The Path to Lordship Begins in the North

Sam is an ordinary student at the Royal Capital Academy, but he is also a person from the North.

It was precisely because he was from the North that Sam was even more fervent in his support of Cordick than the students—although Sam had not returned to the North for a long time, this did not stop him from verbally attacking Grand Duke Lars.

Only in this way could he integrate into the environment of the capital.

Even though Sam was more fanatical than anyone else, his classmates still looked at him with disdain.

Furthermore, with the death of Grand Duke Lars, the political climate in the capital shifted again, turning to the so-called freedom and equality, and all students took pride in fighting for the interests of the demon race.

Unfortunately, although Sam was eager to serve the Daedric Princes, he now had no choice but to return to the North.

Because of the continuous rise in prices, and the fact that Sam's parents' business has not been doing too well recently, Sam had to give up his studies. Although his father kept saying that the alchemy courses in the capital were useless and that it would be better to return to the North and learn alchemy from him.

Sam's parents were an alchemist and an apothecary, a common combination in small alchemy workshops. Because of this, Sam's life was relatively affluent, since both his parents were professionals.

But when Sam returned to the North, he discovered that the prices of all kinds of potions had been driven down to extremely low levels, even approaching cost price.

Originally, only recovery potions were very cheap, but starting this winter, the prices of various enhancement and purification potions have also plummeted, to the point that the workshop's parents can no longer afford Sam's tuition.

These alchemical potions, like the previous recovery potions, were all engraved with the North Wind Bear's family crest, clearly indicating that they came from the Gray and White Collars, and they made no attempt to hide it.

"I heard that the gray-collar workers' club is recruiting alchemists, why don't we give it a try?"

Sam's father was quite open-minded; after all, all three members of the family were professionals, so they wouldn't starve.

"no!"

Sam immediately intervened, saying, "Governor Linde of the Gray Collar is a peace destroyer, a man-eating devil viscount, and he also discriminates against demons. Mom and Dad, how can you give up your freedom for a little money?"

Sam's father looked at his son with some doubt and asked, "Why did you give up your freedom? I saw that the gray-collar workers are still given time off."

Sam's mother interjected, "Besides, prices are more stable over there. I heard from my sister at Doug Castle that Governor Doug is going to introduce his own new currency and force its exchange. We can still make it in time."

But Sam still spoke up, saying, "Governor Linde over there has inherited the position of Grand Duke Lars. Mom and Dad, do you still want to go back to Grand Duke Lars's rule?"

"really?"

Sam's father said with delight, "That's wonderful! The North has been in chaos since Grand Duke Lars died. If we go back to the time of Grand Duke Lars, we can continue to earn some tuition fees for you."

"And I heard that taxes are lower over there, so we might be able to save some money." Sam's mother opened the account book, inside which was a small note promoting gray-collar and white-collar jobs. Lately, there have been more and more of these small notes and flyers.

"I don't want tuition fees, I don't want savings! I want freedom! I want equality! I want peace!"

Sam screamed hysterically, "Mom and Dad, why don't you understand? Starving to death is a small matter; losing your freedom is a big deal!"

"What has Governor Linde done? He actually refused to let the demons into his territory. Does he know how miserable the demons were in the past? They could only be squeezed into the eternal tundra and couldn't even get enough to eat."

Then, as if entering a certain state, Sam said sadly, "But even in the permafrost, the demons are still optimistic. They even say that the permafrost gave them true freedom, and they developed on the permafrost through their own perseverance. Ah, what a wise and resilient race they are."

Sam's father looked at his son with the eyes of someone looking at a fool, seemingly regretting sending his son to the capital to study.

"No matter what you say, we're leaving. Business just can't keep going, and only a few old customers are still coming to us to buy potions. Since you don't want to go to the gray-collar job, why don't you stay and brew some potions for those old customers? That way, we can preserve our reputation. What do you say?"

After thinking it over, Sam's father decided to give in to his son. After all, this was his own son, so what else could he do?

Sam's mother looked at the two dim-witted men with a hint of helplessness, and finally said, "Write to us if you have any difficulties. Be careful with the little money left at home. Your father and I have secretly saved up quite a few silver leaf coins and gold shield coins, and we've put them under your bedside table. If Governor Doug ever comes to exchange them, just give him some, but don't exchange them all, understand?"

Sam felt a little annoyed as he watched his parents still discussing money. His parents' thinking was far inferior to that of the nobles in the capital. Was it true that the vision of low-level professionals was too limited?

After constantly reminding himself not to become like his parents, Sam bid farewell to them and started his own apothecary.

But soon, Sam began to understand his parents. Not only potions, but almost all alchemical-related goods were priced very close to cost. Sam did a quick calculation and found that the prices of these alchemical goods from the Grey and White Collar were basically cost plus shipping.

Although they are just low-level alchemical tools, and the price is not low for ordinary people, it is already unbelievable that ordinary people would even consider alchemical products.

So how did that gray-collar worker make money? Sam could even imagine his parents being imprisoned by the evil governor in a black factory, working day and night to produce drugs.

Sam felt a little sad when he thought about this; after all, no matter how simple-minded they were, they were still his parents.

Living alone is very free, but also very difficult. Sam soon discovered the real reason why his parents couldn't make ends meet: apart from the price of the medicine, everything else was very expensive.

A person may not need alchemical potions, but they certainly cannot go without food. When Sam was in the capital, he followed the standards of his classmates, the nobles, and ate meat and fish at every meal. But now that he's in the North, he can't even afford an egg.

Looking at the gold and silver coins left by his parents, Sam gritted his teeth and decided to persevere a little longer. Not long after, Sam heard about the demon territory from passing adventurers.

Sam listened with great delight. The demons were wonderful! They were both intelligent and civilized. Even though Governor Doug had abandoned the darkness for the light, he was still a member of the Lars family and should go to the demon territory. He had learned a great deal in the capital and was sure to shine in the demon territory.