"You’ll know once you find a monkey to try it on." Agatha reached out with delicate fingers, picked up the potion, and placed it back on the shelf.
Shire smiled, glancing at the rat jumping up and down in the cage next to them. This rat was now a whole size larger, its strength and agility greatly increased. He even thought that if it were caught in a mousetrap, the rat could probably prop the clamp open with its paws, pushing it up and down like a piece of gym equipment.
"Okay, I’ll have them go catch a few monkeys." Shire nodded, though he knew monkeys were harder to catch now. They had captured a lot before to climb the Bang-Bang Trees. Now, whenever the goblins got near the monkeys’ territory, the monkeys would shake the branches and screech wildly, their curses a cacophony.
He felt these monkeys were a bit ungrateful. ’I’m doing my best to maintain the stability of the troop!’ The ones who actively walked into his traps were all young adult males on the verge of maturity. By capturing them, he was preventing the Monkey King from being challenged and stopping fights from breaking out in the troop.
In the end, he had only captured half of the monkeys in the troop.
"You keep researching the Ancient Runes. I’m going to go check on the goblins," Shire said with a smile as he left.
He said his goodbyes and walked towards the Underground River Platform. On the way, he saw something hanging below a small wooden house on the stone chamber wall.
These wooden houses were all commissioned by Shire through Mary from some toymakers. They were exquisite, scaled-down dollhouses. The wooden structures were four or five stories high, and while there were no dolls, they were fully furnished with tables, chairs, beds, cabinets, bowls, basins, and boxes—a perfect fit for the little goblins’ size. Hanging them on the wall also saved space.
There were already seven or eight wooden houses hanging on the wall, with many more orders pending. ’The toymakers will probably be busy until next spring,’ he thought. By then, the little goblins wouldn’t have to live in huts made of grass anymore.
Shire walked over and saw that the one hanging under the wooden house was none other than Shan Xi Ao. He was tied up with a thin rope, hung up for "public display."
"What’s wrong? Your father punishing you?" Shire asked with a chuckle.
"Mhm," Shan Xi Ao nodded.
"I didn’t say a thing," Shire said, a ’don’t look at me’ expression on his face.
"It was my own big mouth. I never should have told Fatty. He promised he wouldn’t tell, but he went and blabbed it right away," Shan Xi Ao sighed regretfully.
"See? I told you not to tell anyone." Shire flicked a finger, and Shan Xi Ao, dangling from the rope, swung from side to side.
"I performed such a great deed! I couldn’t hold it in." Shan Xi Ao swung back and forth, as if he were on a Pirate Ship ride at an amusement park.
"So your father tied you up here?" Shire flicked him again.
"It was my mother! Stop flicking me!" Shan Xi Ao yelled.
Shire roared with laughter, ignored the little goblin’s threats, gave him a few more flicks, and then turned to leave.
There was one thing he hadn’t told Shan Xi Ao. He had seen a new status on the little goblin’s panel that had appeared after the incident.
[Favor of the Tree People: Your bravery is praised by the Tree People, and your wisdom is sung on the breeze throughout the forest. Henceforth, your Natural Magic will grow at a much faster rate than before while in the forest.]
"That little rascal really lucked out from this misfortune," Shire chuckled softly.
He soon arrived at the Underground River Platform. Bai Mao and several female goblins were preparing lunch.
Shire glanced over and saw Nine-finger lying prone on the riverbank. Not far from him was a small pot, likely containing one of Bai Mao’s new recipes.
The moment he saw this scene, he quickly took a few steps to the side, putting distance between himself and Nine-finger.
In a corner was a large iron basin, now filled to the brim with animal entrails.
Shire scanned the area, then took a small Copper Bell from the bag on his back. Agatha had told him before that it was used to summon Rubus.
DING, DING. Shire rang the Copper Bell.
A black rift appeared, and the Star Realm Dog leaped out, sitting down in front of Shire.
"Hurry and eat. Your master isn’t here," Shire said immediately. He and Rubus were specifically hiding behind a rock, just in case Agatha came looking for him.
Rubus buried its head in the iron basin and began to feast on the entrails.
Shire knew that dogs were pack animals. They were loyal to their masters, but they also recognized the strong members of the pack. Shire knew he could never replace Agatha as its master, but he wanted to see if the Star Realm Dog would see him as a "Dog King," since he was constantly providing Rubus with food.
If things went as planned and Rubus became his loyal "subordinate," he could bestow the Ability [Lustful] on the Star Realm Dog. Then, all he’d have to do is wait for Rubus to bring back an entire family from the Star Realm.
"Eat up, hehehe," Shire said with a brilliant smile.
Later, he also had to check on Buck Teeth. Shire had bestowed [Wind of Nature] on Buck Teeth yesterday, but he didn’t know if he had awakened it yet.
’That guy is so smart and eager to learn, there shouldn’t be a problem. When the time comes, I’ll have him lead some goblins to take care of the Tree People, and we’ll have a stable food supply next year.’
...
