Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Chapter 1438: Chapter 16: Does Aesces Dislike Alchemy?

”Respected Mr. Belfran! From the Stelter Family, Sander, requesting an audience.” Sander said each word with utmost decorum, ”On the orders of Count Stelter, I have come to deliver an invitation to the Basia Trade Fair for you.

Hope you will grant us permission.”

”Come in yourself, just place the items on the table.” Hill said blandly.

Sander respectfully entered the carriage and, while placing each item from the tray onto the crystal coffee table in front of the sofa, he quickly scanned the surroundings of the carriage with the corner of his eye.

Then he immediately felt assured... This Mr. Belfran must be a very powerful Alchemist!

The various mineral resources on the shelves have all been refined, and some have been refined more than once, which is a stringent requirement only a formal Alchemist would impose on themselves.

And some unrefined minerals... Those are precious minerals that even the Stelter Family would go to great lengths to acquire!

Who would be willing to refine them first if they weren’t used?

What if the separated mineral dust isn’t stored properly?

An Alchemist who displays these openly must have commendable strength and Alchemy skills!

When he returns, he only needs to convey everything here to the young lady... Whether she can win the favor of this High-level Alchemist, or even receive some guidance, depends on Miss Alitorman’s capability and charm.

Hill watched Sander’s every move expressionlessly, and at that moment, he was also reassured... Evidently, resources of this level reflect the standard of a 10th Level Magician.

He could clearly see Sander’s gaze.

After all, things placed casually are certainly not the best collections, and it wouldn’t matter if Hill takes out good stuff later on... It’s just that the level of those good things needs to be controlled.

Hill considered, for a 10th Level Magician, having a few items of similar level to himself should be normal, but those items must be well preserved and not taken out for use unless necessary.

Though he could understand and was willing to abide by the rules of this world for now, Hill couldn’t help but sigh deeply inside... What on earth was Aesces up to?

The control over materials was so strict; there probably weren’t any formal mines for high-level resources in the entire world.

Only items scattered in such a manner, even nobles like the Count would find it difficult to see them... That butler’s eyes lingered on the palm-sized piece of Mithril till the end.

Just palm-sized! For the butler of a Count with real power to act as if he’d never seen the world before!

Aesces... What grievances did they have against Alchemy?

Hill was genuinely a bit perplexed; he decided to observe more closely in the coming days.

”Well... I shall take my leave now.” Sander slowly retreated to the edge of the carriage door, ”If there’s anything you need, please feel free to command.

Count Stelter has already instructed the guard of Basia City to serve you at all times.”

The small team of guards that came along with Sander’s carriage must have been sent by the Stelter Family as guards around here.

Sander slightly lowered his head: ”Joshua informed the Count that Mr. Belfran, you didn’t bring any attendants...” he glanced at a slightly unnatural maid he finally noticed, adding, ”Human attendants.

The Count does not wish for any unnecessary accidents to happen... Although Basia City is very safe, there will always be some fools who can’t see the situation.

Therefore, a few people were temporarily sent to be stationed for a while... If Mr. Belfran does not like them, I’ll take them away immediately.”

”For correspondence... have them deliver it to the temporary cabin on the left.” Hill said calmly, ”I have no interest in receiving outsiders.”

Hill was well prepared for Count Stelter sending people over... If he were in the Count’s position, he wouldn’t dare let such a powerful being, capable of killing with a mere gesture, remain unmonitored.

Even if that powerful being is a good person... Good character doesn’t mean everyone on your side is smart.

A single fool could ruin everything.

The deeds of that Prince Andreju from Anmur, even Hill, who seldom cared about the chaotic politics of Toril, would never forget.

Just in time, those guards can serve as messengers.

Hill finally realized that in Aesces, a high-status Archmage like him probably wouldn’t answer the door to receive guests himself... Especially unfamiliar visitors of unknown status.

Watching Sander leave, Hill waved to close the carriage door, couldn’t help but pout, and then smacked the hand that almost gave a tip again.

Count Stelter and Joshua were presently looking gravely at two small bags... The contents were simple, just gold bars... Five for the land rental fee and one for Joshua’s guide fee.

Although the purity was surprisingly high, enough to be used as formal alchemical materials, considering the level of Mr. Belfran, it wasn’t incomprehensible.

Perhaps it was to display his status, so he would give such valuable gifts at the first meeting.

