Chapter 61 – Cooperation

After a full morning of nonstop travel, the silhouette of Doleiz City finally became faintly visible under the radiance of Mila and Chikasa.

Unlike Konola City’s isolated and solitary style, Doleiz City gave off a majestic and grand atmosphere. The city boasted many towering structures, and its forest of spires stood as symbols of prosperity in a world with productivity equivalent to the Middle Ages.

Sitting in the slowing carriage, Punk gazed at the vast stretches of farmland. The spice fields were diligently guarded by well-dressed soldiers. As a gentle breeze swept through, even during the tender growth season when the spices hadn’t matured, the air was still filled with a rich, pervasive fragrance!

Inside the carriage, across from Punk sat the Old Butler with his back ramrod straight and Lotalan wearing an earnest expression. When Punk informed them of important matters to discuss, the Old Butler respectfully expressed his patience to listen. Though Lotalan was reluctant to part with her little maid, her noble upbringing allowed her to distinguish priorities—especially upon hearing that this conversation involved an opportunity for the Minohorn Family. Eager to restore her family’s glory, Lotalan immediately became serious!

Seeing the usually tsundere and willful young Lotalan uncharacteristically solemn, Punk was somewhat surprised inwardly. He took a deep look at the properly seated Lotalan, thinking, “So this kid isn’t just a spoiled young lady after all”!

Since it was business discussion, it needed to be conducted with due formality. Punk set aside his casual and dismissive attitude, finding no issue in showing necessary respect to future partners.

“I presume Miss Minohorn is aware that I am a mage devoted to studying the mysteries of magic,” Punk remarked indifferently.

Though Lotalan inwardly complained, “With such a beauty like me before you, you don’t even glance my way? This isn’t ‘devotion’—it’s obsession!” she dared not voice her thoughts aloud. Instead, she nodded gravely to indicate her understanding.

Punk then briefly introduced his situation.

“Magic research undoubtedly requires financial support, and alchemical potions present a promising source of funds. I—Punk Cyan, an official mage—have considerable knowledge in the field of alchemical potions. However, as I am about to settle in a town to focus seriously on magic study, I cannot afford to waste time and energy on mundane commerce. Thus… I need a business partner to handle the sale of alchemical potions for me.”

Hearing this, the Old Butler was overjoyed. He immediately grasped Punk’s implication. Anxious by nature, he couldn’t wait for Lotalan to respond and hastily replied to Punk, “The Minohorn Family has a long history in commerce! We can guarantee absolute compliance with your instructions, Lord Punk. If you would grant our family this opportunity, we are confident we will not disappoint you!”

But Punk paid no heed to the butler’s enthusiastic words. He turned instead to Lotalan, who remained silent. The startled Old Butler quickly realized his overstep but, genuinely eager to secure cooperation with Punk, watched his flustered young mistress with growing anxiety.Lotalan was initially stunned by this unexpected windfall. After all, alchemical potions were an eternally scarce resource in high demand, representing an absolutely lucrative industry. Some adventurers would willingly bankrupt themselves just to obtain a life-saving potion. Moreover, the quality and quantity of potions provided by a Formal-Level Mage were exceptionally high. Currently, there wasn’t another Formal-Level Mage in Doleiz City, so the established alchemical merchants couldn’t possibly compete with her!

Lotalan could already envision the Minohorn Family becoming the top commercial dynasty in Doleiz City!

However, the little girl, having received a rigorous noble education, had learned from her very first lesson not to let profit blind her judgment. She quickly realized that her partner was a Formal-Level Mage she could never hope to defy. Judging by the handsome youth’s demeanor, he clearly didn’t belong to the lawful-good alignment, which meant… the Minohorn Family might eventually become a hollow shell controlled by another!

Lotalan subtly shifted her bright eyes, trying to glean some clue from Punk’s icy face, half-shrouded in the shadow of his hood. But his expression remained unreadable from start to finish, making it clear to her that no matter how long she stared, her limited experience would never decipher his thoughts!

Punk, of course, noticed Lotalan’s subtle movements. He knew the little girl was likely torn between greed and caution. With little patience, Punk decided to add some “weight” to the scales of profit.

He casually picked up a small teacup and took a sip.

“Regarding the revenue split… you get thirty percent, I take seventy.”

These words, spoken softly through his pale lips, meant little to Punk but struck Lotalan and the Old Butler like a thunderbolt!

It was an incredibly generous split. Punk believed that if this girl truly wished to restore the Minohorn Family, she would never refuse such favorable terms.

Sure enough, upon hearing the unbelievable split, Lotalan clenched her delicate little fists tightly. With such terms… she gritted her teeth, secretly rejoicing in her heart.

“In my lifetime, I will surely witness the revival of the Minohorn Family!”

She thought of her grandfather’s anguish in his later years over the family’s decline, and her father’s repeated deathbed exhortations to strive for the Minohorn Family’s restoration…

Lotalan stood up and bowed solemnly to Punk.

“Thank you for your generosity. The Minohorn Family will always be your most loyal partner!”

The Old Butler trembled with excitement, shakily rising from his seat as well. In a quavering voice, he asked Punk:

“Might the Minohorn Family have the honor of proclaiming your illustrious name to the world?”

Hearing this, Punk’s right eyebrow twitched slightly. He gazed deeply at the Old Butler’s wrinkled, bark-like face, amused inwardly. This old man had nerve—barely sealing the deal and already trying to play word games with a Formal-Level Mage. “Proclaiming his name”? Wasn’t it just about seeking a powerful backer?Leaving the master and servant duo standing awkwardly in place, Punk pondered for a moment. If they were to sell large quantities of high-quality alchemical potions without any backing… they would likely be devoured by those greedy nobles in the blink of an eye. When that happened, finding another spokesperson would be too troublesome. It would be better to simply let them operate under his name. In Doleiz City, no one would dare provoke an official mage, so there shouldn’t be any endless troubles requiring his intervention.

Having reached this conclusion, Punk secretly decided to allow the young girl Lotalan to act as his spokesperson. However…

These fallen nobles with their once-glorious histories often possessed some valuable treasures. Hadn’t even the impoverished rural nobles like Kane’s family, who couldn’t even afford horses, kept their inherited martial techniques hidden away as family heirlooms?

The azure glow of magical energy slowly swirled in Punk’s eyes…

Therefore…

“How could I live up to my identity as a profit-seeking mage if I don’t squeeze out every last drop of value from this Minohorn Family!”

(End of Chapter)