Chapter 355 - The World is Changing (1/2)

“Smart? How come?” Roland asked curiously.

“The king is dying,” replied Ashrosfin casually.

Roland was quite surprised. He remembered that the old thing was rather healthy the last time they met each other.

“You even know that the king is gravely ill?” Roland swallowed the noodles in his mouth and said enviously, “According to common sense, the king would suppress the news if he’s ill, right?”

Ashrosfin took out a waterskin from his system Backpack and was about to clean his bowl and chopsticks.

However, Roland snapped his fingers with his right hand, which had grown back, and a few water b.a.l.l.s floated around Ashrosfin.

After a brief shock, Ashrosfin understood Roland’s intention. He washed the bowl and the chopsticks in the water and said in admiration, “The Mages do have a lot of helpful tricks for life.”

The other players had finished their food too. When they saw the water b.a.l.l.s, they quickly joined them and stuffed their bowls and chopsticks into them. Very soon, those water b.a.l.l.s became very dirty.

These merchant players had the good habit of not wasting resources. After all, as people who traveled all the time, they only had limited clean water in their system Backpacks, and even though they had ways to replenish it, there were always accidents. So, they always used water as judiciously as possible.

Seeing that they were all expectant, Roland had to summon a dozen more water b.a.l.l.s for them to do dishes.

After having enough food, the players gathered together and resumed the party.

Andonara and the magic apprentices, sitting under the tree, found that something was weird with these happy players.

They felt that the players were too carefree and unserious. It seemed that these people did not care about anything.

They did not exactly like such an att.i.tude, but for some reason, they approved of it in their hearts.

Ashrosfin put the bowl and the chopsticks back into his system Backpack, before he continued, “The news has been blocked, but not very effectively. After all, the king’s control has been weakened now that he’s seriously ill.”

“So why did the first prince make that statement at the party? For the throne?” Roland was confused. “Andonara has no influence in the royal family. His speech could only reveal his lack of manners and tolerance, which can’t be in favor of him in the compet.i.tion for the throne, right?”

Ashrosfin looked at Andonara nearby and explained, “But of people he invited, three were the queen’s enemies, who are very powerful right now. He was only telling them that he would be their ally if they wanted to deal with the queen. As for the cause of their enmity with the queen, you can ask her in person.”

“You know this too?”

Roland felt that he had underestimated these merchants, who might not be the best in fighting but were definitely impressive in gathering intelligence.

“That’s nothing to be amazed at.” Ashrosfin smiled and continued, “A professional merchant has to know about goods and power. We have to predict the future market based on the decisions of the big shots.”

“So…” Roland glanced at the wagons and said, “Your cargo this time must be standard equipment, right?”

“Impressive. Roland, you can definitely be a merchant too. Weapons trade is really profitable.” Ashrosfin praised him and said, “There are five princes, including a b.a.s.t.a.r.d son, who have claim to the throne. Thirty big n.o.ble families are involved in this too. The turmoil may last for years in Hollevin after the king’s death.”

“Then, it will be the best opportunity for merchants like you to make a fortune.”

Ashrosfin shrugged proudly and looked at the sky, before he said slowly, “I failed many times in business in reality. Though I didn’t go bankrupt, I lost my determination to go on. I got this immersive cabin for fun, but I didn’t expect that I could continue my dream here. In the turmoil of Hollevin, Cornucopia will definitely rise.”

After a brief silence, Roland asked, “You have invested in one of the princes?”

“Smart!” Ashrosfin clapped his hands and said, “Very impressive. As expected of a man who became a Master Mage. Are you interested in joining us? Though Hollevin is small, you will earn a lot after we win!”

Roland looked Ashrosfin in the eyes. The man looked like another husky.

He looked at the singing players and had a lot of mixed feelings.

No matter how hilarious and silly the players might seem, they had all received a dozen years of systematic education.

Many college students and graduates felt that they hadn’t learned anything after a decade of education, but they were only comparing themselves to their peers.

When those seemingly plain people were placed in this barren world of little knowledge and culture, they were all the best talents.

They might seem funny, but essentially, they were ferocious wolves in the disguise of husky skins.