Chapter 195: The Beast, Plant, and Pet Shop — A Heap of Information
Croyer had no idea what was happening outside. He had been sleeping soundly.
He slept for a full three days and nights—being a Level 4 mage, he was already capable of surviving for short periods without food.
Even his basic metabolism could be suspended.
So there was no need to wake for food or even to relieve himself. He simply enjoyed an incredibly comfortable sleep.
The reason he slept so long wasn't just the pressure he'd felt inside the Womb Sea, but also because he could finally feel at ease.
The Merfolk had promised him safety in their sea territory as well as the right to expand his domain—this lifted a huge burden off his shoulders.
Humans tend to get sleepy once their nerves are relaxed.
Even if there were urgent matters waiting for him, he had to sleep to his heart’s content first. Nothing was more important than sleep.
"Ahhh~~~"
"That was such a good sleep."
He stretched lazily and slipped out from under the blanket made of Glowing Sea Algae, leaping barefoot from the bed.
He wore only a soft, close-fitting nightgown, with all his magical ornaments and accessories set aside nearby.
The interior of the Orpheus Oak was warm in winter and cool in summer. Even without actively adjusting the temperature with magic, the floor felt as smooth and comforting as the finest jade.
"Hmm~ hmm~"
Humming a cheerful tune, he began his morning wash.
While he washed, the Shark Tower Spirit floated beside him, reporting on the outside world’s happenings one by one.
The less important news included: Baron Cormoye had seized several new territories, brought other lords under his banner, collected some magic plants and beasts, and begun shipping mined ores...
Croyer simply listened and then waved it all off, telling Shark Tower Spirit to have Robert handle everything.
None of that really concerned him anymore. All he needed to do was express his stance and set a general direction—the rest could be left to his subordinates.
There were, however, a few matters of importance:
For example, the Mammon’s Greed Flower had already overgrown the castle; the teleportation portal inside the restored Beelzebub’s Paradise needed people to explore it; and the Order of Salt Knights had been blocked by water elementals outside the sea territory and requested an audience with him.
Croyer silently listened while looking into the mirror.
After washing up with great care, he lay idly on the sofa-bed, fingers brushing against the soft Glowing Sea Algae.
He finally spoke: “Let them come, and bring the flower vines along too.”
The more things piled up, the calmer he became.
Panicking never solved anything—and now that he had enough strength to back him up, he really didn’t need to worry about so much.
Better to take things slow.
“Understood,” said the Shark Tower Spirit, immediately transmitting his command.
Then, using the Wood Luminary Vine King's spatial transmission channel, it transported a tableful of three dishes and a soup, complete with steamed buns and salted duck egg, onto the table and said:
“Master, this is the food prepared by the kitchen.”
Shark Tower Spirit had now completely taken over the original duties of the Wood Luminary Vine King—the latter now only monitored the outside world for Croyer and served as a conduit for material transfers.
This made the Vine King quite content; as long as it could see the vast world, it was happy.
Besides... even magical beasts could get tired and worn out from work.
In that regard, magical beasts were no match for artificial tower spirits, which never knew fatigue.
“Not bad today.”
Croyer gave the dishes a glance, complimented them, and began eating his breakfast—even though it was already noon, if he said it was breakfast, then it was breakfast.
The three dishes were Steamed Dragon-Tail Fish, Spicy Fish Fillets, and Vinegared Jellyfish Shreds.
As soon as he tasted them, he frowned slightly. Tapping the plate with his chopsticks, he asked curiously:
“Did Treiden gather these ingredients?”
He was well aware of his usual standard of living. Though luxurious by the standards of most mages his level, it wasn’t to the point where every random dish featured a Level 5 magic fish.
The base for that Dragon-Tail Fish dish was clearly a Level 5 Magifish—specifically, the Abyssal Goldfin Dragonfish, a rare species found only in deep ocean trenches.
