Signing the Contract

Roland looked at another document before him, knowing this was Leslie's true objective.

The previous gifts were merely a prelude to the upcoming trade cooperation.

Therefore, Roland began to examine the trade contract with extreme seriousness.

In just a moment, Roland's expression turned strange.

It wasn't that the contract was too harsh; on the contrary, Roland could barely see any profit for Leslie in this contract.

Because this contract stated that Leslie would provide Roland with various magic materials at cost price and purchase potions produced by Roland at market price. The conditions were far better than if he sold them directly to the Kingdom.

Although a strict clause was added below stating that from the date of signing the contract, all potions Roland sold externally must be sold to Leslie.

But even so, with this incoming and outgoing, the profit almost entirely belonged to Roland. Leslie only received the potions; what was the point of that?

Seeing Roland's confused expression, Leslie smiled slightly and said, "Roland, as I said earlier, I'm investing in your future, not your present."

"Beginner potions are one thing, but the value of intermediate and advanced potions is not limited to their selling price. What I truly value is their added value."

"Moreover, with sufficient resources, your improvement in alchemy will also accelerate. The higher the level of potions produced, the greater my harvest will be."

Listening to Leslie's explanation without reservation, a hint of emotion appeared on Roland's face.

He had come to the banquet tonight with trepidation, expecting to be exploited and devoured, but none of that happened. Instead, he had gained immense benefits from Leslie.

This was completely different from his impression of Leslie, which caught him completely off guard.

"Young Master Leslie, tonight I have seen your sincerity and generosity. What reason do I have to refuse you?" Roland said, taking out a magic pen from his pocket and quickly signing his name below the contract.

After Roland signed the contract, the harmonious atmosphere in the study reached its peak.

Leslie further instructed Tim to open a bottle of fine wine to celebrate the moment.

As their relationship deepened further, Roland directly asked about the last item from the previous gifts: the protection of the Black Knight Pirates.

"Roland, do you know the annual death toll of Pioneer Knights who go to the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands to open up territory?" Leslie asked instead of answering.

Roland naturally wouldn't know the specific numbers; after all, there were no reports on this.

Seeing Roland shake his head, Leslie continued, "According to incomplete statistics, the number of Pioneer Knights who die in the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands each year is around 120."

"Do you know how many people go to the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands to open up territory each year?"

Roland shook his head again.

"About 140 people each year."

"..."

Although Roland had been mentally prepared, he was still shocked by the brutal numbers. 140 people go, and 120 die. This wasn't opening up territory; it was lining up to be cannon fodder.

This time, Leslie didn't ask further questions but directly stated, "Of the more than 120 Pioneer Knights each year, 50% die from the raids of the Pirate Alliance, 40% die from the Noble Council, and the remaining 10% die from sea monsters."

"The Pirate Alliance? The Noble Council? As human forces, they would attack Pioneer Knights?" Roland said incredulously.

While Roland wouldn't think the title of Pioneer Knight was a get-out-of-jail-free card, Pioneer Knights were established by the ancient Human Alliance to open up living space for all humanity. They were protected by the entire Human Alliance.

So, on the surface, few dared to attack a Pioneer Knight, as it would incur the scorn and even sanctions of all humanity.

Leslie gave a wry smile and said, "The current situation has long since changed. Pioneer Knights no longer hold the same status among humans as they did in ancient times. It's different on the mainland; under the watchful eyes of various kingdoms, few people would openly target a Pioneer Knight. But in a lawless place like the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands, why would you think the title of Pioneer Knight could guarantee safety and peace?"

"Moreover, although the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands is vast, after so many years of development, there are not many empty islands left. In recent years, every Pioneer Knight who goes to open up territory is actually fighting for survival space from the Pirate Alliance and the Noble Council."

"Then do you think the Pirate Alliance and the Noble Council, these two major powers, would allow this situation to continue?"

Leslie's explanation made Roland's heart sink. Although he had some preparation for the situation in the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands, he hadn't expected it to be this dire.

Once he set foot in the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands, he would become a thorn in the side of the two behemoths, the Pirate Alliance and the Noble Council. How could he possibly succeed?

"So, the protection of the Black Knight Pirates is to avoid being attacked by the Pirate Alliance?" Roland quickly asked.

"Yes, without the protection of the Black Knight Pirates, no matter how many supplies you prepare, you will find it difficult to last even a month," Leslie said.

Roland believed Leslie's words; after all, Roland couldn't think of any reason for Leslie to deceive him.

So, Roland couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. Fortunately, he hadn't rashly gone to the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands, or he might have already died at the hands of pirates or other nobles.

"What about the Noble Council? Won't they attack me?" For his own safety, Roland no longer cared about his image and hastily pressed further.

Hearing Roland's persistent questioning, a hint of helplessness appeared on Leslie's face, and he replied somewhat irritably, "Roland, didn't you thoroughly research the power distribution in the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands before?"

"This... I really didn't," Roland replied innocently.

After all, to accumulate the resources needed for opening up territory, he had been frantically refining potions during this period and indeed knew little about the various forces in the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands.

Moreover, he hadn't known before that the Pirate Alliance and the Noble Council would also make a move against him.

"You're really lucky to have met me. I feel like I've become your nanny now."

