Ancestral Homeland Sentiments

"Baron Hudson, don't get agitated."

Having a formula does not mean you can produce the Life Essence.

Since Master Kaimberyn invented the Life Essence, through the research and improvement of generations of alchemists, there are at least eight hundred, if not a thousand, formulas for the Life Essence.

To maintain secrecy, these recipes incorporated unique alchemical techniques employed by master alchemists.

If any step in the process goes wrong, the refining process will not be successful.

"Although you are also a magician, your research into Alchemy is probably only at the very beginning, isn't it?"

"An introduction to Alchemy"—that's the highest praise imaginable.

In fact, Hudson never really understood what Alchemy was.

Whether other branches have collected related knowledge is unknown at the moment, but there are no related records in this branch.

Even with the relevant knowledge, Hudson did not believe that he could master it with just a few glances.

If Alchemy were that simple, all magicians would probably become Alchemy, and highly skilled Alchemy would be incredibly wealthy.

You can easily concoct some magical potions and sell them for a high price. They're far more popular than the priest's life-threatening healing spells.

"Baron Keterai, you didn't just tell me this, did you? To be honest, I'm really not good at Alchemy."

But that doesn't mean the Coslo Family couldn't find an alchemy master.

As long as we have the recipe, even without the proper refining techniques, we can still invest heavily in researching and developing it.

"You should know what the Life Essence means to a family like ours!"

Hudson said expressionlessly.

Without a doubt, if such a thing truly existed, it wouldn't just be a matter for his branch.

With so many branches of the Coslo Family, if they all act together and share the costs, they can definitely mobilize a lot of resources.

"Since that's the case, then I'll just say it directly."

A year ago, during an operation deep into the Orc Empire, I inadvertently obtained a parchment containing the recipe for refining the Life Essence.

Back in the North, I had the family Alchemy examine it, and he confirmed that the recipe was genuine.

However, the recipe is incomplete, lacking the part about smelting the Magic Core. But if a master alchemist were to step in, this shouldn't be a problem.

The key is the secret recipe, which has been passed down orally and is not recorded in any book.

If your family is willing to invest heavily in research, I think you should be able to develop it.

If Your Excellency has a way to help me get rid of the troubles of the July Association, then handing over the formula to you will naturally be no problem.

The problem is that you can't do it now, so what will I get in return if I give you the formula?

Don't try to threaten me. Things have come to this point; I don't know when I'll be sent to meet the Lord of Dawn!

The deal was going well, but Baron Keterai's last comment instantly ruined the atmosphere.

This left Hudson speechless, wondering if he was that kind of person.

On which business negotiation did he ever threaten anyone?

Unfortunately, this is inexplicable, and once it's discussed, it only makes things worse.

"If it is a perfectly intact recipe, along with the matching refining techniques, then it is definitely priceless."

Now, the complete refining method is missing, and even the recipe is incomplete.

You said that only the part for smelting the Magic Core is missing, but the recipe is incomplete. Who knows if there is any other information recorded on the missing piece?

With this incomplete recipe, who knows if we can develop the complete one?

Even if we could manage to do it, what would be the cost?

Everything is unknown.

The extremely high risk diminishes the recipe's value. Now I can only offer 20,000 gold coins, or some equivalent, to take a gamble!

Hudson said with a solemn expression.

Clearly, this level of high-stakes gamble is not easy for him either.

Compared to the cost of purchasing the formula, the real expense lies in the investment in subsequent research and development.

Most importantly, the Coslo Family did not have its own alchemy master and had to rely on others, which required even more money.

"This small amount of profit is completely insignificant compared to the risks I've taken."

I risked my life countless times to obtain this incomplete prescription. Even after leaving the North, the Orc Empire did not lift the warrant for my arrest.

Besides the 20,000 gold coins, I also need your help to coordinate and merge my scattered fiefdoms together.

If you manage to develop the complete formula, please provide me with a copy!

Upon hearing Baron Keterai's terms, Hudson rolled his eyes.

