143 Three Big Merchants (1/2)

The Lucretius Merchant Association was a wealthy family-owned business, founded by the Lucretius family, a commoner-turned-aristocrat family and originated from the Durham Kingdom.

Their business could be seen stretched across the two kingdoms and the store located in the Capital was only one of the branches of the Lucretius Merchant Association, not even their main headquarters.

However, this particular branch had become the main base of operations in recent years. The head of the family, Oliver Lucretius had settled in the Capital, not for the profits but for the connections with the alchemists.

The Capital didn't have an Alchemist Association, but it had ten grandmaster alchemists, each with power and wealth.

Crazy Don stood at the head of the ten grandmaster alchemists in terms of skill and strength, but he was also the poorest of them all.

...

Inside the Lucretius Merchant Association branch building, top floor.

”You called for me, father?” A young man in his early 20s, asked with a dubious expression. This person was the son of Oliver Lucretius, Orion Lucretius.

Oliver Lucretius stood by the windows and watched the departing back of a palace maid, with hands linked behind. With his back to facing his son, Oliver questioned him with a frown, ”What did you do just now?”

”Ah, you're talking about this, father.” With a contemptuous smile, Orion continued, ”Someone came looking for the Yin Lotus Heart that we managed to procure from the Extreme Misty Forest after much difficulty.

Considering we don't know what it could be used for, while the other party needed it, I thought they were should know its usage. Thus, I set the condition that they had to tell us what it is used for, if they wanted to buy it. That person was extremely arrogant, father. Even dare to claim to be under the orders of the prince. Who doesn't know the prince has been missing since birth?”

Oliver turned around with anger and gave his son a resounding slap. ”You fool! Have you fed your brains to the latrine pits!?”

PA!

Holding his swollen cheeks with an incomprehensible expression, Orion, ”Why did you slap me, father?”

”Hmph! If you weren't my son, I would have beaten you to death!” Oliver roared. ”Couldn't you recognize the attire of the palace maid!? Even if the other party didn't represent his highness, she definitely represented the royal family! Even if you haven't seen his highness, have you not even heard of the prince's return!?”

Oliver did not curse his son for what he did, but who he did it to! There were people they could offend, and people they couldn't offend. As merchants, it was always better to have more allies than enemies.

”Father, I think you are getting on in your years. How can you believe in baseless rumors? The prince's return is something worth celebrating over, but the queen had not announced nor celebrated it. So, how could it be true? So, what if it is? Let's take a step and say even if it was the royal family's intention by the Yin Lotus Heart, we have the right not to sell it!” Orion said arrogantly.

”Y-You! Unfilial son! How dare you talk like that to your father!” Oliver felt veins popping out all over his body in anger. ”You are blatantly offending the royal family! Have you already forgotten how the Queen punished the nobles yesterday!?”

Hearing his father's words, Orion sighed, ”Father, no matter how the queen punished the nobles, it has nothing to do with us. They committed a crime even after the queen exit her seclusion. That is their stupidity. Did I commit a crime? No, all I did was ask what they need the spirit herb for. Although I broke one of our policy, it was no crime.

Our three grandmaster alchemists always wanted to find a usage for the herb. I believe it was in the association's best interest to please the grandmasters, by finding out exactly that. After all, it's the only herb to have ever been successfully acquired from the Extreme Misty Forest.”

”How can you be so shortsighted? Have we never done anything dishonest before? Has the noble affiliates with us never committed any crime before? What if the royal family decides to dig those up?” Oliver was filled with disappointment. ”Also, the three grandmaster alchemists stay with our merchant association because we provide them great benefits. But what happens when those benefits disappear? Would they still stay? The answer is no!

Don't forget that we are not the only merchant association in the Capital. There are also the Primrose Merchant Association and the Fischer Merchant Association that was equal powerful as ours. There's been balance between our three merchant associations.

However, if the royal family convinces the two to team up and suppress our business, there would be no place for us in the Capital. Those two would be more than happy to swallow up our businesses and eliminate one less competitor.”

After hearing his father's reminding, Orion felt his heart chilled.

”This... I'm sorry, father. I've been blinded by short term benefits and failed to see the long-term benefits.” Orion sincerely apologized, before asking, ”What should we do now?”

Seeing his son recognize his mistake, Oliver nodded in approval. At least his son wasn't completely irredeemable.