While César was sitting cross-legged on top of a rock, he watched the Murloc King, who was making a slight bow while waiting for César's order.
César rested a hand on his chin and asked,
"How is the harvest going?"
The Murloc King understood what he meant and signaled to the murlocs standing behind him.
Immediately, they turned around and entered the river. After some time, they returned carrying wooden buckets filled with water and what looked like a common type of algae.
It had a dark, dull bottle-green color.
When César saw the algae, he couldn't help licking his lips. His gaze became intense, and a wide smile appeared on his face.
The Murloc King and his subjects were confused when they saw César's excitement at the sight of the algae. They didn't understand why he liked it so much.
To them, it wasn't very important.
They knew that most land-dwelling beings considered it a pest that tangled fishing nets.
But they didn't care.
As long as it was their master's order, they would do it.
So they followed César's instructions and began to care for it and cultivate it.
Now there were already several growing.
César, unaware of their thoughts, continued staring at the algae with intensity.
If he knew what they were thinking, he would laugh.
Considered a simple pest that tangled fishing nets… and even in the future it would continue to be seen that way for a long time.
It wasn't until much later that an alchemist discovered its affinity with the life energy of water.
Laura came out of the tent after having rested for quite a while, although she was still a bit sore.
She had come out to see her father, whom she hadn't seen for some time.
When she stepped outside, she saw César staring at the plant her father had brought.
Laura frowned, approached her husband, and asked,
"Darling, why are you so excited about this plant? Does it have some kind of use?"
She knew her husband well.
If he showed so much excitement for something that everyone considered trash, it meant he had discovered some hidden value in it.
"Hehe… you already know about the mana realms, right?" César said with a mysterious smile.
Laura nodded.
Although she was only beginning to form her core, she knew about the higher realms.
Anyone could go to the temple they had built and read the tablets where the mana realms were written.
"You know there's a stage where an elemental seed must be formed," César continued.
"Well… this plant is an important ingredient for the potion used to create that seed."
He paused slightly.
"More specifically, the water elemental seed."
Laura covered her mouth in surprise.
Even though she wasn't near that realm yet, she knew how important it was.
She couldn't believe that a plant considered insignificant could be so valuable.
Even the Murloc leader, who had been waiting patiently, was surprised when he heard this.
Although he didn't understand everything they were talking about, he could guess some things.
He also had the mana booklet explaining the realms.
His expression turned serious as he looked at the seemingly insignificant algae with new importance.
César continued,
"You may have noticed what happens when the plant is taken out of the water. It wilts very quickly."
Laura nodded when she heard his words.
"It requires the collector to dive and cut the long fronds close to the root. They must be harvested fresh."
"Once out of the water, they quickly wilt, losing their connection to the element."
Laura was surprised.
'Why didn't I think of that before?'
She should have suspected something when she noticed that, unlike most plants, this algae wilted so quickly outside the water.
César ignored her gaze and turned toward the Murloc leader.
"You already know what to do."
"They must be transported in buckets filled with water from the same river so they don't wilt."
"For the elixir, grind them fresh in a smooth, wet stone mortar."
"The process releases a thick, dark green juice with the fresh smell of river water and wet earth."
"That is the essence we're looking for."
"You will handle all of that. Later, I will send goblins periodically to collect the material."
The Murloc leader nodded seriously.
After explaining everything, César sighed.
Just knowing that so much of this plant existed here made this land even more valuable.
He was already preparing to formally connect this territory with the rest of his lands.
Even though his clan seemed to be growing, there were still many things missing.
"Well, darling, you can go talk to your father."
Laura nodded happily.
She kissed César on the cheek and walked a short distance away to talk and catch up with her father.
Meanwhile, César sat down cross-legged and waited.
After a while, he noticed two murlocs coming out of the river and running toward their leader.
They whispered a few words.
The Murloc leader's expression immediately became serious.
César raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
He looked into the distance.
Father and daughter had been talking, but soon Laura, her father, and several warriors approached with tense expressions.
"Darling," Laura said, "not far from here, our men encountered a strange race that is being chased by adaros."
"Adaros?" César murmured thoughtfully.
He knew what that race was.
They were a species that competed with the murlocs for territory and food.
"Describe the species."
Laura looked at the warrior who had brought the news.
The murloc stepped forward, bowed, and said,
"Lord César, these creatures have muscular bodies, they are covered in fur, they have sharp horns, and they are over two meters tall."
César rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
He tried to guess the race from the vague description.
But he gave up.
"Well, it doesn't matter what they are."
"I'll find out soon enough."
He stood up from the rock.
"Take us to them."
Not far away…
A group of minotaurs fought desperately.
They had been expelled from their territory by another clan of their own kind.
Exhausted and wounded, they had fled until they reached a river where they hoped to rest.
But fortune was not on their side.
A group of Adaros had found them first.
Now they fought for their survival.
A short distance away from the battle…
A group of murlocs, goblins, and pigmen watched in silence.
César stood at the front.
His eyes carefully analyzed the scene.
A slow smile formed on his face.
"Interesting…"
he murmured.
"They're minotaurs."
And his gaze turned sharp.
As if he had just discovered a new opportunity.