BXBX NOVEL Chapter 215 - Industrial Products
Chapter 215: Industrial Products
And in the workshop of the alchemy factory, Gawain was inspecting the first batch of rejuvenation potions produced.
These potions were packaged in man-made crystal bottles about the size of a finger, neatly placed in rows in a wooden box with many cells, and softwood fillings were put in around the bottles so as to prevent collision and damage during transportation. And following Gawain’s requests, apart from being neatly packaged, these alchemy potions also had the relevant “labels” stuck on them —— every crystal bottle was labeled with a small note. The potion’s name, effect, production date, and expiry date were written on it, and it was stamped with the Cecil territory’s emblem.
Such uniformly made labels were truly novel to many people, especially the “period of validity” stated on it. This was because traditional alchemy potions rarely took into account the problems of “expiration” —— alchemy potions were handmade and concocted by Beyonders, so the output was extremely limited and forever in the state of supply falling short of demand. Their users were usually big and small aristocrat clans or Beyonders who needed to go onto the battlefield. The former naturally had attendants or magic consultants responsible for managing the potions in their vault (the aristocrats, therefore, did not need to worry about the problem of expiration), while the potions in the latter’s hands often did not last till the expiry date arrived. Hence, those traditional alchemists would, at the most, label their name on the bottle after producing the potions, and the period of validity… would be left to the “consumers” to be concerned with.
However, the products manufactured from a factory certainly couldn’t have the same standard of care… or lack of it. Gawain had to instill standardized thoughts for the people in the territory from the very beginning.
Right now, everything was in the foundational stage; the contents on this label were naturally very simple. But despite so, the neat and uniform labeling of the mass-produced potions and the pleasant packaging method still left a deep impression on the people present. Rebecca looked at the potions placed orderly on the table with wide eyes. She couldn’t help but scratch her hair. “How odd… Looking at these bottles being arranged neatly together makes me feel some kind of pleasure…”
“That is your obsessive compulsive disorder being satisfied,” Amber, who stood at the side, explained, looking like she was really knowledgeable. Then she quickly pointed to Gawain. “I didn’t say you’re ill. Those words were said by your ancestor.”
“This is my first time seeing precious alchemy potions being placed together in large numbers… using such a method,” Heidi also sighed rather emotionally. “It suddenly feels as if they’re worthless now.”
“In actuality, compared to ordinary alchemy potions, they are indeed ‘worthless’ now, Madam,” Pittman stood beside the table and said with a proud look. “Originally, the greatest cost for alchemy potions was the spellcaster, but now, the reaction vessels and its set of magical equipment have replaced the spellcaster. Moreover, the amount of potion that this big fellow can produce when operating just once is something that several flasks and test tubes on a small alchemy platform cannot compare to. In fact, the part that is worth the most in these potions before you isn’t the liquid inside at all but something that I don’t think you can ever guess.”
“The part that is worth the most?” Rebecca batted her eyes. “If the potion itself is ‘worthless’, then what is considered costly?”
“The bottle.” Pittman spread his hands. “The cost price of these crystal bottles are even higher than the liquid in it. If a bottle of potion is sold for 30 copper coins, at least 15 copper coins are for buying the bottle.”
Amber was taken aback. “The bottles are so expensive?!”
“The bottles did not become expensive. Only the production cost of the potions became too low.” Rebecca had already come to a realization. She looked towards Gawain thoughtfully. “Lord Ancestor, I remember you mentioning previously that a type of man-made crystal called ‘glass’ would be cheaper than all present man-made crystals…”
Gawain coughed awkwardly. “Cough, cough. Glass… Don’t think about it for the time being. I have not found a substitute raw material for its production.”
It was said that the three treasures of transmigrators were papermaking, glass, and black powder (gunpowder). But Gawain didn’t produce any of these three at all —— papermaking technology already existed in this world. Although there was a definite room for improvement, it was already a mature technique; there was no way for him to “invent” it again. Whereas, black powder was a project that failed during the early stages of the territory’s construction. As for glass…
The unique technology of “man-made crystals” existed in this world. According to Gawain’s assessment, the most ordinary “white crystal” amongst the man-made crystals was actually the “glass” that could be made in this world. The main materials of such man-made crystals were quartz sand and colorless crystal rock, and these two… were both magical materials.
Quartz sand was still alright; it was considered one of the cheapest magical materials. But colorless crystal rock… Although it couldn’t be said to be expensive, it was definitely more valuable than sand. Before a substitute could be found, crystal rock would be the highest cost in producing man-made crystals.
