Forests Don't Support Idle Goblins

"Are you alright?" Agatha stared blankly at Charles across from her. She didn't understand why he would react this way, when it was just dried dragon claw leaves crushed into powder.

"It's nothing," Charles shook his head, twitching a few times as he said, "It was a bit too strong."

But now he could feel himself becoming somewhat excited, and the previous feelings of frustration had completely disappeared. "Looks like I was using the wrong approach. This is good enough."

Snuff was a new test for Xia Er using the powdered leaves of the dragon claw tree. He was no stranger to this method; in his previous life, he once met a client who spoke with a thick Beijing accent. The client then pulled a small white bottle from his pocket and inhaled some of it in front of everyone. Fortunately, everyone knew the client's hobby and didn't show much shock. The reason Xia Er remembered it so clearly was because this client was a rare straightforward person who approved their proposal very readily after reviewing it.

I still remember the design on the small bottle the other party had drawn on it. It was a tiger descending a mountain with a pine tree on its edge. The other party's boss said that this thing was something his ancestors had obtained from the palace.

Snuff is quite different from cigarettes. It is made into powder and inhaled through the nose. I heard that there are many different formulas, and various Chinese medicinal herbs are added to it. It can refresh the mind, relieve stress, and has a mild anesthetic effect to relieve physical fatigue. However, it is not as "powerful" as cigarettes.

The leaves of this dragon claw tree can only be made into snuff for sale now. Although it cannot be replicated in the way that Ciel is familiar with, it should be a huge source of income in the future.

"This...this dragon claw tree," Charles gradually recovered, his eyes shining as he looked at Agatha and asked, "is it grown elsewhere?"

"Dragon Claw Tree," Agatha looked up and thought for a while, "It's mentioned in those alchemy books, but the investigations are probably not very thorough. Some books say that this tree only exists in Nightmare Forest, but others say that it has been seen in other parts of the continent."

"In other words, the distribution of dragon claw trees is not that widespread."

"Yes, you could say that."

Charles nodded. "It doesn't matter if it's grown in other parts of the mainland. With our processing techniques, they might not be able to tell what it is so easily."

If the dragon claw tree is not common, then its leaves are not widely known either. After being roasted and ground into powder, if necessary, some other herbal powders can be added. I believe that those who want to trace the source will not find it so easy to figure out what this is.

"Looks like you've found something good again." Agatha tilted her head, looking at the goblin staring intently at the brown powder on the table.

"Hmm, it is indeed a good thing," Charles looked up at Agatha with a sly smile. "If Red Bull can make me a lot of money, this thing may allow me to infiltrate various kingdoms and even influence their political situations."

"Is it that powerful?" Agatha looked at the powder curiously. "Is it even more powerful than aphrodisiacs? What kind of drug is it?"

Charles's lips twitched a few times. "No, this isn't an aphrodisiac. In fact, it's not a drug at all. This thing can be used as an everyday item."

"Daily necessities?"

"Yes, a little bit comes every day, and many people like it. Everyone buys it, and it's not limited to the high-ranking nobles. Even some wealthy commoners can use it." Charles carefully explained the prospects of the brown powder.

"If that's the case, this thing," Agatha frowned, "could put you in a much more dangerous situation."

Charles paused, then immediately understood what the other party meant. Their family had been framed by various forces simply because of a deep-water port that made a fortune every day, completely disregarding the secular rules that the Merlo family was also a noble family. If he sold this snuff all over the world, then even if he had the entire Feathered Serpent Kingdom under his command, he would not be able to guarantee his final safety.

"You're right, that is indeed a problem." He nodded seriously.

"But there's no need to think about it too much," Agatha waved her hand. "Just make sure you're strong enough, since this thing is still very valuable."

"A fool wouldn't make money if he didn't want to," Charles said with a laugh. He would not give up the Feathered Serpent Kingdom, much less the Dragon Claw Tree snuff. It would have been better if he hadn't known before, but Broken Tooth brought back something so important. Compared to what his subordinates had said before—such as the cavemen bullying goblins, the humans suspected of trading, and the Feathered Serpent God spitting out powerful lightning balls—none of that information could compare to the crumpled, yellowed leaves he pulled out of the leather bag.

"I wonder how many Dragon Claw Trees there are around the Feathered Serpent Kingdom. Hopefully, there are quite a few." He carefully wrapped the unfolded paper, afraid that the brown powder inside would spill out. "It'll be perfect when we recruit those goblins; then we'll have something for them to do."

A snuff factory needs some small bottles to hold it, which isn't a problem. They can go to that vampire count. It's just a matter of whether he has the glassmaking skills to make even smaller bottles.

Charles has already thought of a name for this snuff product: "Dragon's Breath." He believes that people who try it for the first time will have a similar feeling to him. Moreover, it is made from the leaves of the Dragon Claw Tree, making "Dragon's Breath" a very fitting name.

"Looks like this isn't my turn," Agatha shrugged. "Don't you want me to give it a try?"

"Girls shouldn't smoke," Charles said sternly; he was still a very traditional person.

"Uh," Agatha the witch paused for a moment. She didn't understand what the other person meant, but judging from the expression, it seemed like a serious refusal, and one that was for her own good. "Alright, then I'll be going."

"Wait a minute." Charles called out to the other person, then jumped off the chair, walked to the low cabinet by the wall, and took out a book with a brand-new cover.

"Here you go." He handed over the book.

"What is this?" Agatha took it, her eyes widening the moment she saw the title. "The second volume of 'The Aristocracy of Plantagenet Behind the Bed Curtains'? Where did you get this? And it's by the same author, Dark Eyes. He actually wrote a second volume."

