Epic Of The Demonic Sage

When Lucius returned to the Inanis Family's mansion, he wound up waiting for a couple of days for the work of Leif's men to be done.

During that period of time, Lucius spent some of his time checking on the Dionysia Brewery.

With the upcoming banquet celebration for the Inanis winning the war, it was good to see that the production continued on smoothly and that there were no complications that occurred over time.

While the initial months were a success, it was also necessary to ensure that the same careful methods used at the start were continued without changes.

Of course, Lucius couldn't simply just come to the Dionsyia Brewery without any reason.

Even when it was known to everyone that lady Alessa owned the Brewery, there might be some individuals who'd realize how much involvement the Inanis Family had.

That was why Lucius came under the pretense of visiting Alessa and for him to be toured within each part of the brewery.

"How are things with the brewery, lady Alessa?" Lucius asked Alessa as they returned to her office.

She was chosen because of how trustworthy she and her husband were, but Alessa also had merchant parents and actually knew about business practices too.

"It's all good, Young Lord Asher!" Alessa was respectful as she and him sat back at their tables. "If you would like to check the income reports, I can also pull them up now."

"Thank you. How about the news with the market? Any attempts at copying Humble Blaze?" Lucius asked. "People spying into the brewery and attempting to discover our recipe?"

He knew that nobody would figure out about them using Carom fruits right away, but he could end up wrong depending on the circumstances and what actions people might make.

"With Humble Blaze being the latest wine in the market, I believe some competitors have already heard wind of it, but yet to make some noticeable reactions." Alessa said. "John and the other security measures you've implemented is protecting the brewery quite well."

"And what do you think of the personnel? Is morale high? Are they satisfied?" Lucius asked.

"More than satisfied. With us doubling the price of the wine before, we've increased our profit margins and gave some celebratory bonuses." Alessa explained. "The current salary we're giving is already high compared to others that we don't see any dissatisfaction."

"Good. With this more or less settled." Lucius nodded. "I believe my mother has also informed you about the upcoming plans?"

"Y-yes, already." Alessa straightened up at those words. The idea that she might become a baroness in the future was something she hadn't predicted.

She was already quite grateful to the Inanis Family along with her husband. Even more so that this would pave a way to her baby's brighter future.

"Is there something that I need to do, Lord Asher?" Alessa continued, a little hesitant.

"I'm quite sure that my mother has already been preparing you beforehand." Lucius said, knowing how Countess Lita seemed excited with the upcoming event. "But I also have confidence that when the opportunity comes, you'll be able to seize it."

"Thank you." Alessa said, gratefully.

Lucius chose to subtly influence John's wife in order to ensure that she'll have the confidence to interact with the other nobility during the banquet.

It wasn't enough for the Inanis Family to promote her, but also for her to promote herself.

Those were things that Lucius didn't have active control on, but with the right words, he could manipulate people into believing things about themselves that they never even once considered.

After Lucius' time at the Dionysia Brewery, he then spent the rest on his other works.

He was still waiting for people to return like Gellor and his team, but other than that, he worked with what was available for him to work on.

Which wasn't actually that much.

It ended up giving Lucius the chance to increase his knowledge on things he deemed important.

Lucius also spent a good portion of his time reading books about artifacts, rune beasts and other of the like. Master Kain wasn't able to provide him everything since most information were given to artificers of the guild but he learned from what was given.

While Lucius read a book about some rune crystals, Kiana ended up visiting him in the library.

"I have the report now." Kiana handed him the sealed report.

"Finally." Lucius said and immediately went to check its contents. It had taken exactly five days for the report to arrive and he was exceedingly curious to see the documents.

Kiana, also looked excited to hear of the reports. She had been the one who originally gave the suggestion that they might be able to expand the Inanis territory and thus she was invested to see things succeed.

"What does it say?" Kiana asked.

"We have three baronies to choose from." Lucius said, pleased. "All of them had contributed during the war between Drew and Inanis such that they've become weakened."

"Three?"

"Yes, we have the Lily, Smith and the Tarka Barony. Are any of them familiar to you?" Lucius asked. "I'd like to see if there are matches in the information they've provided."

The truth was that Lucius wanted more insight. Even if Viscount Drew's territory was separate, the Inanis Family and in part, Kiana should have been familiar with the most notable ones.

"The Smith Barony was one of the weakened baronies?" Kiana blinked.

"Yes, where they not supposed to have weakened?" Lucius raised a brow.

"No, it makes sense. But it's just one of the older baronies." Kiana said. "Meanwhile, the Lily barony is something I've only recently heard from. I think it's new?"

"You are correct." Lucius nodded. "According to this report, the Baron of Lily is someone who was newly promoted from the rank of the Knight, so its existence is quite recent."

"And that's why it must have weakened." Kiana muttered. "It wasn't able to fully control his territory."

"That's correct." Lucius said. "Its military strength decreased, fortunately it still has its supplies. But as you said, the man was unable to gain full control over his barony."

"Which is an issue?" Kiana asked. "Won't it be easier to take control away from him?"