Chapter 529: Section 316: Solving the Biggest Problem
The third item is some alchemy diagrams and alchemy techniques unique to the Ice Sculpture Kingdom.
Although the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps has a data repository of War Merchants, this repository is incomplete and not whole.
Furthermore, the Ice Sculpture Kingdom does indeed have unique aspects and masters alchemy techniques not possessed by War Merchants.
For example, some potion formulas related to the Heart of Ice. Among them, the Ice Head Flower Potion is something that War Merchants do not have.
The survivors collect these, on one hand, to supplement the data repository, and on the other hand, to deepen their understanding of the Ice Sculpture Kingdom, so that in the future when they sell potions here, they can greatly enhance their own market competitiveness.
The City Lord of Snowbird Port took a second look at the inventory list.
After that, he paced alone, rapidly thinking.
The time he spent thinking was not long, and soon, he stopped in his tracks and fixed his gaze on the Dragon-man youth.
He placed the inventory on the table and pointed to its contents, saying,
“Regarding the item of demon energy ships, Long Fu squad leader, you must understand that you have absolutely no way of buying brand new demon energy ships.”
“The current situation is completely different from a few years ago. Pirates are very rampant, and the emergence of the Pirate Throne has plunged the world’s seas into chaos.”
“You should know that even on Gear Island, orders for demon energy ships are backed up for years.”
“Although our Ice Sculpture Kingdom has the ability to produce demon energy ships autonomously, the production capacity is still limited.”
“For several years now, our kingdom has been producing demon energy ships at full capacity, with new ships launching every year.”
“But just like the situation on Gear Island, these ships have been pre-ordered long ago. Even I cannot get my turn.”
Seeing the furrow on the Dragon-man youth’s brow, the City Lord of Snowbird Port changed tact.
“However, while we can’t buy new demon energy ships, we can indeed obtain old ones!”
“Every warship has a limited period of service.”
“Especially in recent years, with the numerous new demon energy ships serving primarily the Navy, it follows that every year the Kingdom Navy has quite a number of warships retiring from service.”
“These ships, although they use alchemy techniques from several or even more than a dozen years ago, are still greatly welcomed by the lower market.”
“A large number of Mercenary Groups, Hunting Groups, and Guilds all vie for these retired warships!”
“If you are willing to accept old warships, I can still make the delivery.”
After hearing these words, the Dragon-man youth asked, “My Corps needs Silver Level demon energy ships.”
“Yes,” the City Lord of Snowbird Port affirmed with a nod, “Gold Level would be difficult, but old Silver Level warships are still within my capabilities.”
Hearing this response, the Dragon-man youth did not hesitate much, immediately nodding, “Of course, that’s acceptable.”
Having solved one difficulty, the City Lord of Snowbird Port’s spirit lifted, and he continued the negotiations.
“Regarding the White Dragon and related Alchemy Materials, it is also very difficult for our side to sell.”
“Although there is a large number of White Dragons living in the inland Ice Sculpture Kingdom, the Royal Family and the White Dragon Clan already have a pact of non-aggression and mutual benefit.”
“The highest snow peak in the Ice Sculpture Kingdom is called White Dragon Peak, which is the gathering place for the largest White Dragon Clan.”
“The current White Dragon King is a Holy Domain Level being, and the White Dragon Clan also has a large number of individuals at Gold Level, which makes them very powerful.”
“A pure White Dragon’s corpse is difficult even for the Royal Family to obtain, let alone us.”
“The White Dragon corpses that can be circulated on the market are extremely rare and are mostly the work of tomb robbers. They can only be sold on the Black Market. Otherwise, they are disguised through Alchemy as other materials for a tacit private transaction.”
“One of our kingdom’s bans is the Slave Ban Order against White Dragons. If I were to trade with you, first of all, I would be violating the laws of the Kingdom, and secondly, I truly have no goods to sell.”
“However, sub-dragons and Dragon Beasts are possible.”
Sub-dragons are no longer of pure Dragon Bloodline, but the Dragon Bloodline still dominates.
Dragon Beasts have an even more diluted Dragon Bloodline, which is no longer the main bloodline, and the concentration of other bloodlines is higher. Dragon Beasts only have a few individual Dragon features. Sometimes, these features aren’t very apparent.
The City Lord of Snowbird Port continued, “The trade of sub-dragons and Dragon Beasts is not included in the Royal Family’s bans.”
“I wonder if these can be used as substitutes?”
Of course, they can be substituted!
Because the Dragon-man youth mainly wanted to use the Blood Core to absorb the White Dragon Bloodline to enhance his resistance to frost.
By absorbing the related bloodlines of sub-dragons and Dragon Beasts, little by little, the Dragon-man youth could also achieve this goal.
But the Dragon-man youth did not immediately agree.
After pondering for a while, he showed a hesitant look.
Eventually, he said, “If there are really no White Dragons, then my Corps can reluctantly accept related sub-dragons and Dragon Beasts.”
“But in that case, there needs to be a substantial increase in quantity.”
