Chapter 285 Chapter283-Son of the Sun Trade Association
"Son of the Sun Trade Association?" Khosro echoed, a glimmer of recognition in his eyes.
He continued, probing, "Madam Hilna, are you referring to that newly established trade association that's been exclusively dealing in Solar Reagent?"
"Exactly them," Hilna affirmed.
Solar Reagent was currently a hot-selling concoction in the market.
According to descriptions provided by Son of the Sun, this elixir allowed one to tap into the Power of the Sun, significantly enhancing one's magical affinity.
For Pyro magi, in particular, it was touted as an indispensable reagent.
And the results were indeed extraordinary.
Many magi, after consuming the Solar Reagent, found themselves able to wield magic beyond their usual capacities -- a truly astonishing feat.
As a result, the demand for Solar Reagent soared even higher.
Yet, despite the frenzied sales, the newly-formed Son of the Sun Trade Association took a peculiar stance.
Instead of raising the prices, they further reduced them, claiming they wanted to make the reagent affordable for more people.
This noble gesture earned them widespread acclaim.
But to Khosro, such behavior was perplexingly altruistic, running counter to common business sense.
Moreover, when Khosro had sent Colin to purchase some of the reagent, the trade assocaition's representatives insisted he consume it on the spot.
They justified this by suggesting the reagent might have unpredictable side effects and that consuming it alone, without supervision, could result in a series of complications.
With no other option, Colin had no choice but to report back to Khosro empty-handed.
However, Khosro, not one to be easily deterred, eventually procured the Solar Reagent at a hefty price.
He then presented it to Victor in the Dungeon for verification.
Victor's words sounded a warning bell in Khosro's mind, prompting him to decline any partnership with the Son of the Sun Trade Association.
Victor had observed, "The Solar Reagent seems promising. It indeed contains numerous valuable materials, but there's an admixture of another distinct power within. This power is of high quality and can linger within a body indefinitely. Moreover, it has the capacity to influence one's consciousness."
"My advice," Victor continued gravely, "is to refrain from consuming it. Alternatively, you could seek a skilled Apothecary to extract this peculiar force from it."
There's a belief that when one relinquishes certain gains, they are inevitably plotting something far grander.
Khosro firmly subscribed to this notion.
If the Son of the Sun Trade Association could forgo such immense wealth and yet introduce this unique force into the reagent, what was their true intention?
Khosro was left pondering this enigma.
Subsequently, he relayed all he knew to Hilna.
As she listened, her expression grew solemn.
It seemed she was privy to many truths but chose to withhold them from Khosro.
Instead, she addressed him, saying, "That will be all, Khosro. Once you return, do convey my message to Ethan and ask him to visit my Flame City when he has the time."
"I shall convey your wishes, Madam," Khosro responded respectfully.
With that, he and Colin departed from the Flame Church.
Outside the church, Colin finally voiced his thoughts, "Leader, does Madam Hilna seem to be aware of the purpose behind the Son of the Sun Trade Association?"
Khosro glanced at Colin, admonishing him gravely, "Colin, you're an astute individual. However, some matters are beyond our purview. Let's return to the Dungeon posthaste and inform Lord Ethan about the dealings of the Son of the Sun Trade Association. I have an ominous feeling about Flame City."
With that said, Khosro and Colin quickly headed back to the branch, gathered their belongings, and promptly left Flame City.
Thanks to the widespread usage of the teleportation Magic Circle, the journey back to Dark Lord City took them merely half an hour.
Upon arriving, the duo entered a small shop within the city.
In the attic of the shop, a space gate was set up, providing access to the Dungeon Zone.
They traversed through this gate, directly descending to the ninth level.
By a stroke of luck, they ran into Ethan, who had just returned.
"Lord Ethan!" Khosro called out.
Ethan halted, inquiring, "Khosro, what brings you here?"
Without delay, Khosro reported, "Lord Ethan, it's regarding Madam Hilna..."
After listening to Khosro's account, Ethan pondered for a moment and then instructed, "I understand the situation. I'll conduct my own investigation. Furthermore, you can now lift your disguises, and the trade association's headquarters can be established right here in Dark Lord City. Also, pay a visit to Oriel. It seems he has devised something new."
"Understood, Lord Ethan," Khosro nodded.
Without probing further, he took his leave.
