Chapter 118: A Machine with Excessive Output
Abyss tilted his head, puzzled by Titus’s request.
“An… adventure?” Leona, sitting beside him, was startled. Having spent years among the nobility, she was well-versed in their peculiar tastes. She glanced at Abyss, his slender frame and delicate features. If he were presented to the Western Empire’s noblemen, he might become a sought-after favorite within weeks…
She looked at Flora, expecting a similar reaction, but Flora’s expression was one of curiosity, not alarm.
Had she overthought it again? Leona scratched her head, confused.
“As long as you sell us the potions, I’ll consider it. Could you elaborate?” Abyss asked. He didn’t mind helping this man. Nothing was truly troublesome for him. That was the convenience of being a high-ranking necromancer. With his capable undead servants, he had a solution for every problem.
“Hehe, it seems this mage is quite confident,” Titus chuckled, placing his hands on the table. “And I see the thirst for knowledge in your eyes. Trust me, this adventure will satisfy your curiosity.”
Leona tried to suppress her overactive imagination, but her mind, filled with years of scandalous knowledge, couldn’t help conjuring up inappropriate scenarios.
“Oh? Now I’m truly intrigued,” Abyss said, leaning forward with a smile.
“Before I explain, allow me to introduce you to the largest gang in Lavoisier City: the Goat Eyes Gang. They only appeared ten years ago. Compared to them, the Black Hats and the Pike Gang are practically ancient. We were both established twenty years ago. The Goat Eyes Gang is a rising star. They arrived in Lavoisier City and, despite facing pressure from both established gangs, seized a significant portion of the market. Their growth has been unstoppable. They now control half of the city’s potion market. They even forced the Pike Gang out of the combat potion business, pushing them into producing luxury goods.”
“There must be a secret to their success,” Abyss said, nodding.
“You’re right.” Titus pointed both index fingers at Abyss. “Initially, both the Black Hats—back then, I was just a nobody—and the Pike Gang were baffled by their ability to produce such a large quantity of high-quality potions. Their prices were about twenty percent lower than ours, a significant difference that attracted numerous buyers. After extensive investigation, we uncovered a startling truth. The Goat Eyes Gang possesses a treasure: a machine that can produce an unlimited supply of high-quality alchemical solvents! It requires no ingredients, just a simple press of a button, and it churns out solvent after solvent!”
Abyss’s jaw dropped. This was intriguing indeed.
Magic in Hai-Teweru, despite its wonders, couldn’t create matter out of thin air. Divine Arts users could create simple substances like air and water through prayer, but it came at a significant cost. Creating matter was beyond the capabilities of mortals.
Even a high-ranking Divine Arts user couldn’t conjure alchemical solvents. They were complex mixtures, far beyond the scope of Divine Arts. Even the Nine Gods themselves might struggle—creating matter was the domain of the Creator God. They were merely his servants, granted limited powers.
And now, Titus was claiming that a machine existed in this city, capable of producing alchemical solvents out of thin air, requiring no ingredients?
Even Abyss, who disliked chaos, couldn’t resist the urge to acquire this machine and study its secrets.
“Alchemical solvents are the foundation of any potion. High-quality solvents significantly enhance the potency of herbs. With access to a free and unlimited supply of high-quality solvents, the Goat Eyes Gang can easily replenish their lost stock,” Titus said, his voice serious. “The crazy alchemist I hired bought us some time, but until now, I’ve been struggling to find a way to prevent them from selling potions to those Iron Lilies fanatics. We’re no match for the Goat Eyes Gang. A direct assault would be futile, and they would have ample time to move the machine—until you arrived.”
“The Eastern Empire shouldn’t lack high-ranking mages. Why me?” Abyss shrugged. “I just casually killed one of your men.”
“I can see your power in your eyes. And under normal circumstances, we wouldn’t be able to afford a reputable high-ranking mage. They’re highly sought after by powerful organizations. They wouldn’t dirty their hands with gang conflicts.”
Abyss instinctively touched his face, wondering what kind of “powerful” aura his eyes emitted.
“What do you say? One job, steal one item, and you’ll save five hundred thousand imperial coins.” Titus looked at Abyss with burning intensity. “And if you’re interested, you can even study the machine.”
Givia glanced at Abyss, worried. She wasn’t sure about the extent of his powers. Although he had effortlessly killed a gang member, she didn’t know if he could handle an entire gang equipped with alchemical tools. Honestly, she didn’t want him to get involved in this mess. He wasn’t one of them, he had no obligation to risk his life for the Restoration Army.
“I accept,” Abyss said, nodding. “It’s a good deal. Five hundred thousand imperial coins for one job. I’ve never done such a lucrative business before.”
Titus clapped his hands excitedly. “Hahaha, this is beautiful! To save your time, we’ll act tonight. How may I address you?”
“Just call me Abyss,” Abyss said casually. “Or any other title you prefer. I don’t mind.”
“Mr. Abyss,” Titus said, bowing slightly, his form awkward. “My men will ensure your companions’ safety. As for the man you killed, I’ll contact his family and offer them compensation. We’ll act tonight. Once we secure the machine, I’ll arrange for its transport to a safe location. Then, you can take your potions and continue your journey, or return home. What do you think?”
“Sounds perfect. Veronica, any objections?” Abyss asked, looking at Givia.
Givia shook her head.
“One more thing. We’re looking for the alchemist you hired, Lannis Consten. Do you have her address?” Abyss asked, slowly standing up.
“You’re looking for Lannis? That’s unfortunate. She’s not easy to find right now,” Titus said, shaking his head. “I can give you her address, but she’s not there. After completing my task, she disappeared. She didn’t even collect the rest of her payment. No one knows where she went.”
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