Chapter 117: An Unfriendly Negotiation
Among Carter’s inheritance were Magic Crystal Stones. There weren’t many, only eight in total.
A Warrior’s family would buy these mainly to power their Magic Lamps.
As for the Fire Attribute Demon Cores.
Duane had recently hunted quite a few Fiery Flame Fire Snakes, obtaining eleven Demon Cores in total.
Four of them were quite rare, as they contained Spell Models.
Selena reached out and picked up a thumb-sized Magic Crystal Stone from the tray, which was glowing with a white light.
This was a Mid-Level Magic Crystal Stone, used to charge weapons or maintain certain magical effects.
On the market, a single Mid-Level Magic Crystal Stone sold for five to eight Gold Coins, though the price could be higher in some places due to war or other reasons.
"The skill I’ve mastered is ’Basic Extraction.’ Even with a Mid-Level Magic Crystal Stone, I can only extract Basic-Level materials,"
she said, picking up a gray Magic Crystal Stone and placing it in her left palm.
This was a Basic Magic Crystal Stone. The Magic Energy it contained was significantly lower, and it was generally used for Low-Level Enchantments or as a material for daily consumption.
A Basic Magic Crystal Stone was a perfect match for the Basic Extraction Spell.
Selena’s expression grew visibly focused, and a faint Arcane radiance emanated from her right hand.
Duane’s eyes widened. This was the first time he had ever observed a Mage refining spellcasting materials, and he didn’t want to miss a single moment.
The Arcane radiance enveloped the gray Magic Crystal Stone in her left palm. After a swirl of energy, the stone shattered into pieces, and countless motes of dust formed a thin line, flowing along the Arcane light and settling into Selena’s palm.
The process lasted for about a minute or two.
As the Arcane radiance gradually faded, Selena finished casting the spell.
At that moment, Duane even thought her hands had become exceptionally beautiful.
Ahem...
"What a visually pleasing process!" he praised.
Selena smiled faintly and placed the materials from her palm onto the tray on the table.
"This is Basic Magic Crystal Powder. A single portion is enough to complete an Enchantment on a normal weapon."
With that, she picked up a Fiery Flame Fire Serpent Demon Core and sensed it for a moment.
"This Demon Core contains the Spell Model for ’Fire Mist Technique.’"
Duane had a realization. So the Fiery Flame Fire Snake’s fire-breathing skill was called the Fire Mist Technique.
"Usually, when extracting Fire Energy Essence, it’s more cost-effective to use a Demon Core that doesn’t contain a Spell Model. Or you can use Fire Element Ore."
Selena explained this involuntarily, as if she were back in a classroom.
After she finished speaking, she began to cast another spell.
This time, it lasted for four or five minutes, and the Fiery Flame Fire Serpent Demon Core in her hand also turned into a pile of red powder.
This was Basic Fire Energy Essence.
Selena helped Duane by making one portion of each type, then she began to look tired.
Although she could continue casting spells, there was no need.
She had made two portions each of Basic Fire Energy Essence and Basic Magic Crystal Powder, which was already showing the Baron considerable respect.
Duane naturally wouldn’t force the issue. On the contrary, he was grateful to her.
"Baron, casting spells consecutively has made me a bit weary. I’d like to go back and rest now," she said.
"Of course!"
Duane quickly stood up. "Jack, drive our esteemed guest, the Mage, back."
"Yes, my lord!"
Jack immediately stepped forward and bowed. "This way, please."
Selena stood up, and her protecting Knight, Brison, followed. They left the banquet, led by Jack.
"Baron, shouldn’t we talk business now?" Garrot asked, raising his glass.
"I was thinking the same thing!"
Duane waved his hand, signaling Ralph to take the Enchanting Materials and other items away and store them safely.
Both parties sat down, and the lighthearted chatter subsided.
Duane didn’t beat around the bush. "I know the prices for the various goods Bard traded with you were, for the most part, below normal levels."
His words made the atmosphere slightly tense.
’Is this Baron going to make us settle old scores?’ Garrot and the others simultaneously had the same thought.
But Duane said, "Past transactions are in the past. I don’t intend to question them. However, I am now the Lord of Black Forest Island, so I naturally cannot continue with that kind of money-losing business."
Garrot breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Duane wasn’t going to bring up past accounts, things were still negotiable.
As for a price increase, they had already anticipated this situation, so it came as no surprise.
"Please, go on."
"Black Forest Island’s iron ore quality may not be the best, but it’s not that bad either. The previous price of five Copper Coins per jin was practically a giveaway. Now, if you still want to buy from me, the price is twelve Copper Coins per jin."
Julian’s proposed price had been ten Copper Coins, but Duane set it a little higher to give them room to negotiate.
Garrot’s brow furrowed. This price was far beyond his expectations.
