Second Offer: Xing Dynasty Cuisine

People would say Odin was crazy for believing in and willing to work with a young man like Aizen. But in reality, he didn't mind that because he had witnessed Aizen's determination, seriousness, and confidence in presenting and negotiating his offer.

Age didn't matter.

In the beginning, he really didn't have the feeling to listen to Aizen's words. But after chatting and talking at length, what was on offer made sense, moreover, the end of the first one.

An elixir.

For someone like Odin, a lower-middle-class merchant, the elixir was an item that could not possibly be traded. Let alone that, even lower-grade items like potions couldn't be obtained because he had no connection with an alchemist.

But Aizen was different.

Odin knew that his son's friend was good at academics and was now enrolled in the Aslan Empire's prestigious school, Raven Academy.

So, it was not impossible that Aizen knew or already had a connection with an alchemist, even though the teaching period had just started.

"So, in this offer, my job is to find the Divine Rider War Horse type, and we will breed the beasts with the elixir that you will provide. Is that correct?"

"Slightly wrong. I only provided the recipe for the elixir. As for the materials, Uncle Odin provided them."

Odin, of course, frowned at that. And his troubled face did not escape Aizen's attention.

"Uncle Odin, I am only a teenager and have no capital at all. All I have now are the ideas that will make Axzec Trading popular and become the number one trader in Mada City."

"But still. The 70% profit share is too little for me. Just so you know, uncle has a lot of men to feed. And some of them are the breadwinners for their families."

"Uncle Odin, the contract has been signed with the profit-sharing rules. What hasn't been written are only my offers. And papyrus magic paper cannot erase the writing that has been there."

"Yeah, I know," Odin answered with a deep sigh while leaning his back.

But Aizen smiled. He had no intention of letting Odin as his partner business restless.

"The elixir will not only speed up breeding. But will also increase the ability of war horses to bear multiple litters in one pregnancy.

"This potent elixir is not just any ordinary magic drug; it is an ancient and powerful remedy.

"Think about it, Uncle Odin. During your time as a merchant, have you ever heard of an elixir with such properties? I bet you haven't!

"I can guarantee that this elixir is the first and only of this realm!"

Odin was stunned at Aizen's sweet words. It was not just bullshit! He had never heard of an elixir with such an effect and efficacy. What was more, it worked against warhorses that were classified as wild beasts, not ordinary animals.

He also didn't doubt Aizen's ability and intelligence in terms of magic because he often heard Milo praising his friend with passion and enthusiasm. So, he had confidence in Aizen's ability to comprehend an elixir.

Apart from that,

From a profit standpoint, it was thrilling and exciting. The selling price of the Divine Rider War Horse would be very high because this type was the rarest in the market compared to other types of war horses.

And if the amount was more than usual, then the profit would be high, even if he only had 70% rights.

Odin subconsciously clenched his fist on the table. Felt that the war horse market would be a revival point for Axzec Trading to return to the trading circle in the Aslan Empire.

He didn't care whether the elixir was concocted by Aizen because he was good at magic. Or whether the young man knew high-ranking alchemists. The first offer was written and signed by both of them. So, the current condition was to trust each other, even though it was hard to imagine.

"So, Uncle Odin didn't have any worries about the first offer anymore, right?"

"Of course."

"In that case, I will lay down the materials needed for the elixir. And please remember! Don't let this list leak out! It is important and will determine the fate of Axzec Trading and whether I can make any money from it."

"Sure! Sure!"

Odin happily answered while rubbing his palms together like a servant happy to serve his master. He did not forget to provide paper to write the materials on. But his hand movement stopped before it reached the piece.

'If this is critical, then I need parchment magic paper that can erase the writing when I'm not reading it.'

Odin then took the parchment magic paper as it would not be read by anyone but him. It was perfect for the secret dealings of merchants.

Aizen took a deep breath and opened his mouth to deliver a long sentence that made Odin choke up.

"Dragon's blood, Mandrake root, Unicorn horn, Red spider lily, Valerian root, Ashwagandha root, Ginseng root, Licorice root, Star anise, Cinnamon, Clove, Sage, Yarrow, Cat's claw, Angelica root, Elderberry, Hops, Aconite, Mistletoe.

"What the!? That much!?"

"Yes. And buy with a ration of 1 kg each."

Odin swallowed hard. "Sure. Are you going to concoct it yourself?"

"That's right. I'll be the one concocting it myself. So there's no need to worry that the elixir will spread to other merchants."

"Wow! You're really talented in magic to be able to make an elixir like that."

Aizen just smiled, returning the compliment from Odin. He was actually speechless because Odin had a huge misunderstanding with magic.

Elixirs or potions were related to magic but concocting such items required no magical talent at all. What was required was the ability to sort and weigh rations with only four senses.

Eyes, ears, nose, and hands.

Aizen certainly was an intelligent kid in theoretical terms. So, he had an alchemist and magic approach in his head to balance the thing.

And was the elixir the fruit of Aizen's brain?

Certainly not.

That elixir was the product of the number one arms dealer in the Omni War era, the Brotherhood of Spectre.

He merely stole their idea and brought it five years early.

As someone who knew the mastermind behind the chaos of the Omni War, he had investigated the Brotherhood of Spectre as thoroughly as he could. And almost all the products from the arms dealer, he knew the ins and outs.

'I don't care if this is uncivilized! Curse me as much as you want, Brotherhood of Specters. I won't flinch and will make you guys miserable for making the Azure Realm suffer!'

Aizen would not hesitate to use the well-known products of the Brotherhood of Spectre so that he had enough capital to survive if war did occur.

He didn't believe in himself to be able to stop the Omni War but still hardened his heart to prevent that era from happening. And because of that lack of self-confidence, he prepared backup preparations that could stop the Omni War before destroying and disrupting the Azure Realm.

Aizen's mind returned to the room and smiled while tilting his head.

"Uncle Odin, shall we proceed to the second offer?"

"Absolutely!"

"Second is customary food. There are three main dishes that will become popular meals in the Aslan Empire if it's here. Those are rice, noodles, and vegetables."

"Huh!? Fine. Let me go over it for a second. I understand the noodle part since it's quite a popular dish in several places. But rice and vegetables? Are you not mistaken, Aizen?"

Odin had tasted noodles in other lands, and they tasted pretty good. Though that couldn't beat the meat, bread, and mushroom soup. Specialties of the Aslan Empire and other great nations.

In addition, rice and vegetables were food that had no taste and were bland on the tongue. How did it become such a popular food?

Aizen couldn't hold back his wry smile anymore. He closed his eyes and stroked his chest.

"Uncle Odin, I can't just explain this without you experiencing it yourself."

"Do you have the ingredients and will cook it yourself for me?"

"No. I can't cook that and don't have the ingredients."

"So, how?"

"Uncle Odin needs to visit a place far north of the Aslan Empire. On the way, uncle will find a vast wilderness that stretches as far as the eye can see.

"In that area, there is a region called the Xing Dynasty. There, Uncle Odin will know why I proposed the three dishes just now to be presented and sold here."

Odin tapped his fingers on the table, thinking and contemplating about it.

It was a normal thing to consider, but Aizen had no choice but to have Odin come directly to the territory.

In addition to becoming a popular food, the cuisine of the Xing Dynasty was substantial to be a ratio that was beneficial and more effective than meat and bread.

Rice and meat have different number ratios. The latter part was more difficult to prepare because it was limited. And the bread would not be enough to fill the stomachs of the soldiers.

"What if I don't want to go there?"

"Uncle Odin can't refuse because uncle needs to go to that place for the Divine Rider War Horse too."

"What!?"