Chapter 1256: A Hidden Connection Unveiled

’Although the property taxes are taken care of, this document does not grant the same privileges I receive from my Protector of Amaharpe title. So, I will have to deal with item taxes. Though I suppose I should be grateful for this much considering how short notice it is. Thankfully, in a place like Danaharpe, there are those with no shortage of money.’

Tarzan released a small sigh of relief.

"Since it is up to your standards, I will consider my task complete. Then, if you don’t mind, I will excuse myself." Tarzan said respectfully as he gave one final bow before he took his leave.

Izroth set his gaze forward as he walked into the building, accompanied by Avia.

"Do you plan on opening up a shop here? If so, what do you plan on selling?" Avia inquired.

"I’m an Apothecary. Naturally, I will sell pills." Izroth said nonchalantly.

Avia’s brows rose in surprise.

"I do not know much about the innerworkings of Danaharpe, but even I am aware that the Duvelle family has a strong hold on the pill market within the Central Hub. They also have a strong connection to the Herbalist Guild, which secures them a steady source of supplies. If you open a pill shop, I am sure that I do not need to inform you how they will respond." Avia explained.

Of course, Izroth knew what Avia was concerned about.

Izroth had just recently become a grade five Apothecary. And, even if he had two grade seven Apothecaries on his side, it did not come close to comparing to the Duvelle family.

It was said that the Duvelle family head was already capable of crafting grade nine pills. On top of that, they had several grade eight Apothecaries, numerous grade seven Apothecaries and more grade six or lower Apothecaries than they knew what to do with.

Avia feared that any pill Izroth released, the Duvelle family would come out with something similar at a lower price—even if it meant breaking even or losing money. After all, if there was one thing the Duvelle family did not lack it was money. They would not give Izroth any chance to succeed, especially in the area they specialized in.

"I understand your concerns. If I were opening a regular pill shop, it’s not as if the Duvelle family will sit back and watch me prosper. However, what I plan to open here is a cosmetic pill shop—something the Duvelle family has no experience in. Even if they want to compete with me, it will take them at least a year to reach my starting line. Though it does not matter if they do manage to reach that point. Because, by then, I will have a level of influence they won’t dare to compete with." Izroth stated with a carefree smile.

One year—with Worldly Skies’ talent and comprehension ability, Izroth believed that she should be able to complete up to the seventh Chapter of the Vault of Knowledge and become a grade seven Apothecary.

Once that happened, Izroth could help Worldly Skies craft a Life Resurgence Pill with a divine pill core rank. And, after that requirement was met, the location to where Franz Winsor’s body was hidden would be revealed.

As long as Izroth helped Franz Winsor awaken, he would have a grade ten Apothecary as a Guest Elder of his Mystical Realm Palace for one year. Under those circumstances, the Duvelle family would not even dare to look at him the wrong way, let alone act against him.

"A cosmetic pill shop? This... I know that humans have a strange obsession when it comes to their physical appearance, but will something like cosmetics truly sell well enough?" Avia asked in a doubtful tone.

Izroth could only inwardly shake his head as he heard the doubt in Avia’s voice. However, he was not surprised. The trephasia were a race full of natural beauties. If one tried to open a cosmetics shop in the Mother of All Forests, it would be no different than trying to sell water to fish living in the ocean.

"Humans are a very superficial race, Avia. There are those willing to spend a fortune for the sake of keeping up appearances. This applies even more so to nobles." Izroth stated calmly.

The Duvelle family may have a few enemies in Danaharpe; however, the majority of the noble families in the city were in the same camp as the Duvelle family. However, if the nobles in RML were anything like those of the influential clans and sects back in the Seven Realms, they would stop at nothing to maintain their status.

So, what would happen if a new wave of products were introduced throughout Danaharpe that was only sold by a place the Duvelle family had blacklisted? How long would those nobles sit back and watch as regular citizens received something better than them? Even the Duvelle family would not be able to stand that kind of pressure forever.

’The Duvelle family has a clear goal when it comes to spreading their influence within the Apothecary Guild. Hopefully, it’s just a normal power struggle. But, for some reason, my gut is telling me that something is off. I can only hope that my suspicions are wrong.’

...

Izroth spent a few minutes examining his new property. Although he expected it, the inside was completely cleaned out. Fortunately, it seemed that the Duvelle family did not do anything to the place besides that.

’There’s a lot of work that needs to be done. First, I should decide on what pills to sell. It needs to be something that is easy to make but hard to reproduce without an exact blueprint. Furthermore, it has to be able to immediately capture one’s interest—an interest strong enough to break through any kind of oppression or underhanded schemes of those who oppose me.’

All of a sudden, a figure emerged from a shadow near Izroth.

"I have returned." Yi Ying said as she cupped her fist into her hand and lowered her head before Izroth.

"A friend of yours?" Avia asked as she kept her gaze locked onto Yi Ying.

The reason Avia did not take immediate action was due to the fact that the building they were in was a safe haven. Even she could not harm anyone in this place without the owner’s permission.

"Something along those lines." Izroth replied.

He then shifted his attention to Yi Ying and said, "You’re back earlier than I anticipated. I expect you did not come here empty handed?"

When Izroth first arrived near the entrance to the Apothecary District in Danaharpe, he sensed something strange from Pierce Duvelle and sent Yi Ying, Azalea’s Phantom of Harmony, to shadow him.

Yi Ying glanced over at Avia.

Izroth understood her intention and reassured, "You can speak freely."

"As you have ordered, I have returned to your side to report something that I deemed to be of interest. Approximately five minutes after departing from the Apothecary Guild building, the one called Pierce Duvelle had a private meeting with a young man he addressed as Rivet Arugant." Yi Ying started.

’Arugant? They’re a noble family based in Danaharpe, but there’s nothing too impressive about them besides their strong control over some supply channels.’

"Seeing as how you felt it was an object of interest, I’m sure there was something more to this meeting than just a simple exchange of pleasantries." Izroth said.

’It makes sense that a family of Apothecaries like the Duvelles keep good ties with those who have influence over supply channels. However, based on what I witnessed in the promotion test room, the Duvelle family would not lower themselves to holding a private meeting with a family of such low standing. Is there something important about the supply channels the Arugant family manages that has caught the Duvelle family’s eye? But, this alone...’

"From what I gathered, the Duvelle family wants to use the Arugant family’s supply channel to move a certain product. Unfortunately, there was no mention about the specifics of the product. However, the problem lies in whom the Duvelle family is attempting to move this product for—the League of the Eidolon." Yi Ying explained.

"I’m sure you understand the serious implications behind such words. Are you absolutely certain?" Izroth asked as he narrowed his eyes.

"Yes, there is no doubt in my mind." Yi Ying replied without hesitation.

Izroth released a small inward sigh.

’One of the most powerful noble families of Danaharpe colluding with the League of the Eidolon... This is bigger than I expected. I have come across quite the headache.’

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