The Gene of the Ancients (Rogue Merchant Book #2): LitRPG Series by Roman Prokofiev (top books to read TXT) 📕

Still, the main issue was the customers. Retail was important, but only a bulk buyer could really provide a steady income, and there was basically only one option — the state, or, rather, the army. Amidst a faction war, troops needed a constant supply of consumables, especially healing potions.

I headed straight for Eyre castle and chatted with the soldiers there. Bored while on duty, they were happy to have a conversation, and me being a Friend of the Eyre Nation with a faction medallion to boot implied that I could be trusted. As a result, I managed to find out that the standard kit of a rank one NPC warrior included one Medium Healing Potion and one Medium Antidote and that lately, they were in short supply.

Finding the head quartermaster wasn’t hard, either. However, that was where I encountered a problem.

“Your desire to equip the army is commendable,” said the scrawny man with a yellowish face, throwing up his hands. “I won’t lie, after Ciage’s death and the destruction of his lab we had some issues with finding a supplier. However, everything’s been dealt with. We found a manufacturer and signed a contract. I can’t help you.”

I kept trying to win him over, promising a better price and terms, but he didn’t even want to take a look at my offer. Going by the old fart’s behavior, I realized there was a reason. Most likely, he had his own fingers in that pie. Eventually, he turned blue in the face, yelled at me, and kicked me out, dropping my personal reputation by a hundred points to Disliked.

Fine. In my experience, in such cases, one needed to forge ahead, contacting actual decision makers. I had a faction amulet, the title of Friend of the Nation, and I went straight to the Err. Were the two days I hadn’t logged out of the game, trying to save His Majesty from Tao and company, for naught? Time for him to pay the debt!

To my surprise, Endved received me almost immediately, and even looked happy to see me. At any rate, he invited me to the lesser reception hall and offered a seat at the table covered with maps and atlases, sitting down on the other side. He didn’t look well, seeming much older. His features were drawn, dark circles under his eyes. With the crown on his head, he was almost a carbon copy of his late father.

“What’s up, HotCat?” he asked. “Please make it quick, I don’t have time for chitchat.”

“Because of the war?”

“Exactly! The orcs from House of Darkness invaded us from the north! There are thousands of them, and nobody has any idea how they managed to get across so many leagues!” Endved clenched his fists. “We already lost three forts. I don’t even have time to sleep! If you want to help, enlist in the militia, we’ll be grateful for each new sword.”

“Actually, I’d love to contribute, but in another way,” I replied. “Tell me, are you supplied well enough?”

“Our supply? It could be better, I suppose. Knowing you, I’m sure you aren’t altruistic. Tell me, what’s your plan? And stop beating around the bush!”

“This time, all I want is to help one of your subjects, Your Majesty,” I said, staring him right in the eyes. “Ciage’s niece resumed elixir production and wants to supply your troops, just like her uncle used to.”

“A niece? I didn’t know about her. Fine, so what’s the problem?”

“Your quartermaster refuses. He has a new supplier.”

“You merchants...” Endved drawled wearily. “Listen, I don’t have time for such little things. HotCat, the quartermaster’s in charge of that, go talk to him and don’t bother me with this anymore. Dismissed.”

I stood up and went all-in.

“So you don’t care about your subjects deceiving you?!”

“That’s a very serious accusation,” Endved said through his teeth, standing up in turn.

“Just look at what price your quartermaster’s buying common Healing Potions. For reference, I’m offering fifteen silver per vial.”

The young Err focused and froze for a few seconds. Just as I had expected, a more powerful AI took over when a more complex situation arose.

“Thirty-five,” he said softly. Then he raised his voice. “Get me General Laort!”

“Tell everything to Laort!” he said, turning to me. “Let him check. It does look suspicious, our treasury’s all but empty, anyway. And thank you!”

Completed hidden faction quest: The Weakest Link!

You discovered a weak link, a dishonest person inside the Eyrian army, and revealed his treachery, making the faction stronger. Find all weakest links, and the people of Eyre will be thankful!

Your reputation with the nation of Eyre increased by 50! Current value: 300/5000 (Revered)

Your reputation with Endved Elyon, the Err of Eyre, increased by 50! Current value: 160/1000 (Respect)

Attention: you unlocked a hidden series of faction quests, The Weakest Link. Discovered: 32/100.

You receive 25000 XP! You receive 1 free attribute point!

Rare achievement unlocked: Anti-Corruption Crusader! You are the seventeenth player to have obtained this achievement with the Eyre Nation!

In an hour, I signed a contract with the new quartermaster, while the former one was chained up and escorted to the dungeons beneath the castle by two “barleys.” My guess turned out to be right; he had been overcharging for potions, lining his own pockets.

The rewards heaped upon me, including the rare faction quest, were only a nice bonus to the feeling of fulfillment. The first delivery was to happen in three days.

“Five hundred Healing Potions? Three hundred Regeneration Potions?!” Weldy’s eyes widened as she read the contract. “In three days? But where will we get them, HotCat?”

“Don’t worry, it’s all set. Just sign the contracts!” I pulled out several rustling scrolls, putting them in front of her. “See, here’s the transportation contract, and