This Necromancer Just Wants to Plant Trees - Chapter 139

Matthew diligently handed in his assignment. Peggy scanned through it, and her eyebrows immediately twitched. She saw that Matthew had written:

"Making money is never an easy task, and the fastest way is always to make money work for you. I'm tight on funds, and I don't have that many gold coins. But I have a substantial number of knowledge points, and I can leverage that. I asked David and other alliance staff, and the exchange rate for knowledge points to gold coins is approximately 1 point to 10,000 gold coins.

The alliance strictly prohibits directly converting knowledge points into gold coins, but I can, at the very least, convert a significant amount of knowledge points into cash through three methods:

The first is collateral loans. The alliance explicitly states that knowledge points cannot be sold but can be used as collateral to borrow a significant amount of funds from the alliance, various major mage towers, or senior mages. According to David, knowledge points can be used to borrow substantial amounts of gold coins, with an annual interest rate usually around 6 points. I can take advantage of the interest rate difference by lending a large amount of gold coins and then lending them to others.

Of course, this method comes with some default risks, so a more rigorous execution strategy is needed.

The second is project point laundering. Knowledge points cannot be directly converted into gold coins, but there are always some mages in the alliance with surplus gold coins and a shortage of knowledge points. I can establish a shell project, recruit these mages into the project, and when the project is completed, I can distribute some of my points to them as project rewards. They can then circulate enough gold coins into my hands through gifting or other means. This method should be the safest. If the shell project is deemed illegal, I can simply create a real project, although it might require some extra effort. The drawback of laundering points through projects is that it cannot be implemented on a large scale and is limited in efficiency. If a large number of points are transferred in a short time, it will inevitably cause a significant impact on the current point deficit, which will likely lead to a decrease in the amount of gold coins that can be obtained from mages' hands.

All of this is for later.

The third is investment. In a nutshell, I can invest knowledge points in certain spell projects and receive dividends and rewards mainly in the form of gold coins. Due to space limitations, I won't go into detail here."

• Matthew's classroom assignment

"Is this really your way of making money?" Peggy asked incredulously. "This is clearly your exclusive method!"

Matthew innocently replied, "You didn't specify that it had to be a method for everyone."

Peggy looked visibly upset. Her normally calm demeanor seemed to crumble.

But then she asked, "Where did you get so many knowledge points?"

Matthew replied, "My teacher gave them to me."

Peggy's expression suddenly turned envious. "Your teacher is really generous," she remarked.

Matthew asked, "Didn't your teacher give you any?"

Peggy sighed, "He did, but I spent them quickly. You know, I'm a spell enthusiast. I exhausted the alliance's spell library."

"Lord Suerel was actually quite generous, but 100 knowledge points just don't go very far," she explained.

Matthew's expression shifted subtly. Peggy noticed it and inquired, "Do you have more than 100 knowledge points? Did your teacher give you 200?"

She stared intently at Matthew, eager for an answer. To avoid further upsetting her and yet staying close to the truth, Matthew reluctantly replied, "1000 points."

Peggy suddenly fell silent. She regarded Matthew with an ambiguous look for a moment before forcibly leaning on his shoulder and pulling the strap of his silk robe aside, revealing a large expanse of fair skin. "Do you need a mistress?" she purred. "How about supporting me?"

But the realization that the person she was talking to was the formidable individual who could obliterate enemies in the blink of an eye made Matthew instantly clear-headed. "Miss Peggy, isn't this a bit inappropriate? We're still in the classroom."

Peggy's eyes burned with desire as she said, "It's after class now."

"Are you really considering this?" Matthew asked.

Peggy leaned closer, her voice sultry. "Take a look at what I have to offer. I can give you a discount since you've taken my class."

Matthew felt overwhelmed and attempted to change the topic. "Uh, why a mistress, though?"

At this, Peggy took a step back. She looked him over with interest and said, "Having a mistress is safer, and it's a win-win arrangement. You provide the money, and I provide companionship. It's a fair partnership. Marriage is an option too, but the alliance strictly forbids domestic violence."

Matthew wondered, "You're also worried about domestic violence?"

Peggy nodded. "Of course. I'm always afraid I might be too harsh."

Matthew fell silent. "Are you really not considering it?"

