Surviving The Fourth Calamity-Chapter 226 - 47: The Anger Towards Dwarves and Elves_2
"Boen is a good kid," Fran Bulli said, ignoring him. "Although his talents are not sufficient, his diligence and tenacity are enough, and he doesn’t blame heaven or others. No wonder Hill likes him so much."
Hill squinted and smiled: For Boen, who had to exert all his willpower to become an Archmage, life had completely changed from being Hill’s personal servant to striving to be a teacher at the King’s Academy.
"Once the demon business is over, I’ll take him there," Adrian decided. "I have to pick an inheritor soon."
"But this bomb formula," Adrian said somewhat puzzled, "I remember His Majesty the King sent people to buy it a while ago, didn’t he? Wasn’t it said that the Undead Tribe could exchange it for military exploits?"
"You never think," Fran scoffed. "Greenberg just opens his mouth and claims it’s for fighting demons; how could he ask for money for the formula? He wants it for free."
"The Undead Tribe can exchange for it, but so far, no one has." Hill said helplessly. "The Alchemical Bomb, unless it’s really valuable, they wouldn’t waste so much effort making it. They’d rather make fireworks instead!"
The apprentices at the King’s Academy had already pushed the price of the Alchemical Bomb to the lowest. The standard bombs they made were, in some ways, more popular than those made by Mages, because of their high safety. After all, they wouldn’t dare change the material ratios and risk killing the people using the bombs.
Now some of the entertainment-type Alchemy Devices are the types favored by the alchemists of the Undead Tribe, while Mages of this world, even the apprentices, wouldn’t waste their energy on such things, though they might encounter some who would spend money to buy a couple for fun.
If the alchemists of the Undead Tribe could make something, it would soon become commonplace, even small Nobles and ordinary civilians knew that if you wanted cheap Alchemy Products, you would go to the stores of the Undead Tribe.
They never understood why the Undead Tribe would spend thousands of Crystal Stones to open stores, yet only sell items worth a few Gold Coins.
Now somewhat wealthy families in Saral Country would go to the stores of the Undead Tribe to buy the lowest level Alchemical Lamps, as the Undead Tribe was selling at a loss, which was much more cost-effective compared to burning candles.
Hill thought about it for a while, then he realized that this was their way of grinding proficiency with their entry-level products.
Since the number of the Undead People increased, more and more of them became keen on playing life professions.
William’s methods were always carried out quietly. With the same materials, making fireworks in the hands of the Undead Tribe earned more than the Alchemical Bombs. With these, the Alchemy Apprentices of the King’s Academy had a much better life than the Alchemists outside. Once they graduated, they would naturally be recruited directly into William’s factories and government departments, and consequently, they became employees of state-owned enterprises or civil servants.
Standing at the top of the pyramid, Hill did not feel it too deeply.
But for the lower-level alchemists, many were either forced to take refuge in William’s embrace and work in the factories, or straightforwardly fled to other countries. Of course, this refers to the Haifasardo type; although they took shortcuts, as long as there were Nobles who indulged in luxury, there was a market for them.
As for the three countries of Saral, anyone with clear eyes could see that if the Nobles wanted to preserve their wealth and lives, they would have to stay honest for at least a few hundred years.
The fools had all participated in this rebellion, blowing up the Alchemy Factory was just the biggest step, while other minor rebelliances were just suppressed by the Undead Tribe.
This time William did not call a halt midway, and everyone remotely involved was rooted out and exterminated by the Undead Tribe.
Adrian was able to sit still because his father had, with great difficulty, received the Life Potion he sent back, which would enable him to live for many more years. He treasured his own life dearly and firmly decided not to get involved in any matters, staying put in his territory without so much as a step outside.
After all, with the Fran family’s good relationship with the King and Adrian backing them, as long as they did not cause trouble, their family was sure to continue. However, Adrian also repaid the debt of life to them; if they actively jumped into the muddy waters, Adrian would likely choose to preserve himself and not lift a finger to help them with the trouble.
