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Chapter 123: Caliburn’s Military Merchant (2)

Gulp. Gulp.

After sharing an intense greeting, it was time for them to catch up. They started with the fiery Magnus Whiskey.

Henry drank his first glass easily, then poured a drink for Iselan and asked, “I thought you weren’t interested in the affairs of the imperial palace, so how did you find out?”

“Hahaha, is that really that important?”

“I’m simply asking out of curiosity. To be honest, I was trying to keep it confidential.”

“How funny, I found out thanks to the new soldiers who have come in.”

“New soldiers…?”

“Yeah, Oscar’s men.”

“Oscar’s men, you mean… Ah!” The soldiers who had participated in the subjugation knew that Henry had given ice water and food away. During the subjugation, Oscar had suffered great losses at the failed siege even though he’d increased the number of soldiers in his private army. He’d failed to become a marquis in the end. His choice after the subjugation was obvious.

The counts had not been compensated for anything, and the battle was carried out solely at their private expense. Oscar was unable to maintain the size of his private army, so he had no choice but to let go of the new soldiers.

The soldiers had given up their jobs in the imperial army with the dream that they might become a member of a marquis family; therefore, they didn’t have much of a choice. They either had to make a living as a mercenary or work in remote areas like the three major frontlines instead of returning to the imperial army.

They were the reason that Henry’s story had reached Iselan.

‘It’s said that bad news travels fast. The world sure is small.’

If the story had reached even a remote place like the Caliburn Fortress, it was obvious that it would have reached other places as well. Although the rumor wasn’t one of the bigger ones, the news that Eisan had acquired a new, strong vassal spread.

Henry confirmed the source of the rumor and replied with a light nod, “I didn’t know that news about me would spread all the way here.”

“It doesn’t matter, but… Eisen? He’s known for being a self-righteous person, how the hell did you win him over?”

Henry only revealed a part of the truth. Although he didn’t have to hide anything, it was more prudent to do so. He didn’t leave out anything about Aubert either.

“What? So you’re the one who caught that Aubert bastard?”

“I only provided the evidence. Marquis Eisen himself captured Aubert.”

“It’s the same thing. If it weren’t for you, Eisen would be a count until he dies.”

“Well, whatever it is, now he’s a grand marquis and I think I’m on my way to success.”

“Khahaha! Nice! I don’t like the fact that you\'re working under Eisen, but if your goal is to become successful, being with him is a better opportunity for you.”

Iselan was upset but not jealous.

After laughing wholeheartedly, they toasted once more and Iselan finished his glass.

Iselan wiped off the alcohol from his lips and said, “By the way, why is a guy like you trying to start other businesses? Does Eisen not give you enough money?”

“No, it’s not that. I simply need materials from the Demonic Beast Forest.”

“You sure have become successful, considering that you’re asking me to give you a position as a merchant in the military just to satisfy your greed.”

“Haha, that’s only because…”

“I don’t need your excuses. I don’t know why you want materials from the forest, but if you’re willing to disguise yourself as a military merchant, you must need them pretty badly.”

“...That’s right.”

Iselan was Iselan. Apart from his incredible strength, he possessed the keen insight of a deputy commander.

“Okay! Then what can you do for me in return?” asked Iselan.

“Wouldn’t it be easier for you to tell me what you want rather than me offering you something?”

“It seems that you’ve become smarter now that you\'re running a merchant company. Okay then, become my exclusive merchant.”

“An exclusive merchant…?”

“Yes.”

Being an exclusive merchant meant that Henry wouldn’t be able to trade with anyone other than Iselan. The corner of Henry’s lips rose slightly. He said, “Is there something going on in the fortress?”

“Yes, and it’s a personal matter that only I know of.”

A deputy commander had unrestricted access to all resources within and even beyond the fortress. However, setting up an exclusive merchant meant that there was something else going on in the fortress.

“Okay, sounds good. I also won’t ask about your personal matters. Instead, why don’t we exchange the items we want without payment?”

“Okay! I don’t need more money anyway. However, since we need to have a ledger for appearances’ sake, I will pretend to deal with wagons with daily necessities but exchange the real items through the Subspace Pouch.”

“Alright.”

The two needed goods rather than money, and since they both had the same goal, the deal was easily completed.

‘Finally, I can make the Poison Chalice, Black Tear.’

The Black Tear was also called the Devil’s Tear or Poison Chalice. This elixir could only be made with ingredients from the Demonic Beast Forest and Henry had accidentally discovered it when he had been a 7th-Circle mage.

The Black Tear had different effects depending on the mixture of ingredients. However, no matter the mixture, its effects surpassed those of other elixirs.

For example, Miracle Blue could be used to increase one’s mana potency only once in a lifetime, but there was no limit to how many times one could use Black Tear. Also, since it multiplied the mana of the consumer, the more mana the consumer already had, the more efficient it became.

