Chapter 330: Gratefulness
Translator: Kris_Liu Editor: Vermillion
After a year, Arthur now looked even fatter. His belly was so big that it almost burst out of the front of his vest. He was wearing a beret of the same color as his vest, and he behaved in a rather casual and comfortable manner in front of Lucien.
In Holm, no matter if it was hot or cold, dressing formally was always important for these gentlemen. They either wore suits or tuxedoes, and sometimes the hunter"s outfit. It was impossible to tell the seasons from what they wore.
However, the magic robes that Lucien and other sorcerers wore were very different. These robes could automatically adjust the temperature and humidity inside to make the wearers feel rather comfortable. Lucien thus wondered if these gentlemen would have a heat stroke in the south in Gusta Empire or Brianne.
"Welcome back, Evans." There was a lovely smile on Arthur"s face.
Because of their cooperation on Holm Mineral and Harvest, Lucien now was closer to Arthur.
Taking off the top hat, Lucien handed it to Leo. Then he smiled and said, "Arthur, you"re the first one coming over! I haven"t told other of my friends yet that I"ve come back."
"Keep your hat on, Evans. The prince is inviting you to his party. I"ll tell you more on the way." Arthur rubbed his hands excitedly, "In the past year, the several versions of Jinkela have received a very warm response from the market. We"ve been making a lot!"
Lucien was a bit confused, "To the party? What"s the party for?"
"It"s a party for uniting the n.o.bles who are very open-minded toward sorcerers." Arthur explained briefly, "After seeing the big success of Jinkela, the n.o.bles all want to work with sorcerers to seek for more profits in the field. Also, they"re very curious about you."
Lucien did not respond immediately.
Seeing that, Arthur thought that Lucien might not want to go probably because he was not good at socializing, so Arthur said to him, "Evans, it"s a great chance for you to know more important people. In Rentato, these n.o.bles have lots of resources in each county. Although I understand that, as a sorcerer, you probably don"t care, knowing more people and having more connections can do you lots of favors in the future and save you trouble. Also, those n.o.bles more or less have connections to some senior-rank mages."
"I see. It"s very kind of His Highness." Lucien grinned, "Let"s go now."
Although what Arthur said was true, in fact, as the student of the Lord of Storm, Lucien did not need the n.o.bles to get to know the senior-rank sorcerers. However, Prince Patrick was Natasha"s uncle, and he had helped Lucien a lot with the company, Holm Mineral and Harvest, using his own resources and wealth, so Lucien believed that he should go to show his appreciation.
Also, working with the great n.o.bles and making common citizens become accustomed to the use of magic was important to the further development of the Congress and was efficient to weaken the Church. Lucien sincerely regarded himself as part of the Congress, so he would like to do the favor.
...
With a long blast of the whistle, the magic steam train started to rush forward faster and faster in an unstoppable manner.
"Although I"ve been on this train many times, every time I see it speeds, I still feel beyond impressed. The train has really changed our lives by shortening the distance between the two cities. Especially the freight train… it has greatly lowered our transportation cost of the ores from the mines. Evans, I still don"t understand why the Congress keeps saying no to us on extending the railways. It has been several years… but we currently only have less than ten regular routes," said Arthur a bit bitterly.
Lucien grinned, "Like you said, what a great resource it is! And of course, the Congress would like to seize it in its own hand. I believe that the royal family can see the value as well."
To build railways in Holm, one must obtain the permission of the royal family. Thus, the royal family had been making a lot from it.
"That"s right! The railways… the trains… are all resources." Arthur curled his lips, "His Majesty takes care of this project in person, or we probably still can try…"
Soon Arthur pulled back his drifting mind and took out an envelope, "Evans, for the first year, because we were during the primary construction period, we did not have the dividend. Until the recent eight months, after our successful promotion, Jinkela has become very popular. This is yours. We pay you monthly, as you"re a sorcerer."
Lucien opened the envelope and saw a small paper pad in it, on which there were a magic and an arcana imprint. His dividend was 13,000 Thales.
Eight months, 13,000 Thales… That was more than a thousand a month. If Jinkela was also successfully promoted in the other three countries, it would be possible for Lucien to earn over ten thousand Thales monthly. At that time, he would not need to worry much about the cost of being a senior-rank mage.
Obviously, what was behind a senior-rank mage was lots, lots of money. One should at least be a very wealthy count to support a senior-rank sorcerer.
"Knowledge is a real treasure," Lucien said sincerely.
Arthur was very confident. "You"ll wait and see. When our promotion goes further, you"ll receive at least five thousand, no… six thousand Thales every month."
However, all of a sudden, Arthur sighed, "But many senior-rank mages also want the money. For the rest of the three countries, they have found new alchemical substances like Jinkela and they"ve also found the n.o.bles to work with them, or we"d be able to double the profit."
This was within Lucien"s expectation. Money was always the great motive for most people.
Seeing that Arthur was staring at him with hope in his eyes, Lucien smiled and comforted him, "We"re the first one, which"s our biggest advantage."
In Lucien"s mind, he believed that it was a good thing that more farmers could enjoy the joy of harvest.
...
Rentato, Hexagram Station.
Poc Beever, the coachman of the royal family of Holm, was very excited when knowing that the great sorcerer was attending the party. Walking back and forth on the platform, Poc focused his eyes on the exotic buildings very different from what he used to see in Rentato. Buildings here looked cold and mysterious.
More railways being built, more stations showing up, more alchemical factories rising, the Congress was stepping out of the mysterious and creepy mist and had revealed itself in front of common people, who started to become less afraid of the Congress of Magic.
The Church could not do much here as most of the n.o.bles had chosen to turn a blind eye toward it because of the great profit.
Poc was quite different from most common people who were afraid of sorcerers. He never dreamed to become a glorious hero or a priest, instead, he wished to become a powerful, terrifying and mysterious sorcerer. However, unfortunately, until his middle age, Poc finally accepted the fact that he did not have the talent.
In the past decade serving the royal family, Pac had seen some sorcerers, but he had never felt this excited.
He still remembered clearly what his mother said to him and her great excitement and joy when she came to town to visit him:
"I was… totally shocked when I saw our oats in the field. It was golden everywhere. For the first time, after we handed in the portion to the lord, we still have this much left… I know, the… the Jinkela thing"s a bit expensive. But it"s worth it! We don"t have to starve anymore! It"s much less burden for you!"
This was all from the great sorcerer who invented Jinkela!
For the farmers living at the bottom of the world, their biggest dream was not to starve anymore. If they could even save some money for their kids, they could never ask more from the Lord!
In Poc"s mind, the sorcerer was the real hero. When the train arrived, Poc adjusted his clothes a bit to look good.
The door opened, and Poc saw a young good-looking man wearing a black, double-breasted, long jacket get off the train with Mr. Arthur Doyle. The monocle the young man was wearing made him look more elegant.
Poc thought to himself that Mr. Evans must have used some magic potions to look this young.
He hurriedly took a few steps forward and said, "Sir, I"m the prince"s coachman. My name"s Poc. Are you Mr. Evans?"
Although Mr. Doyle was right beside him, he still needed to confirm.
"I am." Lucien slightly nodded.
The next second, Lucien was very surprised to see that Poc kneeled down in front of him and kissed the corner of his cloth in the manner praying in the church.
"Thank you… Thank you for bringing hope to us farmers," said Poc with tears in his eyes.