Chapter 281: Black Pavel, an Indescribable Woman
Just one week had passed.
The reputation of the Adventurer Team "Free Will" and the "Genius Alchemist" had become known to everyone in Kalinxia.
Even Tang Zheng himself hadn't expected it. When he first created the "Regeneration Potion," his intention was simply to get some small red potions for himself.
He also wanted to make contact with the elusive Leinas to obtain the [Cursed Knight] Job.
Now, in his hands, the "Regeneration Potion" had achieved an effect far beyond the potion itself. Using the potions to pave the way, he had effortlessly gained a massive amount of reputation.
The Fortress City of Kalinxia was close to the Fortress Line, so there was no shortage of injured and disabled soldiers. With their presence, it was difficult not to become famous.
The streets were prosperous and bustling.
The calls of vendors on both sides, soldiers in common armor just off duty gathering together, and various women and merchants selling their wares all mingled together.
A faint aroma of roasted meat and the fragrance of ale permeated the air.
As Tang Zheng walked down the street, the Evil Spirit Hound following beside him, now a head taller than himself, was extremely eye-catching.
The Evil Spirit Hound was piled high with all sorts of meat and food. At this moment, it looked less like a fierce and terrifying Monster and more like a beast of burden carrying goods.
Along the way, many passersby greeted him.
Tang Zheng smiled and responded to each of them, occasionally stopping at the stalls on either side of the street to see if there were any items worth buying.
"Good work, Xiao Hei," Tang Zheng said, reaching out to pat the neck of the Evil Spirit Hound beside him.
"Awoo," the Evil Spirit Hound responded softly.
"This city is even more prosperous than E-Rantel," Tang Zheng mused inwardly, based on his observations during this time.
The three bastions along the Fortress Line required soldiers to be stationed there for long periods. These people generated significant consumption, and with rotations every so often, new soldiers would create even more demand.
This indirectly contributed to the prosperity of Kalinxia.
If the future remained unchanged, this place would become a true purgatory on earth.
Tang Zheng gazed at the bustling street before him, his calm eyes darkened, a trace of coldness flashing within them.
Whether the future could be changed, he did not know.
But he had to try.
Following the flow of people, he arrived at a stall selling raw meat. It primarily sold poultry raised by commoners, as well as some scraps of wild game.
"Lord Adventurer," the stall owner called out enthusiastically, having spotted Tang Zheng from a distance.
"How much for these meat scraps?" Tang Zheng asked gently.
"Huh?"
The stall owner was a bit surprised, not understanding why a prominent figure like Tang Zheng would ask about the price of scraps. Nevertheless, he quickly replied.
"I remember the price wasn't this high two days ago?" Tang Zheng's eyes flashed. He had asked two days prior, and the price had been cheaper.
"Lord Adventurer, I absolutely have no intention of raising the price," the stall owner's face changed as he misunderstood Tang Zheng's meaning. Seeing the Evil Spirit Hound that could easily swallow him whole, he explained in a panicked and fearful tone:
"The price of meat has gone up recently. Scraps and entrails, which used to be cheap or even unwanted, are now being bought up by some merchants."
"That's why even these cheap things that the poor wouldn't eat have gone up in price recently."
Hearing the man's answer, Tang Zheng narrowed his eyes almost imperceptibly, his expression unchanging. "I see."
He had already guessed the real reason.
These great Nobles were truly insane, already starting to purchase entrails and scraps—this carrion.
Ever since the first successful transaction with the Ogres, it was as if a box had been opened. A large number of Caravans, appearing from who-knows-where, began to frequently trade with the Ogre faction.
To be able to continuously supply such large quantities of food, it was clear that behind these Caravans were Nobles.
"Oh, I didn't expect the esteemed Genius Alchemist to be interested in such matters," a man's majestic voice suddenly came from the side.
Tang Zheng turned his head toward the source of the voice. It was a middle-aged man about his height, with a pair of sharp eyes like a hawk's.
His very presence gave outsiders a sense of pressure.
The man wore a short, black cloak that reached his waist, over light leather armor, which was partially obscured by the cloak.
Even so, one could still see an owl emblem on the left breast of the leather armor, and the national emblem of the Holy Kingdom on the right.
His lower body was clad in fairly common loose black pants, and on his feet were specialized long boots, the same as a normal soldier's.
The man didn't look familiar.
Tang Zheng looked at the unfamiliar man, quite certain he had never met him before.
His attire was similar to that of the off-duty soldiers, but judging by his demeanor and appearance, his Position was likely quite high.
This man's Strength is considerable!
Tang Zheng didn't use detection magic, but his first impression of the man alone gave him a feeling that he was someone to be wary of.
"And you are, sir?" Tang Zheng asked, puzzled, as several thoughts flashed through his mind.
"Pavel."
Pavel stepped forward, first glancing at the Evil Spirit Hound, then putting on a smile as he introduced himself.