While he knew Ethan wouldn't be offended by additional questions, Khosro chose not to press on.
After Khosro's departure, Ethan retreated to his private chamber.
Seated in his chair, he murmured, deep in thought, "Son of the Sun Trade Association..."
Drawing a deep crimson reagent vial, he examined it.
If Khosro were present, he might recognize it at a glance as the Solar Reagent.
Subsequently, Ethan produced a meticulously crafted dragon statuette.
Acquired from the black market of Blue Sea City, this dragon statuette brimmed with a potent Power of Faith, a source of strength for some deities.
Within the Solar Reagent, too, was the essence of this Power of Faith.
"Using the Power of Faith to influence the consciousness of others, harnessing their belief," Ethan pondered aloud. "Such tactics bear the hallmark of a dark deity."
"And Hilna, now as the Flame Witch, surely you are no stranger to the ways of the deities. You must understand these tactics, yet you chose not to speak plainly..."
After a moment of contemplation, a subtle smile crossed Ethan's face.
He carefully stored away the Solar Reagent and the dragon statuette, then activated the space gate, departing from the Dungeon Zone.
In the blink of an eye, Ethan found himself outside of Flame City.
The land before him was once ruins.
It was here that he had encountered Victor, engaging in a fierce battle. And it was here that the past Hilna had vanished.
"It seems you hold no sentiment for the past. Such a forthright disposition," Ethan mused aloud, making his way into Flame City.
Where the ruins had once stood, the ground had been leveled and now bore ordinary crops.
Wandering Flame City, Ethan didn't immediately seek out Hilna.
At that moment, a cloaked figure in black approached, voicing mysteriously, "Sir, you seem to be a magus, aren't you?"
Taken aback slightly, Ethan playfully retorted, "How can you tell?"
The cloaked individual chuckled, "There's a potent aura of magic about you. And I can discern that your prowess in magic is formidable."
"And how formidable would you say it is?" Ethan inquired.
The question seemingly caught the cloaked figure off guard.
Who asks like that?
However, they quickly composed themselves, lavishing, "Your mastery over magic is on par with the offspring of deities. Given the right opportunities, ascending to the stature of a deity isn't out of reach for you."
"Oh," Ethan responded nonchalantly, turning on his heel to walk away.
Seeing Ethan's departure, the cloaked figure quickly implored, "Sir Magus, please wait a moment. I have a gift I wish to bestow upon you."
Ethan halted, inquiring, "What gift?"
Relieved to see Ethan stop, the cloaked figure, with a hint of mystery in his tone, posed a question, "Are you familiar with Solar Reagent?"
"Solar Reagent?" Ethan feigned surprise, exclaiming, "You mean the very substance that enhances one's magic affinity? That's a highly sought-after item. I've traversed numerous cities without finding it. Could it be you possess it?"
"I don't have the Solar Reagent," the figure began with a triumphant undertone, leaning in to whisper, "But I do have a concentrated version of it. It can elevate your magic affinity by an entire tier. However, such a precious reagent is not within my authority to gift. Only my master can make that decision."
"And who might your master be?" Ethan continued to play along.
The cloaked figure's voice grew fervent, "My master is a magnificent deity! His name resonates throughout the cosmos. His flames can purge all impurities. He is on the verge of gracing this world once again, ready to bathe it in renewed glory!"
Witnessing the cloaked figure's impassioned display, Ethan decided to maintain his guise.
Perhaps, this might present an opportunity.
The ambitions of the Son of the Sun Trade Association were grand, and if Ethan's intuition held true, their aim was likely the resurrection of a deity.
The concept of a deity's revival was something Ethan was well-acquainted with.
The Elf King Sovok could be considered one, the High Priest of the Undersea Palace another, and then there was Ba Jogos from the Scrapyard...
Surviving within the belly of such a terrifying Stellar Behemoth and effortlessly tearing apart the High Priest's arm, Ethan hardly believed Ba Jogos to be a mere mortal.
And now, another figure emerges, the Son of the Sun.
The world truly was becoming an evermore bustling stage.
Moments later, the cloaked figure regained his composure and proposed to Ethan, "If you're interested, I'd be honored to introduce you to my illustrious master."
Eagerly, Ethan replied, "Yes, I'd be delighted. Very much so!"
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