Sam is an ordinary student at the Royal Capital Academy, but he is also from the Northern Border.
It is precisely because he is from the Northern Border that Sam supports Caudic more fervently than the other students—though it has been a long time since he last returned to the Northern Border, this does not hinder him from criticizing Duke Lars.
Only by doing so can he fit into the environment of the Royal Capital.
However, despite Sam being more fervent than everyone else, his classmates still look at him with disdain.
With the death of Duke Lars, the wind in the Royal Capital changed, turning towards the so-called freedom and equality, and all the students take pride in fighting for the interests of the Demon Clan.
Unfortunately, although Sam would love to serve the Demon Clan, he has to go back to the Northern Border now.
Due to rising prices, and coupled with the fact that his mother’s business has not been doing well recently, Sam has no choice but to abandon his studies, even though his parents always say that the alchemy courses in the Royal Capital are useless, and it would be better to return to the Northern Border to learn alchemy under them.
Sam’s parents are an alchemist and a pharmacist, a common combination in small alchemy workshops, and because of this, Sam previously lived a relatively wealthy life, as both parents are professionals.
But upon returning to the Northern Border, Sam found that the prices of various potions have been driven down to extremely low levels, even approaching cost price.
The price of restoration potions is very low, but starting from this winter, the prices of various enhancement potions and purification potions have also been steadily going down, to the point where his parents’ workshop can no longer afford Sam’s tuition.
Moreover, these alchemical potions, like the previous restoration potions, bear the emblem of the Northern Wind Bear, showing they are clearly from Graywhite Territory, and there is no concealment.
“I heard that they are recruiting alchemists in Graywhite Territory, why don’t we go try it out?”
Sam’s parents seem quite open-minded about it since all three of them are professionals and would not starve after all.
“Absolutely not!”
Sam immediately interrupted, saying, “Governor Lind of Graywhite Territory is a destroyer of peace, a monstrous devil aristocrat, and he discriminates against the Demon Clan. Mom and Dad, how can you abandon your freedom for a little temptation of money?”
Sam’s parents looked at their son with some confusion and asked, “How is that abandoning freedom? I see that people in Graywhite Territory even get holidays!”
Sam’s mother also interjected, “Moreover, the prices over there are relatively stable. I heard from a sister in Doug Castle that Governor Doug is going to push his own newly issued currency and will enforce mandatory exchanges. We can still run over in time.”
But Sam still asserted, “Governor Lind over there has inherited the position of Duke Lars. Mom and Dad, do you still want to return to the rule of Duke Lars?”
“Really?”
Sam’s parents exclaimed with joy, “That’s wonderful! Since Duke Lars died, the Northern Border has become a mess. If we return to the time of Duke Lars, we can continue to earn some tuition for you.”
“And I heard that taxes are low over there. Maybe we can even save some money.” Sam’s mother opened the ledger, revealing a small slip of paper promoting Graywhite Territory; these slips and flyers have been increasing lately.
“I don’t want any tuition or savings! I want freedom! I want equality! I want liberation!”
Sam screamed hysterically, “Mom and Dad, why can’t you understand? Starving to death is minor; losing one’s freedom is major!”
“What has that Governor Lind done? He won’t even let the Demon Clan enter his territory. Does he know how miserable the Demon Clan’s lives are? They can only be squeezed in the Eternal Frozen Land, unable to get enough to eat.”
Then, as if entering a certain state, Sam sorrowfully said, “But even in the Eternal Frozen Land, the Demon Clan remains optimistic. They even say that the Eternal Frozen Land gives them true freedom, and they have developed with their own tenacity. Ah, what a wise and resilient race.”
Sam’s father looked at his son as if he were a fool, seemingly regretting sending him to study in the Royal Capital.
“No matter what you say, we have to leave here. Business is truly unsustainable, and only some old customers come to buy potions from us. Since you don’t want to go to Graywhite Territory, just stay here and refine some potions for those old customers; it will help keep our family’s reputation. What do you think?”
After thinking it over, Sam’s father decided to comply with his son after all; after all, he is his child, what else could be done?
Although Sam’s mother looked at the clueless duo with some helplessness, she finally had to say, “If you encounter difficulties, just write to us. We have some money left at home, so be frugal. Your dad and I have secretly saved quite a bit of silver leaf coins and gold shield coins; they are all under your bed. If Governor Fang Ge really comes to exchange money in the future, just give him some; don’t exchange it all for yourself, understood?”
Looking at his parents who were still discussing money matters, Sam felt a bit frustrated. His parents’ mindset is far inferior to those nobles in the Royal Capital. Could it be that low-level professionals have too narrow a perspective?
After repeatedly reminding himself not to become like his parents, Sam bid farewell to them and started running a potion shop.
However, soon Sam began to understand his parents. Not only potions but all products related to alchemy, the prices are consistently close to cost price. Sam calculated a little and found that these alchemical products from Graywhite Territory were basically cost price plus shipping fees.
Although they are just some low-level alchemical tools, for ordinary people, the prices aren’t even particularly low. The fact that ordinary people can even think about alchemical products is already quite astonishing.
So how does Graywhite Territory make money? Sam even began to imagine his parents being imprisoned in a black-hearted factory by the evil governor, producing potions day and night.
Thinking of this made Sam a bit sad; after all, no matter how clueless they are, they are still his parents.
Living alone is very free, but it is also very tough. Sam soon discovered the true reason why his parents couldn’t make ends meet; aside from the low potion prices, everything else was extremely high.
People can live without alchemical potions, but they definitely cannot live without food. When Sam was in the Royal Capital, everything was aligned with the standards of those nobles, eating sumptuous meals daily. But now in the Northern Border, he couldn’t even afford an egg.
Looking at the gold and silver coins left by his parents, Sam gritted his teeth and decided to persist for a while longer. Not long after, he heard passing adventurers discussing the Demon Clan’s enclave.
Hearing this made Sam feel rejuvenated. The Demon Clan is great; they are both intelligent and cultured. Even though Governor Fang Ge defected to the light, after all, he is from the Lars family. The Demon Clan still possesses the enclave, and with all the skills he learned in the Royal Capital, he is sure to shine in the Demon Clan’s enclave.