Moreover, he seemed intent on staying in Basia City for a while, so giving a little more money might prevent Count Stelter from suddenly having the audacity to ask the Archmage to vacate the place.

But!

These two bags!

This is a precious Dimensional Pouch! Who would use it to store gold bars and then casually give it away?

Even though one is the most standard Level 1 bag, and the other one given to Joshua is only half the size, perhaps a practice product of some Alchemist... but such things are priceless, even the so-called inferior ones are not something anyone can buy.

Alchemists have it tough in the beginning, so most of them rely on the Royal Family, the army, or the great nobility. Even if they become powerful enough to be independent later on, they can’t sever ties with these powers.

Therefore, the good stuff they produce is very hard to come by... Market price is one thing, but whether you can buy it depends on your identity and ability!

The Stelter Family, besides the Earl having a Space Ring, only the eldest daughter and the steward Sander have a standard Level 1 bag each.

Countess has a Level 2 bag.

But... ever since her health declined, the Countess has only just recovered to the point where she can get out of bed and walk, let alone carry that 20-pound bag around!

However, it was a wedding gift from the Earl, so no one else can use it.

As for the Dimensional Pouches in other people’s hands, they are not even as good as this palm-sized burlap sack in Joshua’s possession. They are usually carefully placed in the inner pocket, securely fastened with a metal chain, used to store important small items like seals or documents that cannot be left behind.

”I absolutely believe now, he truly is a Great Magician who has been secluded in some place away from the human world for a long time... it’s just that he looks young, but who knows, he might be over a hundred years old.” The Earl muttered.

Joshua grabbed his own bag: ”This... is mine!”

”Who wants to take it from you?” The Earl of Stelter looked at the bag with a little reluctance... but Joshua, who grew up with him and went through thick and thin in the military camp, wouldn’t act according to his expression.

He just pouted: ”If you didn’t give me such a meager salary! How would I be unable to afford even a small bag?”

The Earl of Stelter suddenly raised his head: ”You stash all your battlefield loot under the bed and expect the Sheriff’s salary to support your family and buy such expensive spatial items?

Aren’t you being a bit too much, Joshua?”

”What did Uncle Joshua do again?” A sweet, clear voice with a hint of humor sounded outside the door, ”If it’s funny, make sure to share it with Ellie!

It’s rare to see Father so out of sorts~

I need to listen carefully, so I can remember it well for the future.”

”Ellie?” The Earl looked up, ”Come in! Why did you return so early?”

He asked worriedly, ”Did something happen?”

”It’s nothing bad.” Ellie pushed the door open naturally, ”But... I thought I should first listen to the story between Father and Uncle Joshua.”

Joshua raised his eyebrows: ”Did you hear someone say something at the auction house? Miss Ellie.”

Ellie nodded: ”Although I don’t know the details, I only heard that a Great Magician who could make Uncle Joshua a gatekeeper has arrived.”

Joshua laughed and detailed today’s biggest surprise as much as possible.

Ellie nodded in realization: ”No wonder.

Several people at the front suddenly became so enthusiastic towards me... so enthusiastic it was over the top.

They even brought up some rune questions I mentioned last time I couldn’t understand... Back then, they all said, ’We didn’t expect Miss Alitorman’s experience to be so profound; our rune lessons are much more elementary.’

I felt something was off at the time, but some Mage Towers, especially those in the Royal Capital, were originally somewhat loose and now had too friendly an attitude.

So friendly that I think, as long as I ask, they would admit me.

I... naturally came back to get clarity on the situation.

This Great Magician...”

The Earl of Stelter’s face darkened: ”Damn it!”

Joshua calmly reassured him: ”It doesn’t necessarily mean our conversation leaked out; more likely, it’s deduced from my comings and goings with Sander.

You know, those people understand mages’ styles better than us... That’s a good thing.

Let’s wait for Sander to return and talk.”

Ellie tilted her head towards the Earl: ”Father, do you wish for me to follow this suddenly arrived Magician to learn?

I thought you preferred me to enter one of the direct Mage Towers of the Royal Family.”

”How could that be?

It’s just that at that time, compared to having you align our family with some noble clan, I would of course choose the Royal Family.” The Earl replied, surprised, ”Your mother, after all, has partial royal blood, and our family used to be supporters of the former King.

But... ever since they refused to accept you, our relationship with the Royal Family became estranged.

The current King doesn’t intend to accept Stelter Family’s goodwill, so naturally, our ties with the Royal Family are merely transactional now.”