The Scientific Alchemist

Elias had on a smile that wasn’t truly one as he watched the switch in the noble’s expression the moment money appeared.

Though, he didn’t blame the man.

After all, greed was part of human nature, so there was no faulting him there.

On the other hand though, his greed leading him to try and get more coins from Elias was definitely completely in his control.

He silently listened as the fat noble continue with the same smile on his face as he explained why Calderholt was worth more than one thousand gold coins.

"You see, due to its location, Calderholt has the potential to become a strategic position between the two kingdoms, and soon enough, more merchants will start passing by here," the fat man said, "considering this potential, I believe you should, at the very least, offer ten thousand gold coins."

Bullshit.

The baker wanted to say something, but Elias slightly patted his hand and caused him to go silent as the noble rambled on.

"Is that so?" Elias said with a smile as he listened to the noble.

"Yes, yes, if you’d like, I could show you the reports myself," the noble said, sure that the alchemist before him had been convinced.

"Then I’d like to see them," the alchemist suddenly said , causing him to pause.

"P-pardon?" He asked.

"The reports of Calderholt’s potential growth," Elias clarified, "I’d like to see them."

"Ah, right, right," a bead of sweat formed on the noble’s forehead, "the thing is—"

"You have no such report," Elias finished his words, still keeping his smile, "after all, there’s no one that doesn’t know about Calderholt’s reputation as the cursed lands, a land with soil that refused to produce anything."

He took a small paused before looking directly at the noble and saying, "at most, a land such as that is worth only five hundred gold coins, and that’s if the buyer is being extremely generous."

"..."

The noble’s smile twitched.

"...What did you just say?" he asked slowly.

Elias tilted his head slightly.

"I said the land is worth about five hundred gold coins. Generously."

The room went quiet.

The baker that was glancing between them, was suddenly very interested in the architecture of the floor.

The noble’s face darkened.

"You insolent—"

He stopped himself, breathing out sharply through his nose as he forced his expression back into something resembling composure.

"Listen here," he said, voice lower now. "You’re an outsider. You don’t understand how things work here."

"No, I’m pretty sure I understand perfectly," Elias answered and that was the final straw.

The noble’s patience finally snapped.

"Enough," he barked, standing up abruptly, his chair scraped loudly against the floor. "I’ve humored you long enough. Guards, escort them out."

Two guards moved immediately at the door and the baker stiffened.

"Elias," he muttered under his breath, "this is where we leave."

Elias, however, didn’t look worried, he actually looked to be in deep thoughts.

"Before you do that," he said calmly, raising a hand slightly, "can I ask you something?"

The noble scoffed, "you’re in no position to ask anything."

Elias nodded in response before saying, "fair."

Then he continued anyway.

"How much of the kingdom’s allocated funds for Calderholt have you already used?"

The noble froze at the question.

"That’s none of your concern," Elias hummed softly, "I see."

He took a small step forward.

"That means it’s already been spent."

The noble’s eyes narrowed, "So what if it has?"

"Then I suppose the capital would be interested in where it went," Elias’s tone stayed light, but there was absolute silence after his words.

The baker slowly turned his head toward Elias like he had just heard something very, very dangerous.

"Wait," the baker whispered, "what are you doing?"

Elias didn’t look at him, instead, he kept his eyes on the noble.

"If I remember correctly," Elias continued, "Calderholt receives regular administrative funding specifically because it’s a ’strategic region.’ or more specifically as a way to help keep its citizens fed so they don’t move to the capital and increase the population."

The noble’s jaw tightened slightly, but Elias continued anyway.

"And yet the city looks like this."

A pause.

Then, quieter, he added, "If they found out that funding was being redirected... or misused... I wonder what they’d do."

The noble’s expression finally changed as he asked, "you’re threatening me?"

"Not in the slightest," Elias shook his head innocently, "I’m merely asking a question."

The silence that followed was heavier than before.

The noble stared at him for a long moment, then slowly sank back into his chair.

"...You’re just a failed alchemist," he said, but his voice had lost its earlier confidence.

"I was," Elias simply said with a smile, not the least bit offended.

The noble then exhaled sharply through his nose before saying, "fine."

He gestured lazily, "I’ll accept the thousand gold."

"Ah you see," Elias suddenly spoke up, putting a hand over the pouch on the table before the noble could, "I didn’t like the fact that you intended to rip us off, so the price has gone down due to that."

He then took out a couple of gold coins from the pouch and lay them on the table before adding, "a hundred gold coins."

"...." The noble looked at the coins on the table with a dark frown, but he couldn’t say anything either due to what this damn alchemist had against him.

So he silently took the coins on the table, least they were taken back before he looked up and answered, "fine."

"I’m glad we could come to an agreement," Elias said with a smile as he sat back down, "we’ll head to the capital to officiate it tomorrow, so we’ll like a place to stay the night."

"Elena," the fat noble called out through gritted teeth and a maid immediately appeared before he instructed, "show them to the guest room."

"Yes master," the maid said with a bow before turning to the two, "please follow me."

"Thank you for the hospitality," Elias said as he walked away, leaving behind a fuming noble.

It truly was a satisfying experience to be petty, he probably should try it more.