Chapter 321 - 319: Terrifying Lethal Range

Chapter 321: Chapter 319: Terrifying Lethal Range

The Haydon Clan was on the verge of financial collapse, and Viscount Charlemagne was here to find out if the Crystal Stones he held were worth anything.

When he heard Duane say he wanted to cooperate, it was music to his ears.

"You have a need for these?"

Excitement he could barely conceal filled Charlemagne’s voice. "How would you like to cooperate?"

Duane held the harmonized Fel Energy Crystal in his hand and gestured for Baron Borsol to close the case and move it aside.

The two then walked back into the courtyard, talking as they went.

"Harmonized Fel Energy is a type of energy in its own right. Although it can’t be used for Enchantment, brewing Magic Potions, or helping Mages cast Magic, it should have other uses. That’s what I’m currently researching."

Duane continued, "As you know, Your Excellency, this material is only valuable in my hands, as I am the only one who has mastered the method of harmonizing Fel Energy."

Viscount Charlemagne nodded to himself.

Plenty of people had seen the Fel Energy Crystal Stones, including Grand Mage Clement of the Holy Radiance Court.

If even the Holy Radiance Court couldn’t devise a solution, it was unlikely anyone else could.

Duane was obviously trying to drive down the price.

Although Viscount Charlemagne found this regrettable, he knew it was to be expected. After all, the technology was in Duane’s hands.

"You’ve given me a new lease on life. To express my gratitude, I’m willing to forgo any profit on this deal. Of course, just don’t let me operate at a loss. After all, you know the Haydon Clan’s current situation."

His words were a show of weakness, but also a strategic move—a step back to prepare for a step forward.

The exact ’cost’ that would constitute a loss was, of course, a flexible matter.

"I always conduct business with integrity, and I believe that a fair distribution of profits is the only way to ensure a long-lasting partnership."

Duane glanced at the Crystal Stone in his hand. "I still need to research this material’s exact value, but I can confirm that I’ll be buying it. So, you can start preparing your stock."

’The explosive power of a thumb-sized crystal is quite limited, making it unsuitable for bombs. I’ll probably only be able to use them as ’batteries’ down the line.’

’Their small size is far more convenient than Fel Energy Ore, making them better suited for small Magic Energy Devices, like the widely available Magic Energy Lamps.’

’I’ll experiment with a Magic Energy Lamp. If it actually lights up, I can use that to estimate a price.’

"Duane, there’s something I think I should tell you," Viscount Charlemagne said suddenly.

"What is it?"

Charlemagne explained, "The fact that my injuries have healed is now public knowledge. Although I haven’t revealed that you were the cause, I’m sure some people out there can guess."

His movements hadn’t been a secret, and Duane hadn’t hidden his own when he went to the inn.

"That spell of yours is highly unusual. If others learn of this ability, they might demand that you hand it over..."

Duane understood his meaning. Charlemagne was worried that people would want to take the Spell Model for his Harmony Magic.

"Thank you for the warning, but this isn’t a problem. If they want the Spell Model, they can offer something of equal value in exchange. As for handing it over for free..."

He shrugged. "That’s impossible. And no one can force me to make that choice."

Viscount Charlemagne laughed. Those were the words of a man with true power, spoken with absolute confidence.

"True. You’re already the second-strongest expert in the Kingdom. My worries were unfounded."

Duane smiled but didn’t reply, thinking to himself, ’I might just be the strongest in the Kingdom now.’

’A Scorching Sun Level Warrior and a Level 6 Grand Mage. With that combination of power, even Duke Kelvin is probably no longer my match.’

The two returned to the banquet hall and parted ways.

Duane found Baron Cruz and made arrangements to establish a Messenger Bird Passage between the Silver Jade Territory and Black Forest Island.

Since the Silver Gale was a commercial enterprise, Baron Cruz accepted the business without hesitation.

Just like last time, Duane spent five hundred Gold Coins to purchase five Silver Gales.

However, this time the service wasn’t free. He was also charged a setup fee of four hundred Gold Coins, which was supposedly a "friendly" price.

In the blink of an eye, a thousand Gold Coins were gone. The expense gave Duane a headache, but it couldn’t be helped.

He couldn’t risk something happening in the Silver Jade Territory and having to wait for Heck and the others to take a boat back to report it. That would be a five or six-day delay.

Furthermore, if pirates besieged Jade Crossing and no ships could get through, he would have no way of knowing back on Black Forest Island.

So, it was a necessary expense.