“Actually, it’s not that bad. The smaller the size of the man-made crystal containers, the easier they are to manufacture. Moreover, the alchemy potion bottles used are the cheapest crystal bottles. It is already very cheap,” Pittman explained. “We already have an inconceivable advantage on the cost of alchemy potions. The bottles being slightly more expensive… doesn’t affect that much.”
Heidi nodded. “That makes sense too. But I’m a little worried. These alchemy potions made using these metal containers and magic circles… Can their effect really be as good as potions personally concocted by Druids, Alchemists, or Mages?”
“You don’t have to worry about this at all.” Pittman immediately smiled proudly upon hearing her. “In fact, in my opinion, the potions produced in the alchemy factory would, instead, be even more reliable than those made on traditional alchemy platforms —— these reaction vessels and magic circles have all been adjusted with great accuracy. So long as there is no problem with the initial equipment and raw materials and the reaction vessels do not malfunction, whether they are producing one bottle or ten thousand bottles of potions, it can be guaranteed that there wouldn’t be the slightest difference between each bottle of potion. However, there is the distinction of varying skill standards for traditional alchemists. Even the most brilliant alchemist would screw up sometimes. This is actually how many of the so-called poisonous side effects of alchemy potions came about. —— I would not rule out the possibility that outstanding alchemists could concoct potions that had better effects than the factory-made ones with optimal conditions. But can you imagine, while they’ve produced one bottle of good potion, how many defective ones had flown out of their workshop? And in the meanwhile, how many up-to-standard potions would our factory have produced?”
Pittman’s face was glowing after his speech; even his beard had been blown till it curled up. Amber instantly couldn’t hold back her murmurs when she saw this. “That smug manner… The old pervert is sounding increasingly like Old Dumpling in his speech these days…”
Instantly, everyone at the scene who wasn’t deaf looked towards her. Several voices questioned unanimously. “What are you saying?”
Amber’s pointy ears jolted and went tense as she leaped two to three meters out. “Are you people elves, or am I the elf? Why are all your ears so sharp?!”
“I’ll focus on watching this mouth of yours. Whenever you open your mouth, I will give you forced labor immediately.” Gawain Cecil glared at this half-elf who was full of nonsense and then looked at Heidi. “We will prioritize supplying these potions within the territory. In addition, on the military side, distribute the potions to every soldier, and ensure that every soldier, in any situation, has reserves of three rejuvenation potions and three healing mixtures. Do the calculations. After fulfilling these demands, keep another fifty percent of the medicines in storage and package the rest. They would be the Cecil territory’s first signature product.”
Heidi sighed from the bottom of her heart. “Solely based on this, I think the Cecil territory’s Combat Corps is already the most extravagant military in this world.”
Gawain smiled. “They already were ever since we distributed enchanted equipment to every one of them.”
Just then, the door of the workshop was suddenly opened. An apprentice strode in quickly. He stood before Gawain and company, bowed, and reported, “Lords, the carriage from the Kant territory has already crossed the bridge.”
“It seems like Mr. Patrick has arrived.” Gawain turned around and tapped the packing case of the alchemy potions. “Package this batch of samples up first, and send it to the feudal lord residence. I want to personally have a nice chat with this mister who Sir Philip spoke so highly of.”
……
And during the moment the Cecil territory’s alchemy-potions trade route was kickstarted on this historic day, within the Typhon Empire’s borders, in an obscure concealed temple, a special assembly was being held.
The hidden temple was shrouded in an imposing atmosphere. A circle of chairs had been set up in the center of the circular hall. Those chairs were carved with patterns representing dreams and shut eyes. Part of the chairs squirmed slightly in the darkness like living creatures, while large numbers of nerve cords extended from the ground and holes in the walls, connecting with the living part of those chairs.
A dozen people dressed in either white or black robes stood around the chairs. They wore strange smooth masks on their faces that made it impossible for any person’s identity to be perceived from their appearances; neither could any changes in expression be seen.
One of the figures in a white robe stepped forward. After examining her surroundings, a low voice of indiscernible gender came from under the mask. “Very good, everyone is here. Then, 22, you shall preside over the ritual this time.”
The people in white and black robes each took their places before their chairs, and one of the people in black robes lifted his hand. “Then, we’ll begin the 17th ‘deep diving test’, attempting to crack the memory fragments that dissipated from Gawain Cecil. Nightmare Bishops, send a signal to your ‘subordinate node cluster’. One minute later, the connection will begin.
“Everyone, safety first.”