Chapter 158
***
A traveler came from the western domain of Duke Blake wolf to North-frontier city for the first time after hearing about medicines to cure Malaria . It was the first for him to see such a unique city . Previously he also stayed at the Imperial city . it was only later when he moved to join a Marquis in the western domain . His name was Bruce Connor . he was a middle-aged man with brown hair with a little bit of white hair . Currently, he was wearing a coat as he came here especially to cure his Malaria instead of approaching the Radiant Church .
Bruce thought after entering the city, 'It's good that there was a cure for this disease or else I would have gone to the Radiant church and convert for their services with a hefty sum while begging them at the same time . '
Currently, Bruce was with a local guide, recently because of a boom in tourism there were a lot of guides near North-frontier City and neighboring cities and towns providing their services .
Bruce commented as he entered the city in a carriage with his guide, "The roads here are quite good . A lot better than the roads of Imperial Capital . "
The guide proudly explained the history behind road as he was quite used to praise for roads and their maintenance, "Yes, it was fully funded by Lord John and these roads were made with concrete and a special solidifying agent called cement which has done the trick for the whole construction industry in North-frontier domain . The roads are now sturdier because of these concretes and cements . Lord did this when he made a deal with Baron Mendez . "
"Isn't it expensive to maintain such roads?"
"No, Lord beleives that the money and roads are interconnected . So they must be maintained . Additionally, this cement is created by lord himself so their production costs are low . Recently we also started exporting cement to Marquis Ray and Duke Fjord . They too plan to modernize their roads at least since it will boost trade . "
Bruce nodded and understood something about the city and John, he commented as he looked at the roads, "Hmm . . . It seems like a good business opportunity as it is a unique and very good solidifying agent . Anyway, I am here in particular for a medicine curing malaria . "
The guide hesitated a bit as he knew that a lot of people came here looking for business opportunities, He spoke with a bit of hesitance, "If you are here to buy in bulks then forget about it . Lord John is only providing them for real Patients or they will deliver it via their merchants to the patient themselves in other domains as the lord is stocking them up currently . It will only be available in bulk later on . "
Bruce shook his head and understood after hearing the guide, "No, I am not here to buy it for business . "
The guide smiled as he had seen a lot of people, but the patients were mostly guided by their relatives or friends, "Okay . then it's all good . I don't think you look ill . Well anyway, I will show you the way to the pharmacy . "
Bruce looked at the clock tower and marveled as he spotted the clock tower in the middle of the city, "Meanwhile what is that Palace over there? It has quite a unique architecture . "
The guide laughed as he heard Bruce and explained, "Hahaha, No Sir, it is not a palace, it is our newly built clocktower . It helps people to know about the current time . This clock is showing 10 o clock in the morning right now . This is one of the finest piece of artwork and technological work in our domain, So it is a combination of both art and technology . It was actually made by the collaboration of Lord Tornwall, our chief forger and Lord Ryfon, our city planner, he is also the one who approves architecture apart from Lord John . While Lord John provided the prototype of a small clock . "
Bruce was quite amazed as he inquired more about the clock tower, "What is the significance of this tower? I am quite interested in it . And what is this time? Can it be calculated? I thought we can only calculate time in days weeks or months . "
The guide explained to him the workings of the Clock which amazed him quite a lot as he was awed by it . After the construction of the Clock tower . Everyone was made aware of the significance of the clock tower .
"Wow, it's quite a convenient tower . It can help people schedule their time . This city has really broadened my horizons . I see that a lot of people here are able to read and write . Even though I am quite a learned person and consider myself a scholar, I don't understand how did such a big change happen within our kingdom . Meanwhile, I see that a lot of people are able to ride those things called bicycles . It seems this town has experienced a lot of changes . Even though it is at war currently . This city is quite lively unlike what I heard in rumors in the west . "
The guide proudly spoke as he heard Bruce, "It is made possible all because of our lord . He was the one who pushed policies for a learned populace and hence the results . Even I am able to read and write after my training of 2 months at Rose institute, I will be going there again after my break of 2 months, currently, I want to focus on earning money . As for Bicycles? I too have one, It has made my travel between towns a bit easier, It is the proud work of Lord John and Lord Tornwall . Currently, it is being jointly made by 3 companies . One company is owned by Paul the woodworker and the other is of George who used to make weapons for Lord Mendez and the Main parts are made by Lord John's Bicycle manufacturers which are currently handled by Tornwall's subordinates who are particularly trained in making those bicycles . "
Bruce furrowed his eyes as he asked, "What do you mean used to? doesn't George still make weapons for him?"
