Chapter 173: The Jealous Females
Almost simultaneously. Their merchant instincts immediately kicked in.
’A new product!’
’No... two new products!’
’How much could these sell for?’
’How difficult are they to produce?’
’Can we secure exclusive trading rights?’
Hundreds of calculations flashed through their minds within seconds.
Seeing those greedy, sparkling eyes. A broad grin slowly spread across Luke’s face.
He had been waiting for exactly this reaction.
Then he casually added,
"These potions are effective for Iron Knights and below."
A brief pause followed.
"And for mages. They are effective up to the Apprentice Mage Realm."
"...!"
The entire hall erupted into commotion.
"What?!"
"Iron Knight level?!"
Several merchants nearly stood up from their seats.
Their breathing became noticeably heavier.
They understood the significance of those words far better than ordinary people.
After all once a person stepped beyond the Body Temper Realm. The largest cultivation market belonged to Iron Knights.
Knight cultivation was straightforward.
As long as one possessed enough resources and perseverance.
Almost anyone could embark on that path.
Because of that the overwhelming majority of human cultivators eventually became Iron Knights.
The market demand was enormous.
The Mage path, however was completely different.
Without an innate affinity for mana or exceptional magical talent. Becoming a mage was nearly impossible.
As a result the number of mages was only a tiny fraction of the knight population.
Even so potions capable of restoring mana for Apprentice Mages still possessed tremendous commercial value.
Luke calmly looked across the hall before making the next announcement.
"Starting tomorrow the Blackstone Highlands will officially begin selling both of these potions."
The merchants immediately straightened in their seats.
Luke calmly continued. "However, There will be purchase limits."
He raised one finger.
"Each merchant group may purchase only one hundred Healing Potions and one hundred Mana Potions."
Then he added another condition. "As for individual buyers."
"The limit will be ten bottles of each potion per person."
The hall immediately became quiet.
Luke wasn’t finished yet.
"This restriction will remain in effect for one week."
"After that the purchase limit will gradually increase."
"Until then those are the maximum quantities anyone may buy."
The excitement that had filled the hall only moments earlier instantly cooled.
Many merchants expressions fell. Some even sighed.
Although Baron Luke hadn’t mentioned the price yet. They already understood the implication.
With such strict purchase limits. Their profit margins on each trading trip would be much lower than expected.
Especially because the purchase quota had been fixed. until the next phase of Luke’s sales plan began.
Whispers quietly spread throughout the hall.
"Only one hundred?"
"That’s far too few."
"How are we supposed to satisfy our customers?"
"This quantity won’t even last a single city."
Several merchants looked genuinely disappointed.
From his throne. Luke silently observed every reaction.
Naturally he noticed their gloomy expressions.
Yet...
He didn’t change his decision. Nor did he offer any explanation.
It wasn’t because he lacked stock.
On the contrary he possessed an enormous reserve of both potions.
Far more than these merchants could imagine.
So...
Why impose such strict limits?
The answer was simple.
Luke wasn’t merely planning to sell potions. He was building a brand.
Very soon the Blackstone Store would officially open.
And before flooding the market with supply. He first wanted to create demand.
Scarcity would make the potions the talk of every city.
Merchants would compete for them. Customers would ask about them.
Rumors would spread from caravan to caravan.
By the time the purchase limits were relaxed. The name Blackstone would already have reached the ears of countless people across the kingdom.
Luke’s objective was never simply to sell potions. He wanted to create something far more valuable.
A reputation. A legend. A potion that possessed no side effects. No potion toxicity.
And could only be purchased within the Blackstone Highlands.
That exclusivity alone would become its greatest advertisement.
Once word spread adventurers, hundreds of, thousands of knights, mages, and merchant caravans would travel to Blackstone just to obtain those potions.
With them would come craftsmen. Talented individuals. Investors. And thousands of opportunities.
The territory’s fame would naturally spread throughout the kingdom.
And Luke knew this was only the beginning.
In the future the system would undoubtedly reward him with even more extraordinary items.
When that happened. The Blackstone Store would already possess a renowned reputation.
Eventually he could even establish branches in other territories.
That was his long-term plan. After the meeting concluded.
One after another, they respectfully bowed.
"Thank you, Baron Luke."
"We’ll take our leave."
Soon...
The grand hall gradually emptied as merchant groups departed one by one.
However two people remained seated. Sophia. And her elder brother, Damien.
Seeing this several merchants glanced back before leaving.
Envious expressions appeared on many faces.
’The Blackriver Merchant Family daughter really knows how to win Baron Luke’s heart.’
That very thought surfaced in the minds of nearly everyone present.
Some merchants sighed inwardly. Others secretly regretted not sending their own sons or daughters to build a relationship with the young baron sooner.
Meanwhile several young men looked toward Luke with obvious jealousy.
After all the Hero Luke was becoming increasingly famous.
His strength continued to rise. His territory was flourishing. His influence was expanding.
And now even one outstanding beauty after another seemed drawn toward him.
To them it was enough to make anyone envious.
While the younger female merchants. Especially those from influential merchant families.
Couldn’t help but cast jealous glances toward Sophia.
After all each of them had dressed meticulously for today’s meeting.
Elegant gowns hugged their graceful figures.
Luxurious fabrics shimmered under the sunlight.
Some dresses even revealed a tasteful glimpse of their shoulders or collarbones, subtly highlighting their beauty without crossing the bounds of nobility.
Before coming here quite a few of them had secretly hoped to leave a favorable impression on Baron Luke.
Yet throughout the entire meeting. Luke hadn’t spared them even a second glance.
Not even once.
That realization left many of them feeling secretly defeated.
’Is Lady Sophia really that much prettier than us?’