Chapter 4: The Brave’s Tavern,potion formulas

Chapter 4: The Brave's Tavern,potion formulas

Glaire Lowered his voice and said, "I've heard that cracking the Emperor Roselle's manuscript can grant immense power!"

"Indeed," Hastur affirmed with certainty.

For those who understand Chinese characters, the value of Roselle's manuscript could be described as priceless. Of course, some less serious content would need to be removed, such as the taste of witches being quite delightful.

Glaintsighed, "I have two or three pages here, but I've never been able to decipher them."

Hastur laughed, "I'm an admirer of Emperor Roselle and am keen to collect his manuscripts left in this world. If you're willing to sell, I'd like to purchase each for 100 pounds."

"No need for such trouble," Glaintsaid with a wave of his hand and a smile. "I'll give you the manuscripts I have. If you manage to decipher them, I hope you can tell me."

"Certainly."

Hastur agreed with a smile, seeing it as a no-lose deal.

Before leaving, Hastur asked Glaint to keep an eye out for anything related to Emperor Roselle's manuscripts.

He was genuinely interested in these diaries and also planned to hoard a bunch to sell to the exceptionally wealthy Miss Justice.

Well, selling them for 500 pounds each seemed reasonable, believing Miss Justice would generously fork over the money.

With 2000 pounds in his pocket, Hastur naturally didn't choose to walk back but hired a carriage. He first went to Beckland's largest bank, the Beckland Bank, to deposit 1000 pounds, then returned home.

The door was still tightly closed, and the lock was as good as new. Hastur's worries dissipated. He entered, went upstairs, checked the drawer where he kept his pocket watch collection, and found nothing missing.

"It seems the security level in the West District is quite good."

Hastur chuckled as he headed to the left-side study, placing the three law introductory books he had retrieved from Beckland University on the desk.

After a long gaze, Hastur sighed. The books were back, and now there was nothing to do but get to work.

Wednesday, February 28th, 1349.

Hastur got up from bed, yawned, and remembered that he had returned home around ten o'clock the previous night. Despite feeling sleepy, he had forced himself to read the law introduction for an hour, which was utterly exhausting.

As he slept, he visited the Hall of Stars again, observed the Lamp Genie and Mr. Door for a while, then left the Hall of Stars and fell into a deep sleep.

After getting dressed and grooming himself in the washroom, he went downstairs to the right-side kitchen and continued his breakfast routine of honey water with oat bread.

It was getting a bit monotonous. If not for his hunger, he would have liked to try something different.

After breakfast, he went upstairs to change into a new set of clothes, then donned a top hat and cane before heading out.

Today, he planned to visit some friends of the original owner, mainly to reassure them and prevent their concern from attracting the attention of church forces. He also intended to buy some ingredients he preferred.

He didn't want to eat oat bread for breakfast every day. If he could buy some rice, cook some porridge, and pair it with some side dishes, that would suit his taste better.

Of course, cooking a bowl of rice would be even better.

After leaving the house, he spent six pence to take a carriage to the first noble friend's house. After a cheerful chat, Hastur naturally stayed for lunch.

After lunch, Hastur first visited the Saint Samuel Church in the North District, the headquarters of the Church of the Evernight Goddess in the Beckland parish.

If Hastur had to choose a true god to believe in, he would undoubtedly embrace the Evernight Goddess without hesitation.

After spending half an hour in the church, Hastur then headed to the bustling Hillsdon District of Beckland.

This was the economic, commercial, and financial center of the Ruin Kingdom, with the Beckland Stock Exchange, Bill Exchange, Futures Center, headquarters of the seven major banks, various trust funds, railway companies, and various bulk goods trading companies.

Hastur strolled around with great interest. By around three in the afternoon, he went to another friend's house nearby and enjoyed afternoon tea amidst delightful conversation.

As dusk approached, Hastur was already at a third friend's house. Unable to refuse his friend's warm hospitality, he stayed for dinner.

After making the rounds, Hastur walked the streets to digest his food, satisfied with his busy day.

Returning to the West District, he spent 12 soli on a good amount of beef, steaks, pork chops, vegetables, two loaves of oat bread, and a Tasok fish suitable for baking. Unfortunately, he couldn't find any rice to cook.

After bringing the ingredients home, Hastur went upstairs to bathe and changed into a simpler set of casual clothes. He locked the house doors and windows and took a carriage to the Brave's Tavern.

Although the original owner had been in Beckland for many years, he had rarely attended extraordinary gatherings, let alone regular ones.

Hastur had no choice but to pick the Brave's Tavern, a somewhat secretive place for extraordinary gatherings, and perhaps even have a chance to meet Miss Sharon.

