Chapter 118: An Affair
"This damn Baron!"
Garrot couldn’t help but curse after returning to his quarters.
"He won’t sell iron ore, he won’t sell grain, he won’t sell linen, he won’t sell silk, and he won’t even sell oak!"
"He even wants to lower taxes! He’s stubborn and foolish to the extreme!"
He took off his coat in frustration and threw it onto a chair.
In truth, Duane wasn’t refusing to sell everything. He was just selling smaller quantities of certain goods.
Blake was also extremely frustrated. "It looks like this mission will be very difficult to complete!"
The others were all in a terrible mood as well.
They had heard about the situation on Black Forest Island from Hall before setting out, and they had all thought they would be treated as superiors here. They never expected to be so thoroughly aggravated.
Hall felt this most acutely.
The last time he was here, Bard and the others had taken meticulous care of him. It was nothing like now, where they were even being charged to stay in a dilapidated house.
"Forget about the iron ore and other goods, the key is the grain! You all know the situation in the city. The Viscount is waiting for us to bring back this shipment of grain!"
Garrot’s voice was grave. "If we fail this mission and disappoint the Viscount, it will be extremely detrimental to all of us!"
Garrot had distinguished himself in the recent battle against the Secret Realm Demon Beasts, earning him the title of Knight from the Viscount. He then took over as commander of the Gale Corps after the previous one died in battle.
Excluding the battle in the Secret Realm, this trip to Black Forest Island to recruit Bard and bring back people and supplies was his first official mission.
Furthermore, to ensure the mission’s success, the Viscount had even borrowed several large ships from Duke Star Sea.
Never mind failing to bring Bard back, or even failing to purchase more people. If they couldn’t even fill the ships with goods, not only would they have failed their mission, but the Viscount himself would lose face before Duke Star Sea.
"How about... we just take it by force!"
Cameron still hadn’t given up on the idea of using force.
"Worst case, we sail back out to sea, take down our flags, and disguise ourselves as pirates. We can catch them off guard, kill them, and take Black Forest Island for ourselves!"
Robbery wasn’t unheard of, as long as it was done cleanly.
Garrot didn’t respond.
The others thought the idea was too risky.
Finally, Vice Commander Blake said, "The commander just said that the most important thing this time is grain. Since Duane won’t sell to us, we can buy it from the islanders directly."
As he spoke, he glanced at Cameron. "It’s best to avoid conflict if possible."
"That plan is worth a try!"
Garrot’s eyes lit up. The risk of outright robbery was too high; he was reluctant to take that chance.
"The grain Duane waived for the islanders probably totals a million pounds. If we can buy all of it, on top of the million pounds he’s willing to sell, we’ll be able to answer to the Viscount."
Although two million pounds of grain still fell short of their original goal, it looked much better than returning with only one million pounds.
"Hall, go gather all our men. Tomorrow, we’ll travel across Black Forest Island and spread the word that we’re buying grain."
"Right!"
While they were discussing their plan, Duane had already finished a brief meeting with Julian, Kaelon, and the others.
Though they could sell the island’s goods to the Pruck Kingdom, it wasn’t, as Garrot had pointed out, something they could just do on a whim.
Therefore, Duane naturally didn’t want this deal to fall through.
At the dinner that had just ended, he had agreed to increase the sale quantities of iron ore, grain, linen, and other goods.
At the same time, he adjusted the price of iron ore to 10 Copper Coins per pound.
He found it amusing that when he’d asked about the Basic Enchantment Spell Model, they had essentially threatened to withhold it unless he agreed to their demands.
So Duane simply dropped the subject.
’It’s just a Basic Spell Model. No need to treat it like some priceless treasure.’
"My lord, I have already placed the Basic Fire Energy Essence and Basic Magic Crystal Powder into these two Silver Bottles for you."
Ralph placed the bottles in a drawer of the bookcase and turned to look at the painting the Baron was working on.
The painting depicted the scene of Selena casting a spell.
"My lord, your painting skill is truly incredible!"
Ralph couldn’t help but praise, "The Selena in the painting looks identical to the real person!"
Duane smiled faintly.
’With my Mastery Level in Basic Painting, drawing a person is a simple matter.’
