Chapter 408: Chapter 403: Refugee Quota Chapter 408: Chapter 403: Refugee Quota “Anz, occupation: Alchemist, specializes in potions. Silver Rank 5th Peak strength, having gained the right to participate in the alchemist contest held at the Royal Capital Scarlett, is that correct?”

“Who are you people?” With his bearded face freshly shaven to reveal a youthful countenance, Anz frowned at the five people standing before him.

“There’s no need to worry. You still possess the right to participate in the competition. As per the contest rules, you are currently under the protection of Duke Mureya. No one dares to lay hands on you.”

The palace eunuch who blocked Anz’s way laughed at Yaheng who was apparently about to fight back, pointing to the hexagonal Dragon Head insignia on his chest, “I come from the Royal Capital Scarlett. Surely, you should recognise this insignia!”

“You’re one of Duke Mureya’s people?” Having participated in over ten contest matches, Anz was quite familiar with the hexagonal Dragon Head sign. It was the insignia of the rule enforcing duke. Whoever bore this insignia would be considered the subordinate of the rule enforcing duke.

“Indeed, may I ask if you are Alchemist Anz?” Ever respectful, the palace eunuch, who had previously confirmed Anz’s identity through 3D holographic imaging, bowed slightly before asking again.

“I am Anz himself.” The prodigious young alchemist exchanged a glance with his childhood friend Yaheng, then turned to look at the clean-shaven palace eunuch.

“So, Master Anz, do you have some time to discuss things with me now?” the eunuch asked in a tone that left no room for refusal.

“Alright.” Anz glanced at the commanding gold Dragon Head insignia on the eunuch’s chest and readily agreed. He was not someone who could afford to deny such a powerful figure at this time.

“Over here, please, Master Anz.” Seeing Anz’s willingness to cooperate, the eunuch had an immediate change in attitude, expressing his respect with a gracious gesture towards an exquisitely decorated restaurant nearby.

“What exactly does your regent or the Duke himself want from me?” Settling down at the restaurant, Anz asked the eunuch, who wafted a faint aroma of perfume, in a solemn tone.

The eunuchs, a special group only spotted in the royal family or in the homes of the great nobles, were often seen as representatives of their master’s intentions.

“You sure get straight to the point, the more reason I shouldn’t beat around the bush.” The eunuch chuckled before adopting a serious face, “Are you interested in being of service to Duke Mureya?”

“…” Anz fell into a brief silence, then responded, “As a citizen of the Lockman Kingdom, I’m naturally obliged to serve Duke Mureya.”

“Come on, Master Anz, you’re a smart man. There’s no need to play coy with me.” The eunuch’s face expressed slight displeasure. “You should know what I mean. I’m asking if you are willing to follow Duke Mureya. Even if His Majesty Mureya steps down from the Duke position in the future and leaves the Lockman Kingdom, would you still wish to follow him, committing to His Majesty’s service for life?”

“…” Anz remained silent. Yaheng, on the other hand, was evidently agitated and wanted to say something in protest but was quickly silenced by Anz before he could offend anyone.

“Please consider patiently, Master Anz. You should be well aware of His Majesty Mureya’s tremendous power. Within the Dragon Race, His Majesty holds a high status. This much is apparent when observing his governing ceremonies.”

“Ten Ancient Dragons, huh!” Young Anz murmured and then looked towards the eunuch, “Can you tell me in what respect Duke Mureya finds me exceptional?”

“Of course, it’s your talent as an alchemist. His Majesty is impressed with your calm, cool and innovative spirit in the concoction of potions.”

“What can I gain if I promise to follow His Majesty Mureya?” Anz pragmatically asked.

Being an alchemist is an assisting role in nature. Serving a great power was quite a normal thing to do. Independent alchemists generally do not last long.

The materials needed for low-grade potions are easy to come by since they are readily available on the market. But for high-grade potions, getting the right materials is incredibly difficult; they are so scarce that you can hardly find them even if you are willing to pay a high price.

So, aligning oneself with a great power is the usual path that most alchemists take. To avoid becoming a mere potion-making machine under their control, however, entirely depends on the alchemist himself.

“You are free to carry out any low-grade potion research and development. There is no restriction on the materials. For higher-grade potion materials, they will be provided in limited quantities depending on your capabilities.

Further, you can freely view and experiment with any alchemy elixirs recipes that His Majesty Mureya has collected.”

“Freely inspect?” Anz chuckled, “I fear that this freedom of inspection comes with a condition that I be in a place where I can’t communicate with the outside world, like a semi-plane. Moreover, once I see these, it’s safe to assume that I’ll never see the world I’m living in now ever again.”

The eunuch laughed but did not respond. Some things are better left unspoken for those who understand. The eunuch then took out a pile of documents from his Space Ring and placed them in front of Anz, gesturing for him to take a look.

Intrigued by the documents stamped with the word “top secret,” Anz began to browse, while Yaheng moved closer to join in.

Human beings are a species filled with curiosity. From the royals and nobles to common people, all have an interest in uncovering the secrets others are unwilling to reveal.

“How is this possible?” Having gone through just a few pages, Anz’s eyebrows knitted together. Yaheng, seated next to him, also looked shocked at the startling information recorded on the papers.

The documents detailed all the instances of demon invasions in the Lockman Kingdom over the past two years. The time, place, number, strength and weaknesses of the attacking demons were all clearly documented.

The statistical charts depicted the increasing frequency and strength of the demon invasions, and it was clear that things were developing in an unfavorable direction, even for a rugged character like Yaheng.

“Is all of this real?” Yaheng, with a gloomy expression, asked the eunuch. He could hardly believe it. Given the increasing frequency and strength of the demon appearances, he feared for the future.

“Do you think we need to create fake documents to deceive you? Do you believe you’re worthy of being deceived by us?” The eunuch retorted casually with a smile on his face.

“What could have caused such a situation?”

“That, I’m afraid, is not something someone like me would be privy to,” the eunuch shook his head. He pointed at the file in front of Anz, “But should you agree to follow His Majesty Mureya, from this moment on, you will have ten slots for taking people with you into the semi-plane, where you will be safe from outside threats.”

“Ten slots, that’s too few.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read