If his Sea Spirit Dolphins were already capable of hunting Level 5 magical beasts, that was far too impressive.
“Yes.”
“These were specially caught for you by Treiden, who led the Sea Spirit Dolphin pod to the ocean floor.”
“Where is he now?”
“Please look.”
The Shark Tower Spirit had already tuned the display crystal—on it appeared a massive building by the seashore.
It was built entirely from extremely pure Water Luminary Crystals, and densely studded with numerous Aureo Pearl Beads, surrounded by a ring of Gemstone Coral.
A few octopuses floated around the house, controlling the surrounding seawater to cover and maintain the home’s freshness and hydration.
From afar, the building shimmered dazzlingly in the sunlight.
It truly exuded luxury, looking exactly like an undersea crystal palace. Any other nearby buildings appeared like straw huts in comparison.
“Clicking his tongue,” Croyer muttered, “So this is what it means to be a prince of a race… But did I really give him those materials before I went to sleep?”
He scratched his head in confusion, still staring at the octopuses.
“These things…”
He recognized them. They were Water Luminary Octopi—one of the most intelligent species of octopus, specially bred by the Merfolk.
They could naturally cast multiple water spells, serving as both pets and assistants exclusive to the Merfolk royalty. On the black market, even one would fetch tens of thousands of magic crystals.
And that’s if you could even find one for sale.
Merfolk prince Treiden was riding atop a massive Crystal Seahorse, galloping over the sea surface, followed by a few elves also mounted on seahorses.
Even the Silvermoon Stag was galloping atop a seahorse.
Beneath the surface, Sea Spirit Dolphins and many fish swam in a mighty school. There seemed to be orcas and small whales among them too.
“This way, this way!”
“Woohoo!”
“He jumped!”
Treiden’s cheerful voice rang out clearly in the crystal’s image, and the scene was filled with joy.
Croyer: “……”
After staring at the Silvermoon Stag—perched on the seahorse in an absurdly awkward posture—for several moments, Croyer finally averted his gaze.
“That poor seahorse must be suffering.”
“How can a deer even manage to straddle a seahorse like that without falling off? Is this the power of a magical beast?”
He silently broke open a steamed bun and stuffed it with the oily salted duck egg, then took a hefty bite. The salty, savory flavor filled his mouth.
Munching through several mouthfuls in a row, the food soothed his stomach and calmed his mind completely.
“Looks like he’s adapting just fine.”
“Let him stay here, then. Didn’t even need me to build him a house—what a relief.”
The fact that Treiden was settling in so well was, in itself, a good thing. As the Merfolk prince, he could be a valuable ally if any major issues arose.
After leisurely finishing his breakfast, Croyer handed over a pile of items to the Shark Tower Spirit to sort out. The dishes had already been cleared away, and a steaming cup of milk tea had been brought in his stead.
He should have handed them over before going to sleep, really—but he’d been far too tired then and had completely forgotten.
Luckily, now was still a good time.
...
Before long, he met with the knights who had been waiting for him. He greeted them casually:
“Long time no see, gentlemen.”
As he spoke, he naturally took the seat of honor and asked directly, “What brings you here?”
These people were not strangers to him.
Their squad leader, the Level 4 knight Feirni, had even sparred with Croyer once—and been thoroughly subdued in mere moments.
The divine magic they practiced was essentially what Croyer had already seen in The Miracles of Light, and some had even been taught to him directly by angels.
They were practically fated to be countered by Croyer.
Fighting them wasn’t even as difficult as subduing a sea beast.
In any world where power determined status—especially a supernatural one—strong individuals earned respect. So these knights held Croyer in high esteem.
“It’s been over twenty days, yes.”
Feirni spoke: “We received an order from the Codex Nation of the Holy Church to proceed immediately to the Yavana Holy Mine and establish a forward base.”
“So... we’d like to invite you to come with us.”
His tone was tinged with awkwardness. His faith wasn’t fanatical, and he wasn’t the type to force others to do anything.
