Black Hearted Mage

Chapter 146 Vitas Trading Company 2

Caesar stood there with his head held high, a Northland Tower magic badge adorning his chest. In his hand, he clutched a pitch-black staff covered in thorns. The old wizard from the Vitas Trading Company was approaching quickly. When he saw Caesar, his face was filled with unconcealable excitement. Without even the most basic verification, he picked up his pen and quickly and solemnly wrote Caesar's name on the register.

A few minutes later, a voice with a hint of blame and doubt came from the small reception room of Vitas Trading Company: "Shattrath, why are you acting so rashly? This young man looks too young. Aren't you worried at all that the high-level magician badge he wears is fake?" The person who spoke was the manager of the trading company. He stared at Shattrath with a serious face, obviously dissatisfied with the latter's behavior.

However, facing the steward's questioning, Shattrath remained remarkably calm. He gently set down the roster in his hand and explained with a smile, "Fordragon, I myself am from the Northern Tower, so I'm naturally familiar with our magical emblems. With just one glance, I can easily tell whether one is genuine or not. Furthermore, I already know the identity of this Mr. Caesars, so why bother checking?"

Hearing this, Logan couldn't help but frown and asked, "Shattrath, why haven't I heard that someone in the North Tower has recently been successfully promoted to a high-level magician? Is there something else going on?"

Logan was the head of the Shattrath Trading Company and a noble of the Redstone Kingdom. The Vitas Trading Company had dealings with the North Tower and the Magic Guild, primarily dealing in various magical materials.

"Kaisas used to be a snake breeder in the Northland Tower. He should be eighteen years old now. He was promoted to a high-level magician two years ago!"

"Wait, Shattrath, you haven't seen Kaisas, how can you be sure it's him?"

Logan interrupted Shattrath, who had not returned to the North Tower for more than ten years. He expressed doubts about Shattrath's confirmation of Kaisas' identity.

"Kaesus brought a golden-eyed black snake with him in the backpack behind him. The snake was not restrained at all. This is his symbol. No one else can impersonate him. This is what my teacher told me. The golden-eyed black snake may be tamed. He is currently researching this!"

Shattrath talked about his teacher. If Kaisas were here, he would also be curious, because not many people knew that he had the golden-eyed black magic snake.

"Shattrath, Master Kandel is also going to the highlands, right?" asked the elderly Logan.

"Well, the venom of those vipers is very special. Unfortunately, several vipers in the highlands have all died. Teacher will go and catch a few more this time!"

"How did those vipers die?"

"Gao Ta placed several highland vipers in the feeding room of the black snakes. The vipers made some noises, which the three golden-eyed black snakes took as a provocation. As a result, the three golden-eyed black snakes sprayed venom at the same time, poisoning all the vipers to death!"

"The golden-eyed black snake is still so powerful!" Logan sighed.

He only cared about the interests of Vitas Trading Company and didn't care about anything else. He noticed that there were a lot of vipers and they could produce a lot of venom, which meant that Vitas Trading Company could sell a large number of medium and high-level antidotes.

"Logan, the golden-eyed black magic snakes are difficult to feed, and it is even more difficult to collect their venom, unless a great magician like Teacher Kandel personally extracts the snake venom. I almost forgot that Kaisas can also collect venom!" Shattrath said.

Logan, wearing a silk robe, nodded. Vitas Trading Company also had a golden-eyed black snake, but they could only keep it in their care, and no one dared to extract its venom. Shattrath could not control the adult black snake, and it would spray venom continuously when it struggled.

"Shattrath, could you please ask that young magician to help us collect the snake venom? We can give you a generous reward!"

"I'll ask!"

Shattrath said, and quickly walked out of the small living room. He was the senior alchemist, and the venom of the golden-eyed black demon snake belonged to him.

"Fordragon, you are not allowed to question Shattrath's decision in the future. I don't want to see it happen again. Do you understand?" Logan said coldly.

"Yes, My Lord Earl!" Fortagan replied respectfully.

