The Schemer Presto

Gagnor didn't admit it, but instead asked, "Why would you think that?"

The Potent Potions Expert said, "Earl Presto made a deathbed confession. Once he passes, the earldom will likely face a succession crisis. At least in the Black Gold Corridor, it's hardly a secret."

"Actually, I'm considering going there myself. You know, some potions can fetch ten times the price on the battlefield," she added.

Gagnor pondered, "I heard that the Earl's daughter, Lena, is pregnant and even had a diviner confirm the gender—a boy... Do you think that's true?"

"Suspicious," the Potent Potions Expert shook her head. "Lena hasn't had any children for years, and now she suddenly claims to be pregnant just as the old Earl is about to die. I, for one, don't believe it. The truth is probably just that the Presto family doesn't want Viscount Uris, an outsider, to seize the title and the country."

Gagnor shrugged. "Maybe the Earl's confession worked, and their family's curse has been lifted."

Earl Presto had a less-than-flattering nickname: "Schemer." He lived up to the name, being adept at plotting. It was even rumored that he acquired his title and country through scheming.

Despite his prominent status, numerous lovers, and long life, Earl Presto struggled with fertility. After much effort, he only had a son and a daughter, and his son died young, leaving only Lena.

But Lena couldn't produce an heir either. After several years of marriage, her womb remained barren, leading to an imminent succession crisis for Earl Presto, who had no direct male descendants.

Thus, people widely believed that the Presto family was cursed by the gods for their scheming, resulting in a scarcity of offspring.

In fact, the Pope had specifically refuted this rumor, but even with the Pope's authority, he couldn't dispel it. People still firmly believed that Presto was cursed, and they saw the Pope's refutation as merely a friend's attempt to save face, since everyone knew the Pope and the Earl were close.

The Potent Potions Expert said, "Even if Lena is indeed carrying a boy, the crisis probably can't be avoided. 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 a slight blood relation to the Earl, is fully qualified to inherit the Presto Earldom."

"And Uris also received a prophetic revelation: 'Arrive at the castle, and you shall look down upon the angel's child,'" she added. "I bet he's going to do something."

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

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

Gagnor chuckled. "Great minds think alike."

A moment later, Gagnor left the Apothecary Guild and returned to the Raven Inn above ground.

As soon as he entered the Raven Inn, he heard a buzz of conversation.

"It sounds 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. After 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 they still hiring?"

"Definitely! They're just starting to recruit. Go west on this road at the entrance, then north, and you'll see the Gray Hawk Mercenary Group's people!"

"Do you know who the enemy is?"

"A free mercenary group, called the Wolf Hunt Mercenary Group, I think. I heard it's a very weak mercenary group. Some members don't even have a single Saint Name. I at least have one! Even though it doesn't have any blessings."

"Let's go too! Such a good opportunity to make money!"

"That's right, that's a full eighty silver coins!"

"When I get that money, I'm going to the best bar in South Sea Town for the best wine, and then I'm going to the pleasure district for the spiciest girl!"

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

"Brave men—that's what the recruiter told me."

"Are Saint Names required?"

"No."

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

Several men, reeking of alcohol, left the Raven Inn with enthusiasm, heading to sign the Gray Hawk Mercenary Group's short-term contract.

Looks like South Sea Town's public safety is about to see some improvement... Gagnor thought to himself, shaking his head.

He had intended to return directly to his residence, but he changed course midway and went to the Apothecary Guild.

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

Since partnering with the Potent Potions Expert, Gagnor had become too lazy to make Magic Rune Ink, effectively outsourcing his primary job.

He spent twenty-odd silver coins each month buying potions from outside and giving them to the mercenary group, using the saved time to make Sith Dragon Potions and earn huge profits on the black market.

Buying potions cost twenty-odd silver coins, and his monthly salary was fifteen silver coins, so he was losing about ten silver coins per month. Considering that the mercenary group provided room and board, the real loss was probably only two or three silver coins, which was less than half a bottle of Sith Dragon Potion's net profit.

Gagnor had considered resigning, which would save him those two or three silver coins.

But then he thought about the fact that the mercenary group actually had some hidden benefits—such as being able to learn swordsmanship from Cassandra—so he stayed.

Mainly to learn swordsmanship.

In short, Gagnor, whose time had become more valuable, no longer wanted to personally make Healing Stones and Pain Relief Potions. The last time he did those jobs was to pass the Apothecary Guild's level assessment.

The Apothecary Guild was also the largest pharmacy in South Sea Town. Gagnor entered and said directly, "I want five hundred Healing Stones, one hundred bottles of Pain Relief Potion, thirty bottles of Antitoxin Potion, thirty bottles of Rage Potion, and thirty bottles of Swiftness Potion."

"Pain Relief Potion is a restricted potion, one hundred bottles is too many. It requires—"

Gagnor interrupted the attendant by flashing his Level 2 Apothecary badge.

It turned out that being a Level 2 Apothecary still had value. After checking the badge, the attendant simply registered the information and sold the potions to Gagnor.

"That's four hundred and fifty-eight silver coins in total."

Hearing the price, Gagnor couldn't help but frown slightly, "The price has gone up?"

The waiter nodded, "Yes, it went up yesterday."

Gagnor realized he should have come sooner.

But it wasn't too late yet. As the news of Earl Presto's deathbed confession spread, the possibility of war continued to increase. Predictably, the price of potions would definitely continue to rise.

Then he thought of the prophecy Viscount Uris received: Arrive at the castle, and you will look down upon the Son of Angels.

Gagnor believed that the possibility of war breaking out was almost absolute.

So he immediately made a decision, taking out nine gold coins and sixteen silver coins, arranging them on the table, "Another serving."

There were many potions, but fortunately, the seventh-level storage ring had enough space to accommodate them.

Healing Stones were not easily perishable, so they could be placed directly into ordinary storage slots.

There was more than enough room to put the remaining potions into the non-decaying storage slots.