NOVEL NEXT chapter 50 - Demonic Marrow Manufacturing Plant
As the day for the bandit suppression drew nearer, Louis, accompanied by several Knights, carried two heavy chests and walked directly towards the magma essence manufacturing plant, which was also an alchemy workshop, located near the mine.
The manufacturing plant was constructed by Silco and three newly arrived alchemy apprentices.
Though called a factory, it was merely a few simple sheds, surrounded by alchemy equipment transported from the Southeast Province.
Despite the rudimentary conditions, it was already sufficient ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ for the magma essence refining process to take initial shape.
"Lord Louis, you've come at just the right time," Silco said, leaning lazily against a wooden pillar.
With more talents now in Red Tide Territory, he wasn't as busy and looked a bit more energetic than before, though still rather languid.
"The first batch of magma essence has just been refined."
Hearing this, Louis's interest was piqued, and his gaze fell upon a heavy wooden barrel.
The barrel was filled with deep purple powder, subtly shimmering with a faint magical aura, appearing fine and smooth.
Louis reached out and took a pinch, feeling an extremely smooth sensation on his fingertips, and couldn't help but exclaim, "Is this the magma essence?"
"That's right," Silco said, patting the barrel. "This barrel alone is worth at least fifty gold coins on the market."
Louis's eyes subtly changed.
Fifty gold coins was no small sum; it was enough to buy a hundred slaves or support two Formal Knights for a year.
And this was merely the result of a small-scale trial production.
Thinking of the enormous magic marrow mine in his territory, Louis's excitement grew.
However, he also knew that there were still many difficulties to overcome for true large-scale production.
The mining of magic marrow mine itself was fraught with risks; a slight misstep could trigger a collapse.
Moreover, their current equipment and manpower were far from sufficient.
This barrel of magma essence was their entire output for a week.
"Well done."
The few of them were stunned when they received the gold coins, then their faces lit up with excitement; this was a huge sum for them, and they all expressed their gratitude to Louis.
"Thank you, Lord Louis!"
But a moment later, one of the apprentices muttered softly, "But in this place, where can we spend these gold coins?"
The others around them fell silent for a moment, then couldn't help but chuckle.
After the laughter subsided, Louis turned to Silco to discuss serious matters.
He patted the wooden barrel and asked directly, "Silco, can this be used to create Magic Flame Bombs?"
Upon hearing the question, Silco frowned slightly, pondering for a moment before answering, "The key materials for Magic Flame Bombs are not just magma essence; they also require ignition cores and other components. And Red Tide Territory currently lacks all of these materials."
"I see…" Louis then lightly coughed, gesturing for the Knights behind him to open the two heavy chests they had brought.
As the wooden lids were lifted, a rich magical aura wafted out.
The chests were filled with a deep blue crystal.
These were the crystal spikes extracted from Ice Armor Bears, containing extremely strong energy fluctuations.
Silco and the three alchemy apprentices froze, their eyes wide and their breathing quickening.
"This… this is top-grade alchemy material!" one apprentice exclaimed excitedly. "If used properly, it's enough to craft high-level magic items!"
Silco recovered and asked uncertainly, "Are you thinking of…"
Louis patted the chest: "Adding this, can Magic Flame Bombs be made now?"
Silco was stunned for a moment, then nodded dazedly.
But the next second, he shook his head abruptly, an incredulous expression on his face: "No, no, this, this is too wasteful! magma essence is already precious enough, and adding Ice Armor Bear crystals? Using these two top-tier materials to create Magic Flame Bombs… this is simply squandering precious resources! If these materials were used in weapons, armor, or magic items, their value would far exceed ordinary Magic Flame Bombs!"
Louis, however, waved his hand dismissively, saying, "If it can be done, then do it. Make them as quickly as possible; I need them urgently."
Silco sighed, "Since Lord Louis has said so, we will complete it as soon as possible."
"I need them by the day after tomorrow at the latest," Louis set a deadline.
Silco's mouth twitched, and he wanted to say more, but ultimately he just shrugged helplessly and waved his hand, telling the alchemy apprentices to immediately begin their research.
Louis stood by, watching the busy figures of the alchemy apprentices with interest.
Just as one apprentice carefully poured the deep purple magma essence powder into an alchemy flask, urgent hoofbeats suddenly sounded from outside.
"Lord Louis!"
A Knight galloped in, dismounted, and knelt on one knee: "Duke Edmund's messenger has arrived and is waiting at the territory's entrance!"
Louis sighed, "What's meant to come, always comes."
He turned to straighten his cloak, nodded to the Knight, "Lead the way."
Outside the Red Tide Territory's council hall, a Knight clad in a deep blue cloak was waiting.
He was a Formal Knight, his armor emblazoned with Duke Edmund's family crest, clearly no ordinary attendant or messenger.
Upon seeing Louis arrive, the Knight immediately knelt on one knee, firmly relaying Duke Edmund's words:
"Lord Louis Calvin, His Grace Duke Edmund has ordered all Lords of the North to immediately mobilize their armies and march to suppress the Snowsworn rebels!"
With that, he took out a sealed letter bearing the Duke's seal from his waist and presented it with both hands.
Louis took the envelope, tore it open, and quickly scanned the contents.
The letter's tone was extremely stern, clearly specifying the assembly time and ordering all North Lords to personally lead their troops to the rallying point.
Each Lord was required to deploy a certain number of soldiers, and any delay or disobedience would be considered an act of betrayal against the Empire.
At the end of the letter, it was specifically noted that Louis's assembly point was Snow Eagle City.
Snow Eagle City, an important military stronghold in the North, was also the territory of Earl Firth.
Earl Firth was also the Governor of Snowpeak County, responsible for governing all the smaller territories within Snowpeak County.
Red Tide Territory, nominally, was one of his jurisdictions.
However, due to the tax-exempt policy enjoyed by pioneering Lords, coupled with the vastness of the North.
Louis had not yet formally interacted with this Earl.
Louis closed the letter, looked up at the messenger, and said, "I will arrive at the assembly point on time."
Upon hearing this, the Knight bowed and immediately turned to leave, galloping towards the next territory.
Only when the Knight's figure disappeared into the distance did Louis lower his head again, carefully rereading the letter and calculating the time.
There were still a few days left to prepare before the official expedition.