Aside from the easiest task of earning 20,000 gold coins, the other two tasks are very difficult to complete.

Helping to coordinate territory swaps sounds simple, but in reality, it's a huge hassle.

The third point is non-negotiable; copying it sounds simple, but in reality, it's a huge loss.

Hudson couldn't explain to other investors the fact that its massive R&D investment resulted in the sharing of the results.

"Impossible!"

"It's impossible to develop a complete formula without countless experiments."

If it were that simple, your family would have done it long ago. Why would you offer it to me for such a small benefit?

Such an investment is beyond the capacity of the Mountain Territory, and even the entire Coslo Family may not be able to afford it. I must bring in people to share the risk.

Unless you are willing to contribute the formula free of charge, or are also willing to invest money in it, we can continue talking if we remove the third condition.

Upon witnessing this scene, Baron Keterai secretly groaned in despair.

The formula for the Life Essence is indeed priceless, even an incomplete one is still valuable, but it's not easy to sell!

Families with purchasing power don't need this thing. Families that do need it, however, can't afford it.

Although some middle-class nobles with shallow backgrounds also need this stuff, their population is small, so the shortage of Life Essence is not significant.

I wouldn't buy one from outside for eight or ten years. It's not cost-effective at all. Why spend so much money on it?

Even Kate's own family abandoned the research and development because they felt the return on investment was disproportionate.

Families like the Coslo Family, which have both demand and purchasing power, are few and far between in the entire Alpha Kingdom.

"I don't need the formula, but if your family manages to develop it, you must sell it to me at a fair price in the future."

Baron Keterai tried to persuade him.

He wouldn't have risked selling this thing if he hadn't felt threatened and desperately needed to increase his strength.

The reason they approached Hudson was not only because they valued the Coslo Family's willingness to buy, but more importantly because of their reputation.

The entire Southeast Province knows that Baron Hudson is a man of his word. He is honest and fair in business, and has never broken a contract once it has been signed.

No problem!

However, let me state upfront that if the materials for refining the Life Essence are too rare, I cannot guarantee the quantity.

Furthermore, you are only permitted to use these Life Essence yourself and are prohibited from selling them to the outside world.

This is also a tacit understanding among the various forces, and I presume you wouldn't knowingly commit such a violation and invite disaster upon yourself.

Hudson casually agreed.

This kind of strategic resource wasn't originally intended for profit. Even if it were extremely profitable, he wouldn't dare sell it.

"Good!"

As Kate finished speaking, the deal was officially completed.

Twenty thousand gold coins were naturally just an IOU; Lord Hudson wasn't so generous as to be able to produce twenty thousand gold coins at any time.

If we really do that, the territory's cash flow will probably run into problems very soon. Issuing IOUs is the only way to make deals.

As for whether the payment will be in cash or through a discount on goods, that's up to Baron Keterai to decide.

Based on Hudson's experience with debt, over 90% of creditors eventually choose discounted goods to offset their debts.

A 5% discount—this is his greatest sincerity towards his creditors. The same discount applies to any purchase from Mountain Territory.

Unfortunately, the Mountain Territory currently only sells Ironware products; other industries are barely emerging. This significantly limits the creditors' spending power.

After seeing Baron Keterai off, Hudson looked at the Life Essence formula in his hand and embarrassingly realized that he couldn't understand it at all.

To him, the specialized magical terminology was like the unique script of a certain industry in his previous life. Apart from those within the circle who could understand it, outsiders were completely baffled.

He reached out and patted the sleeping Young Bear behind him to wake it up, then waved the parchment in front of the Lord Bear a few times, only to be met with a look of utter disbelief from Beldens.

In an instant, Hudson realized he had done something foolish. His master's knowledge was limited; how much culture could a pet bear possibly possess?

If it weren't for the amazing ancestors of the Earth Bear who left them precious inherited memories, these lazybones would probably have ruined themselves into complete illiteracy.

These esoteric magical terms were all created in the last few hundred years and were not in the inherited memory, so Beldens was naturally just as confused as Hudson.