The guide shook his head and spoke, "Nope, He cut his relationship with Lord Mendez before the start of the war . At the same time, his increased profits because of Government tenders was quite a good thing for him . he is also someone who loves his homeland so it would be hard for him to leave North-frontier city . This time it was quite an easy decision for him as 70 percent of his profits came from the North-frontier city . As there are not a lot of forges in the city so most of the demand is distributed between those George and paul and other companies of Lord John . So they are expanding at an extreme pace . It is only recently that some forging companies have started after some internal and external funding . While some have started companies after pooling money . "
Bruce nodded as he understood that the lord was encouraging trade, "Interesting, Anyway, take me to the pharmacy first . I guess my stay will be longer this time around as this city is very interesting and very full of life . "
The guide adviced him as adviced in the newspapers for the medical tourists, "I would advise you to go to the Hospital first as they can give you a better evaluation and prescribe the right amount of medicine . "
Bruce was quite surprised and decided to have a look at the hospitals made by Count John, "Wow, a Hospital . I heard there was one at Imperial city which was particularly made for nobles and state guests . "
Guide spoke as if it was natural, "As count John himself is a pharmacist . He had laid down a lot of policies and many people were trained at basic medicine by other medical professionals and hence the result . They were only recently hired by the lord from a lot of domains . "
***
Lukavv was sipping his White snow wine usually as he laughed after looking at the newspaper and the result of those Ballistas first war, he murmured and asked Duncan, "We made quite a profitable investment this time around . What do you think Duncan?"
Duncan nodded and agreed: "Indeed . Our profit on investment this time is the biggest when it comes to Count John . Those medicines themselves are enough to compensate us as we were always sanctioned by Radiant Church and this has eased the problem which our men usually faced . I guess the Radiant Church just hammered the last nail in the coffin when they sanctioned Count John and forced him to act personally . I heard he himself took out his time to study those diseases and invent their cures . "
Lukavv smiled as he heard Duncan, "A genius and dangerous man indeed . "
"True, just like you Milord . This time they killed 5000 of Fjord's men in the last battle . A complete riot this time around . As I guessed it was Admiral Blake who did the deed without even blinking an eye . Eric was the one who wanted to arrest prisoners . However, both of them didn't cross any paths as both respected each other's opinion . "
Lukavv nodded and made an analysis, "It would have created sparks if both of them weren't close and friends with knowing each other's past . Anyway, we will go with the plan . We shouldn't worry about the radiant church as they would be busy this time around . So we will go ahead with the plan . "
Duncan: "Yes, milord . "
***
Charlie Aelius was currently at a castle near the western borders of Aelius kingdom near the Beastmen Domain .
He looked at the reports and spoke, "It seems we need to move as well after watching the results of the previous battle . Well, Any results on the investigation about Blacktiger's murder?"
His personal Knight spoke, "Yes, This assassination most likely points towards Count John or the Bluesea house . They are the only ones who would most likely make this move without worrying about any political recuperations or any investigations . This was confirmed in Lord Lionheart's letter .
Charlie had a serious face as he spoke, "It looks like these guys are getting dangerous to us day by day for us, especially that count . Maybe I should accept radiant Church's offer of allying with them in return of taking actions against that count and getting them the printing machines . However, my only concern is Felix who is their number 1 priority . I am not really worried about their schemes, to be honest . "
The knight showed a cunning smile as he spoke, "Lord, why not use them and dump them as we do to everyone else? isn't it easy? Both of the parties are anyway working to achieve their own goals . "
Charlie shook his head, "It isn't as easy . however, you are right when it comes to benefits . I am only worried that if I ally with the radiant church then Lukav will start targetting me as well . He is the only one who has given me a death scare in my whole life . Nah, maybe I will consider their offer . It is no time to be hesitant . As for the count, release that dog . "
The knight reconfirmed, "Blacktiger's brother?"
Charlie nodded with affirmation and spoke with a smile, "Yes, lets see how far he can go and how much of a challenge he is to Count John's men . The guys who have revenge in their heads are quite dangerous . "
The knight nodded and left to see Blacktiger's brother, "As your order, Milord . "