"My lord, have you taken a fancy to Lady Selena?"
Ralph said, "Her temperament is so much better than Kalina’s. She would be a perfect fit as the Baroness."
Duane rolled his eyes at the old man beside him. "She’s already a Baroness."
He pointed at the glow of the Extraction Spell in the painting, and the state of the Magic Crystal Stone as it shattered.
"Don’t you think Magic is wondrous?"
Ralph affirmed this completely. "Magic is the most mysterious thing. Many incredible inventions and creations are related to Mages. Selena is a Level 4 Mage, that’s truly amazing!"
’A Level 4 Mage is indeed impressive.’
Duane glanced at his own Spirit Attribute; it was only 3.2. He wondered what the threshold was for a Level 1 Mage.
"My lord, it would be best if the wife you find in the future is a powerful Mage like Selena!"
"Alright, Ralph. I’ll work on it!"
Duane put down his brush. "I’m going to rest now."
"Well then, good night~"
The next morning, just as Duane had finished breakfast and was about to stretch his limbs, Owington announced that Lady Selena had arrived.
Duane was more than happy for the chance to build a better relationship with the Mage.
He wasn’t asking for much, only hoping that she could help him prepare two more sets of materials.
"Selena, good morning!"
Duane personally greeted her at the door. "Have you had breakfast? Shall I have the servants prepare something for you?"
Selena chuckled and declined, saying she had already eaten breakfast.
"We left in a hurry last night, and there was one thing I didn’t get a chance to ask you about."
As she spoke, she reached into her pocket, pulled out a piece of paper, and handed it to Duane.
"I came to Black Forest Island to find Red Sun Grass. This is what it looks like. I was wondering if anyone here has seen it?"
Duane unfolded the paper. On it was a drawing of a plant with delicate, bright red blossoms.
However, this was completely different from the Red Sun Grass he knew.
"This is... Red Sun Grass?"
’The information about Red Sun Grass in my mind can’t be wrong. After all, I got it from the system.’
’So, Selena must be the one who’s mistaken. I wonder if I should correct her.’
But she said, "Yes, this is Red Sun Grass. Years ago, I saw my teacher use it to make Magic Potions."
For a moment, Duane couldn’t figure out where the discrepancy was.
’Could they be two different plants that just happen to share the same name?’
He couldn’t figure it out, so he decided not to explain. "I’m sorry, but I’ve never seen the Red Sun Grass you’re describing."
"It’s alright."
Selena didn’t seem disappointed by this result.
"In that case, I need to request your permission to enter the Hot Spring Mountain Range. Of course, if I find it, I will pay you an appropriate fee."
"No problem!"
Duane smiled. "The Hot Spring Mountain Range is vast. Do you need me to find some people to accompany you?"
"No, that won’t be necessary."
Selena glanced at the Knight beside her, her eyes unconsciously curving into crescents.
"With Brison here, my safety is not an issue."
Duane rubbed the tip of his nose. This scene was a bit...
He had just seen love in Selena’s eyes.
That’s right, it was the kind of look one only gives to a beloved—the look of someone head over heels in love.
Duane couldn’t help but snark to himself: ’No way, no way... Is this Mage having an affair with her Knight?’
’And when you think about it, Baron Torre Courtney is infertile, and he’s sixty years old, yet he married a wife as young and talented as Selena...’
Duane’s mind for gossip started racing.
If it weren’t for their respective statuses, he would have wanted to ask for the whole story.
"Baron?"
Duane snapped back to his senses and laughed it off. "In that case, I wish you success in finding the Red Sun Grass!"
"Thank you~"
Selena gave a slight curtsy and then left with Brison.
The two made no questionable moves, apart from that single, unguarded glance moments ago.
Duane watched them for a few moments before looking away.
Not long after the pair had left, the sound of urgent hoofbeats approached.
"Baron, this is bad!"
It was Benur, his voice filled with anxiety and panic.
Benur leaped from his horse and ran up to Duane, his expression fraught with anxiety and panic.
"It’s terrible, my lord! They injured Jack! Camp Commander Raymond and Camp Commander Gaius are fighting them now!"