Hudson originally wanted to find Baron Keterai to translate for him, but ultimately refrained from doing so.

Saving face is still important. Anyway, it's just a verbal agreement, no money has been paid, so there's no fear of buying counterfeit goods.

"Father, uncles, how much do you know about the July Association?"

Instead of rushing to mention the formula for the Life Essence, he first showed concern for the July Association. It wasn't that Hudson couldn't distinguish between primary and secondary matters, but rather a practical necessity.

The incomplete formula for the Life Essence can be studied at any time, but something big July Association, which may be just around the corner.

Without gathering more information, he, as a supplier for the July Association, really had no confidence.

"This organization is very mysterious. It was founded a hundred years ago, and no one knows its specific internal structure."

However, I found a record of this organization in a notebook left by my great-grandfather.

It seems that the founders of this organization were a group of orphaned Northern Nobles who were unwilling to lose their heritage. Their initial goal was to seek revenge against the Five Great Northern Families.

Back then, some people tried to recruit us, but the ancestral land was lost, and the various branches were filled with anxiety. There was a lack of leaders in the clan, so the matter was dropped.

These are materials from a hundred years ago, weathered by the vicissitudes of time. The people who founded the July Association back then are long gone.

This organization has likely undergone a fundamental change by now. If its sole aim was revenge against the five powerful families and reclaiming its lost empire, there would be no need to shout the slogan of overthrowing the kingdom.

Knight Sean's words were a wake-up call for Hudson. If the Coslo Family had survived, surely other Northern Nobles who had lost their homes would also have survivors.

Besides those who went south, some of these people remained in the north. The kinship ties among the nobility were intricate, making it easy to find a relative to rely on.

Even if someone managed to infiltrate the ranks of the Five Great Families, Hudson wouldn't find it strange.

If those slave traders were descendants of nobles who had lost their former wealth, then their current actions would be understandable.

Back then, the Five Great Families used the Beastfolk to destroy their family businesses.

Now they are carrying on the practices of the Five Great Families, also using the power of the Beastfolk to take revenge on the Five Great Families, which is perfectly reasonable.

If we analyze it this way, then the Coslo Family should still stand with them. Only by overthrowing the rule of the Five Great Families over the North can they possibly reclaim their ancestral lands.

Hudson would only think about it in his mind; if it were to be actually implemented, he would still be firmly opposed.

Starting a war is easy, ending it is difficult. Without sufficient strength, rashly initiating a war will only result in the Alpha Kingdom suffering losses.

The Five Great Families of the North may collapse, but the nobles, large and small, throughout the kingdom will not fare any better. They may be forced to shed their blood on the battlefield at any time.

Even if he won the battle and reclaimed his family's ancestral lands, Hudson was unwilling to go and become neighbors with the Beastfolk.

Resisting the Beastfolk invasion is not something that can be accomplished by the efforts of a single lord or a single family.

Even if all the nobles of the Alpha Kingdom joined forces, they could only passively endure the attacks. Only if all the countries on the continent joined forces could they possibly achieve victory.

Against this backdrop, whoever is stationed in the North is in an exceptionally awkward position.

"The people of the July Association have been secretly procuring weapons and equipment throughout the kingdom recently, and they are strongly demanding that only inferior weapons be purchased."

The Mountain Territory received an order sufficient to arm 30,000 troops. Judging from the size of some of the custom-made weapons, they did not seem to be intended for human soldiers.

I suspect that this batch of weapons was intended to be smuggled into the Orc Empire, specifically for use by the vassal races under the Five Great Royal Families.

If the deduction is accurate, then the Orc Empire is beginning preparations for war. At the very least, one of the Five Great Royal Families is preparing for a southward invasion.

Hudson said with concern.

The Orc Empire's southward invasions did not always involve all Five Great Royal Families working together; they only mobilized their entire forces during full-scale wars.

Sometimes one family comes, sometimes two; the number of people depends entirely on their mood.

Each southward invasion involved countless vassal races serving as cannon fodder. Rather than a deliberate invasion, it was more about consuming the surplus domestic population and, incidentally, looting.

