Inside the lone mansion of Eshu County.
"Where did you acquire it?" It was a straightforward query by the Golden Crown’s de facto master.
Outside of the balcony, two carts of cosmic-colored Soulshards were being guarded by dozens of rcenaries and the territory’s very own security—with tension being palpable from both sides.
Standing by Ravelle’s side was Sohkran, one of her trusted n who seed to worship her as his goddess. On the other hand, standing by the side of the figure at the heart of the matter at this mont was—Yena.
anwhile, the Infinitum Magic Tower Master’s only disciple was outside the balcony, leaning on it as her athyst eyes were glued upon the sa product that Ravelle had co here for.
"Is it that important? You know, isn’t it a bit rude for a surprise visit?" I had to act as though I didn’t know that she was coming. After all, that would imdiately spell that I was aware of her spy’s identity since the beginning.
Ravelle chuckled at my words. Indeed, it would be foolish of her to tell that she had co in here after hearing that I managed to discover and acquire Soulshards.
That’s why her response was what I had expected.
"Did you deliberately lead my assets to the two veins of runeshards, knowing that both of them secretly house a Tier-5 demonkind?"
The two coordinates I provided her were ’connected’ runeshards mines that were eventually discovered by one of the major villains during the last sester of the second year based on the original story.
’But I truly hate that son of a bitch. Screw him.’
A silhouette of a figure I had yet to personally encounter in this world after my transmigration flashed through my mind montarily before I replied to Ravelle’s bold attitude of shifting bla that’s too far-fetched—well, she’s right.
But there’s no way I’d admit that I knew a Queen Ires Deadwood demon was indeed peacefully hibernating in that place and that her n had disturbed its slumber, inviting irreversible casualties.
"What the hell are you talking about? I provided you with beneficial information, which I don’t doubt has imnsely profited the Golden Crown, and yet you’re blaming just because an incident happened?"
Ravelle smirked.
"Hoh? Why aren’t you surprised at the ntion of a Tier-5 demonkind? One that’s a Queen Ires Deadwood."
"...?"
’Co on. Is she here to waste my ti or what?’
"Haha. I’m kidding. But what a luck this is, right? I didn’t expect your little expedition to bear fruit, more so by acquiring this amount of Soulshards that are sought throughout the continent." She mused.
"Indeed. What a great timing, isn’t it? I’m here to sell them to you—all two carts of them."
Sensing that I was not here to drag this on, Ravelle replied,
"One hundred thousand gold each cart."
"Pftt!"
My sudden reaction caught everyone off guard in this room just beside the balcony, even garnering Maya’s attention, albeit montarily.
"...?"
Sokhran, seemingly unable to resist my mocking laughter, tightly gripped the handle of his sword, which imdiately prompted Ravelle to slightly raise her hand, gesturing to him not to make any unnecessary trouble.
"You know, I may not be a rchant or barely knows the way of being one, but I couldn’t forget the fact that you’ve delivered five rapists and cold-blooded murderers in my territory, which I had no choice but to execute them.
"Even if this territory’s on the brink of collapse at any mont, how dare you consider putting so garbage of human beings among the commodities you shalessly traded?"
Ravelle was taken aback, but her composed deanor restrained her from showing it. However, I was not done yet.
"But I can let it slide. You know, sending four mages among the slaves seems to be a mistake. They just told that the price of Soulshards is invaluable—it ans it’s priceless and I can set the price. You know this, right?
"If you can’t afford it, there are certainly renowned groups or individuals on the continent that would gladly buy the Soulshards on my terms."
At my words, Ravelle glanced at Sohkran, who seed to feel the intensity behind her questioning glare. It seed she was not aware that there were four slave mages among the slaves they’d provided as part of the previous deal about the runeshard mines.
After so ti, Ravelle’s smile disappeared from her face. Looking at as though she would instantly turn into a statue of gold, she said,
"You’ve beco bold in these past few months. What can you do if I decide to just take them away from you, huh?"
Sohkran drew his sword, vanished from Ravelle’s side, and appeared behind with the sharp weapon pointing at my neck—it was a testant of skill... that this rcenary serving Ravelle was not an ordinary fellow.