Uh...
Croyer immediately shook his head. “I don’t just leave whenever I feel like it.
But tell me—why would you want me to come along? I’m just an ordinary mage. I won’t be of much help there.”
“……”
Ordinary mage?
All the holy knights wore expressions of indescribable awkwardness. If every mage were as ‘ordinary’ as you, this world would’ve long since been ruled by mages.
Feirni explained:
“That area has been corrupted by the minions of the Lady of Fungi. It’s basically turned into a death labyrinth. I was hoping you could take a look at the fungal infestation and see if there's a solution.
In my view, your knowledge of magic plants and beasts already surpasses the Earth Mother Goddess Church and even the Elven druids.”
To stop Croyer from rejecting them outright again, Feirni immediately offered the terms they had agreed upon with the knight order:
“If you’re willing to go, the Codex Nation is prepared to grant you a Star of Bethlehem badge.”
Croyer looked puzzled.
What was that supposed to be?
Father Kevin, standing to the side, quickly clarified upon seeing Croyer’s confusion: “It’s a second-tier badge issued to nonbelievers. With that, you’ll receive the honorary title of Viscount within the Codex Nation.
Though, of course, it’s only honorary.”
Truth be told, noble ranks from the Codex Nation were recognized across the continent. A Viscount from there could even outrank a Duke from the Norland Kingdom.
But...
The greater the reward, the greater the trouble behind it.
And besides, leaving his cozy little sanctuary to go traipsing off to some distant place like the Yavana Holy Mine? That simply wasn’t his style.
So he refused bluntly: “No.”
Before the knights could try to persuade him further, he proposed an alternative:
“I’ll send my subordinates with you. I want you to reserve a plot for me inside the base you're building.
I’ll have them open a shop there—specializing in magical beasts, plants, battle pets, and potions.
You’re familiar with my potions, aren’t you? What do you think? Useful on the front lines?”
Of course they were.
Croyer’s potions were made with exceptional ingredients and crafted with unique techniques—each one had excellent effects.
They even outperformed those brought back by the Order of Salt Knights. And although his current potion grades were still on the lower side, that actually made them ideal.
In war, those who suffer most are always the common folk—whether they fight or not, it’s always the bottom tier who bear the brunt.
If Croyer had made nothing but high-tier potions—Level 4 or 5—then the soldiers, mages, and holy knights stationed at the front wouldn’t have been able to afford any of them.
So having low-tier options was just right.
After all, even with the Codex Nation taking the lead and other nations contributing mages and armies, it was impossible to truly care for everyone.
Compared to that, the idea of a magical beast and plant battle pet shop—as Croyer suggested—was something they didn’t really take seriously.
What, buy a beast and it would just obey you?
In the world today, no magical beast or magic plant could form a bond with its master without long-term cultivation. What was the point of buying them? Use them as cannon fodder?
So none of them paid it much mind.
Feirni simply answered Croyer’s request, “Of course. I’ll personally apply to reserve a secure zone for your shop.”
“Good.”
Croyer then discussed a few more details with them before calling in Otte and Mil, instructing them on the spot to prepare for the journey to the Yavana Holy Mine.
“Take a few people with you. I’ll send over the materials you need once you arrive through the Holy Spring Chamber of Commerce.”
“And remember, if you come across anyone who can be saved—bring them back to me.”
That last line was a clear hint—he was referring to the infected prisoners from the Yavana Holy Mine. These people would make excellent subordinates.
Of course, the Holy Knights had no idea what Croyer was implying.
They thought he simply meant that his subordinates should rescue anyone they could.
All of them expressed their gratitude to Croyer:
“Your mercy and kindness will be blessed by the gods.”
“Your path shall always be wide and smooth.”
They didn’t hold back their praises at all. Croyer’s face even started to flush from the sincerity—it made him a little embarrassed.
To avoid giving himself away, he waved his hand and told the knights to rest and prepare to depart later.