The wedding banquet concluded in a lively atmosphere, but Count Kais remained busy. There were too many noble guests, and he needed to receive them individually.

Furthermore, with Hot Spring Mountain Tea and Warm Sun Soup set to launch next year, he needed to arrange distribution channels and lay the groundwork in advance.

It was so busy that Duane only had time to exchange a brief greeting with him.

Fortunately, Natalia was now there to help, so Count Kais didn’t have to handle all the hosting himself.

Duane, for his part, was happy for the free time. He much preferred relaxing with Natalia in the rear garden and sharing an intimate moment to talking business with the Count.

However, it wasn’t all relaxation.

Natalia took Duane to the fortress to see the latest newly developed Crossbow, which utilized the "Wind-Held" Magic and Enchantment Formula he had gifted her family.

"This is the Wind-Held Crossbow, personally crafted by Sir Louis. The moment it’s fired, it activates the Enchantment patterns on it. Even when fired on a flat trajectory, its lethal range reaches an astonishing 1,000 meters!"

"And if fired in an arc, the lethal range can extend to 3,000 meters!"

Natalia stroked the patterns on the Crossbow, her voice filled with awe.

She had once thought the 1,800-meter range of the Siege Crossbow’s arcing shots was already impressive, but the Wind-Held Crossbow was clearly superior.

Across the entire Pruck Kingdom, perhaps even the entire Shadow Mist Continent, the Wind-Held Crossbow was likely the longest-range weapon in existence.

Duane, however, was more interested in its creator.

"Sir Louis?"

He thought hard, but his mind came up blank. He had no memory of this person.

Natalia realized his confusion and explained with a smile, "Louis Fiona. She’s a Level 6 Grand Mage, the vice president of the Magic Research Institute, and the only Female Knight in Silent Shore. She was also my Magic Class tutor for a time."

Duane said in surprise, "I can’t believe I’ve never heard of such a person in Silent Shore."

"Sir Louis prefers research and dislikes bustling occasions. She didn’t even come to my brother’s wedding. So it’s perfectly normal for outsiders not to know of her."

She added, "Of course, my father doesn’t intentionally publicize her existence, either. He’s afraid other nobles might try to poach her."

A Level 6 Grand Mage was a pivotal figure for the Kennedy Clan.

Before Duane joined the Kennedy Clan’s faction, Count Kais must have feared she would leave to pledge her loyalty to another noble family.

"Sir Louis’s Enchantment skill is truly impressive!"

Duane said, "The Wind-Held Enchantment requires Gale Grass essence and Mid-Level Magic Crystal Powder, both of which require Middle Level Extraction. I’m surprised you were able to accomplish that so quickly."

"Silver Gales love to eat the seeds of the Gale Grass, so the plant is cultivated on Baron Cruz’s territory. We obtained it easily, and I’ve now started growing more of it in my own herb garden."

Duane said, "If you can, sell me some of the seeds."

Natalia smiled. "If you want them, I’ll just give them to you."

She added, "Sir Louis was the one who developed the Spell Model for Middle Level Extraction by extrapolating from Basic Extraction."

Duane’s eyes lit with understanding.

’They already had everything they needed. No wonder the Magic Research Institute was able to produce the Wind-Held Crossbow so quickly.’

"How many of these can be produced per month?"

"Probably not many."

Natalia thought for a moment before saying, "The monthly production for Magic Energy Crossbows is about twenty units. The Wind-Held Crossbow requires a higher Mage Level to create, so the monthly output is likely less than twenty."

Duane nodded slightly and proposed, "Could you contact your mother for me? As long as she provides the Enchanting Materials, I can help with production."

"I don’t know if that’s possible, since it involves the Spell Model for Middle Level Extraction."

There were some things Natalia could reveal to Duane, but others for which she lacked the authority. Besides, she didn’t even know what the Spell Model looked like herself.

"It’s alright. Just ask her for me."

Duane smiled and said, "Also, I want to reinforce my castle with the ’Hardening Technique,’ but I’m missing its Spell Model. Could you ask about that for me, too? See if they’d be willing to sell it to me."

A Spell Model for a Level 6 Magic wasn’t something one could buy just by asking. They were rarely sold on the open market.

Natalia nodded, making a mental note. Suddenly, her eyes widened in shock. "You..."

She hesitated for a moment. "Don’t tell me... you’ve already become a Grand Mage?"

Duane gave a mysterious smile and quickly cast a spell.

His form distorted, and an instant later, he reappeared ten meters away.

It was the Level 6 Magic, the Blink Technique.