But I remained calm, after all, I still had the upper hand.
anwhile, Yena, who was standing by my other side, imdiately drew her blade and pointed it at Sohkran’s neck—a two-way threat, to say the least.
She was reminded of my advice:
- "Just do your act."
Neglecting the sword at my neck, I spoke while retaining my composure,
"You’re not this stupid, are you?"
Ravelle stared at , unable to comprehend my deanor. However, Sohkran’s sword pushed through my skin slightly, causing crimson liquid to gently flow downward.
"Do you know why Soulshards are too unique apart from their mana potency and soul resonance capability?"
As if her ears were fixated on our transaction that seed to be going sideways, Maya turned and interjected,
"Hey, Miss Treasurer. Soulshards recognizes an individual’s mana imprint, and it cannot be revoked unless the one who marked it willed it so. Do you understand what I’m saying?"
"...?"
"I see. It seems profit is all you know."
Ravelle frowned at Maya’s words, but the latter continued,
"It ans even if Lugh dies, his mana imprint will forever be assimilated with these Soulshards—that also ans you or anyone you can possibly sell it to cannot hope to use and consu it."
"What...?"
One could even say that Soulshards were arguably the most secure commodity in this world.
"You heard Maya. It’s the absolute security of the Soulshards that also adds to its invaluability. My mana imprint’s embedded in them, so... if you dare, just kill and go leave this place with nothing. How does that sound to you?"
Ravelle was at a loss for words. It was a piece of information she had no idea about. After all, she was not part of the magic tower, and the Soulshards were too unique to just flow in the ordinary market.
Most likely, it’s the product that’s only being passed on between the Ducal Houses and Royal Families of the empires across the continent. It’s also certain that Soulshards were being utilized sparingly and only granted to those deed worthy.
"One million gold per cart. Nothing more, nothing less. You know its importance, and it’s sothing you cannot deny however you twist it."
Breaking her contemplative state, I hit the nail on the coffin,
"You are a rchant. You should take a risk. How about reselling it to known magic towers the mont you acquire it from ? Then you’ll see how true the saying that it’s priceless."
Ravelle smiled, but her erald eyes were chilling.
"That’s the tricky part. If it’s sothing I can set a price for, however much I want, why don’t you personally sell it to Magic Towers then?"
It was a valid question, but it’s not enough to shake my core.
"Well, maybe they wouldn’t trust such a good-for-nothing like ? You know my reputation, if not for the information I first gave you, you wouldn’t even dare co into this place, am I right?"
"..."
Sensing that I would not make any compromise or collateral, and that Maya’s unexpected presence as witness raise complication in this transaction, Ravelle finally accepted the offer—two million gold for two carts, an staggering amount of money to rebuild everything in this rundown territory that could not be compensated by a re ten thousand gold coins when I first arrived here.
After the contract was signed, I spoke,
"It seems you’ll just gain the fourth of two million gold in this instant..."
"What do you an by that?" Ravelle looked at suspiciously.
"Deduct five hundred thousand gold. I’d like to buy slaves—this ti high-quality ones for two hundred thousand gold. Aside from that, include one hundred thousand gold worth of food, then another one hundred worth of weapons, armor, and construction equipnt, even just interdiate quality will do, and last but not least, the remaining cost for potions..."
’What the hell is this man thinking?’ Ravelle’s thoughts were warranted. Even Maya, on the sidelines, looked at with questioning eyes.
"Ah! That’s not all, deduct another five hundred thousand from two million for so quality horses..."
Just like that, half of two million was gone in an instant.
’This man... He’s really serious in rebuilding this ss of a place??’ Maya thought.
*
"It’s a done deal then." Ravelle reluctantly extended her hand to shake mine as a formality.
"Well, it’s easy, isn’t it?" I said, returning her formal gesture.
Then, out of nowhere, as she was preparing to leave, she remarked,
"If I must say, I’m curious about the woman who can dare to point her sword at one of my n. Care to tell who she is?"
Hearing her, as I also raised my body, I casually replied,
"She’s one of the slaves who were delivered here. In fact, she’s talented, that’s why she acts as my personal bodyguard."
"Hoh? I guess that’s good for you, huh?" Ravelle turned her back, followed by Sohkran.
"Indeed. With her talent, I even thought she was your spy." I chuckled.
"...?"
"..."
"...?!?"
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