"Aren't we friends?" Roland quickly put on a fawning expression.

"Friends, please go back and thoroughly research what you are about to face. Don't even tell me you haven't heard of the Black Knight Pirates."

"I've learned my lesson. I'll definitely cram this information when I get back," Roland quickly promised.

Seeing Roland's promise, Leslie nodded with satisfaction and continued, "The Black Knight Pirates are one of the seven super pirate groups in the Pirate Alliance, and their strength ranks third."

"With the protection of the Black Knight Pirates, not only will other pirate groups not dare to touch you, but even the Noble Council will be wary. Do you understand?"

"Got it, got it," Roland nodded repeatedly. While he still wasn't entirely clear what the seven great super pirate groups represented, he knew Leslie seemed to have found a way to help him.

"Before you establish your territory, the Black Knight Pirates will send someone to deliver maps for you to choose an island from."

"Maps? Choose an island?" Roland was stunned again. He swore that after this, he would thoroughly research the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands through various channels.

"Yes, they will designate an island within their sphere of influence for you to develop. Of course, the island won't be very large, so you should be mentally prepared."

"Their service is that thorough... they'll even assign a small island directly?" Roland was greatly shocked.

"Of course. If you chose an island within the Noble Council's jurisdiction, how would they fulfill the contract? I paid a hefty sum," Leslie said, sounding even more impatient.

Roland chuckled awkwardly, quickly picked up his wine glass, and clinked it against Leslie's in a fawning gesture before downing it in one go.

Seeing this, Leslie also picked up his glass with a helpless expression and took a small sip.

"Young Master Leslie, you wouldn't want to see your friend in trouble, would you? How about you tell me more about the precautions for establishing a territory?" Roland put down his glass and said with a smile.

"Roland, I'm not your nanny," Leslie said, pretending to be angry.

"Yes, but you're my friend."

"I'm starting to regret my decision."

"The contract is already signed. With your noble character, you wouldn't want to break it, would you?" Roland quickly flattered Leslie.

"Alright, you win." Leslie was quite pleased and didn't argue with Roland any further.

During the following period, Roland's eyes were truly opened by Leslie's detailed explanations. He gained a deeper understanding of the situation in the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands. Especially since Leslie, as the second heir of the Oroko Family, possessed information that most outsiders could not access.

It could even be said that Leslie's explanations to Roland that night were perhaps as valuable as his gifts.

It wasn't until deep into the night that Roland reluctantly left Leslie's manor. He boarded the carriage Leslie had prepared for him and returned to his rented accommodation.

After Roland left, only Leslie and Tim remained in the study.

"Young Master, isn't this Roland a bit too foolish? Supporting him might be very risky," Tim said with a hint of worry.

Leslie, however, had long since lost his previous animated expression. He was very calm, his gaze as placid as water, and he looked at the chair Roland had just vacated and said faintly, "Tim, do you know the Saint Paul Family?"

"Saint Paul? One of the four guardian families of the Holy Light Empire?" Tim was taken aback, unsure why Leslie would bring up the Saint Paul Family, which seemed unrelated to Roland.

The Saint Paul Family, bearing the name "Saint," could be imagined by their status within the Holy Light Empire. This ancient and mysterious family possessed unfathomable strength, with legendary powerhouses guarding them for generations. Their influence spanned the entire human territory, and their authority was almost at the pinnacle of nobility.

"Yes, do you know how their family reached this point?" Leslie asked again.

"I... this old servant does not know," Tim said shamefully.

However, Leslie didn't mind at all and continued, "Eight hundred years ago, the Saint Paul Family was unremarkable in the Holy Light Empire, holding only the rank of Baron and a fief of just one town. But at that time, their patriarch, disregarding the opinions of other family members, insisted on sponsoring Lucifigus, who was then only a junior apothecary, and signed an exclusive agency agreement for his potions with him."

"Lucifigus?" Tim murmured the somewhat unfamiliar name. Then, in the next moment, his expression changed drastically, and he exclaimed, "Lucifigus? The Holy Apothecary who developed the Dew of the Gods potion?"

Leslie nodded slightly and continued, "After receiving the sponsorship from the Saint Paul Family, Lucifigus suddenly displayed his extraordinary talent in Alchemy. And the Saint Paul Family, as Lucifigus's exclusive potion agent, soared to prominence. To this day, they still enjoy the lingering prestige brought by Lucifigus."

Tim listened and didn't find it strange at all that the powerful Saint Paul Family was still enjoying the prestige of others. This was because the person who protected them was named Lucifigus, the one who developed the Dew of the Gods.

The Dew of the Gods was also known as the Miracle of the Gods. It could turn an ordinary person into a high-level Saint with a Level 18 professional rank within just one month, with no side effects.

"But Roland might not become another Lucifigus. The chance is too low," Tim still shook his head.

"But I haven't invested much. As long as Roland can become an Advanced Apothecary, my investment will be recouped. And if he can become a Master Apothecary, I will gain more than tenfold returns," Leslie said.

Only then, after hearing Leslie's answer, did Tim's worried expression dissipate, and he said with admiration, "Young Master is brilliant."

"For the time being, pay more attention to Roland. At the very least, don't let him die easily."

"I will follow your orders."