Once they had left, he gave Otte and Mil a few more instructions, then returned to his laboratory.
There, he began contemplating the magical beast and plant battle pet shop more carefully.
Truth be told, this shop wasn’t just some spur-of-the-moment idea—it had been on his mind for quite a while, though he’d never taken action on it.
It all started when he realized that, despite all his effort and care in cultivating magical beasts and plants, their mutation rates were far lower than those of wild ones.
In fact, the overly safe environment seemed to have dulled their drive. Without desire, the Star Spirit Engraving Technique had no chance of taking effect.
So he began to wonder—could he breed beasts and plants that were friendly and loyal to humans, then sell them?
They would follow their new masters on adventures and gain experience.
He’d offer free periodic medical checkups and material support. This would incentivize people to bring their companions back for inspections, thereby keeping a steady connection with the shop.
The chaotic environment of the outside world would surely stir the beasts’ and plants’ desire to mutate. Then he could study and modify them, recording their magic patterns.
In this way, a steady stream of mutated creatures would flow in, providing him with endless inspiration.
Worst case, he could copy some ideas from an anime he once watched—organizing competitions and trials for the pets, offering generous rewards to attract the best of them.
Isn’t that how influence is built?
Now that he had enough resources and supplies, his next goal was expansion. Staying isolated in one corner of the world would no longer suffice.
Everyone connected to the magical beast and plant pet shop would become a source of information for him.
The more he thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. But he still had to carefully consider which types of creatures would be sold as the store’s foundation.
The most crucial point was ensuring they were friendly to humans. They didn’t need to be instantly obedient, but they mustn’t be hostile.
After some thought, he was about to pick up a pen to start jotting down notes—when he noticed a familiar glint.
It was the Holy Spring Crystal Card, sitting off to the side, blinking softly.
Apparently, it had been flashing for quite some time.
But it had been buried under a pile of rings and bracelets, all of which radiated brilliant magical light, masking the card’s glow.
No wonder he hadn’t noticed it.
“No wonder I felt like something was missing when I woke up—no missed calls, huh?”
Croyer reached out and picked up the Holy Spring Crystal Card. Immediately, several messages popped up—messages from the Flame Mountain Lord, Gray Sand Lord, Pit Lord, Sun Bay Lord… and Estena.
A whole list of missed messages awaited him.
His vision went dark for a moment as he was suddenly reminded of the terrifying memories from his past life—waking up to countless unread messages and missed calls.
After hesitating briefly, he decided to read the lords’ messages first before speaking to Estena in person.
“Let’s see what they sent me first—then I’ll meet with Estena.”
He began to go through the messages one by one.
And the more he read, the more serious his expression became.
The first was from the Pit Lord. He reported that the situation at the Yavana Holy Mine was growing more dire and hoped to purchase fungal mycelium—offering a steep price: Soul Crystals.
Those were rare stones that enhanced the sentience of soul-based entities and could only be crafted by demon artisans from the lower planes.
Clearly, the Pit Lord had guessed Croyer was raising a Tower Spirit—after all, the purchase records for the reagent had gone through the Mage Lord Alliance.
Next were messages from the Flame Mountain Lord and the Sun Bay Lord—both basically the same.
They urged Croyer to consider any invitation that might come from the Gray Sand Lord.
And finally, the Gray Sand Lord himself.
Once again, he hoped Croyer could supply large amounts of food, promising in exchange a parcel of land that Croyer could govern independently—and in absolute safety.
The message was sent an hour ago.
“So... he wants food again? And Sun Bay and Flame Mountain are encouraging me to consider it—has this guy already convinced the other lords?”
“Not bad...”
“Seems I really do need to give it some thought.”
After reading all the messages, Croyer didn’t respond right away.
He planned to meet with Estena first and talk things over.
After all, he really didn’t know what was happening outside.
Making decisions without enough information would be a foolish mistake.