Heroes of Might and Magic: Grand Consul

Chapter 235 The Cursed Stone
Randall set the requirements for the Cursed Stone and Alchemy Dust, and Forrest was tasked with collecting them.

These stones are extremely rare, considered high-level resources exclusive to each faction. It is said that the refining method involves fusing special resources with cursed gold coins.

【Cursed Stone (Tier 2 Resource): A powerful cursed crystal containing cursed power; those who see it will suffer misfortune.】

Evaluation: Each faction possesses its own unique high-level resources. These special crystals can enhance treasures and fulfill building requirements.

Alchemy Dust (Tier 2 Resource): A special dust synthesized by alchemy using rare resources, which can increase the success rate of crafting treasures.

Cursed Stones, also known as Cursed Crystals, are a rare, high-level fusion resource.

Alchemy dust is a super-tier resource exclusive to the tower, suitable for forging treasures. This item can be obtained from the Arcane Empire.

The problem is the cursed crystals. There are no such crystal mines in Elton. According to Randall, cursed crystals are a high-level resource unique to the Demon Lands and are extremely rare.

To obtain cursed crystals, you need to trade with wandering merchants, preferably large multinational traders. Trading cities might have them, but the prices are extremely high. If all else fails, you can try purchasing them from the interior.

Upon hearing Randall's words, Su Mu immediately thought of the fortress ship merchants in the valley region. Since they could even sell boundary stones, he could probably inquire about the cursed stone.

This matter naturally fell to Forrest, who, as the person in charge of finances, was best suited to handle the negotiations.

Now that Kuraki has more talent, some trade officers will contact the other party and, after receiving a positive answer, Forrest will then take action.

This time, the cavalry was escorted by Pelayo, the commander of the champion cavalry. He had been very active in Kuraki, not only bringing back several cavalry brothers from the capital, but also recruiting some nomadic cavalry as reserves.

Although far inferior to the champion cavalry, under his training they possess discipline and the ability to maintain formation, and are capable of rapid movement, making them ideal for escorting.

The fortress merchant was asking for a high price this time, a full 4 cursed gold coins per crystal. He meant that cursed crystals were extremely rare, and he was buying them as collectibles. Considering the previous transaction, he could sell them at a lower price if it was only one or two crystals, but if it was a certain quantity, there was no way to negotiate.

Upon arriving at the city of Vale, Forrest did not immediately encounter Raymond.

After giving the tavern owner a tip, Pelayo found out the information.

"I heard that merchants from a trading city have come to trade, and the ship merchants have been talking with them for three days. It seems that an agreement is about to be reached."

Forrest paced around the room with his hands behind his back, sensing something was amiss: "Raymond used to be very proactive in business, but this time he's avoiding us when he heard about the cursed crystal order. He knows our capabilities; he wouldn't turn down money!"

If anyone on this continent truly understood Kuraki's wealth, shipping merchant Raymond was undoubtedly one of them. Although he didn't specify the exact amount, Forrest mentioned it was a large sum, making it impossible for Kuraki to refuse.

Such indifference may be related to the people of the trading city.

"Could it be that the trading city also needs curse crystals? That's impossible. These are Tier 2 resources for enhancing cursed treasures. Why would they be thinking of trading curse crystals?"

Although it seemed unbelievable, Forrest felt there must be some connection between the two.

Pelayo continued, "I heard that the merchants from the trading city are leaving tomorrow. Why don't we go and sound them out?"

Forrest waved his hand: "One middleman is already enough. If the trading city gets involved, I'm afraid you won't even be able to buy one for 5 gold coins."

Moreover, the trading city is connected to the marshal's assassination, and we also have a border dispute with them. They won't easily give us the goods; they'll definitely fleece us.

The biggest reason Forrest didn't mention was that Kuraki was now rapidly expanding its army. Although the kingdom's nobles found Kuraki's rapid development strange, they only thought that they might be secretly borrowing money or using logs as collateral. They never imagined that Kuraki's economic situation was so good.

Once a large transaction takes place with a trading city, the other party will immediately discover that Kuraki is simultaneously amassing troops and has such a huge sum of money. They will definitely suspect the source of their funds, which will lead to all sorts of trouble.

In the face of war, the great nobles might tolerate a warlike lord, but they would be envious of a power that grows stronger with each battle, reaping both wealth and fame. Given the nature of the trading city and the nobles behind it, they had long been waiting for Kuraki to borrow money from them.

Forrest can't open that door, otherwise being morally blackmailed will leave Kuraki isolated and helpless. Kuraki, you have both money and troops, why sit idly by and watch the North fall? At least you should contribute a few thousand men to the Kingdom's army, right?

Such is human nature, and it's hard to change. Even if the other party has doubts, you can't just hand over the evidence directly; Kuraki still needs to build up his strength.

"Go and investigate again. Let me know as soon as Raymond has any news!"

Pelayo accepted the order and led his men to investigate the merchants' market, only to find dozens of ships lowering their sails, seemingly preparing to pack up their cargo and leave.

He immediately sensed something was amiss and promptly informed Forrest.

Upon hearing this news, Forrest did not wait any longer and led his men directly to the ship merchant's mansion, forcibly breaking in.

"Raymond! Raymond!"

It's not quite right to not even see an old friend who's come to visit!

"My lord, my master is a little tired and is resting. You may go back now and we can reschedule for another day."

The lizard steward couldn't stop Forrest and had to let him in, but dozens of lizard archers appeared on the roof, bows drawn and arrows aimed at the intruder.

Pelayo drew his sword, surveyed the enemies on the rooftops, and his expression turned grave.

The lizardmen under the Beastmaster's command are not ordinary units, but rather a fusion unit, making them extremely powerful.

【Lizard Tongue Archer (Fortress Tier 2 Fusion Unit, Beastmaster Control): Attack 12, Defense 14, Ammo: 24, Damage 5-10, Health 35, Speed ​​9, Size: Medium】

Element: None;

Unstable rapid fire: There is a 50% chance of firing twice.

Petrifying Tongue: Accuracy +20%. The arrow is crafted from the tongue of a giant lizard and has a chance to petrify the enemy upon successful hit.

Lizard Venom: Poison arrows have a chance to poison enemies, reducing their defense by 1 and causing them to lose 1 health every so often (stacks up to 3 times).

The blue-green lizardmen wear exquisite leather armor and wield silver-black longbows. Their arrows are actually the moving tongues of giant lizards, which can fly to the enemy and attack as soon as they get close, releasing venom and petrifying them.

This is actually a Tier 2 unit? But the Beastmaster fusion unit can't be judged by common sense, after all, it's a fortress feature, and there shouldn't be many of them.

Pelayo thought he could barely manage, but then he discovered that the tower was filled with a dense swarm of lizard-tongued archers, numbering probably over a hundred. Each of them could riddle them with arrows.

Even the champion cavalry commander, who had experienced many battles, began to sweat.

Forrest naturally noticed the other party's arrangement, but he did not move an inch, always facing the main gate of the mansion, patiently waiting for the ship merchant.

His expression remained calm, as if he didn't care at all about the hundreds of fusion soldiers around him. His demeanor and tone were like that of someone waiting for an old friend.

"Now that we've done business together, we're friends."

Why not listen to an old friend's quote before making a decision?

Hearing Forrest's powerful words, the wooden door finally opened, and out stepped a human merchant.

(End of this chapter)