However, even though it was an incredible elixir, there was a simple reason that it wasn’t sold at the Magical Spire.

‘The more Black Tear one consumes, the more toxins accumulate inside the body. Deadly poison spreads throughout the body and causes an immense amount of pain along the way until the potion runs its full course.’

One could gain power akin to that of a monster as soon as one ingested the poison, but one wouldn’t be able to maintain it. Even if one managed to survive, the repercussions were so severe that one would eventually die.

As a result, the Black Tear was a forbidden elixir; Henry had accidentally discovered it, but he hadn’t shared it to the world after finding out its dangerous effects. Henry intended to use this elixir on himself for his personal growth.

‘I don’t know about the past, but it should be fine now since I’ve consumed the Venom’s Heart.’

In reality, although Henry couldn’t guarantee his own safety, the impossible had to be made possible so that he could become stronger in a short period of time. As the only wizard and human who had reached the 8th Circle, he was determined to push his boundaries.

‘I have a month left. I have to become an archmage, no matter what.’

He had retrieved the artifacts from the imperial palace that had helped restore mana in his previous life. However, there was a limit to how much mana he could gain using those jewels, which was why Henry wanted to use the Black Tear even though it was somewhat risky.

“Is there anything else you want to say?”

“No, I think the only thing left to do is just eat and drink.”

“Khahaha! Good! Then shall we start drinking for real now?”

Pop!

They uncorked the second bottle of alcohol.

* * *

Much later that night, Iselan lost to Henry’s alcohol tolerance.

“As expected of such a young…!”

Thud!

The giant Iselan fell forward, and his snoring echoed across the table.

As he had done in the past, Henry carried Iselan to his bedroom and asked the soldiers to clean up.

“Which room can I use?”

“The guest room on the far right on the second floor is ready for you. If you need anything else, please let us know.”

“Alright.”

It was late, but Henry had planned to stay overnight anyway.

Henry went upstairs. The room was clean and large.

Henry unpacked his belongings and sat in lotus position on the bed. As he started meditating, Munia’s Earring began to react, and a circle began to form around him.

Henry had circulated mana inside of him to break down the alcohol while he had been drinking, and he meditated to completely remove the alcohol from his body.

‘It’s done.’

It didn’t take long for this to happen and he felt refreshed.

After meditating, Henry got ready to go outside.

‘It’s been a long time since I’ve gone on a night walk.’

Iselan had promised to supply most of the materials for the Black Tear since ordinary soldiers could find them easily. However, in order to make the Black Tear, he needed one key ingredient.

‘I think the ingredient I need is in the 4th district.’

The monsters’ power increased the closer one was to the 1st district. In addition, the toxins in the soil and air grew much stronger.

Henry was trying to obtain an object that was rare even within the 4th district, which was why he decided to take advantage of Iselan’s sleep and procure the ingredients himself.

‘I’ll get going then.’

Boom!

With a gentle stomp, he cast a number of hiding spells, including Mass Solitude. Henry snapped his fingers and cast a locking spell on the doorknob.

‘It’ll probably take around half the night.’

/p>

Whoosh!

Henry opened the window and climbed over the fence.

He crossed the fortress in an instant and headed toward the Demonic Beast Forest.

Swish!

After he’d mastered Aura, it seemed that his physical abilities had improved. Henry arrived at the rear defense line in an instant, flew over the first and second gate, and finally arrived at the Demonic Beast Forest.

“It’s been a while.”

When the moon was in the sky, the monsters in the forest became even more powerful. However, it didn\'t matter because Henry was no longer a beginner swordsman but a true Aura user, an outstanding Sword Expert.

‘Here I go.’

Henry set forth without any hesitation.

He quickly passed the 8th and 7th districts, recalling the path to the Demonic Beast Forest, which he had visited so frequently, it was like his home.

Just as he reached the 6th district, he heard a familiar cry.

- Maaaaa!

There were two-meter-tall giant monsters, half human and half bull, moving around in groups.

‘Taurus…’

He had to pass on this path in order to reach the 5th district, and there were dozens of Taurus blocking the way.

However, Henry didn’t slow down. He even canceled his hiding spells.

“Cancel.”

Shhh.

He appeared in the bright moonlight, immediately catching the Taurus’ attention.

Clank!

Henry placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. He didn’t slow down at all. He leaned forward.

“Maaaa!”

The Taurus were enraged to see a human. Henry drew his sword as he passed through the herd.

Slice!

He swung his sword and a green light flashed in the darkness.

Henry continued moving at a fast speed. The green light chased after Henry, drawing a pattern in the air like a green dragon crossing the sky.

Clank!

Henry’s steps did not slow down at all as he sheathed his sword.

Thud!

Pat pat pat!

Behind Henry, the bodies of fallen Taurus lay on the ground like fallen leaves.