Agatha stroked the book with delight, eager to open it and begin reading, but Charles pressed down on the cover. "Take your time reading it later," Charles said with a smile. "Uncle Musa came back once before, and this is the book I asked him to buy. I only told him to buy a book like this, but I didn't expect that the second volume would be delivered."

"Thank you, Ciel." Agatha blinked her eyes, smiled at the goblin in front of her, then deliberately gave a lady's bow before turning and skipping out of the stone house.

This was the first time Ciel had seen the witch hopping around. Her hunched figure hopped and skipped, and if she had been holding a broom instead of a book, it would have looked even more real.

"I didn't expect that guy to still be writing these things," Charles shook his head with a wry smile. "I was just saying it casually before, but he actually managed to stick with it."

He stared at the wooden map on the wall, standing silently in place. Although his gaze was focused on the map, it seemed as if he could see through the wooden planks, or even through geographical limitations, to the distant City of Golden Flower, the magnificent Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences, and his "adopted son" who always wore a smug smile and said, "Today I'll take you to Perfume Lily Street to broaden your horizons."

"It's all in the past," Charles sighed a few seconds later, his gaze returning to the paper package on the table. "Now, dragon breath is the most important thing. Those humans haven't discovered its use, and the goblins don't know its actual function either. If I take over the entire Feathered Serpent Kingdom, I can monopolize the snuff business in the future, and with this product, the goblins in the entire forest can also usher in a new turning point."

"While the Kingdom of Fran is in turmoil, we must strengthen our capabilities in all aspects and build a powerful goblin military force," he slammed his fist on the table and said forcefully, "This time, I will definitely not let those guys succeed again. I will use my sword to protect my smoke."

"As for the Feathered Serpent God," Charles smiled contemptuously, "he already has a way to die."

He put his hands behind his back, turned and walked out of the stone house, muttering to himself as he went, "I need to explore the north as soon as possible. Broken Tooth should be well-rested by tomorrow. Let's see what's in those places first."

…………

Meanwhile, in a building in the HX district of Giethoorn, many people were going in and out of the gate. Although the building was only three stories high, the building materials were very exquisite. It was built entirely of stone and bricks, with almost no trace of wood. This was rare in Giethoorn, a town close to Nightmare Forest, which was enough to show its construction cost and sturdiness.

The expressions on the faces of the people coming in and out varied. Some were carrying large bags, bulging with cash, and making a slight metallic clanging sound as they moved. They were also looking around at the pedestrians with a hint of wariness, clearly indicating that the bags were full of money. Others rushed through the gate, trying to control their bodies and avoid others, but still accidentally bumped into people. However, they did not stop, but loudly apologized and hurried into the hall. Still others looked dejected, hanging their heads and slowly shuffling out of the hall, muttering, "Why didn't they lend me money? My business was doing quite well."

This building is the branch of the Chamber of Commerce Alliance in Giethoorn. Normally, a branch should not be set up in a small town like this, but because Giethoorn is adjacent to the forest, there are many forest specialties that need to be traded and transshipped, so the Chamber of Commerce Alliance specially set up a branch here.

Those coming and going were there to conduct various business. The wary ones were there to deposit money in the Chamber of Commerce's bank. Some people on the mainland would choose to keep all their wealth with them, like the adventurers. Others would choose to dig a hole under their bed and hide their money there, like Mary's miserly father. Still others trusted the banks and would choose to deposit some money in the Chamber of Commerce's bank, since their promotional materials extensively described their security and convenience.

On the second floor of the building, in a luxurious reception room, two well-dressed businessmen sat facing each other on a sofa, savoring the taste of high-end coffee.

"Are those goblins still the same?" An elderly merchant placed his coffee on the coffee table, then picked up a piece of honey from a colorful porcelain dish and dropped it into his coffee.

"Still the same as always," the somewhat young-looking businessman sitting opposite said with a sneer and a look of disdain. "Dirty, smelly, stupid, a goblin, still the same."

"So you brought back a few more packets of dragon claw tree leaves this time?" The old merchant said, stirring his coffee slowly with a golden spoon after the honey had melted. He paid no attention to any dining etiquette, and the spoon kept clinking against the cup.

"It's just a few packets. To be honest, if it weren't for the lord's request, I really wouldn't want to go to that kind of place. What can you do with the leaves of the dragon claw tree? How much money can you make from them? And I have to take people on a griffin trip there," the younger merchant said with dissatisfaction, taking a sip of coffee. "With that time, my shop could sell much more."

"What can we do about the lord's demands? All the high-ranking members of our entire merchant alliance have signed contracts with him." The old merchant sighed softly, but his expression didn't seem to indicate that he was in much pain.

"A contract," the young merchant scoffed. "It's been searching for something for two thousand years, and still nothing. If my father hadn't bought that goblin from that old nobleman, I don't know when we would have found out what's going on in the forest."

"The Alliance tried hiring those adventurers before, but the results weren't very noticeable," the old merchant said casually.

"Hmm, not obvious," the young businessman repeated with a smile, then took a sip of his coffee, paused for a few seconds, and said, "But I do have a new idea now."

"A new idea?" The old businessman looked up at the person opposite him. He didn't speak, but waited quietly for what would follow.

"I think there are quite a few of these goblins. It would be a waste to just leave them there. Why not use them to make something for me? Then I can send people to the forest a few more times to collect the goods and sell them. This way, we can save a lot of labor costs."

"You want goblins to make items for you?" The old merchant thought carefully for a moment. "That's a bit difficult. Those guys are stupid and unruly; they probably won't listen to you."

"I have this," the young merchant said, taking something out of a leather bag beside him and shaking it a few times.

"This is," the old merchant narrowed his eyes, "the magic collar from the prison."

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