She gazed at him with pleading eyes. "Are you in need of money?"

Matthew asked curiously, "How much do you need?"

Peggy clenched her fists, her voice filled with determination. "I do! I need it desperately! Remember when I told you that my path to becoming a legend is blocked by money? Because of one experiment, I owe my teacher and my best friend a huge debt. This experiment is crucial to my path to becoming a legend, and it currently has a slight funding gap. Even if you don't want to be my patron, could you at least invest a little? In case I succeed, you'll gain the friendship of a legendary mage."

Matthew inquired, "What experiment?"

Peggy's eyes sparkled as she explained, "It's about the development of 'True Alchemy.' You already know the 'Capital's spells series,' and my signature is 'True Transmutation.' This experiment combines the two fields. I want to turn ordinary materials into gold to support the massive consumption of the 'Capital's spells series."

It did sound promising. If Matthew had some spare money, he might have considered investing after Peggy's persistent requests. Unfortunately, he was currently broke.

In the end, he could only look at Peggy with helpless eyes and earnestly explain, "I'm just a junior mage who recently joined the alliance, and I genuinely don't have many gold coins. As for knowledge points, they were a gift from my teacher, and I'm not sure if these points have any specific restrictions. Currently, my money-making method only exists on paper and hasn't been converted into actual gold coins."

Peggy stared at him with wide eyes. "So, you admit that you were just fooling me with your assignment?"

"Do you want to punish me?" Matthew asked.

"Kneel!" Peggy ordered.

Matthew quickly adapted to the situation. "But it's after class now."

...

It was still early when Matthew left the Crucible House, and he decided to go fishing at the Lord's Manor.

Entering the office hall, he found Lolan and Zeller still engaged in their negotiations. Both of them were skilled in the art of bargaining, and after hours of discussions, it appeared they hadn't reached any resolution.

Matthew exchanged a glance with Reiga. The latter informed him, "We received a message from the Red Earth Mountains this morning. They want to form an alliance with us, and the negotiation is set to take place in the barley fields of Golden Plains."

Matthew chuckled. "Isn't Golden Plains their territory?"

Reiga nodded, "Exactly. So, in my reply, I insisted on the negotiation taking place in West Valley Farm, not too far from South Trading Station."

Matthew inquired, "Are you considering an alliance with them?"

Reiga shook his head, "Of course not. They clearly aren't genuinely interested in forming an alliance with us. This negotiation is just a way for both sides to test each other."

Matthew pondered, "Do you need my help?"

Reiga teased, "Wouldn't it be too troublesome for you? I've heard that being the child of a big shot isn't as easy as it seems. The pressure is usually quite high."

Matthew rolled his eyes.

At this point, both Zeller and Lolan stopped in unison. Lady Wesley offered them each a cup of tea, and the empty cups next to them indicated they had been negotiating for quite some time.

Matthew smiled and asked them, "Any progress in your negotiations?"

Zeller took a sip of ginger water and cleared his throat. "On the basis of mutual respect, we've fully exchanged our opinions."

Matthew expressed some regret. "So, nothing has been agreed upon?"

Zeller sighed in resignation. "Your friend makes extravagant demands."

Lolan immediately raised his hands in surrender.

...

Matthew wasn't making extravagant demands; all the terms had been given to him directly by Lysanna herself.

She presented two possible paths for collaboration, and the terms were straightforward. The first option was for Rolling Stone Town to send an elite force of no less than thirty soldiers, to be stationed at Azure Harbor. Lysanna insisted on having command over this force. As a reciprocal gesture, she would arrange for her niece, Judy, to be married to Reiga. Additionally, a new trade route between Rolling Stone Town and Azure Harbor would be established, with the promise of tax exemptions for all Rolling Stone Town's caravans departing from Azure Harbor. There were numerous other incentives as well, although Matthew couldn't recall all of them.

The second option was for Rolling Stone Town to directly commit a sizable army to quell the rebellion in Azure Harbor, and fend off any attacks from Lion's City. In return, Lysanna would personally marry Reiga, and the ownership and profits of Azure Harbor would be shared equally. This would result in Rolling Stone Town and Azure Harbor effectively becoming one entity.

