Chapter 46: The Floo Network

Kael didn't know much about Floo Powder, only remembering that it was a common means of transport for Wizards in his old world. Typically, a Wizard would grab a handful, stand in a fireplace, throw it at their feet, and loudly shout their destination. They would then be engulfed by green flames and transported to a fireplace at their destination. Thinking this, Kael's eyes lit up. If Floo Powder could transport people, then why would they bother risking a long, arduous journey? Couldn't they just use Floo Powder to transport themselves directly to the Lonely Mountain? However, after thoroughly reading the description of Floo Powder in his mind, he abandoned the idea. For Floo Powder to transport people, a Floo Network also needed to be set up. Only with a Floo Network could Wizards accurately reach their destinations. Otherwise, Floo Powder alone could not pinpoint a location, and the distance would be random, leading to arbitrary teleportation into other fireplaces, making it impossible to guarantee safety and accuracy. Furthermore, setting up a Floo Network required first reaching the destination and using magic to connect and locate the destination's fireplace with the departure fireplace before Floo Powder could be used for transport. Therefore, his plan to use Floo Powder to transport everyone to the Lonely Mountain was simply not feasible. However, even if it wasn't possible for the current journey, Kael still planned to set up a Floo Network and make Floo Powder during the expedition, which would make his future travels much more convenient. Inside The Prancing Pony, while the Dwarves were still drinking, Kael went to the counter and asked the innkeeper, "Innkeeper, do you know if there's any Moonstone for sale nearby?" The innkeeper was well-traveled and knowledgeable. Seeing Kael in his Wizard's robe, he immediately became respectful and polite. "Wizard Sir, if you wish to buy Moonstone, there's a jewelry store in town. They should have Moonstone for sale there." Kael shook his head. "I need ordinary Moonstone, not the kind used for jewelry, and I need a large quantity." He needed Moonstone to make Floo Powder and wouldn't be so extravagant as to use expensive Moonstone jewelry as a material. Hearing Kael's words, the innkeeper shook his head, indicating he couldn't help, as no one would collect ordinary Moonstone except for making jewelry. However, he glanced at the Dwarves who had come with Kael and suggested, "Wizard Sir, why don't you ask the Dwarves? They are naturally skilled at mining; perhaps they would know about Moonstone." Kael realized he had almost forgotten about the Dwarves. "I understand, thank you for your suggestion," Kael thanked him, then asked, "By the way, could I borrow your fireplace for a moment?" "Borrow the fireplace?" The innkeeper was full of doubt. What for? But no matter what he thought, he wouldn't refuse a guest's request, especially a Wizard's. He said, "Please, feel free." After thanking the innkeeper again, Kael went directly to the fireplace, took out his magic wand, and continuously cast spells and incantations at the fireplace. Gandalf noticed Kael's movements and came to his side, curiously watching Kael cast spells. "Kael, what are you doing?" "I'm preparing to set up a Floo Magic Network in Middle-earth, choosing this place as a node, so in the future, I can directly use magic to teleport here," Kael explained, and told him the concept of the Floo Network. The more Gandalf listened, the brighter his eyes became, and his expression grew excited, his gaze fixed on Kael. "This is truly a brilliant idea! Kael, you've surprised me greatly!" "Once your Floo Network is established, the distances across Middle-earth will be shortened, and the connections between the people of Middle-earth will become much closer. Moreover, if any place is invaded by dark forces, other areas can quickly receive news and respond swiftly with support. This is a great invention capable of changing the entire situation in Middle-earth!" Uh, could he say that he just wanted to make traveling more convenient and hadn't thought about any of that? Facing Gandalf's praise, Kael felt quite unworthy. After setting the fireplace of The Prancing Pony as a node for the Floo Network, Kael only needed to continue setting up fireplaces in other places as nodes during the rest of the journey, and he would gradually build a Floo Network covering Middle-earth. This way, as long as one had Floo Powder, they could freely teleport through the Floo Network to various fireplaces across Middle-earth. Gandalf was very interested in the concept of the Floo Network and expressed his willingness to help him lay the Floo Network to the best of his ability. His only request was that after the Floo Network was set up, Kael would allow others to use the Floo Network for transport. Kael readily agreed to this. Not to mention that the method for making Floo Powder was in his hands; anyone wanting to teleport through the Floo Network would first need his permission. He could even use this as a source of profit. By monopolizing Floo Powder and the Floo Network, he could earn far more wealth than the Lonely Mountain's Dwarven treasure. The raw material for Floo Powder is Moonstone, also known as Adularia. It is a translucent, milky-white mineral with a moonlight effect, typically used for making jewelry, and in the magic world, it is an ingredient in various potions, such as tranquilizers and love potions. Since its invention, Floo Powder has been strictly controlled by the Ministry of Magic. Only one company, Floo Powders, has obtained a production license. Its headquarters are in Diagon Alley, but the location of its door has always been unknown, and it's also unknown who makes it, with the materials kept secret. Moreover, the price of Floo Powder has remained unchanged for a hundred years: two Sickles per scoop, which can be said to be very cheap. But after Kael obtained the manufacturing method for Floo Powder, he realized why this monopolized business had never raised its price. It was simply because the production cost of Floo Powder was extremely low. Two Sickles per scoop was already an exorbitant profit, and it wasn't because Floo Powders company had a conscience that they set such an affordable price. "You want to find a Moonstone mine?" Thorin looked up at Kael in surprise, and the other Dwarves also looked over curiously. Kael nodded. "Yes, I need a large quantity of Moonstone to make a magical material, but I don't know where to find it. And your Dwarf race is skilled at excavating mines, so I wanted to ask if you know any information about Moonstone mines?" Thorin pondered for a moment and replied, "Moonstone mines are not common, but I do know the locations of some mines. One is in the Blue Mountains; there are ancient Dwarven excavated mines there, but most of the ore inside has already been extracted. Another place is our destination for this journey—the Lonely Mountain. There is an unmined Moonstone vein there. Once we reclaim the Lonely Mountain, I can promise to give you the mine." Bifur, a descendant of the Khazad-dûm Dwarves, immediately added, "The Misty Mountains are rich in mineral resources; there should also be Moonstone mines there. However, that area is currently occupied by Orcs, so obtaining Moonstone would likely be very difficult." "I understand, thank you all for the information," Kael nodded, expressing his gratitude to the Dwarves. The locations of the Moonstone mines provided by the Dwarves were all quite distant and not something Kael could access for now, so he decided to go to the jewelry store the innkeeper mentioned first. (End of Chapter) *** [Check Out My Patreon For More Chapters On All Of My Fanfics!!] [www. [email protected]/meowthtl] [+300 Power Stones = +1 Bonus Chapter] [+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!]