The City Lord of Snowbird Port’s face lit up with joy and, without any hesitation, nodded in agreement, “There’s absolutely no problem with that!”
White Dragons were relatively rare, and each one was treasured by the White Dragon King.
And indeed, there were many of their related sub-dragons and Dragon Beasts.
Every year, the Ice Sculpture Kingdom would organize Hunting Groups and Mercenary Corps to extensively comb the area around White Dragon Mountain.
Sometimes, members of the Royal Family would even participate personally, organizing royal hunting expeditions.
These actions were all to prevent the sub-dragons and Dragon Beasts from multiplying excessively and posing a threat to the inland security of the Kingdom.
Three difficult problems had been addressed, and the City Lord of Snowbird Port pointed to the final item.
“I also cannot supply you with anything related to Ice Sculpture Technique.”
“This too would be against the Kingdom’s edicts. If discovered, it would be considered treason.”
The Dragon-man youth’s expression did not change; he had started to understand the City Lord’s conversation habits and said, “So, there is also a workaround for this matter, correct?”
The City Lord of Snowbird Port gave a slight smile and nodded his head, “Indeed, there is.”
“These alchemy techniques are extremely valued by the Royal Family, and even alchemy from over a decade ago is under strict control.”
“Because these are one of the foundational pillars that the Ice Sculpture Kingdom rests upon.”
“However, while the alchemy technique itself is strictly controlled and contained, the movement of alchemy talents cannot be stopped even by the Royal Family.”
“My suggestion is: your group could employ alchemy talents at a high price, who just so happen to possess some alchemy techniques related to Ice Sculpture.”
“Employ at a high price?” The Dragon-man youth showed a hint of hesitation.
“We are just a Silver Level Mercenary Group after all, willing to spend the cost to hire from the outside. But if we are only talking about Alchemist Apprentices or Alchemists, it’s not necessary.”
The City Lord of Snowbird Port shook his head slightly, and continued to explain: “Your group can completely hire high-caliber Silver Level Alchemists. Although this will be costly, trust me, it will be more than worth the expense. You can sign strict, even harsh contracts with them, essentially binding these alchemists for life.”
The Dragon-man youth grew even more hesitant upon hearing this.
Because the suggestion from the City Lord of Snowbird Port seemed to conflict greatly with his previous statements.
The City Lord of Snowbird Port clearly understood the doubts in the Dragon-man youth’s heart and timely explained, “I have previously informed you, Long Fu squad leader: the Ice Sculpture Kingdom has a Slave Ban Order, prohibiting the trade of slaves in the markets.”
“But the reality is: pirates run rampant, and sea battles are incessant. Where there is war, there are winners and losers, and from these winners and losers come prisoners who end up as slaves. As long as warfare is ongoing, slaves will continuously appear.”
“These alchemists you employ are essentially slaves.”
“However, in our Kingdom, only the Royal Family can own slaves. Therefore, we use strict contracts to employ them under the guise of hiring, to take control of these slaves.”
The Dragon-man youth suddenly saw the light.
In other words, where there’s a policy from above, there’s a countermeasure from below.
The City Lord of Snowbird Port continued, “To comply with our nation’s practices, the cost of employing these Alchemy Mages is not small.”
“The pay has to at least match the average salary within our Kingdom. This detail must be recorded in the employment contract and be notarized. There are even periodic inspections.”
“Our Ice Sculpture Kingdom is famous for its alchemy; it can be called the Kingdom of Alchemists. Within the country, alchemists typically enjoy a high status and freedom.”
“I can use my connections to wring out a few Silver Level Alchemists for you.”
“But Long Fu squad leader, you must be prepared for significant expenses.”
The Dragon-man youth nodded, “No problem! If they are exceptional High-grade slaves, their masters will also improve their treatment to ensure their enthusiasm for work, right?”
The City Lord of Snowbird Port applauded with a laugh, “Exactly right.”
The Dragon-man youth’s eyes sparkled as he restrained the excitement in his heart.
The Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps had always been searching for Alchemy Mages.
The need for Alchemy Mages was extremely great!
Because they needed to build a Bloodline Purification Array.
This Array was of utmost importance to all the survivors, concerning their present and future.
The sooner it was constructed, the better!
And now they were just stuck on the issue of Alchemy Mages, lacking the necessary talents.
Zi Di and Cang Xu also had accomplishments in alchemy. However, each profession requires specialization, and for constructing such an Alchemy Array, their abilities were quite insufficient.
The Dragon-man youth had not dismissed the idea of Alchemy Mage slaves.
However, previously, when he communicated with the City Lord of Snowbird Port, he learned of the Ice Sculpture Kingdom’s Slave Ban Order and had to abandon such notions.
But now, after their exchange, the Dragon-man youth realized he had been naive.
Although the Ice Sculpture Kingdom had a Slave Ban Order, the demand for slaves could not be stopped. It could even be said that the more the trade of slaves was prohibited, the more intense and enormous the demand would become.
Hiring Mages was the countermeasure for meeting the demand. It greatly solved the Kingdom’s higher-ups’ needs for quality slaves.