Schemer Presto

Gagnor did not acknowledge it, but asked, "Why would you think that?"

Potent Potions Expert said, "Earl Presto made a deathbed confession. After he dies, the county will probably erupt into a succession crisis. At least in the Black Gold Corridor, that is no longer a secret, is it?"

"Actually, I've been considering going there too. You know, some potions can sell for ten times their usual price on the battlefield," she added.

Gagnor pondered. "I heard Earl Presto's daughter, Lena, is pregnant, and that she even had a diviner determine the child's sex. It's a boy... Do you think that's true?"

"Highly suspicious." Potent Potions Expert shook her head. "Lena has been childless all these years, yet she claims to be pregnant just as the old earl is about to die. At least, I don't believe it. The truth may simply be that House Presto doesn't want to see the title and country taken away by Yuris, an outsider."

Gagnor shrugged. "Perhaps the earl's confession worked, and their family curse has already been lifted."

Earl Presto had the highly unsavory title of "Schemer," and he was true to his name, skilled at plotting schemes. It was even rumored that he had acquired both his title and his country through a conspiracy.

Despite his exalted status, numerous lovers, and long life, Earl Presto had struggled to have children. After working hard for most of his life, he had only a son and a daughter. His son died young, leaving only his daughter, Lena.

Lena, however, was also unable to bear children. After several years of marriage, there had still been no movement in her belly, leaving Earl Presto without a direct male heir and eventually turning the matter into an imminent succession crisis.

Thus, people generally believed that the Presto family had been cursed by the gods for their conspiracies, resulting in their descendants becoming scarce.

In fact, the Pope had once personally dispelled the rumor, but even the Pope's authority had failed to put it to rest. People still firmly believed that Presto had been cursed. As for the Pope's denial, they regarded it as merely a friend trying to save his dignity, since everyone knew that the Pope and the earl were on good personal terms.

Potent Potions Expert said, "Even if Lena really is carrying a boy, the crisis may still be unavoidable. Neither the old earl's life nor Viscount Uris's patience is likely to last until the child is born."

"According to The Datuk Act, Viscount Uris, as the only male noble with even the slightest blood relation to the earl, is fully entitled to inherit the County of Presto."

"And Uris has also received a revelation from a prophecy: 'Upon reaching the castle, you will look down upon the Child of the Angel.'" She continued, "I'm guessing he'll definitely do something."

Gagnor asked, "Who would you rather see become the new Earl Presto? Viscount Uris, or Lena's son, who may be born soon?"

Potent Potions Expert smiled. "I support the gold coins."

Gagnor smiled as well. "Great minds think alike."

A short while later, Gagnor left the Thieves' Guild and returned to the Raven Inn aboveground.

As soon as he entered the Raven Inn, he heard a commotion.

"Looks like there's going to be a war soon. Have you heard?"

"Of course. I just signed a short-term contract with the Gray Hawk Mercenary Group. Once the mission is complete, I'll get at least eighty silver coins!" someone boasted proudly.

"Eighty silver coins!"

"Where did you sign the contract? Are there still any available?"

"Of course there are. They've only just started recruiting. Follow this road west from the entrance, then head north, and you'll see the Gray Hawk Mercenary Group's people!"

"Do you know who the enemy is?"

"A free mercenary group, apparently called the 'Wolf Hunt Mercenary Group.' I heard it's a very weak mercenary group. Some of its members don't even have a single section of a Holy Name. I have one, at least! Though I haven't received much blessing."

"Let's go too. This is such a good chance to make money!"

"That's right. It's a full eighty silver coins!"

"Once I get the money, I'm going to the South Sea Town Inn for the finest liquor, then I'll go to Joy Street and pick the spiciest girl!"

"By the way, brother, are there any requirements for the Gray Hawk Mercenary Group's short-term contract?"

"A brave man—the recruiter put it that way."

"Is there a Holy Name requirement?"

"No."

"Let's go, let's go!"

Several men reeking of alcohol left the Raven Inn enthusiastically to apply for the Gray Hawk Mercenary Group's short-term contract.

"Looks like South Sea Town's public security is about to improve..." Gagnor thought, shaking his head inwardly.

He had intended to return straight to his lodgings, but halfway there, he changed course and went to the Apothecary Guild.

Since war was approaching, it would be best to buy some potions.

Ever since he had started working with Potent Potions Expert, Gagnor had grown too lazy even to make Magic Rune Ink, effectively outsourcing his actual duties.

Each month, he spent a little over twenty silver coins buying potions from outside and handing them over to the mercenary group. The time he saved could then be used to make Sith Dragon Potions and earn a fortune on the Black Market.

He spent a little over twenty silver coins on potions while earning a monthly salary of fifteen silver coins, which amounted to a loss of around ten silver coins per month. Considering that the mercenary group also provided food and lodging, his actual loss might only be two or three silver coins—less than the net profit from half a bottle of Sith Dragon Potion.

Gagnor had considered resigning, which would have saved him those two or three silver coins as well.

But then he remembered that the mercenary group actually offered some hidden benefits—for example, he could learn swordsmanship from Cassandra—so he stayed.

Mainly for the swordsmanship lessons.

In any case, now that his time had become more valuable, Gagnor no longer wanted to personally make Healing Stones or Pain Relief Potions. The last time he had done such work was to pass the Apothecary Guild's rank assessment.

The Apothecary Guild was also South Sea Town's largest potion shop. After entering, Gagnor said directly, "I want five hundred Healing Stones, one hundred Pain Relief Potions, thirty Antitoxin Potions, thirty Rage Potions, and thirty Swiftness Potions."

"Pain Relief Potions are restricted potions. One hundred bottles is too many. You'll need to—"

Gagnor displayed his second-level apothecary badge, interrupting the attendant.

As it turned out, being a second-level apothecary still carried considerable weight. After checking his badge, the attendant merely recorded some information before selling the potions to Gagnor.

"That will be four hundred and fifty-eight silver coins in total."

Hearing the price, Gagnor frowned slightly. "The price went up?"

The attendant nodded. "Yes. The price went up yesterday."

Gagnor realized that he should have come sooner.

Still, it was not too late. As news of Earl Presto's deathbed confession spread further, the possibility of war continued to rise. It was foreseeable that potion prices would keep increasing.

Then he remembered the prophecy Yuris had received: Upon reaching the castle, you will look down upon the Child of the Angel.

Gagnor believed the possibility of war breaking out was nearly absolute.

Thus, he immediately made a decision and placed nine gold coins and sixteen silver coins on the counter. "I'll buy another set."

There were a lot of potions, but fortunately, the Level 7 Storage Ring had enough space to contain them all.

Healing Stones did not spoil easily, so he could put them directly into ordinary storage slots.

The remaining potions fit comfortably into the preservation slots.