Chapter 131: Body Tempering Potion
Heck Iron Anchor gazed ahead.
According to the Nautical Map and the introduction from his good friend Conaberton, the landmass ahead was the rarely-visited Black Forest Island, the territory of Baron Duane Brian.
To be honest, if he had a choice, he wouldn’t have wanted to come here.
This was a land abandoned by the Nobility, so it surely held little value. Even with a new master, what could possibly change in less than a year?
But ultimately, life had forced his hand.
As a newcomer in Silent Harbor, he needed to show results.
And securing business wasn’t a simple matter.
He had to grease palms with those in charge and also stay on the good side of the old-timers to avoid being targeted.
After two years of running routes, he was barely breaking even. Making big money was difficult.
If old Conaberton hadn’t told him that Baron Duane would pay twenty Gold Coins even for an empty run, he would have never wanted to come to Black Forest Island.
"Captain, that’s Black Forest Island up ahead."
The first mate handled the rudder while directing the sailors to adjust the sails and reduce speed.
"But... why are there ships on the sea ahead?"
Heck was puzzled too. Not only were there ships, but there were several of them.
"Jim, are you sure this is Black Forest Island? We didn’t go off course, did we?"
"My Captain, please have faith in my abilities. This is Black Forest Island, no doubt about it!"
Heck was stunned. ’Wasn’t Black Forest Island supposed to be deserted? Weren’t there supposed to be no ships coming here?’
How could he explain the scene before him?
Besides, if there were already ships here, what was the point of him making this arduous trip?
’Don’t tell me old Conaberton tricked me?’
Heck thought this, then shook his head.
Conaberton was his father’s friend, and they were on good terms. He would never deceive a junior like him.
"Barbossa, raise the Sail Banner!"
"Aye aye~"
The Boatswain raised the Kennedy Clan’s flag, declaring their identity to outsiders and avoiding any accidental conflicts.
This very act allowed Duane and his men to ascertain their origins. They then directed the captains and sailors from the Starfall Islands to move one of the ships moored in the harbor, clearing a space.
Heck brought the ship to shore with a sense of trepidation.
He looked at the situation in the harbor, especially the sight of many people in captain and sailor attire surrounded by soldiers, and he didn’t dare disembark.
’This place... it hasn’t been taken over by pirates, has it?’
’Are all these ships victims?’
It wasn’t just him; the others on the ship felt much the same.
Black Forest Island, a typically chaotic and masterless land, now looked truly dangerous.
Seeing that the people on the ship were hesitating to come down, Raymond called out in a clear voice, "Are you friends of Captain Conaberton?"
Hearing that name, Heck’s tension immediately eased a bit.
"Yes, yes!"
He took off his hat, revealing his short brown hair. "And you are, my lord?"
Raymond smiled and pointed at Duane. "This is the Lord of Black Forest Island, Baron Duane. Captain Conaberton should have mentioned him to you."
Heck looked at Duane. The young, handsome man seemed full of spirit and possessed a remarkable air about him.
"Oh~ Honored Baron, Heck Iron Anchor greets you!"
He hurried down from the ship. As long as it was a Baron and not a pirate, everything was fine.
"Old Conaberton told me there was business to be done here, so I came."
As he spoke, he glanced around. "But it seems you already have cargo ships here. Am I too late?"
"I thought you were coming in mid-December. I didn’t expect you to be a month early."
Duane stepped forward and shook his hand enthusiastically.
"You’ve come at the perfect time, Heck. I happen to need your help!"
Such a warm and friendly Baron completely dispelled the worries of Heck and his crew.
"Baron, I’ve brought some goods on my ship. I was wondering if you have any need for them here?"
"What kind of goods?"
"There’s wine, cloth, spices, dyes, and paper. Mostly inexpensive daily necessities."
"I’ll take them!"
Duane said, "Have your men unload the cargo. I’ll take it all!"
Duane was rich now.
