The next day, Rorschach took out the powder and the "Charming Headscarf," handing them over to the Alchemy Departnt and telling Kano what had happened the previous night.
In truth, substances similar to the "Rat Poison" also circulated in the southern continent and across the sea, in the lands of the Shanshi people. "Life-and-Death Grass," for instance, was a fixture in various epics and legends. The God of Sleep, Hypnos, was said to use it to grant humans and even other gods an irresistible sleep filled with illusory dreams.
The princes and nobles of the Shanshi Clan would cut the Life-and-Death Grass, collect the flowing latex, and refine it with spices into a paste. They would then burn it for their own pleasure, or to control their Blood Shadow Assassins...
But Rorschach sensed a familiar aura from the dry, fine powder and the potent anesthetic liquid.
"A ’Mouse King’... isn’t that when a bunch of rats get their tails tangled together?" Rorschach began to seriously wonder if the na held so special aning for the gang at the bar.
"That’s just a legend." Kano was initially uninterested. To him, the "Rat Poison" was nothing special. Anyone with a little knowledge of classical Alchemy knew how many marvelous potions the Old Empire’s nobility had Alchemists concoct to numb the mind and stimulate pleasure.
Rorschach needed Kano to take this seriously. "Are there any leads on the attempted attack at the theater?"
"Not yet. The Security Team’s efficiency is what it is... Are you saying this ’Mouse King’ is also connected to the sect that worships Mother Earth?" Kano understood Rorschach’s implication.
"It’s just a suspicion. These two items feel familiar, and it’s not my first ti dealing with that underground organization, after all." Rorschach didn’t touch the "Rat Poison" directly. He used a Mage’s Hand to carefully pinch up a small amount. It wasn’t the crystalline substance typical of alchemical products, but a brownish-green powder.
"The Alchemy Departnt will analyze it. As soon as the results are in, I’ll report it to the Magic Guild." Kano stroked his chin. "If necessary, I will share the intelligence with the Order Church on behalf of the Tower of Stars."
"If this really is related to the faith of Mother Earth, then ’Mouse King’ might be symbolic of sothing. We have to take that into account." When supernatural factors were involved, especially those potentially connected to a mysterious but very real "god," any symbolic elent had to be treated with extre care.
"I’ll keep that in mind. By the way, your project proposal defense is scheduled for nine in the morning on the first day of the last ten-day period of the month." Kano had personally arranged the hearing. Whether Rorschach would pass wasn’t his primary concern. In the Great Mage’s eyes, the real point was whether this project could draw enough attention from the Guild to secure the maximum possible resources.
Kano’s intuition told him his student’s project was going to be an absolute money pit.
"I’ll be well-prepared." Rorschach stood and left the office. He had to get to an inn. The night before, they had been in a rush to get back to their respective lodgings before the rental carriages stopped for the night, so Rorschach and Hasse had parted after only a few words. They had agreed to et again today at a teahouse near Mr. Hasse’s inn.
’The teahouse is expensive, but I definitely won’t be the one paying this ti.’
"I don’t even know how to begin thanking you for last night! I ca to Valuva on a business survey. If you hadn’t saved , I nearly would have lost my life here!" Hasse was still shaken by the mory.
He took an exquisite wooden box from his parcel. "I happened to bring a specialty from my hotown, a set of tableware from Bayern. Please, accept it."
Rorschach opened it and glanced inside. It was a set of earthenware plates, teacups, and bowls. The surface glaze was far more delicate than other earthenware on the market, almost like porcelain. The sides of the bowls and cups were painted with colorful pastoral and floral scenes—classic thes outside of religion or epics.
"In that case, I’ll accept. Thank you, Mr. Hasse. But now I’m afraid I have to trouble you. Please, tell about Bart, especially how I can contact him. I’m a friend of his. Bart gave this ring before we parted ways." Rorschach showed Hasse the Storage Ring. The man recalled that Young Master Bart did indeed have a similar one.
He had already decided to tell Rorschach everything. First, Rorschach was his savior. Second, he was likely a good friend of Young Master Bart. And third, most importantly, his rchant’s instinct told him that to reap a great reward from this trip, he needed to find a key figure. In the Holy Kingdom, where countless trading firms curried favor with the Magic Guild, Rorschach Mage was the benefactor Hasse had been looking for.
