Since Syma had entered the market for the first time, we had always sold all the basic potions at far cheaper rates than the market prices.

The simplest explanation would be that the potions were sold at a price that was just a level above the manufacturing cost.

As for the cost required for expansion of our operations... it was derived from the premium segment of our business.

After the Syma Royal Bank was established, D.X.’s revenue had gotten a big boost, as most of our customers were among the highest of the nobility as well as the royals who borrowed quick funds for short-term use.

The interest earned on those loans had been massive in its own right.

The most important aspect of our business wasn’t the quality of our potions or the creativity with which new potions were made, nor was it the bank that had quickly secured the trust of many among the rich.

No.

The most important aspect, or to say the most profitable thing about our business, was the goodwill that we had earned over the years.

Syma had now become a favourite among the public, with many becoming our exclusive buyers.

The malpractices, or to say the evil deeds carried out by the other alchemy guilds, had been brought out before the public as we had sold the potions at rates that were too cheap for the masses, compared to the overpriced potions from the century-old guilds.

And even after doing all that, Syma had still expanded around the world, making many believe that we were still in profit even after selling such cheap potions.

That had once again raised questions on the credibility of the old guilds that were in the business for much longer than us.

As for how Syma had been able to expand even without gaining much profit from the basic potions?

It was simple.

Syma was part of D.X., so its expansion had received the necessary economic backup from the criminal activities of the organisation.

D.X. now operated most of the underworld businesses across Jutan, right from pickpockets to human and beast traffickers.

Selling slaves from among all the races was a very lucrative business option that D.X. had decided to monopolise.

Well... I didn’t have to expend much effort on it, as No. 11 was a former controller of that business around the world.

After joining D.X., we had just helped him eliminate all of his rivals in the business, thus creating a monopoly across the world.

All the revenue from the slave trade had been accumulated in the vaults of D.X., which was then used to fund Syma’s legal operations.

Leaving aside slavery, around sixty percent of the black market was now controlled by D.X., with many of its top players already eliminated from the game.

There were several other illegal sources of income, the casinos being one of them.

Gambling was an addiction that could make even the strongest bend.

Aside from the casinos, there were gambling dens for professionals.

Betting varied depending on the taste of the customers, with some even betting on horse races.

But the most popular among the betting systems were the underground arena fights.

People who wanted quick money often participated in them, with death deciding the final outcome of the fight.

From nobles to commoners, many were fond of such sports, so that business had always been a boon.

Well... this was just a part of all the illegal activities that funded D.X. and its operations.

And after the rise of Syma, a stable legal source of revenue was generated.

"Where is Arthur?"

Thinking for a while, I looked around, as Arthur would be joining me on the operation.

He wouldn’t fight in person, but a backup was needed, not for the soldiers, but for me personally, as I too would be joining the mission.

Though everything was calculated and planned... there could be some unexpected variables like—

Meeting a Sovereign by pure coincidence.

"His core would be healed today, or at least that was what he said before leaving to cultivate."

Julien uttered the words while sitting straight.

"Are you hungry?"

Just when I was about to improvise the plans in my mind, Julien opened a packed box, which was likely used to carry food around.

"Sophie had prepared this for me. Well, looking at the food, I think it was for two people, so maybe... it’s for you too."

Julien said, as he began to unpack everything on the table before us.

"She can cook?"

Though the question wasn’t important, I just felt like asking it.

"Maybe... I mean, she had personally handed this to me, so—"

Julien shrugged his shoulders before digging into the food.

Haa...

Though I wasn’t hungry, seeing the food before me, my appetite seemed to have returned.

Seeing there being no need to act reserved, I too began to eat from the box... or whatever it was called.

As for what the food was... it was some monster’s grilled meat.

Looking at the ease with which we could chew it, the monster seemed to be of Iron core.

I mean... it had an Iron core.

The seasoning was done perfectly, as the meat melted in my mouth.

This...

It was good.

Maybe... I had to thank Sophie some other day.

"Kael?"

Hm?

With the meat in my mouth, I slightly turned my head only to find Arthur standing behind me.

As I looked around, the entirety of the hall had gone silent, the only voice being Arthur’s, who sounded a little different from his usual.

Ah!

As I tried to sense Arthur’s core, I felt an instinctive danger to my life.

I had always felt the same whenever I tried to sense his core, but this time... the feeling of danger had magnified several times.

Arthur...

Had he evolved his core?

No.

Though the feeling of danger had intensified, I didn’t feel like Arthur had evolved.

Arthur’s core... it had repaired itself completely and was now at its peak.

The guy had become even more dangerous while being at the same rank as before.

Feeling the danger posed by Arthur’s mere presence... I didn’t think there was any cultivator at Immortal 7 that could even come remotely close to the level of—

The End’s sword.