"I admit your iron ore quality is decent, but that price is too high!"
He shook his head, looking slightly disappointed, and added:
"Baron, Black Forest Island is remote, making foreign trade problematic. I can be your long-term trading partner, but this price is not very friendly!"
"You are mistaken, Garrot."
Duane laughed. "I am not Bard. They didn’t dare sell to the Kingdom, but I can."
"To be honest, a business associate of mine from the Silent Shore will be coming here to purchase goods soon. As long as I can bring him a profit, I believe my business will be just as secure."
Garrot cursed inwardly.
’Black Forest Island has a new Lord officially recognized by Pruck, and things are really different now.’
The previous Lord, Bard, didn’t want to engage with the Pruck nobility or merchants, but now it was the complete opposite.
Duane definitely wanted to establish a solid trade relationship with the Silent Shore. After all, whether considering proximity, transportation costs, or other factors, selling to the Pruck Kingdom was more profitable than selling to him.
In that case, the priority of his trade caravan, belonging to a foreign noble from the Starfall Islands, would be greatly reduced.
"What you say does make sense, but in the short term, they can’t possibly arrive with eleven cargo ships at once like we can."
Garrot began his pitch.
His deputy, Blake, also started describing the wealth of the Viscount’s Territory and even threw in an offer: if the two sides maintained their trade relationship, special minerals or items produced in the Secret Realm in the future could also be sold to Black Forest Island.
Although these were just pleasantries, they were enough to maintain a friendly relationship between the two sides.
On Duane’s side, his subordinates, Julian and Ralph, also stood by the table, helping him negotiate the prices of goods.
In fact, they weren’t just negotiating prices, but also the quantity of goods.
In the past, Black Forest Island could sell 300,000 jin of iron ore to the Starfall Islands annually.
Now, considering Black Forest Island’s own development, Duane intended to keep more for himself.
This time, he was prepared to sell 200,000 jin of iron ore.
This made Garrot and his men unhappy.
They had come this time with the intention of taking as much as they could get. 300,000 jin wasn’t even enough, let alone a mere 200,000 jin.
Then there was the grain.
Black Forest Island had about 30,000 mu of early rice paddies, and with this bountiful harvest, Duane had a total of over 3.6 million jin of rice stored in his granaries.
After setting aside the 600,000 jin needed for daily expenses, Duane could have sold 3 million jin outright.
After all, at the end of this month, another 25,000 mu of late rice would be ready for harvest, and more grain would be brought into storage.
However, to be on the safe side, he only agreed to sell 1 million jin.
This once again displeased Garrot and his men.
Yalvis Territory had suffered a disaster this time, and a lot of grain had rotted in the fields because there was no one to harvest it.
This had led to the current situation where the Viscount’s Territory was short on grain and needed to buy from external sources.
Replenishing their supply with 3 million jin of grain from Black Forest Island was a plan they had made long ago.
But Duane had only agreed to sell 1 million jin—not even half of what they wanted!
What they couldn’t understand the most was why this Baron would lower taxes.
In Garrot’s opinion, this was undoubtedly a foolish move!
If he hadn’t lowered the taxes, he could have collected at least another million jin of grain, all of which could have been sold to him.
’And to think we even borrowed several large cargo ships for this trip. If we go back like this, the ships won’t even be full.’
The negotiations continued for over an hour, with both sides fighting hard to secure their own interests.
Although Duane made some concessions, he never gave Garrot what he truly wanted.
In the end, they could only take a break.
"Baron!"
Garrot’s tone had become somewhat resentful.
"A truly wise Lord would not lower taxes and grant mercy to the lowly commoners. An act like yours is utterly foolish!"
Before Duane could even speak, his knights and officials were the first to become displeased.
"Garrot, watch your words!"
Kaelon, standing behind Duane, stared at him with a cold gaze.
He hadn’t been able to get a word in during the verbal sparring earlier, but now he finally had a chance to speak.
"Standing before you is the Lord of Black Forest Island and a Baron of the Pruck Kingdom!"
Julian added, "If you do not apologize for that remark, we can simply refuse to do further business with you. We have no trouble selling these goods elsewhere."
Garrot’s face flushed red, but he was helpless.
Thinking of the business that still needed to be done, he could only stand up, bow, and adjust his tone.
"My apologies, Baron. I misspoke."
Duane smiled. "It’s no matter. There is some truth to what you say, but every Lord has their own ideas. Whether they are foolish or not cannot be judged in such a short time."
He stood up. "Let’s conclude our conversation for tonight here. If you agree to the terms we just proposed, you can begin transport tomorrow."
He waved his hand and left the hall.
Garrot took a deep breath, suppressing his displeasure.
He said to Julian, "We will go back and discuss it. We will give you an answer in the next two days."
With that, he strode outside.
"Let’s go!"