The smile was a bit stiff.
The man was likely someone who rarely smiled.
"A... a Night Watchman, Lord!" the stall owner stammered upon seeing Pavel, his face a mixture of nervousness and excitement.
A Night Watchman?
Realization dawned in Tang Zheng's eyes. He was a little surprised, and at the same time, his expression grew serious. "I didn't expect to meet Lord 'Black' Pavel, one of the 'Nine Colors' of the Holy Kingdom, here."
"It's just an empty title."
Pavel waved his hand, his narrow eyes subtly sizing up Tang Zheng. "Lord Tang's reputation is equally resounding within the Kingdom. Even here in our Holy Kingdom, you still draw attention."
*So they've investigated my Adventurer Team, "Free Will."* Tang Zheng wasn't surprised.
"I just didn't realize that besides your interest in alchemy, Lord Tang would also be interested in something like this," Pavel said, changing the subject.
According to the information he had gathered, it was strange in Pavel's eyes that someone of his Status would be concerned with the price of such carrion.
"Xiao Hei has always eaten a lot."
Tang Zheng chuckled and patted the Evil Spirit Hound next to him. "Besides Xiao Hei, I also have an Ogre back there that needs feeding."
"That's why I was planning to get some of this carrion, like entrails and scraps, to feed that Ogre."
Tang Zheng kept an Ogre for the purpose of creating regeneration potions. The Ogre's blood was a raw material; without its blood, he couldn't publicly produce large quantities of the potion.
Looking at this youth, who was clearly not very old yet still acted with such gentle composure after learning his identity, Pavel's gaze became a few degrees more serious.
The source of the young man's confidence was not his impressive alchemy or his so-called "reputation," but his strength.
"I see," Pavel's voice softened slightly. He then said suddenly, "Thank you."
"Hm?" Tang Zheng was taken aback.
"Because of your potion, those maimed soldiers finally have hope. I want to thank you on their behalf," Pavel said earnestly.
"If it's about this matter, please take back your 'thanks'."
Tang Zheng raised a hand to cut off what Pavel was about to say next. "I sell potions, they pay for them. It is a very fair transaction."
Pavel was stunned, then suddenly burst out laughing. "You're right."
Looking again at the youth in the priest's robe, Pavel felt that he was more and more to his liking. "Let's talk."
"Alright."
The two walked forward along the street, the Evil Spirit Hound following closely behind with its cargo.
"I've heard you've been buying demi-humans lately."
"Mr. Pavel, your chance encounter with me was also because of this matter, wasn't it?"
"I don't know how much you understand about our Holy Kingdom, but that towering, continuous fortress wall should give you a hint about our attitude towards demi-humans."
"I was a bit reckless."
"So, the reason is?"
"The alchemical potions I specialize in are researched and refined using the blood of demi-human-type creatures as a key material."
"The main reason I came to the Holy Kingdom this time was because of the large number of demi-humans here, so I wished to obtain more demi-human blood."
"..."
A moment later.
Tang Zheng watched Pavel's departing figure, his expression unchanged. He turned to the Evil Spirit Hound beside him and said, "Let's go, it's time to head back to the inn."
"Awooo," the Evil Spirit Hound responded in a low growl.
*Tang Zheng walked along the street at a steady pace, lost in thought. "'Black' Pavel. If I recall correctly, his daughter should be Neia."*
*What impressed Tang Zheng the most about the Holy Kingdom were four women: three met tragic ends, and one was simply indescribable.*
*The first "Holy Princess" of the Holy Kingdom, Calca, could be described as possessing both beauty and talent. She was swung about like a human weapon by Evil Lord Wrath, and in the end, her corpse rotted and broke into pieces.*
*Kelart, the "Head of the Highest Priestess Corps of the Temple," one of the Holy Princess's two arms, was beheaded, and her head was given to a Coronet Demon to be used as a spellcasting weapon.*
*Remedios, the "Captain of the Holy Knight Order," the other of the Holy Princess's two arms, was used by Demiurge from beginning to end. Once it was certain that the northern and southern Holy Kingdoms were completely at odds, she was secretly disposed of.*
*And finally, there was Neia.*
*Walking down the road, Tang Zheng frowned slightly. This was a person even he didn't know how to describe.*
*One could say Neia was completely brainwashed by the Bone King. Although she was a Human, she had already completely sided with the Bone King.*
*She even went so far as to proclaim the greatness of the Bone King to other Humans, acquiring the [Evangelist] Job in the process.*
*Remedios and Neia.*
*Tang Zheng didn't particularly like either of them. Both could be described as "foolish" or "blind."*
*But for that very reason, these two were the easiest to incite and manipulate.*
Inside the inn room.
Tang Zheng took a red potion out of his item box and placed it on the table. This was a potion he had concocted during this time by mixing the blood of the Lizardman Kuru Xue and an ancient Red Dragon.
(end of chapter)