Vitas Trading Company is not owned by Logan alone. There are several partners behind it, and Fortagan was appointed by these others.

On the steps outside Vitas Trading Company, Caesar and Geralt were standing together, smiling and chatting happily, and the atmosphere seemed particularly relaxed and pleasant.

Just then, a figure hurried over. It was none other than the excited Shattrath, trotting along. Reaching the steps, he calmed his rapid breathing and said to Caesar with a broad smile, "Magician Caesar, I'm sorry to interrupt your conversation with your friends. On behalf of the Vitas Company, I'd like to ask a small favor. Would you be willing to do me a favor?"

Kaisas looked at Shattrath with interest and asked with a smile, "Oh? What is it that requires my help?"

Shattrath quickly replied, "It's like this. Our company is in urgent need of the venom of the Golden-Eyed Black Demon Snake, but no one has been able to successfully collect it. Seeing that you have the Golden-Eyed Black Demon Snake, we would like to ask for your help in collecting the venom. Once the task is completed, we will definitely reward you handsomely!"

Kaisas pondered for a moment, a hint of curiosity welling up in his heart. You know, the Golden-Eyed Black Demonic Snake is no ordinary creature. Its venom is extremely potent and ferocious, making it impossible for ordinary people to get close. And the Vitas Trading Company actually raised such a dangerous beast. He was eager to see it for himself. Furthermore, Shattrath wore a badge on his chest, symbolizing his status as a high-level alchemist. It was both morally and rationally difficult to refuse the offer outright. So, he nodded and readily replied, "No problem, I can help you with that!"

Seeing this, Geralt's eyes flashed with excitement, and he quickly said, "Can I go and take a look too?"

However, his request was rejected without hesitation by Shattrath. Shattrath explained with a serious face, "I'm truly sorry, but the place where the golden-eyed black snakes are kept isn't open to just anyone. This is the rule of the Vitas Trading Company." Hearing this, although Geralt felt reluctant, he could only nod his head in understanding.

Kaisas said goodbye to Geralt and followed Shattrath into the trading house. Passing through the spacious and bright hall, they walked straight to the backyard. Here, shaded by green trees and filled with the fragrance of flowers, the environment was very quiet and pleasant.

Soon, they arrived at the door of a warehouse in the corner of the compound. Shattrath paused, pulled a key from his pocket, and unlocked the rusty door. With a creaking sound, the door slowly swung open. Caesars looked up and saw it was empty, save for a few worn wooden boxes in the corner.

Shattrath walked to the center of the warehouse with ease, crouched down, and groped around on the floor. Suddenly, with a crisp click, a secret door appeared. He pushed it upward, revealing a pitch-black opening. A damp, cold air suddenly filled his face, sending a chill down his spine.

Shattrath stood up, took out a moonstone that emitted a dazzling white light, and walked towards the cave entrance first, turning back to signal Kaisas to follow. In this way, the two of them went down step by step along the narrow and steep stairs, and finally entered the mysterious basement.

Shattrath turned on the magic lamp in the basement, and a small iron cage appeared before him. A thick, golden-eyed black demon snake was crammed inside, looking very sick.

"The black demon snake is not suitable for being kept in such an environment, and this magic steel cage is too small. It has no room to move!"

"The feeding room in the Northland Tower is similar to this one! There is a big cage, but I can't control it by myself, and other people don't dare to come here to help. This snake sprays venom at any time!" Shattrath said with some confusion and helplessness.

"Shattrath Mage, since you've been to the feeding room in the Northland Tower, you should know that there should be crystal windows or larger ventilation holes to let in sunlight. Take out the big cage and I'll get it a new one first!"

As Caesars spoke, the little golden-eyed black snake emerged from the backpack, hissing softly as it sensed its own kind. The thigh-thick golden-eyed black snake also hissed softly.

Kaisas walked towards the small iron cage, and the little golden-eyed black snake shrank into the backpack. It was afraid of the other party. The golden-eyed black snake has the characteristic of cannibalism.

