Chapter 271 271
Chapter 271 271
Chapter 271 271
??271 Chapter 271
Time flew away quickly and with the absence of any more raids or invasions, it was already the end of winter.
The academic year of the first year was quite short giving them an early vacation before the next year as the session for 2nd year would start early with all the first years going to Ralph for the grand event.
Due to the attack and all the problems creating many days off, both students and teachers had to squeeze off their strength to finish their studies as well as additional training lessons.
It was worse for the top 10 and torturous for those between 5 to 10 as even if they weren't going to participate, they were forced to follow such a hardcore training regime to bring them to tears.
Amidst all this, Lucas's Salus business was booming as his firearms had become a hot commodity due to their affordable prices.
Contrary to their expectations, the main buyers for this weren't commoners rather they were mercenaries who ordered it in bulk.
With low-cost firearms beginning at just 5000R, many people who were badly in need of money bought firearms and hunted in the nearby forest around the capital and made a fortune.
In a way, the advanced guns introduced by Lucas simplified the hunting process, lowering the risk.
Selling a gun isn't a one-time profit as they still had to come back to buy specific bullets creating a chain of purchase.
Due to the demands outclassing the production, Salus started expanding its production but soon a problem arose.
And Lucas visited Skies to talk about this today.
"What happened now? Everything was going well?" Lucas asked wearily, staring at Reynolds, Aaron and the old Dwarf Bentley.
"I have a problem," Bentley said.
"Grandpa, what happened to you? Do you need some treatment?" Lucas asked, looking at Bentley's age.
"Shut up! I am fit and fine. It's just that the blacksmithing work is too much. I can't handle the workload."
"Hmmm! So should we make machines for each type of bullet?"
"No!" Both Reynold and Aaron scream at the same time.
Reynold coughed and explained, "We can't do that Lucas. First of all, a bullet made by a blacksmith and machine differs a lot in quality. Secondly, the bullets are engraved with a magic circle that coordinates with guns. We can't have the machine draw that."
"Then just hire some people."
"That's the problem," Aaron muttered solemnly.
"Listen here kid, with so many things to produce I looked for a blacksmith and managed to hire 5 but we are still short of hands," Bentley said, raising his hands.
"It's difficult to find people to work for us. Though they have no problems working with us they don't want to sign the contract." Reynold briefed with a sigh.
Lucas had made a policy that everyone who worked for their company had to sign a mana contract so that even if they left later they wouldn't betray them.
Many felt that this was like slavery and weren't on terms with this which is causing a serious problem to their expansion as not all people will blindly sign the contract.
Lucas fell into deep thoughts understanding the crux of the matter.
"So, what should we do?" Lucas asked after a brief pause.
"Kid, you need to trust people. You are too cynical." Bentley answered by caressing his beard.
'Is it easy? I can't trust a stranger whom I haven't even met. What if he or she leaks the secret then? won't it be a big problem?'
"Then we give them the option. We can't let some shady people into the core who leak the blueprint. You can hire them and divide the work by asking them to make small things and ask someone trusted to combine and also keep looking for people who are prepared to sign the agreement, also increase thier salary." Lucas ordered.
They weren't creating something groundbreaking but once the process of making it gets leaked, Salus would lose its only advantage.
Salus guns were now a hot shot because they were the only ones producing it and once competition appeared and nobles were added to the equation, the battle would be quite hard.
Markets would be flooded with models like them. Maybe with better specs and enhancement.
"Grandpa Bentley, I am trusting you in this and if possible ask Sister Morgana to hire some more low-level mages."
'I think I should make Roan work here. Not only would he get bucks but he might come up with something new.'
Lucas discussed a few more things and after the meeting adjourned, he had a private talk with Aaron who was already sweating buckets wondering what kind of hell-breaking thing were they waiting to do.
"Uncle Aaron, can you send this letter? The address is written there." Lucas took out a packed envelope stamped with a special insignia unknown to Aaron.
"Did you create the Mercenary?"
"Yeah!" Aaron answered with a stifle. At this moment he felt as if he was Lucas' servant not that he was averse to it but this just felt odd to him.
"If possible, can you take on some small mission with Sister Morgana so that it may not sound random when he visits the Northeast?"
Q
"I will do that but when are we are going there?"Aaron wondered what was gonna happen in the Northeast.He had asked Lucas about this many times but Lucas just said that something interesting will happen that will boost our reputation.
"One and half months from now or probably two."Lucas held his chin.
'I don't know if this thing will even follow the plot but I should prepare ahead for the worst.'
"Are we are going there?"Aaron asked about his squad.
"No!"Lucas refuted.
"You, me, Morgana and a few others."
"Who are these few others now?"Aaron scratched his bald forehead feeling as if he was sinking into the limitless abyss of questions.
"You will meet them there."
Lucas and Aaron conversed a bit after which Lucas left.
But before that, he asked Reynold to put the potion into action. Due to the alchemy lab and other things, things were delayed a bit but now with everything set he is gonna pump out those potions and if things went well soon he would be quite rich.
Lucas rubbed his hands to warm as hail snow bathed him.
He looked at the bustling road even in such cold weather. As he looked for a stall as he was craving some warm soup.
Lucas halted his steps and then looked around in suspicion.
"It's weird. I don't know why but I am feeling as if someone had been following me recently. This feeling disappears when I enter a safe place but when in the open, I feel eyes on me."
Many times he had the urge to use the Cursed Gospel on an unknown guy but in doing so he would have to exchange his luck or lifespan which he wasn't fool enough to wait for his doom.
Finding no one, Lucas moved on while promising himself to make a check to avert any possible danger.
As Lucas walked away, a shadow emerged from the side alleyway.
"He isn't as simple as it looks."
"As expected from someone who inherited the genes of two monsters. He can feel me faintly even when I hide in the shadows. Oddly enough, he had a strong affinity for darkness."
"I should ask the Lord and if possible I can pass some of my techniques to him, "Mir spoke with a smile and then disappeared into the shadows quietly without anyone noticing.