Three months passed in a jiffy and many things had changed in Adenberd during this time. The first noticeable thing was that something very significant was happening in the slums as people were dying left and right in a brutal conflict. However, at the same time, things were also turning for the better as all those who were dying were hooligans and criminals.
The second big change that occurred was the fact that the Silkline Trading Company had gone public, releasing their first-ever products, a chessboard, and a soap.
Both of these products took the limited public that could afford them by storm. The chessboard was something that many could afford as Ethan could easily cut some costs in production by using low-quality wood and so now you could easily see chessboards lying around in taverns on the tables as the drunkards relieved their boredom.
As there weren't many affordable things for people to do in their free time for entertainment, the intriguing and competitive game of chess had quickly become famous in the city.
On the other hand, soap was a costly commodity that not just anyone could afford. And Ethan was adamant to keep it that way at least until it became famous throughout the world. Anyhow, the small number of people that could afford it were absolutely ecstatic. It was like a Godly substance for the ladies who had experienced the rejuvenation of their skin. Even so that the older ones were starting to look a lot younger.
Ethan fully capitalized on this opportunity and set the price weighing in gold. Ethan knew that when the soap would be sent throughout the kingdom for trade, it would sell out in a matter of time as rumors of this 'soap' were already starting to spread in high society.
And so Ethan had been simply stockpiling it for the past three months. The production was in full swing and the workshops were starting to be filled with molds with the soap poured into them for cooling down.
However, after making a deal with the merchant association and creating the first few batches of soap, Ethan did not bother to involve himself too much. He completely left it on people like Armford, Gerrick, and even Naenna.
Ethan had no interest in wasting his time in management as there were other capable people do to all that for him. Since this was the case, Ethan had been focusing on himself for the past three months.
Especially, Ethan had been training to improve his swordsmanship as he was not willing to reveal his ancestral powers unless absolutely necessary.
Along with that, he was also making potions for Ronan and Aria every week and he was also doing the acupuncture and acupressure techniques on both of them every day.
Then Ethan was also reading everything in the grand library of the temple as well as trying to improve his comprehension of the ancestral blessing. He had been practicing using his mystical powers behind closed doors but simply that wasn't enough to progress exponentially. Ethan needed to go to the Arctic Domain but he didn't know how to enter willingly.
It was a morning of late winter and Ethan was in his room in the castle. He was done with bathing with the soap after some rough training and was practically in bliss.
At this moment, a knock sounded and both Ronan and Aria entered.
As Ethan looked at the both of them, he could see how much they had changed from before. They looked frail and scared before but now they seemed confident and elegant. Aria came forward with a smile, carrying a tray of teacup and placing it on the table. Ronan simply bowed and stood with Aria at the side.
"You two seem to be doing well," Ethan said with a smile.
Hearing this, Aria smiled and Ronan flinched slightly while maintaining an expressionless face.
"Yes, this is all your grace, Master," Aria said with an expression of reverence on her face. Ronan did not react but he had the same feelings as Aria. He was simply too proud to say it out loud.
Ethan laughed as he picked up the cup of tea and said, "Are we finally ready?"
"Yes! Everything is ready and we are prepared to transport the soap throughout the kingdom. However, we will not be able to work at full capacity due to winter."
"Oh, that's fine. Begin the supply as much as we can. And the chess sets… Have they been sent to the nobles and merchants?"
"Yes, they have all been sent a long time ago and should have reached by now. We have sent them to nobles and wealthy merchants from all over the world. Soon, the name of our company will become popular." Aria reported with a smile.
"That is great, remember, when the news of our company spreads, the soaps should be out in the market. That will effectively get us more attention."
Aria nodded in agreement and said hesitantly, "Umm… I have a suggestion."
"What is it?" Ethan asked as he sipped the warm tea.
"The winter will end soon, Lady Aisha could organize parties, invite all the noblewomen, and introduce their products to them. Ever since she began using the soap, she has been looking stunning! I'm sure seeing the effects will help more than simply hearing about it."
Ethan raised his brows in surprise. He had this idea but he had forgotten about it as he was very busy. Smiling with appreciation Ethan spoke, "Good idea! You can talk to my mother about this."
"Umm… She has been asking for you for a lot of days."
"Why? Has anything happened?" Ethan asked nonchalantly.
"Uhh… Nothing. It's been quite a lot of time since you went to the mansion."
"Oh… I like it here, it's such a bother going back and forth. I will visit soon anyways." Ethan said, finishing his tea with a big sip.
Suddenly, he looked at Ronan who was standing silently, and said, "Ronan, how is your training going?"
Ronan clenched his fists and said with determination, "I'm eternally grateful for the opportunity you have given me, I will not waste it!"
Ethan shrugged and chuckled, "Don't be so stiff Ronan. Are you learning the White Family's sword art manual"
"Yes! It's very impressive! Master Albert and Sir Commander are teaching me." Ronan said with a hint of excitement in his tone.
Ethan suddenly grinned as he then pulled out a large thick stack of paper bound together with stitches. Slipping what seemed like a book towards Ronan, Ethan said, "Forget the white family's martial arts. I have something a lot better for you. Here…"
Ronan was baffled when he heard Ethan say that he is to stop learning the white family's martial arts. He didn't know what could possibly be better than this. But at this point after seeing so much, he did not doubt Ethan's capability.
He grabbed the manual that Ethan had personally handwritten from his memory and recollections of the library.
For Ethan, the library was an enormous treasure. In the three months, he had done extensive research into it, finding out knowledge that could completely change the present world. He now finally realized why people would want the Temple of The Apostle for themselves.
In the library, he had found ancient sword techniques, martial art manuals, mystical formations, and a lot more groundbreaking stuff. The Martial Art Manual he had selected for Ronan was one of such knowledge. It was perfect for someone like Ronan as it embodied the strength of rage and pure wrath in martial arts. For someone who had so much anger pent up inside them, someone who desperately desired to renege, this was the best Martial Art technique.
'Bloodrogue Ashura Berserk Manual.' Ronan read the title of the manual and gulped. He felt like he was about to read the Bible of the devil but he didn't care.
As Ronan began reading the outline of the manual, his eyes widened in shock, almost popping out of his sockets. Closing the manual, Ronan muttered in a shaky voice, "This- this… You are giving me this?"
Ethan smiled and said, "It's yours, conceal it with your life. I will not tolerate any mistakes."
When Ronan heard this, his hand shook and he wore an expression of disbelief. As he realized that Ethan wasn't kidding, he kneeled and said, "Thank you! I will not disappoint you!"
Ethan's eyes softened and he stood up from his chair. Walking up to the kneeling Ronan, he grabbed his shoulders righteously and propped him up on his feet.
With a smile, he said, "There is no need for gratitude. I am merely fulfilling my promise to you. If you want revenge, become powerful! The tools for becoming powerful, I will give you! Everything else depends on your determination."
Seeing Ethan's face, Ronan's heart faltered. He was certainly not living in a fantasy and knew that Ethan wasn't a Saint. He had said so himself. But even so, Ronan couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging beside Ethan. He had felt an emotion besides anger for the first time after he had lost his family.
On the sidelines, Aria was observing the duo with a soft, gentle gaze. Aria was happy that things had turned out better for Ronan.
When she was weak and helpless, Ronan was the one who had her back and Aria was grateful for that. At the same time, her feelings toward Ethan were messy. She admired him for his ingenuity and calm, feared him due to his aura, and revered him as he had given her a new life that she never thought she'd have after getting sold off as a slave.
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