"After graduating, Young Master Bart beca a Town Mage in the Bayern Kingdom, stationed in Wertzburg."
"So he’s in your hotown, Mr. Hasse?" The "gift from my hotown" Hasse had just presented was indeed painted earthenware from Bayern.
If the Marlin Kingdom was the heart of the northern Empire, then the Bayern Kingdom was one of the pillars of the south. It was bordered by the northern Empire, the Black Forest, the Magyar Plateau, and the Holy Kingdom, and was blessed with an extensive river system. These geographical conditions made the kingdom a strategic battleground in tis of war and a major hub for comrce and trade in tis of peace.
To the grinding frustration of the Emperor of the Empire, the kingdom had stood firm against all enemies throughout its history, growing both strong and wealthy. The Emperor had no choice but to hold his nose and grant it greater autonomy than the other States. After the Royal Guard of Bayern was integrated into the Empire Army, it beca the backbone of the southern forces, and its representatives in the Empire Council were seen as a bellwether for all the Southern States.
"Yes. Although the owner’s family is from Fuguo Castle, most of the Chamber’s business is now concentrated in the Bayern Kingdom. Young Master Bart’s current goal is to prepare his campaign to beco Wertzburg’s representative in the Duma Alliance. The next election is in three years." Bart had always been frank with the Chamber’s partners. He demanded their full cooperation in achieving his goals, and anyone who stood in his way was to be imdiately removed.
The Empire Council convened every five years. Even for a Mage and the young master of a major chamber of comrce, trying to enter the Parliant Building before he was even fully fledged was wishful thinking. So, he had chosen a suitable stepping stone to make a na for himself. A representative position in the Trade Alliance also perfectly aligned with his family’s interests.
Although Rorschach himself was born in the Southern Empire, a boy from the countryside would have never heard of such a thing. "The Duma Alliance?"
The middle-level partner explained, "Its full na is the Duma River Trade Alliance. Within the Alliance’s territory, there are unified comrcial regulations, product standards, and trade treaties for bulk commodities. mbers enjoy lower mutual tariffs, or are even tax-exempt. The southwestern states and principalities of the Empire are all mbers."
Because pork knuckles in the northern Empire were typically cured in heavy salt and then slow-cooked, while the southern regions led by Bayern preferred them roasted with a crispy rind, the organization was also jokingly known as the "Crispy Pork Knuckle Alliance."
’My fellow... student Bart is certainly in a hurry to get ahead.’ Rorschach surmised from Hasse’s information that everything had been arranged from the mont Bart was stationed in Bayern, likely with money paving the entire way. The investnt was staggering; the returns would surely be staggering as well.
"If you wish to contact him..." ’If I can just deliver a letter or pass on a ssage to the Young Master for Rorschach, it would definitely make a good impression.’
"Is there a Magic Guild in Wertzburg?"
"There is."
"Just knowing that is enough. I’ll get in touch through the Magic Guild’s channels." Rorschach waved his hand dismissively. He only needed the general location. As for Richard, he only knew he was in the army sowhere, which would make contacting him much more difficult.
’What a sha,’ the partner thought to himself. Just as he was about to bring up the topic of the rchant guilds affiliated with the Magic Guild, he heard Rorschach Mage ask casually, "Since you’re here on a survey, Mr. Hasse, have you made any interesting discoveries?"
’Rorschach Mage brought it up himself!’ Hasse’s spirits lifted imdiately. "I think this ’Purple Soda’ product is fantastic. If it were brought to the Empire, it would definitely be a bestseller. Products from both the Hercules and Hercules companies are worth importing.
Right now, their exports are mainly to the south and to Istani. You can’t find them anywhere in the Empire.
According to my investigation, the Alchemy Departnt of the Magic Tower in Valuva is involved with both companies’ products. Since you’re here in Valuva, might you know any Mages in the Alchemy Departnt? If you could make an introduction for , I would be sure to reward you handsoly!"
Hasse’s plan was to represent the Balderom Chamber of Comrce and negotiate a partnership directly with the researchers. If the Alchemy Departnt already had the mature technology, he could bypass the companies in the Holy Kingdom and produce and sell the product within the Empire.
..."Mr. Hasse, leave it to !" ’For my old classmate’s sake,’ Rorschach thought, ’I can waive the "handso reward."’ ’How handso could it be, anyway? It’s nothing compared to dividends and equity...’
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