A mage? A spell engineer!

Chapter 129 Crispy Pork Knuckle Alliance

The next day, Rorschach took out the powder and the "charming headscarf," handed them to the Alchemy Department, and told Cano about what happened the night before.

In fact, similar substances to "rat poison" circulate in southern China and across the sea, as well as in the territory of the Semitic people. For example, "the herb of life and death" has been passed down in various epics and legends. For instance, Hypnos, the god of sleep, could use it to grant humans and other gods an irresistible sleep and dreams.

The Semitic nobles would extract a paste from spices and the latex that flowed out when the resurrection plant was cut open, then burn it for pleasure and to control their Blood Shadow assassins.

However, Rorschach sensed a familiar presence from the dry, fine powder and the potent anesthetic liquid.

"Is 'Rat King' a name that combines many rat tails?" Rorschach began to seriously speculate whether the name had any special meaning for the gang in that bar.

"That's just a legend." At first, Cano wasn't very interested in it. In his opinion, "rat poison" wasn't anything special. Anyone who knew a little about classical alchemy would know how many strange potions the nobles of the old empire had alchemists concoct to numb the mind and stimulate pleasure.

Rorschach wanted to urge Cano to take this seriously: "Any leads on the attempted attack at the theater?"

"Not yet. Is this how inefficient the security team is? Are you saying that this 'Rat King' is also related to the cult that worships Mother Earth?" Cano understood what Roscia meant.

"It's just a suspicion. These two things give me a familiar feeling. After all, this isn't the first time I've dealt with that underground organization." Rorschach didn't touch the "rat poison" directly. He carefully picked up a pinch with his [Mage Hand]. It wasn't the crystals commonly found in alchemical products, but a brownish-green powder.

"The Alchemy Department will analyze the results, and I will report them to the Magic Guild as soon as they are available." Kanomo stroked his chin. "If necessary, I will share the information with the Church of Order on behalf of the Tower of Stars."

"If it really concerns the belief in Mother Earth, the 'Rat King' may symbolize a certain situation, and we must take that into account." When supernatural factors are involved, especially if it may be related to a mysterious but real "deity," any symbolic things must be taken very seriously.

"I will consider it. By the way, your thesis proposal defense is scheduled for 9 a.m. on the first day of the latter part of the month." This was arranged by Kano himself. Whether it would pass or not was not his concern. The Archmage's focus was on whether Rorschach's project could attract enough attention from the guild and receive as much resource support as possible.

Based on Cano's intuition, he predicted that his student's project would definitely be very expensive.

"I'll prepare well." Rorschach got up and left the office. He still had to go to a hotel. Last night, before the horse-drawn carriages closed, they had to return to their respective residences. Rorschach and Hassai parted ways after exchanging only a few words, so they agreed to meet again today at a teahouse near the partner's residence.

Although teahouses are expensive, I definitely won't have to pay for it this time.

"I don't know how to thank you enough for what happened last night! I came to Valuana for an inspection, and if it weren't for your help, I would have almost lost my life here!" Hasai was still shaken.

He took an exquisite wooden box from the package: "I happened to bring some local specialties from my hometown, tableware from Byrne. Please accept this."

When Rorschach opened the box, he saw a set of ceramic plates, teacups, and bowls. The glaze on the surface was much finer than other ceramic products on the market, almost like porcelain. The sides of the bowls and cups were painted with pastoral and floral themes, classic themes other than religious and epic themes.

"Then I'll accept it, thank you, Mr. Hassai. But now I need to trouble you in return. Please tell me about Bart's situation, especially how I can contact him. I'm his friend, and this ring was a gift from Bart to me before we parted ways." Rorschach showed Hassai the storage ring, and the partner recalled that his young master did indeed have a similar one.

He had already made up his mind to tell the truth. First, Rorschach was his savior; second, he was likely a good friend of young master Bart; and third, and most importantly, his businessman's instincts told him that to make a big profit on this trip, he needed to find a key figure. In the Holy Kingdom, where many trading companies and magic guilds were colluding, the mage Rorschach was Hase's benefactor at this moment.

