Sorcery Monarch

Chapter 77: Time Waits for No One

 

“We must stockpile enough food and crossbows; we can’t produce them for now…”

 

“Magic materials can begin production, but we’re still far from achieving scale…”

 

“Common weapons and equipment will be the next production target; we should start preparing to find markets for them…”

 

“…”

 

Having made up his mind, Matthew glanced at the seemingly balanced accounts and, rather than getting into lengthy discussions with the eager Adam Smith, gave him an approving nod and said:

 

“You did well this time. As for other daily necessities, we can pause those acquisitions for now.”

 

“Focus all your efforts on purchasing as much food and magic materials as possible. Keep buying heavy crossbows as well.”

 

Though surprised by the lord’s continued large-scale efforts, Adam Smith immediately began speculating about the hidden significance behind them.

 

“Could it be? The rising costs of food and magical materials…”

 

The quick-thinking Adam Smith felt a chill but also a wave of delight.

 

He was certain Matthew’s judgment was spot on, or that he had access to insider information from hidden channels.

 

For a merchant, information is as valuable as gold!

 

Having already invested part of his own fortune, Adam Smith now felt confident this deal was turning into a great profit. Looking into the lord’s deep, dark eyes, he shivered slightly:

 

“Is this my reward from the lord?”

 

“It must be; there’s no doubt…”

 

“It seems the lord is perhaps pushing me to the forefront, making me a pawn or bait…”

 

Adam Smith wasn’t bothered by this thought. Instead, he saw it as an opportunity.

 

“This could be a test from the lord. I’ll definitely wade into these murky waters…”

 

Before Adam Smith could finish his thoughts, he heard Matthew continue with his next set of tasks:

 

“Also, don’t stop the recruitment efforts or acquiring supplies; the territory is in desperate need of people!”

 

“Do your best to recruit a few druids for me as well…”

 

Everything else seemed fine, but this request for druids gave Adam Smith a headache.

 

After considering it for a moment, he gritted his teeth and nodded, saying:

 

“Recruitment is currently on track.”

 

“I’ve secured multiple channels to steadily gather civilians and refugees from the south. We’re bringing in about 2,000 people each week.”

 

“However, druids tend to stick together, making them hard to find and even harder to recruit…”

 

Seeing that Adam Smith hadn’t raised any unusual concerns, Matthew chuckled quietly and said calmly:

 

“Don’t worry, you’ve proven your capability.”

 

“If you find the druids, great; if not, it’s no big deal…”

 

“From now on, you’ll receive 5,000 bottles of blood-replenishing potions every week.”

 

“As for your fixed procurement targets—2 million pounds of wheat and ten heavy crossbows—that will be deducted from the sales of these potions.”

 

“You must spend all of these 2,500 gold coins as efficiently as possible…”

 

Hearing that there would be 5,000 bottles of potions available each week, Adam Smith’s eyes gleamed with excitement as he quickly took notes and eagerly nodded.

 

To him, with the backing of the Ser family, the sale of this many potions each week was just the tip of the iceberg.

 

The thousands of adventurers in Bloodmoon City represented a vast market, and this seemed to be just a test run from the lord…

 

Beside them, Ralph couldn’t hide his surprise.

 

He knew very well that all the potions could only have been brewed by the lord himself, but could the lord truly handle producing nearly 1,000 potions a day?

 

And releasing such a large quantity—wouldn’t this attract the attention of other forces?

 

The lord’s urgency mirrored his aggressive development of Bay Village.

 

For an arcane lord, this behavior seemed strange indeed.

 

This went beyond mere kindness…

 

If Ralph knew Matthew’s true thoughts, he would surely be even more amazed, and Matthew would likely add even more responsibility to Ralph’s plate.

 

When people have too much time on their hands, they tend to overthink things!

 

Looking at the eager Adam Smith and the new tasks Matthew had for him, he waved him over and said:

 

“Don’t rush off just yet. Bay Village’s development has stabilized for now.”

 

“Take some time to observe its changes, identify its weaknesses and shortcomings for me. That way, you’ll know what else to acquire next…”

 

When you have a competent tool, why not use it?

 

Matthew was never the type to micromanage.

 

Let professionals handle professional matters—it promotes growth and helps them keep up with his pace of development.

 

Adam Smith took this as a sign of trust from the lord and felt elated. To him, this meant Matthew was signaling a closer relationship.

 

Thrilled, Adam Smith eagerly agreed, patting his chest and promising:

 

“I’ll take a close look and return with the necessary goods and resources as soon as possible…”

 

Seeing his excitement, Matthew didn’t bother explaining further.

 

Let the clever merchant figure it out on his own; he might feel more invested that way.

 

Half an hour later.

 

Smiling from ear to ear, Adam Smith accompanied Ralph out of the lord’s estate.

 

The motivated merchant marveled at Bay Village’s transformation, saying in awe:

 

“In such a short time, Bay Village has become even more prosperous than a small town…”

 

As he spoke, Adam Smith entered a shop. The faint smell of fish didn’t bother him; instead, he examined the various types of fish on display.

 

There were not only salted fish but also fresh fish swimming lively in tanks.

 

Centuries ago, after Eastern culinary methods spread, people had grown fond of fish.

 

After all, it was a rare source of meat.

 

At Ralph’s signal, Old Field, the village chief, approached with a hint of resignation and explained:

 

“Both the spacious Silvermoon River and the coast nearly 100 kilometers away provide us with plentiful fish…”

 

“But sadly, the number of fishmen there is overwhelming, so we can only fish on a small scale…”

 

Adam Smith, knowing Old Field’s position, examined the goods more closely.

 

The selection included sardines, yellowtail, and red snapper among the smaller fish.

 

Cod, grouper, and tuna were among the larger varieties.

 

Even just establishing two piers along the river or opening a road to the coastline could bring in a significant amount of fish.

 

And it would be a year-round business!

 

Adam Smith also understood that, like other regions developing their fisheries, countless fishmen and various dangerous aquatic creatures would greatly increase costs and challenges.

 

Old Field seemed to realize this as well and quietly introduced Adam Smith to the local ways of preparing fish.

 

After a while, Old Field led him to another shop.

 

This one displayed a variety of clothing, all made from sturdy linen with decent designs.

 

Several recruited tailors, each with two apprentices, were busily working inside the shop.

 

Scratching his nose, Adam Smith now began to understand…