However, Reiga and Zeller exchanged glances and seemed to reach a silent agreement. Reiga calmly said, "In that case, Rolling Stone Town will send a small gift for Lady Lysanna's wedding."

The implication was clear. Reiga couldn't accept the terms of collaboration as presented by Lysanna. After days of contemplation, he had essentially decided to refuse the proposal. Matthew felt relieved, knowing it was the right decision.

Meanwhile, Lolan, who had been listening, let out a contented sigh, saying, "In that case, I'll let Judy enjoy herself for a couple more days before returning her to Azure Harbor."

Reiga exclaimed, "Mission accomplished!"

"Now that we're all on the same page, shall we hug it out as a family?" Lolan suggested.

Zeller, engrossed in organizing documents, didn't respond.

Reiga, on the other hand, took out an issue of the Alliance Gazette and began to read it with great interest. Matthew and Lolan were too far apart to engage in a group hug.

Lolan didn't seem to mind. He sprawled lazily on the couch, crossing his legs on the table in front of Zeller.

Zeller raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. He kept sifting through the paperwork without saying a word.

Lolan inquired, "Any interesting news in the Gazette, Reiga?"

Reiga disliked being disturbed while reading the newspaper but replied politely, "I just read an intriguing piece of news. A group of goblin raiders attacked a Lion's City military camp, numbering less than twenty. Surprisingly, they managed to inflict casualties on the Lion's City forces. Can you guess how?"

Lolan offered a humorous response, "I guess a soldier got drunk, mistook a goblin for a bear, and, despite the goblin's protests, insisted on wrestling it, ultimately breaking his back due to his drunken antics. The enraged goblin retaliated and killed him."

Reiga furrowed his brow, "How did you know? The news article is identical. Did I pick up the wrong newspaper? This is the latest edition of the Alliance Gazette."

Lolan laughed heartily, and Reiga admitted that it was indeed the news from the Gazette.

"Any other interesting stories?" Lolan asked, intrigued.

After a brief pause, Reiga remarked, "I've got something fascinating. A high-level mage from the Seven Saints Alliance is raising funds for an experimental project with a target of a hundred thousand gold coins. She claims that if the project succeeds, she'll share the research findings with investors. Can you guess what the project is about?"

Reiga's question was met with a swift and confident response from Lolan, "It must be 'True Alchemy'!"

Reiga continued, "About this mage, I also know some historical details. In her previous experiment, she used True Alchemy to transform a pile of sand into gold coins worth a hundred thousand gold. Sounds like Margaret, right?"

Matthew asked, "So, she was successful, right? Why does it seem like she's struggling to find investors, as you described?"

Before Lolan could respond, Reiga answered with amusement, "Because her previous experiment cost her a million gold coins!"

Reiga couldn't help but burst into laughter, and Lolan joined in.

Reiga's smile revealed his amusement, and he greeted Matthew. Matthew, however, was feeling overwhelmed by the unexpected turn of events.

While reading the article in the Gazette, Matthew's face reddened, and he looked like he had been caught off guard.

"Matthew, why do you look so embarrassed?" Reiga asked, genuinely curious.

Matthew coughed and replied, "So, the content of the Alliance Gazette is related to you?"

Lolan confirmed with pride, "I'm one of the contributing senior writers of the Gazette. In fact, I provide valuable information as one of its primary sources. Generally, if the source is listed as 'an authoritative individual who prefers to remain anonymous,' it's information I've provided."

"Given my abilities, small-scale information gathering is quite convenient, and the Gazette pays handsomely for such contributions."

Matthew gazed at Lolan with envy.

However, Matthew couldn't help but ask, "Can you now capture small-scale news near Rolling Stone Town?"

Lolan closed his eyes and focused his senses. His ears twitched, and after a moment, he opened his eyes and snapped his fingers, announcing in a melodic, half-singing voice, "Got one!

"There's an obscure rumor about a despondent druid who has turned into a small kitten. She's playing around with a white cat, but what she doesn't know is that the white cat is a spy sent by the Withering Sect. The spy has malevolent intentions and approaches the little kitten only to gain an advantage in taking over the Oakwood Forest."

Without waiting for Lolan to finish, Matthew dashed out of the room, eager to investigate this latest development.

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