"After graduating, Young Master Bart became the resident mage of the Kingdom of Bain, stationed in Würzburg."

"So it's in Mr. Hassai's hometown?" The "hometown gift" that Hassai just sent was Byrne painted pottery.

If the Marin Kingdom is the core of the northern empire, then the Bain Kingdom is the southern pole of the empire. It connects to the northern part of the empire, the Black Forest, the Magyars Plateau, and the Holy Kingdom on all sides, and boasts a well-developed water system. Its geographical conditions dictate that this kingdom is a strategically vital location during times of turmoil, and a hub for commerce and trade during times of peace.

What infuriated the Imperial Emperor was that the Kingdom had stood firm against various enemies throughout history, developing a powerful and wealthy physique. The Emperor had no choice but to reluctantly grant it greater autonomy than other states. After Byrne's Kingdom Guard was incorporated into the Imperial Army, it became the backbone of the Southern Army, and its representatives' presence in and out of the Imperial Diet was a bellwether for the southern states.

"Yes. Although the boss's family is from Fugeburg, the Chamber of Commerce's business is now mostly concentrated in the Kingdom of Bain. Young Master Bart's recent goal is to prepare for the election of the Würzburg representative of the Doma Alliance. The election will be held in three years." Bart has always been frank with the partners of the Chamber of Commerce. His requirement is that they fully cooperate with him to achieve his goal, and anyone who gets in the way should immediately vacate their seat.

The Imperial Parliament is convened every five years. Even if Bart is a mage and the son of a major merchant guild, it's wishful thinking for him to step into the parliament building before he's even fully grown up. Therefore, he chose a suitable springboard to make his mark. Representing the Trade Federation also perfectly aligns with his family's interests.

Although Rorschach himself was born in the southern part of the Empire, this country boy had never heard of such a thing: "The Duma Alliance?"

The intermediate partner explained, "The full name is the Duma River Trade Union. Within the union, there are unified commercial regulations and commodity standards, trade treaties for bulk commodities, and lower or even no taxes between each other. The southwestern states and kingdoms of the empire are all members."

Because pork knuckles in the northern part of the empire are mostly heavily salted and then simmered over low heat, while those in the southern region, led by Byrne, prefer to roast them until they have a crispy crust, this group is jokingly referred to as the "Crispy Pork Knuckle Alliance."

Bart's eagerness to improve is truly admirable. Rorschach, judging from Hassai's information, deduced that the decision to designate Bart's base as Byrne was pre-arranged, likely paved with money throughout. The investment was astonishing; the returns would surely be astonishing as well.

"If you want to contact him," if Hassa could pass on a letter to the young master for Rorschach, it would definitely leave an impression on him.

Are there any magic guilds in Würzburg?

"some."

"Knowing the location is enough; I'll contact him through the magic guild's channels." Rorschach waved his hand; he only needed to know the general location. As for Richard, all he knew was that he was probably in the army, making it much more difficult to contact him.

The partner inwardly sighed in regret, and was about to change the subject to the guild's subordinate chambers of commerce when he heard Master Luo Xia casually ask, "Since Mr. Hasai is here for an inspection, what have you gained recently?"

Master Rorschach actually brought it up! Hasai immediately perked up: "I think the Purple Soda is a great product. If it were introduced to the Empire, it would definitely sell like hotcakes. Both Hercules and Hercules companies' products are worth introducing."

Currently, their exports are mainly directed to the south and Istani, and they cannot be found at all in the Empire.

According to my investigation, both companies' products involve the Alchemy Department of the Magic Tower in Valuwana. Since you are in Valuwana, do you know any mages in the Alchemy Department? If you could introduce me to them, I would be very grateful!

Hassai's plan was that if the Alchemy Department had mature technology, he would represent the Baldorom Merchant Guild to negotiate cooperation with the developers, bypassing the Holy Kingdom's companies and producing and selling the products within the Empire.

"Mr. Hassai, leave it to me!" Rorschach felt that out of respect for his old classmate, a "generous reward" was unnecessary. How much could it possibly be? It was negligible compared to dividends and equity participation.

(End of this chapter)