The Low-key Evil Wizard BOSS-Chapter 80 - 16: Skill Enhancement - Reflection Countess
They enacted the *World Ocean Technique*, which favored them, and seized control of many vital sea lanes.
But the Saint Grelle Empire in the Northern Territory and the new empires that arose in the Southern Continent on the tides of steam obviously wouldn’t stand for it.
Therefore, both the Saint Grelle Empire and the allied empires of the Southern Border were frantically building up their fleets.
Bigger, faster, stronger Steam Battleships!
This was the theme of the burgeoning steam age and the era of great maritime exploration.
The shadow of war gradually gathered, growing ever thicker.
In any other nation bordering the sea, the atmosphere of war would have been palpable.
However, the landlocked Republic of Autanston, bordering the dangerous mists, was able to enjoy a temporary peace.
It was worth noting that talk in Ogrande City regarding the Sun Secret Cult and the Evil Spirit Calamity had been on the rise.
According to some "reliable" intelligence, it was the [Evil Spirit Divine Mage] of the Sun Secret Cult who used a powerful Divine Art to unleash the [Evil Spirit Calamity], intending to challenge the authority of the Holy Fierce Sun.
Whether this was true or not was another matter.
But clearly, some within the Holy Fierce Sun Church believed it.
The Church had recently begun investigating the [Sun Secret Cult].
They even raided a few of their less important strongholds.
Although there hadn’t been any breakthroughs, it was clear that the [Sun Secret Cult] was indeed deeply entrenched in Ogrande City.
The Holy Fierce Sun Church had changed its strategic focus, now targeting the [Sun Secret Cult].
For Zorn, this was naturally excellent news.
Of course, Zorn wouldn’t let his guard down.
His investigation into the Evil Spirits was still ongoing. He needed to ensure the [Sun Secret Cult] and the Holy Fierce Sun Church fought each other until they were battered and bloody.
After breakfast, Zorn took a carriage to the Bay Area.
This time, Zorn was seeking out the powerful [Reflected Man] with a Level 5 Sequence Level, Madam Mable Isaiah.
...
Bay Area, 12 March Bay Street.
Inside the spacious and opulent hall of the castle.
A young maid served delicious pastries and steaming morning tea.
"Please, enjoy."
When Zorn had arrived, the butler informed him he would have to wait until noon.
For a Countess, letting a "commoner" like Zorn, with no title to his name, inside at all was only because the butler, a man in his early forties, was also a Transcendent. He had sensed Zorn’s own Extraordinary nature, and Zorn had presented a card from the Clover Club.
Otherwise, he would have had to wait outside.
This castle, built in a medieval style, was far more expansive than Zorn’s own estate.
Zorn’s "estate" was really just a large, detached villa with a reasonably spacious courtyard.
But it was in a completely different league compared to a Countess who owned her own castle.
Of course, it was mainly called an "estate" because the Korick family did own a true, productive estate near the Fog Zone.
Through the wide windows, he could see the sparkling waters of March Bay and a nearby pier where numerous merchant ships were moored.
He could even hear the deep, melodious whistles of the steamships.
Steam trains, steamships, and Steam Airships.
This trio of steam technologies was the threshold for a nation to have officially mastered steam power.
Steam telegraphs, Steam Towers, and steam-powered magic pools.
These represented a more advanced level of steam-based Extraordinary technology.
Currently, the trio of steam technologies was already in widespread use across the Holy Land Continent.
Steam telegraphs and Steam Towers were also being used on a smaller scale.
Sipping his tea and nibbling on pastries, Zorn leisurely digested his food, absorbed Gang Qi, and waited quietly.
When he had entered, he had seen Madam Mable’s reflection moving through the depths of the other hazy reflections on the floor.
Clearly, Madam Mable knew he was here. He just had to wait.
Soon, noon arrived.
Footsteps echoed from the staircase.
"Honored Madam Mable, good morning!"
Zorn rose to greet her.
He was dressed in the standard formal attire young noblemen wore for visits.
Madam Mable held a cigarette holder, taking continuous drags from a woman’s cigarette, the smoke swirling in clouds around her.
She sat down in front of Zorn.
Madam Mable’s silver eyes sized Zorn up.
"Your Sequence Level has certainly grown quickly. You’re almost Level Three."
Her soft, smoky voice was unforgettable.
"Out with it. What do you want from me?"
The Reflected Man’s power of insight was formidable.
Zorn didn’t bother hiding his intentions, directly explaining his plan to recruit Witches to open a Steam Potion Factory.
"The Witches are followers of the Holy Fierce Sun. Perhaps you should speak with the Lord Bishop of the Church."
Madam Mable stated calmly.
’The Holy Fierce Sun Church is currently suppressing even official powers; how could they tolerate a large-scale influx of Witches into Ogrande City?’
"I know, but they would only be entering Ogrande City to study, research, and work in the field of Pharmacy."
"For hundreds, even thousands of years, all sorts of legends about ’Witch Potions’ have circulated on the Holy Land Continent."
"If the Witch Potion factory in Ogrande City makes a name for itself, it will bring even greater commercial prosperity to the entire city."
Madam Mable remained unmoved by Zorn’s explanation.
Clearly, she had some understanding of the potion industry herself.
’It wasn’t as if you could just let a few Witches in and expect them to develop a potion that would become a continental bestseller.’
’Without sufficient profit, it wasn’t worth the risk of offending the Church.’
Zorn took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.
’It was clear Madam Mable wouldn’t agree unless he played his trump card and offered a substantial incentive.’
"Have you heard of the Plague-Clearing Potion from a while back?"
Zorn began slowly.
"Of course. That potion successfully helped Ogrande City contain a potential plague."
"A while back, my niece, Valerie, was the one you saved. She thoughtfully sent over a batch of the Plague-Clearing Potion. It’s astonishingly effective for ordinary people, and even... for a Level One Transcendent who has suffered some contamination, it has quite a good effect..."
At this, Madam Mable’s eyes widened in realization.
Her silver eyes narrowed, her gaze fixed on Zorn.
"You... were the one who made it?"
"To be more precise, it was developed by the Alchemists and Witches under my command."
Zorn replied.
"And this potion has already brought me a substantial return."
After studying Zorn for a moment, Madam Mable spoke again.
"May I ask roughly how much?"
"About... thirty thousand gold pounds."
Hearing this, Madam Mable’s body gave a slight, almost imperceptible shudder.
Thirty thousand gold pounds. Even for her, this was still an astonishing fortune.
And that was profit generated in just two months.
’Gold pounds... The devil really knew how to make one’s heart race!’
Her mind racing, Madam Mable leaned back slightly.
"You know... if I were to shelter the Witches, it would come at a considerable cost."
Zorn couldn’t help but smile.
’Once she started talking about costs, the deal was as good as done.’
’The only question left was how high that cost would be.’