Even if he didn't meet her, it was good to become familiar with the place.

Hastur spent five pence on a Southville beer to try. After one sip, he smacked his lips. The taste was alright, but he didn't want a second one.

After a brief walk, he found Casper Canining outside the third billiard room. With a somewhat surprised look, Hastur calmly stated he was referred by "the old man."

"Come in."

Hastur entered, and another person inside consciously left, closing the door behind them.

Casper, with a nose reddened by alcohol, looked at Hastur somewhat unfriendly and asked, "What do you want?"

"I want to join tonight's extraordinary gathering."

"Five pounds."

I remember that little Clark only spent two pounds to join the gathering, but when it came to me, it went up to five pounds! Is he trying to fleece me because I'm young?

Hastur hesitated for a moment but chose to spend five pounds to resolve the issue.

"You're quite generous."

Looking at the five-pound note Hastur handed over, Casper was slightly taken aback and then said, "Someone like you isn't suited for that dangerous and crazy world."

Hastur smiled, "I'm just here to take a look and broaden my horizons."

Casper said nothing more; his kind warning was given only once.

Leaving the billiard room, Casper gave a few instructions and then led Hastur through the kitchen's back door into the alley behind, winding their way to a dark and unlit house.

He took out a half-face iron mask and handed it to Hastur, saying solemnly, "Wear the mask. It'll save you unnecessary trouble if you don't want to be recognized."

"Thanks for the tip." Hastur took the iron mask, put it on, and tousled his hair a bit.

Once he was ready, Casper rhythmically knocked on the house door.

After seven or eight seconds, a small panel on the door slid open, revealing a pair of brown eyes.

After a moment of scrutiny, the door opened, and a hooded robe was handed to Hastur with a disgruntled attitude.

Then, leading Hastur through the door, they crossed the dark living room to the first-floor lounge.

A candle flickered weakly on the coffee table, casting a dim yellow light, barely illuminating about a dozen people sitting around.

Hastur naturally took a seat in a corner, waiting for the gathering to continue.

Soon, the calm atmosphere was disrupted. Some sought to buy potions, others to purchase sequence formulas, some to sell magical items, and some to sell extraordinary weapons.

Hastur just listened quietly, observing their orderly transactions.

Unfortunately, he didn't hear the pharmacist's annoying voice and speaking style.

As the transactions gradually came to an end, the Wise Eye old gentleman sitting on a single sofa looked in Hastur's direction, "New friend, what do you need?"

"I want thepotion formulas for Sequence 9 Lawyer, paid in pounds. The price is negotiable," Hastur stated his purpose.

When he heard a female extraordinarie selling weapons, he knew he could buy the Lawyer'spotion formulas from her tonight.

"I can sell it to you, but I want 300 pounds."

Perhaps feeling her asking price was a bit steep, she added, "I'm not in urgent need of money right now."

"Agreed."

Hastur accepted the deal, not minding the small markup.

Most importantly, she sold him the Sequence 9 Lawyer's formula at a premium tonight, and in the future, he would sell her the Sequence 8 Barbarian'spotion formulas at double the price.

He knew the Black Emperor's path through Sequence 8 Barbarian and Sequence 7 Briber'spotion formulass, but was unclear about the starting Sequence 9 Lawyer'spotion formulas.

After the Wise Eye's certification, the transaction was completed.

Sure enough, the lady who sold him the Lawyer'spotion formulas then expressed her desire to buy the Barbarian'spotion formulas.

From her tone, she wasn't in a hurry, probably because the potion hadn't fully digested yet.

Hastur remained silent, waiting for his next gathering to sell her the Barbarian formula at a doubled price.

Time passed quickly, and apart from the Lawyer'spotion formulas, he didn't need anything else…and waited for the entire gathering to end before the attendees left one by one.

As he left, Hastur returned the hooded robe to the doorkeeper and, relying on his memory of the way there, made his way back to the Brave's Tavern.

Casper was surprised to see Hastur return alive, "Not bad, coming back in one piece."

"As long as one can restrain their desires, they won't easily perish."

Hastur replied with a smile and spent five pence to treat Casper to a Southville beer.

It was getting late, and he didn't linger at the Brave's Tavern any longer. He stepped outside, waited for a carriage, and returned home.

"Restraint of desires sounds simple, but how many can truly adhere to it?"

Casper, hearing the voice behind him, curiously asked, "Are you interested in that young man?"

Maric, standing behind him, said, "Desire is called desire because it's hard for the human heart to be satisfied."

Casper chuckled, "Right now, my only desire is to earn pounds. The more money I make, the sooner I can retire."

(End of Chapter)