My mod ruined the otherworldly art style.

Calvin glanced at Scarface, a hint of embarrassment on his face.

He also knew that Scarface's appearance was not quite like that of the legendary ancient alchemist.

However, according to various intelligence reports, it is already quite close.

So after hesitating for a moment, the bearded captain cautiously asked:

"My lord, may I whisper a few words to you?"

His request caused the administrator to raise an eyebrow.

He started to think to himself, what couldn't be said face to face?

Could it be related to this special person?

Thinking of this, he no longer refused:

"Interesting. Come here."

"Let me hear what you have to say."

Seeing that the administrator had granted his request, Calvin, under the watchful eye of the city guard commander,

He walked slowly to the desk, bent down, and began to whisper.

During the conversation, he recounted everything he had seen, heard, and speculated about.

Especially since the other party might be an ancient alchemist.

That was a vivid and detailed description.

In addition, Scarface doesn't admit to being an alchemist, only claiming to be a great inventor.

This further enhances its credibility.

Because those who truly inherit the legacy of ancient alchemists dare not openly acknowledge it.

Otherwise, they will be targeted by various forces and never have peace.

Scarface's practice of using the title of inventor as a cover.

This undoubtedly led Calvin and the administrator to misunderstand.

They believe this is a fabricated excuse to conceal their identity.

This would make it easier for him to use abilities that are completely different from alchemy.

Under the influence of various misunderstandings and misinformation.

Even the most shrewd and calculating administrators were somewhat moved.

If I could control an ancient alchemist.

That would bring them resource benefits and leverage for promotion.

Why would he let go of such a free advantage?

After listening carefully to Calvin's whispered words, he already had a good idea of ​​what was going on.

I'll decide to test the waters for a bit.

"I understand, Calvin."

"You should lead your companions back to the merchant guild first."

"The city is in turmoil right now, so we need to stockpile all kinds of supplies."

"I will waive your caravan's customs duties for this month and issue a priority passage order."

"We hope to add a few more trade routes to Iron City from other cities."

Calvin was overjoyed by the administrator's generous policies.

He was already troubled by the monsters on the trade routes.

Now there is a proper solution.

As long as we take the other routes in the future, we can continue to lead everyone to wealth.

It seems that bringing this ancient alchemist back was indeed the right decision.

Calm yourself down.

Calvin and Leah bowed to each other.

"My lord, then I will not disturb you any longer."

"We'll take our leave now."

Watching the two caravan members leave the office,

The administrator stood up.

His eyes scanned the scarred face up and down.

"Hello, my name is Geller, and I am the administrator of Iron Rock City."

"Are you Leonardo da Vinci?"

Scarface, who was trying to appear mysterious with his eyes closed, opened them upon hearing this.

He nodded somewhat arrogantly:

"That's right, I am Leonardo da Vinci."

"May I leave now?"

"There are still many research projects waiting to be studied."

Scarface adopted a flustered posture, hastily bowed, and then...

They prepared to walk outside.

His behavior was noticed by both the administrator and the city guard commander.

In order not to miss out on a single talented person.

The administrator decisively intervened to stop it:

"Sir, please wait a moment,"

"As far as I know, the research projects you're talking about require a lot of money, right?"

"Don't you want some financial assistance since you're penniless?"

The scarred man stopped at the door.

A triumphant smile spread across his face, which was turned away from him.

When he turned around,

Her face changed to one of melancholy.

"Sigh~, of course I hope to receive funding."

"But we don't know each other, you don't trust me, and I don't trust you."

"If we force cooperation, no one knows what the consequences will be."

"So let's just go our separate ways."

"This is good for us all."

Scarface's refusal made the shrewd administrator slightly lower his guard.

If the other party agrees immediately, they are most likely a scammer.

But for this kind of second rejection...

That means the scarred man in front of him has plenty of backing.

Therefore, they are fearless and have nothing to fear.

That way, he can begin the next step of probing.

The administrator left his desk, holding two cigars in his hand.

They were handed to Scarface and Cyril respectively.

"Come on, come on, don't rush off."

"Try my treasured top-quality cigars to relieve the fatigue of your journey."

The scarred man feigned hesitation as he glanced at the cigar offered to him.

After several refusals, he finally accepted.

"How is it? Tastes good, right?"

Two plumes of smoke billowed from the nostrils of the scarred man who had never smoked a cigar.

He simply fanned himself and then showed an indifferent expression.

It was analyzed using modern knowledge:

"It's alright, nothing special."

"The tobacco processing was far too rough; the excessive sulfur fumigation ruined its rich aroma."

"The tar content also far exceeds the health standard."

"If you smoke for a long time, you are very likely to get lung cancer."

"Be careful, or it will be too late to save you."

After explaining, Scarface threw away his cigar and stomped it out with his foot.

His action,

The administrator, who was smoking a cigar, was left frozen in place.

As a seasoned veteran of officialdom,

He found that he couldn't quite understand what the other person was saying.

To satisfy his curiosity, Geller had no choice but to ask questions:

"Um, Mr. Leonardo da Vinci."

"What are you referring to as tar content and lung cancer?"

"Could you give me a brief explanation?"

Seeing that the other party had taken the bait, Scarface crossed his arms, his face full of a sense of superiority.

He spoke slowly and deliberately, like a teacher:

"The tar content is the toxic oil residue accumulated from burning tobacco leaves."

"As for lung cancer, it's a terminal illness caused by the lungs being rotten by toxic oil residue, and a fleshy lump that keeps growing inside will grow."

"It will absorb nutrients from your entire body and distribute them."

"Ultimately, this will cause your entire body to be covered in these fleshy lumps."

"In the end, he died from the excruciating pain."

Scarface's words were like a chilling abyss, deeply provoking the administrator and the city guard commander.

They glanced at the cigars in their hands.

His face turned red one moment and white the next.

It was as if the cigar in my hand was no longer a remedy for relaxation, but a poisonous seed bestowed by the abyss.

"My lord, I have seen a report before."

"After an autopsy was performed on a miner who died of illness, his lungs were completely black, and many fleshy lumps appeared inside his body."

"Could that be what they call lung cancer?"

Upon hearing Cyril's report, the administrator's face darkened completely.

He crushed the cigar in his hand in one swift motion.

They didn't even care that the scalding hot cigarette butt burned their skin.

There was only one thought in my mind.

Those were the large number of cigars in the city lord's mansion, all delivered by the [Old Viscount].

He had previously thought it was to restore their relationship.

Now it seems that he wanted to get rid of me quietly.

What a waste of my 20 years of loyalty to him.

They are utterly heartless.

The angry administrator suppressed his dissatisfaction deep in his heart.

He picked up the cigar box with a forced smile.

The plan was to throw these poisonous substances into the fireplace to destroy them.

Seeing this, Scarface quickly stepped forward to stop it:

"Oh no!!! No, no!"

"It would be such a waste to burn it all."

"Give it to me, and I'll turn trash into treasure for you, enabling you to amass all the wealth in the world."