Not only had he gotten back the 45 Gold Coins he paid to Garrot, but he had also plundered over six hundred more Gold Coins from him.
Adding the gross profit of over six hundred he had earned before, he had obtained a total of more than one thousand three hundred Gold Coins from Garrot this time!
And that didn’t even include the money on the persons of those captains and sailors.
It was more than enough to buy Heck’s entire shipment.
Heck’s face lit up with joy. This trip wasn’t a waste!
"Baron, I also have some Body Tempering Potions. I wonder if you might need them? As for the price... they’re a bit more expensive than wine and spices."
Many people knew of Duane’s circumstances, so Heck guessed he might not have that much money, which was why he was uncertain.
Duane’s eyes lit up.
"Body Tempering Potions? Bring them over, let me see!"
This kind of Magic Potion wasn’t for drinking. It was meant to be mixed into hot water for a bath, akin to a medicinal soak.
A Warrior could absorb the potion’s properties during this process, strengthening their physique. Long-term use could significantly increase their Strength.
Many wealthy people used this type of Magic Potion.
Body Tempering Potions were divided into several grades. There were those suitable for ordinary people and those for Ordinary Realm Extraordinary Warriors, and their prices varied.
Heck’s heart pounded. If this deal went through, his trip to Black Forest Island would be his most profitable one this year!
He hastily brought out the goods.
"There are 30 vials for ordinary people, 25 vials of Basic Body Tempering Potion, 15 vials of Mid-Level Body Tempering Potion, and 5 vials of High-Level Body Tempering Potion."
Heck introduced them while opening the crate, "The ordinary ones are 10 Silver Coins per vial. The other three types sell for 1, 5, and 20 Gold Coins per vial, respectively."
He looked up at Duane enthusiastically. "If you buy them all, I’ll throw in the 30 ordinary potions for free. You’ll only need to pay 200 Gold Coins."
Two hundred Gold Coins was no small sum.
Some Barons in impoverished lands only had an annual income of three to five hundred Gold Coins.
Duane’s expression remained unchanged, but inwardly he was marveling, ’As expected of Magic Potions used by Extraordinary Warriors, the price is truly steep!’
"I’m a Human Tier Warrior now. I wonder if the High-Level Body Tempering Potion would have any effect on me?"
Duane gave Raymond a look. "Inspect them. If there are no issues, I’ll take all these potions."
Even if he couldn’t use them himself, his men might have a use for them.
After all, the Fire Source Beast Bone Soup was only suitable for ordinary people to drink, and he still hadn’t found the Red Sun Grass needed for the Perfection Level soup that was effective for Extraordinary Warriors.
Duane could only prepare some in advance.
When Heck heard the words "I’ll take them all," he thought he was hearing things, and his heart even skipped a beat.
But when he saw Raymond seriously inspecting the potions, he was convinced it was all real.
This batch of Body Tempering Potions had been in his possession for a long time, and he had never found a suitable buyer.
He once thought they would rot in his hands, but he never expected the person he had the least hope for would end up being the final buyer.
This trip to Black Forest Island, regardless of whether he could haul cargo or not, was not a loss for him!
"Thank you for your patronage!"
Heck bowed a full ninety degrees. "You are the most generous noble I have ever met!"
The other crew members’ eyes were also filled with fervent expressions.
When the Captain made a big profit, they could also get a small share.
"Come, Heck, let’s go to my territory and sit for a while. I have something to discuss with you."
Duane extended the invitation. "If you are willing, our cooperation can be far more than just a simple matter of a few dozen potions!"
"Heck is ready to listen to your instructions at any time!"
He gave an order to his first mate, called for the sailors to start unloading the goods, and then hurried to catch up with Duane.
If possible, he truly hoped to establish a long-term cooperative relationship with this young Baron.
’This Black Forest Island... it’s not bad at all!’
Had he known, he would have come sooner instead of wandering around the major cities along the Michaelson River.