Alpha Kingdom wasn't intimidated by a single Beastfolk royal invasion. Even facing two Beastfolk royal armies, they could manage with their fortresses for defense.

If there are any more, then we should call for help immediately!

Let alone fighting, they couldn't even hold their ground. They could only trade space for time, putting up a stopgap in localized battles and waiting for reinforcements from other countries.

"Don't worry too much about this. You can see that the kingdom's higher-ups aren't stupid."

The July Association was also out of their minds.

Purchasing weapons is easy, but transporting so many weapons and equipment to the Orc Empire is not so simple.

Whether it's the kingdom's garrison or the Five Great Families of the North, they will try every means to intercept them.

Besides paying attention to armaments, one can also keep an eye on changes in the food market. Food prices tend to rise before the outbreak of major wars.

There will always be a group of treacherous individuals who will try every means to smuggle supplies for the Orc Empire. Some nobles within the kingdom, for their own benefit, turn a blind eye to this.

"Baron Redman said indignantly."

Judging from his expression, it was as if he wished he could tear those traitors and greedy nobles who disregarded the interests of humanity to pieces.

This left Hudson, standing to the side, extremely embarrassed. By this standard, he would definitely be considered one of the greedy aristocrats.

There was no way around it; arms dealers were all bad influences. Given the prevailing environment, he too went astray.

Just look at the booming business of major domestic arms dealers; it's clear that no one has turned down these orders that have come knocking on their door.

"Okay, Redman."

Getting angry with those people is pointless, except it will only harm your health.

Whether or not the Orc Empire invades, and when it invades, is not something we insignificant people have the right to concern ourselves with.

Even if a war really breaks out, it'll be those guys from the North who will have a headache first. Maybe this great battle will be a turning point for the family to reclaim their ancestral land.

"First, according to our established plan, try to obtain more Life Essence and train as many knights as possible to strengthen the family's power."

The eldest Knight Fide, offered his advice.

As people get older, their focus changes. For Knight Fide, the biggest dream is to reclaim his ancestral lands before he dies.

Regardless of which branch of the family brought it back, as long as it could be planted under the Coslo Family flag, that would be his lifelong wish.

Once the topic veered off course, everyone started discussing the recapture of their ancestral homeland, making Hudson seem like an outsider.

This deep-seated attachment to their ancestral homeland was something Hudson could not comprehend. All he could do was nod occasionally to indicate his support for reclaiming it.

Participating in the discussion is out of the question. It's not that Hudson is being passive-aggressive; it's just that everyone's strategic plan is so crude it's speechless.

Perhaps it's more appropriate to make a wish under the statue of the Lord of Dawn, rather than to bring it up for discussion.

After everyone had finished their discussion, Hudson slowly asked, "Father, uncles, do you know any alchemy masters?"

Or, other branches of the network with connections in this area would also be acceptable. But they must be absolutely reliable, without any room for error.

"Why are you asking these questions? Do you want to switch to Alchemy?"

Baron Redman asked with concern.

Having finally raised an outstanding son, he didn't want to see Hudson fall into the abyss of alchemy.

In the circles of minor nobles, there has always been a saying, "Magic will impoverish three generations, alchemy will ruin a lifetime."

In short, these two money-guzzling professions are not for the poor.

Although the Mountain Territory is developing well, it is still heavily indebted, and Hudson is not yet associated with wealth.

Becoming a mage is one thing, but that's a bonus from magical beasts; you can't take advantage of that and then complain.

However, Hudson's astonishing monthly expenses still shocked Baron Redman, completely dissuading him from having his descendants learn magic.

Hudson is capable; he can withstand one huge pitfall. But if he falls into another, it's hard to say.

"Just this morning, I unexpectedly acquired a fragment of the Life Essence recipe. Most of the content is complete, except for the part about smelting Magic Core."

I'd like to ask a reliable alchemy master to help translate this, and also to calculate roughly how much investment would be needed to recreate it...