Chapter 49: Mastery Level Fire Source Beast Bone Soup
Chapter 49: Chapter 49: Mastery Level Fire Source Beast Bone Soup
Duane spent the better part of the morning fishing, increasing his Skill Level by 89.
Owington picked up the fish basket and carried the dozens of fish of all sizes to the kitchen.
"Throw the small fish back and keep the big ones."
"You got it!"
Small fish like the Malt Fish could be made into dried fish, but the quantity was too small. There wasn’t much point. It was better to throw them back and catch them again to build up his Skill Level.
Duane glanced back at the pond.
’I can’t tell if it’s because I’ve been fishing so much lately, or if the fish I’ve thrown back have tipped off the others,’ he thought, ’but it’s definitely getting harder to get a bite.’
’Looks like I’ll have to find a new spot soon.’
Luckily, Black Forest Island had plenty of ponds, and commoners weren’t allowed to fish without permission, so Duane wasn’t worried about running out of places to go.
He returned to the courtyard and headed into the kitchen.
His Basic Cooking was already at the Perfection level, so he didn’t need to make any other dishes. He just had to prepare the Fire Source Beast Bone Soup.
Right now, his Fire Source Beast Bone Soup Skill Level was at (Skilled 297/300), on the verge of a breakthrough.
The last time he broke through to the Skilled level, Duane had learned he could use Willow Tree branches in place of White Crystal Fruit.
’I wonder if I’ll get a similar reward for breaking through to Mastery this time?’
Filled with anticipation, he began to simmer the soup.
An hour later, as four fresh portions of bone soup were ready, his Skill Level smoothly broke through to (Mastery 8/400).
In addition to granting him 0.3 attribute points, a stream of information flooded into Duane’s mind.
[Grind dried chrysanthemum into a powder. Soak Fire-attribute Demon Beast Meat in the powder and spring water for half a day. This can be used as a substitute for Fire Source Beast Bone.]
"Excellent!"
Duane couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.
He still had some Fire Source Beast Bone Powder, but the supply was limited. If he wanted to provide it for all thirty-odd of his men, and train new talent in the future, he would need to order more from off-island.
Not even counting the cost of the materials, the shipping fees alone were a major headache.
But now, the improved recipe he learned from reaching the Mastery Level gave him a substitute for the Fire Source Beast Bone.
’Fire-attribute Demon Beast Meat!’
If there was one thing Black Forest Island had in abundance, it was Demon Beasts. There were bound to be Fire Attribute ones, likely in the Hot Spring Mountain Range northeast of Broken Wave Bay.
As for the chrysanthemums, they weren’t some special Magic Plant or medicinal herb. Given Black Forest Island’s temperate, humid climate, they should be readily available.
The improved recipe required neither White Crystal Fruit nor the Fire Source Beast Bone, a specialty of the Calvin Clan.
This meant Duane had essentially gained a whole new recipe!
The fact that a Baron of a lonely island now possessed two unique Extraordinary Recipes was something no one would believe if word got out.
’But if I send men into the forest to hunt Demon Beasts, I’ll risk the Holy Hand Association and the Broken Wave Gang attacking my main camp.’
’As long as those two factions aren’t dealt with, they’ll always be a threat.’
Lost in thought, Duane walked out of the kitchen and signaled for John and the others to come drink the soup. He, meanwhile, was pondering how to deal with these two threats after the duel.
’Crushing and absorbing them is the only way.’
’The key is how to go about crushing them.’
’The Holy Hand Association and the Broken Wave Gang present a united front, but their alliance isn’t unbreakable.’
Duane mused, ’Perhaps I can summon them separately and break their alliance.’
’Sowing discord? Anyone can do that.’
After some careful thought, Duane resolved to implement this strategy as soon as the duel was over.
「Forest Village, in Bard’s small castle.」
After being announced by a gang member, Monbodt was granted a meeting with Bard, the leader of the Broken Wave Gang.
"What are you doing here?"
Bard was displeased. He had no desire to see Monbodt at a time like this. "Aren’t you afraid the Baron will find out and have your head?"
Monbodt chuckled. "Don’t worry, sir. I’m only here because I’m following the Baron’s orders."
"Oh?" Bard said, surprised. "What did he send you to me for? Don’t tell me he’s afraid of the duel and wants to postpone or cancel it."
Monbodt shook his head. "The Baron is quite eager to conquer you all. He has no intention of canceling or postponing."
"So what, is he just spouting off every day about wiping out the Broken Wave Gang?"
Monbodt said, "You must realize that regardless of whether you win the duel, you have no choice in the end but to submit to the Baron. You want to remain an independent power within his Lordship’s territory? No member of the Nobility would ever permit that."
"Oh, I see!"
Bard started to laugh. "So you’ve come today to act as his persuader?"
"Heh, Monbodt, you folded pretty fast. I heard that Little Baron took nearly all of your hundreds of acres. Doesn’t that sting?"
"You’re mistaken again, Lord Bard. I’m not here as a persuader. And yes, it stings very much!"
Monbodt put on a pained expression. "I just think that your relationship with the Baron is beyond repair. Rather than go through with some duel, it would be better to strike now!"
"The ship that brought the Baron to Black Forest Island has already left. Aren’t you worried he’ll summon powerful warriors to wipe out the Broken Wave Gang and the Holy Hand Association?"
Bard fell silent.
He had, of course, considered it, but he had still chosen not to act immediately.
Because once he made a move, there would be no turning back.
On the other hand, even if this duel with Duane strained their relationship, as long as they didn’t have a complete falling-out, there was still a chance to mend fences.
Black Forest Island was a dangerous place; the value of an Earth Tier Warrior was self-evident.
’If Duane wants to develop this island, would he really refuse my pledge of allegiance?’
’Plenty of nobles across the kingdoms have accepted people with whom they had conflicts of interest into their service.’
’Besides, the only real conflict between the Broken Wave Gang and Duane was Hardy’s transgression.’
’As for the issue of territory, worst comes to worst, couldn’t I just give it up?’
’As long as he could smooth things over, there would always be a chance for a comeback.’
"You’ve got guts, Monbodt, but I don’t need you telling me how to do things!"
Bard sneered. "I’m not like you. You’re just a commoner, but I’m an Earth Tier Warrior. Even without the Broken Wave Gang, I still carry enough weight!"
Monbodt maintained his smile, but the corner of his mouth twitched. What Bard said was the truth.
"Very well, sir."
He fell silent for a moment before stating the true purpose of his visit:
"The Baron needs oak to make barrels and other furniture. He wants you to send a few dozen logs over."
Bard was taken aback, not having expected this to be the reason for his visit.
"Heh, the outcome of the duel isn’t even decided, and he’s already ordering me to work for him?"
"So, does that mean you don’t want to send them?"
"Send them? Of course, I’ll send them!"
But Bard gave a firm reply, "I’ll have someone send them over tomorrow!"
It was just a few dozen oak logs, not anything precious. The forest was full of them.
Monbodt hadn’t expected him to agree so readily.
He had expected Bard to refuse outright, or at least stall for a while.
’Does he actually want to get on good terms with Duane?’
Monbodt’s mind was suddenly in turmoil.
The leader of the Broken Wave Gang was acting so passively. What could he, an ordinary man approaching sixty, possibly do?
’It looks like I’ll have to be even more humble and submissive in front of Duane,’ he thought. ’And I have to remind Broo that he absolutely cannot blow our cover.’