Chapter Thirteen: The Great Alchemist?

As that fragile temporary dam gave way, the water from the canal in the south—actually water from the Catania River—merged with the water from Lake Nirel in the north. The crowds on both sides of the canal erupted in excited cheers. Whether it was the merchants attending the completion ceremony or the laborers who had dug the canal, everyone was thrilled by this historic moment.

After more than two years of arduous work, the canal connecting Leon with the interior of the Caucasus was finally completed. From then on, ores and coal from Leon’s interior could be easily transported via Lake Nirel’s water system into this canal, then through the steep and narrow isthmus routes in the Volt Mountains to Santiago. From there, they could head south to the sea via Matdam or upstream to the upper reaches of the Catania River. Conversely, all the supplies needed by Leon could also flow in continuously through this waterway, bringing tremendous benefits to the regions it passed through.

Komer could clearly see the water levels on both sides rising rapidly. Clearly, the abundant water from Lake Nirel was increasing the depth of the canal, which was good—enough to meet the demands of large cargo ships. Many people saw great potential in this canal. Those merchants who had previously refused to invest in it now regretted their decision, forced to watch as the endless profits it could bring fell into others’ hands.

Leon’s interior was about to experience an unprecedented wave of development, Komer thought. Izmel, once an unremarkable small town, might suddenly become the jewel of the entire Caucasus. Its rich and high-quality iron ores, along with abundant magical metal ores, were enough to make profit-driven merchants salivate. The preliminary preparations had been thorough, and the Gran family had performed admirably. After neglecting these Giza people for so long, perhaps it was time to have a serious talk with them.

But this thought flashed through Komer’s mind only briefly. No, it wasn’t yet time. He knew too well the nature of those Giza people—give them a little chance, and they would take advantage of it. Only by putting maximum pressure on them would they obey.

“Lord, Mr. Calamanni’s ship has followed us. He requests to board to report something to you,” the half-orc guard announced, his deep voice echoing slightly in the cabin, causing a ringing sensation in Comer’s ears. Perhaps he should have a secretary, Comer thought casually. Eve would be the most suitable, though she might not be willing. That little girl, Fenitz, seemed fine too—just an elf, so it probably wouldn’t matter much.

“Hmm, let him come,” Comer said indifferently.

“He says he’s also brought an important guest to see you—a person you’ve long wanted to meet.”

“A person I’ve long wanted to meet?” Comer was surprised.

“Yes. He says he’s brought you a great alchemist.”

“An alchemist? Oh, I see. That’s right. I did commission him. Very good. Hurry and invite them aboard.”

Comer slapped his own head in realization. An alchemist—a rather obscure yet extremely mysterious profession. Not a full-time magician, but still requiring constant interaction with magic. It seemed the Gran family truly had remarkable capabilities, able to recruit such talent so quickly.

The exploration of Izmel’s magic metal-bearing ores had confirmed their existence beyond doubt, and there were not just one or two types of magic metals—their reserves and variety were astonishingly rich. This information was still kept secret for now; Comer didn’t want outsiders to take interest. Magic metal-bearing ores were already scarce on the Land of Azure, and their extraction was a complex and difficult process with a high rate of failure. Fire mages either disdained this profession or knew nothing about refining techniques, which explained why the production of magic metals on the continent was extremely low.

Yet the demand for magic metals on the continent was an insatiable abyss. Both knights and assassin warriors took pride in possessing magic metal weapons. Magicians also needed large amounts of magic metal for various magical devices to enhance their effectiveness. Not to mention those pretentious nobles who liked to use various handicrafts made of magic metal to show off their wealth and unique taste.

How vulgar! That was Comer’s first impression of this so-called great alchemist. Birds of a feather flock together—this saying certainly held true. The Giza people valued wealth above everything and hoarded it, and it seemed this alchemist had adopted their vile traits as well, which greatly diminished Comer’s immediate goodwill toward Calamanni.

Dressed in a loose and extravagant robe, clearly made of a high-quality fabric woven from expensive ice silk mixed with wool, it was nevertheless covered in dirt and grease. The metal hexagram hanging on his chest shone with a dark blue luster; even someone as perceptive as Komer couldn’t tell what metal it was made of. His thick finger joints were adorned with rings of various colors, their bright glimmers making his hands look like the claws of a zombie in a crystal coffin. The upper part of his goatee-covered face resembled a sheep’s head—withered and scarred. If not for those eyes, which still held a hint of vitality, Komer would have thought he was a beggar crawled out of a trash pile. Was this the great alchemist?
“Lord Komer, please allow me to introduce to you the great alchemist, Mr. Feuerbach. He is the greatest alchemist I have ever seen. I believe his arrival will bring unparalleled wealth and glory to your realm.”
Calamani spared no effort in using the most disgusting words to flatter this repulsive-looking man, which made Komer feel disgusted. Yet he tried hard to view him objectively. Few people deserved Calamani’s praise. Calamani knew his own temper well; using such flattering words for this man, if things didn’t turn out as expected, he knew what the consequences would be.
Feuerbach? Komer strained to recall this name, which seemed to have a vague impression in his memory. He thought it was a character associated with negative connotations and hardly seemed fitting for the word “great,” but he couldn’t remember exactly either.