Kaisas reached into the iron cage and slapped the golden-eyed black snake's head hard. Shattrath, who was watching this scene, felt a sense of fear.

"It's a male snake. You have spoiled it. Because it has no space to move, it has grown too fat and looks almost like a viper!" Caesar observed the black magic snake and said a few words casually.

"Mage Caesar, the big cage is in another warehouse. It is fixed on the base and there is no way to bring it here!" Shattrath said with some embarrassment.

"I can make it crawl over by itself. I don't need your help. Just lead the way!"

As Kaisas said this, he opened the magic steel cage, and Shattrath on the side stepped back in fear.

The thick, golden-eyed black snake slowly crawled out of the iron cage. Its tail was missing a part, as if it had been chopped off. It suddenly stood up and tried to attack Shattrath.

With a crisp "snap" sound, Kaisas' condensed mage hand lashed the golden-eyed black magic snake fiercely.

"How dare you be dishonest in front of Master Caesars!"

Kaisas's eyes widened in anger as he stared intently at the golden-eyed black snake before him, uttering angry rebukes. His body was surrounded by a dense mass of dark magic, which pulsed and surged like black flames, ready to burst forth at any moment and devour everything before it.

The fat snake, which had been somewhat irritable at first, now became incredibly docile. It lay quietly on the ground, not even daring to raise its head to meet Caesar's gaze. It slowly lowered its head tightly to the cold ground, as if afraid of igniting Caesar's wrath.

"Shattrath Mage, lead the way!" said Kaisas.

Hearing this, the gray-haired Shattrath nodded quickly, then walked out with a slightly hurried pace. On the surface, his expression seemed very calm, but in fact, his heart was beating wildly.

The golden-eyed black demon snake followed Caesars closely into the spacious courtyard. It was midday, and the blazing sun poured down upon the earth without reservation. Under the intense sunlight, the scales of the giant python were clearly visible; they had long lost their former luster. Furthermore, many of them bore jarring cracks, as if they had endured a brutal battle.

The guards at Vitas Trading Company noticed the commotion from afar. They were stunned when they saw a thick, golden-eyed black snake slowly crawling through the courtyard. Even more incredible was the fact that, in front of the terrifying snake, a person was walking leisurely, seemingly without a trace of fear. This bizarre scene was so bizarre it felt like being in a bizarre dream.

Over twenty years had passed since this ill-tempered golden-eyed black demon snake was captured by the Vitas Trading Company. During this long period, it remained a ferocious and ruthless beast, claiming the lives of more than a dozen people.

Caesars stopped in the middle of the courtyard, his eyes narrowed slightly in the dazzling sunlight. He slowly raised his hand and deftly took out a crystal bottle from his space ring.

Standing not far away, Shattrath and the guards in charge of watching over him all watched Caesar's every move with puzzled expressions. They were filled with curiosity and confusion, wondering what the young magician was up to.

As everyone's gaze focused, Caesars slowly crouched down and approached the golden-eyed black snake coiled on the ground. He stretched out a hand and gently stroked the hideous snake's head, as if he was silently communicating with this ferocious creature.

Due to the distance, Shattrath could not hear clearly what Kaisas said to the golden-eyed black snake. However, the scene that happened next left him dumbfounded and unforgettable.

The golden-eyed black demon snake, previously quietly coiled, suddenly opened its mouth. As its mouth opened, its upper and lower jaws began to move back and forth, as if demonstrating its powerful bite force. Then, a terrifying scene unfolded—its razor-sharp fangs, previously hidden in its upper jaw, suddenly exposed themselves to the air like two razor-sharp daggers!

Faced with such a terrifying sight, everyone around couldn't help but gasp. But Caesars remained remarkably calm. He carefully placed the crystal bottle in his hand over the hole where the venom was flowing, then continued to gently tap the head of the golden-eyed black demon snake with his palm.

At Caesar's signal, golden venom began to flow slowly out of the hole. Like a golden stream, the venom poured continuously into the transparent crystal bottle. The entire process seemed slow and steady, but all the others present could feel was the violent pounding of their own hearts.