten silver coins, and five small alchemical explosives, costing twenty silver coins.
There was also a flintlock that had been modified with alchemy to increase its accuracy, along with ten high-powered special alchemical bullets; ordinary bullets could also be used, totaling one gold coin for the alchemical flintlock and the special bullets.
However, months went by and the assault by the jungle natives that the Fischers had prepared for never occurred. They later learned that the natives of the East Coast had broken out into a large-scale internal conflict, which would not end for a long time.
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