Nobles, as a species, were both daring and exceptionally time-serving. Everything depended on whether the head of the family could clearly see their own status.
Though William may have spent some money, the entire country had already gotten back on the right track, without any drag on its progress.
Saral Country was now the strongest nation in the human world.
So the Dwarves and Elves came directly to Saral, and the other countries also hastily sent members of their Royal Families.
When Saral Country was plagued with internal strife and external threats, and when William ascended the throne, they had not sent anyone.
The foreign minister of Salabia moved the Greenberg minister behind him with a swift motion and asked with a smile, "Then, can we directly purchase Alchemical Bombs? There are not many alchemists in Salabia, and we prefer to buy finished products."
"Certainly," said the Prime Minister of Saral, with a beaming smile, "the price is basically the cost plus a little apprentice labor fee. We won’t be making a killing off this."
The foreign minister of Greenberg, annoyed, grabbed the Salabian minister by the neck, "What are you trying to do? Salabia doesn’t have an Abyssal Gate!"
"Wasn’t I just worried you couldn’t handle it, and what if demons got into our country?"
"Get lost!" He shoved the Salabian minister away, straightened his clothes, and said to the Prime Minister, "Please forgive my selfishness in wishing to save on every expense, and please sell the Alchemical Bombs to us first. After all, we’re the ones in urgent need."
The Prime Minister looked at William, who nodded in agreement, and replied, "Of course, that is possible. Moreover, Saral allows basic materials to be used as credit, not just Crystal Stones."
After a moment’s thought, he continued, "It’s not just Alchemical Bombs; all things from Saral are available. If it’s civilian-made goods, they can also be exchanged for Crystal Stones at the treasury first. Saral is financially very robust now."
Hill looked at the grateful face of Greenberg’s envoy and the slightly tempted ambassadors of the other countries and smiled faintly.
William was probably the king in this world who was least in need of Crystal Stones.
Others might not understand why, with nearly a hundred million of the Undead, William was still short of people and basic materials.
But the everyday necessities of commoners were indeed something William was truly short on.
That’s why William was liberating a vast number of slaves to work the land, hoping that even without miracles, the people of Saral could be self-sufficient.
"Now remains one most critical matter," the Prime Minister of Saral solemnly stated, "by the will of our king: set aside the God of Nobility for now, but as for the whereabouts of the God of Smithing and Craft, please pay extra attention when you return to your countries."
All the ministers, including King Noah, stood up straight and nodded in agreement.
They understood that it wasn’t King William of Saral speaking these words, but the future deity, the current Space-Time Pope, issuing directives in the name of a god.
"Even if the Divine Kingdom has collapsed and they themselves have fallen from their altars," said William coldly, "it won’t take them ten years to restart the path of faith. An Evil God will not walk the righteous path. If you don’t want your country to become a land of darkness, take this seriously."
Hill glanced at Fran, "The God of Smithing wouldn’t come to Saral, right?"
"How could that be possible?" Fran looked up and said, "In the lands of Saral, other deities’ presence might seem inconspicuous, but it’s like a spot of black on white snow, very noticeable at first glance. Unless permitted by the God of Time and Space, other deities simply cannot enter Saral."
So in this world, you can’t play the game where the most dangerous places are the safest.
This is really great, Hill thought, smiling in celebration to himself.
William stood up, nodded to the people below, and turned to leave.
This time, the Prime Minister of Saral was the first to see off King Noah.
Only after all the envoys had left did Hill realize, "They didn’t let the Mage Association or the Sorcerer Tower speak."
"Sorcerer Tower just came to show their stance; they would never compromise or collaborate with evil gods or demons. As for the Mage Association, who knows what they want," Fran said, leaning on the sofa and lifting a glass of wine, "In past major events, the human world would seek the Mage Association. But this time, the first reaction of all nations was Saral."
"Everywhere has fools blinded by self-interest, just wait and see," he raised his glass to the sky outside, "A toast to the good life."