"Is it really not possible to meet your boss?" the Island Merchant Salumu asked, looking at the order form in his hand. "While it’s true you’ve already delivered all the Healing Potions, now there’s an order for half a ship of honey. I’d like to discuss the details with them in person."
"I’m terribly sorry, Mr. Salumu, but neither of them is in Yangjiao Town," Mary said apologetically.
"I see. That’s a real shame," Salumu sighed.
"So, about this order for half a ship of honey, are you willing to accept it?" Mary asked politely.
"I’ll accept, but I have a condition. The entire payment must be in Healing Potions, and I want a discount of ’buy 10, get 2 free’." Salumu looked up at Mary, awaiting her answer.
"That price?" Mary hesitated for a moment. Her boss, Shire, had previously told her that she could offer up to a 30% discount for large orders. "Yes, that’s acceptable. I can note it on the contract."
Mr. Salumu was slightly taken aback. He hadn’t expected her to agree so quickly, but since he had already stated his terms, it wouldn’t be right to go back on his word. He could only agree to the price.
For him, this price was very profitable. If he wasn’t burdened with the responsibility of finding his young master, he would have loved to make a few more runs like this.
"You need to prepare the goods as soon as possible. I hope I can speak with your boss in person next time I’m here." Salumu signed the contract and stamped it with his seal.
"Of course, I will pass on your message," Mary said with a slight bow.
TING-A-LING. The door to the Alchemy Workshop was pushed open, and a lean Adventurer walked in. "Excuse me, are you still doing the ’buy 10, get 1 free’ deal on Healing Potions?"
"Yes, we are. How many bottles do you need?" Mary asked with a smile.
"I’ll take 11 bottles," the Adventurer said, taking coins from the pouch on his belt.
"Are you headed into the forest?" Mr. Salumu asked with a smile, sizing up the man.
"Ah, yes," the Adventurer replied instinctively after glancing at him.
"Winter is setting in. The forest should be much safer, right?" Salumu asked.
"No, not at all," the Adventurer shook his head and sighed. "It’s gotten more dangerous recently. A horde of goblins has shown up from who knows where."
"Goblins?" Salumu’s interest was piqued.
"Yes, a large horde of goblins. They stick together, and an Adventurer party of four or five has a hard time dealing with them."
Mary calmly packed the items, but she was listening intently to their conversation.
"Aren’t goblins supposed to be easy to deal with? I’ve heard many Adventurers say they can wipe out a whole nest of them without breaking a sweat," Salumu said with a smile, looking at the somewhat dejected Adventurer.
The lean Adventurer slapped the counter lightly and said loudly, "This horde of goblins is strange. They seem to anticipate our arrival and swarm us all at once. There’s also a Goblin Ghost among them that’s very difficult to handle. I’ve heard quite a few people have been killed. The Association has already reported it to the Count’s Mansion."
"Didn’t the Storm Brotherhood already clear out the goblins once when they came through?" Salumu asked.
"Don’t even mention them. No one knows where they went; it’s like they vanished into thin air. I heard the town guard is looking for them everywhere. The rumor at the Ear-Cleaning Master Tavern is that they went into the forest and were killed by some powerful monster."
"A powerful Demon?" Salumu raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued.
"Of course. Some say they ran into a group of Eye Demons, others say a horde of Heart Stealers. There are all kinds of stories. In any case, they’re monsters that people like us, who just kill goblins all day, wouldn’t dare to touch." The Adventurer shrugged and spread his hands.
"Speaking of which, an old friend’s son also became an Adventurer. I don’t suppose you’ve seen him? He’s very tall, with blond hair, green eyes, and a handsome face..." Salumu said with a smile, using his hands to gesture as he described the human appearance of Shire Merlot.
"Uh, doesn’t ring a bell. You know how it is, sir. There are a lot of Adventurers. I can’t have met them all," the Adventurer said, waving his hands dismissively.
"Alright, my apologies for bothering you. Thank you for satisfying my curiosity," Salumu said with a slight bow.
"No, no, it’s nothing," the Adventurer said hastily.
"Here you are, your Healing Potions," Mary said, handing over the goods as soon as she saw their conversation had ended.
Soon, both the Adventurer and Salumu left the "Drink Undying" Alchemy Workshop one after the other. Mary glanced outside through the glass window, then took out a notebook from under the counter.
"A horde of goblins has appeared on the outskirts of the forest. They are numerous and include a Goblin Ghost. This horde has already killed many Adventurers."
"The Adventurer Association has reported this, and the Count’s Mansion may send people to deal with it."
"Additionally, the town guard is searching for the Storm Brotherhood. It is advised not to sell their equipment for now, or to move it out of the territory."
After writing, she thought for a moment and then added the details of Salumu’s order to the paper.
TING-A-LING. The workshop door was pushed open, and another customer walked in.
"Excuse me, do you have Healing Potions here?"
Mary closed her notebook and smiled as she sized up the new customer. He was very well-built and wore exquisite Armor, with neatly-combed blond hair. He was completely different from a typical Adventurer. Furthermore, his armor’s chestplate was engraved with a black lion’s head.
"Yes, we do. How many bottles will you be needing?" Mary asked politely.