Arcane Emperor

He received it with great eagerness, but just after a glance, Adam Smith's expression changed as he said in an incredulous tone, filled with excitement:

"This is... a Spatial Belt? And it's even a medium specification one, which could sell for at least 5000 gold coins!"

"This item here is the Boots of Haste; the scales are blue and green, and there's a faint presence about them. They must have incorporated Loc's Feathers silk. Their value alone could reach 800 gold coins..."

"Eh, there's an enchantment too? A highly practical Assault? Its value could reach at least 8800 gold coins!"

Seeing Adam Smith's slight display of expertise, Matthew knew he came prepared, likely a merchant with a story. He smiled inwardly:

"I'll leave the trade of these two items to you, and remember it must be kept a secret."

"Deduct the 1960 gold coins for the goods from this amount."

"I don't care how much you make or lose, but the items I need, you must get them ready for me!"

Pushing a Serl Family emblem across, Matthew looked deeply into Adam Smith's eyes and spoke leisurely:

"Don't disappoint me!"

Holding the white Mage Tower emblem with both hands, even if Adam Smith had made many preparations and held considerable confidence,

the ease of obtaining it still made him feel as though he was in a dream.

"From now on, I'm a merchant with powerful backing!"

At the same time, Adam Smith also felt an indescribable awe of this enigmatic My Lord.

The identity of an Arcanist, the backing of the Serl Family, and the suspected skills of an Alchemist, all confirmed that his gamble paid off.

Adam Smith was also very clear that all of this was conditional.

Only by meeting My Lord's demands and completing his tasks could he enjoy such protection.

When Adam Smith lifted his head again, he found that Matthew had disappeared from his view. Standing before him was Butler Ralph, with a smile on his face.

A sense of trepidation welled up in Adam Smith; he had a keen eye for both situations and people.

He could tell at a glance that My Lord did not particularly care whether he completed the task or not, which was not too different from many other Spellcaster Lords in his impression.

But in stark contrast, Butler Ralph was entirely different; one look and it was clear that he was extremely astute, not someone easily dealt with.

Pulling out a ledger from behind him and taking out a sheet of parchment, he handed it to Adam Smith. While his eyes held a polite smile, his tone was quite serious:

"These are the items My Lord wishes to acquire; you should be able to bring most of them. However, take care to keep these few confidential."

Feeling a chill, Adam Smith took the parchment and his complexion changed slightly as he read in an extremely soft voice:

"2 million pounds of wheat, 1000 gold coins!"

"100,000 pounds of high-quality rice seeds, 200 gold coins!"

"10,000 chickens, 50 gold coins!"

"10,000 ducks, 50 gold coins!"

"1000 pigs, 500 gold coins!"

"500 draft cattle, 250 gold coins!"

"50 warhorses, 500 gold coins!"

"Crossbows x20, 400 gold coins!"

"Spellcasting materials 250 pounds, 50 gold coins!"

"Magic crystals, 100 pieces, 500 gold coins!"

"Recruitment: Intermediate-Level Blacksmiths, Intermediate-Level Tailors, Intermediate-Level Leatherworkers, and other manufacturing talents."

"To work in Bay Village for 5 years, a reward of 50 gold coins per person, 1000 gold coins for advanced talents, 5000 gold coins for master-level talents."

"Recruitment requirements: willing to undergo apprenticeship training, provide knowledge transfer, and sign a work contract."

"May not participate in production and manufacturing; after passing an assessment, they may take charge of that type of production factory."

"Recruitment: Intermediate-Level Chefs, Intermediate-Level Breeders, Intermediate-Level Feeders, and other lifestyle talents."

"For each intermediate-level talent working in Bay Village for 5 years, a reward of 20 Gold Coins is granted, with advanced talents receiving 200 Gold Coins and master-level talents receiving 2000 Gold Coins."

"Recruitment requirements: willing to undergo apprenticeship training, provide knowledge teaching, and sign a work contract."

"May choose not to participate in production and crafting, and after passing an examination, may manage that type of production factory."

Seeing such a wide range of item needs, Adam Smith thought that Matthew was not like the other Caster Lords, caring only for spells and the Mage Tower.

This meant he'd have more room to play!

At the same time, Adam Smith was also astonished by Matthew's ambitious appetite, which put him under no small amount of pressure.

"Basic supplies like wheat and livestock aren't difficult to obtain, but high-quality rice seeds are hard to come by; we must head to the southern ports to find a solution... "

"We're not short on basic weapons and equipment, even if the volume is somewhat large, it's feasible to exchange some with others; however, crossbows are a bit of a problem..."

"Magic Crystals, while not expensive, are required in large quantities, and to amass these in a short time is no easy feat..."

"Recruiting various talents, is this a test for me? Or rather an intention to accelerate the development of the territory?"

"Buying all kinds of materials only costs around 3000 Gold Coins in total, could the rest be allocated for recruiting talents?"

"These offered prices are too tempting; it might be difficult to lure those currently in favor, but those slaves, or those near retirement..."

During his brief rumination, Adam Smith quickly weighed the pros and cons, basically assuring himself that he could complete the task, even if it meant a significant sacrifice, but he felt it was acceptable.

The more at ease Matthew appeared, the more he earned Adam Smith's approval!

Adam Smith's changing expressions did not escape Butler Ralph's notice, who, while slightly surprised, remained composed and even offered a smile as he said:

"My Lord said time is of the essence, the faster the better, and to focus on safety, not to take the route through Sweet Water Town again..."

Adam Smith was startled, for when he heard of the destruction of Sweet Water Town by the Black Dragon, he hadn't thought much of it, rather feeling quite fortunate.

Now that Butler Ralph mentioned it in such a manner, he immediately realized the complexity behind the events and nodded repeatedly in sincere gratitude:

"Thank you for the advice, Butler Ralph. I will complete the task as quickly as possible and will surely bring you a gift next time... "

Without denial, Butler Ralph nodded silently and without further ado, proceeded to walk out of the Lord's Mansion with the documents.

Adam Smith carefully placed the parchment into a silk bag and then into his Storage Belt, following Butler Ralph out.

No sooner had he stepped out the door than he suddenly saw twenty or thirty children, dressed in somewhat tattered clothes patched all over, cheerfully waving another piece of parchment and shouting in a young, clear voice:

"My Lord is hiring! My Lord is hiring!"

"Repair the village walls, five Copper Coins per person per day, lunch provided with enough food to fill you up, wages settled daily!"

"..."

In just a short while, these agile little devils had the whole village buzzing about it.

Sitting inside the carriage, Adam Smith witnessed adults coming out of their houses, grabbing the children to inquire in detail, amazed by Butler Ralph's ingenious way of proclamation.

He immediately thought of many ways to use children for announcements...

Meanwhile, he gained a clearer understanding of the preciousness of time as Butler Ralph had described.

Adam Smith hastened back to a two-story wooden warehouse and gathered his subordinates, instructing them to quickly transport the goods to the fort of the Lord's Mansion and then return lightly to Blood Moon City with the utmost speed.

"My Lord's orders are paramount, you must follow the commands of Butler Ralph and the others."

"Remember, don't get me into any trouble, or I'll flay you alive!"

After sternly delegating tasks, Adam Smith tore open a Teleportation Scroll intended for emergencies.

A burst of cerulean spatial distortion shone brightly.

Then Adam Smith disappeared on the spot, enduring the nausea and warping fluctuations caused by the spatial transfer, and in just tens of seconds, he quickly arrived back at Blood Moon City.

He had to hurry!