Chapter 121: Old Acquaintance
Seeing Adam Smith nod silently, Matthew naturally wouldn't tell him.
"You've barely escaped death, and now you're close to dying again!"
Yes, Adam Smith had just narrowly avoided a certain death with a luck value of "-5."
Now his luck wasn't "-5," but it was still a death omen of "-4."
Moreover, he wasn't the only one; most of the people in the convoy outside also had dangerously low luck values, signaling impending doom.
It seemed that the enemy planning to strike was powerful and ruthless, clearly intending to leave no survivors.
However, the enemy's boldness only piqued Matthew's curiosity.
At this point in time.
Sweetwater Town had just been destroyed, drawing the attention of the Netheril Empire.
Any major actions now would likely attract the notice of scouts.
Currently, the Netheril Empire still maintained a strong grip on its territory.
It wouldn't be until next year's "Orc Frenzy" that they would begin to lose control and gradually fall into collapse!
"We can't rely too much on the patrols; since the enemy dares to strike, they must be prepared."
Matthew put down the newspaper and went back to studying the map, absentmindedly rubbing the thick parchment, suddenly thinking:
"It seems paper hasn't been invented yet…"
"A single sheet of parchment costs 50 copper coins, but regular paper could easily be produced for just 2 copper coins…"
"Unfortunately, I'm not strong enough right now, otherwise, I'd have plenty of ways to make money…"
The world is cruel, and the battle for profit is far more challenging than killing hundreds of trolls and ogres.
As a member of the Ser Family, Matthew had developed the Ser Family's most lucrative financial route, yet still faced envy from others.
If he brought to fruition those ideas in his mind, mass-produced and promoted them.
What awaited him might not be just assassination attempts anymore.
Noticing Matthew putting down the newspaper, Adam Smith felt his headache ease.
Suddenly, he patted his forehead and respectfully handed over a storage belt:
"This is from the lord for you."
Letting out a low "hmm," Matthew accepted the belt and scanned it with his mental power.
Inside were over ten new first-circle spell scrolls.
One hundred second-circle spell scrolls.
Fifty "Fireball" scrolls.
Three high-level spell scrolls.
Lastly, there was a small teleportation formation.
Adam Smith didn't stare at him, keeping his head down as he continued:
"Two sets of small teleportation formations, with a total value of 10,000 gold coins."
"Each small teleportation formation can transfer 50 people or 1 million pounds of goods per activation."
"It consumes 100 gold coins worth of magic crystals per activation, and after 100 activations, it needs to be inspected and repaired."
"Medium teleportation formations are not yet for sale in Blood Moon City; you would need to meet with the city lord…"
Matthew wasn't surprised by this. Small teleportation formations required high-level spellcasters to create.
Medium formations needed even more advanced casters, and only the city lord of Blood Moon City had such power at the moment.
For various reasons, Matthew didn't want to contact the city lord right now. Glancing at the now-calm Adam Smith, he asked:
"Do you have any information on the enemies?"
Adam Smith quickly took out two scrolls and continued to report to Matthew:
"These are intelligence reports from both the lord's manor and the Assassin's Guild."
Seeing Matthew take the scrolls and carefully examine them, Adam Smith explained:
"There are three suspects: Raeld from the Redwood Merchants, Lynch from the Blackstone Merchants, and Lark from the Pfizer Caravan."
"The first two are my old rivals, and they've had dealings with each other before."
"I haven't had much contact with Lark from the Pfizer Caravan, but he once tried to get me to stop selling 'Blood-Rejuvenation Potions' in Blood Moon City or sell them to him at a low price."
Pfizer Merchants!
Lark!
"Another old acquaintance!"
Matthew didn't have much memory of the first two suspects.
But when it came to Lark from the Pfizer Caravan, he knew him very well.
Lark was one of the most powerful merchants in Blood Moon City.
Even within the entire Pfizer Caravan, he was one of the top decision-makers.
Though young, Lark had risen through the ranks thanks to his family's legacy and sharp wit, becoming the head of Pfizer's operations in the Eastern Province.
Even now, he controlled more than 10% of the Eastern Province's trade market and resources!
Matthew and the other players had even been hired by him before, completing many tasks, so Matthew knew him inside out.
A cunning, profit-driven, cold-blooded, and greedy capitalist!
Yes, in this magic-filled fantasy world, Lark could definitely be called a capitalist!
Now, the young Lark was already quite powerful.
In the future, he would shine even brighter!
In the entire Eastern Province, Lark's word would almost be law!
Having seen Lark's methods firsthand, Matthew wasn't surprised that almost no one in the caravan would be spared.
Lark never left any witnesses!
His dark eyes glimmered with cold light, and beneath his cloak, the corner of his mouth curled up slightly.
Matthew felt a strange sense of anticipation for the upcoming battle.
Without hesitation, Matthew decisively used 100 Fate Coins!
"Ding! Choose to leave, -4 (death omen)!"
"Choose to stay, -3 (bloodshed disaster)!"
Both options signified danger, and Matthew quickly realized.
Fate's choices were not infallible; they only presented two extreme possibilities!
If the enemy's plans reached an unstoppable point, death would still be inevitable!
This served as a reminder to Matthew not to place blind faith in fate!
"I choose to stay!"
Nothing changed in the immediate situation, but Adam Smith's luck value subtly shifted from "-4" to "-3."
This clearly showed that Matthew's choice had an effect!
However, it still didn't guarantee everyone's safety.
Casualties would be unavoidable!
Exhaling slightly, Matthew's expression remained calm, and without explaining anything to Adam Smith, he nodded solemnly and said:
"Even if they have plans, they won't make a move near Blood Moon City."
"Also, there are informants in our convoy. They'll definitely come to us."
Informants!
Adam Smith's heart skipped a beat, and he instinctively wanted to get out of the carriage to investigate, but seeing the Arcanist remain unbothered, he relaxed slightly.
Adam Smith couldn't have known that Matthew hadn't actually made any arrangements, and instead, without hesitation, said:
"Go out and have people search, paying special attention to the people in carriage number 63 among the refugees."
"But don't apprehend them yet; we don't want to alert the enemy."
They were the spies!