Bradley entered Marcus's office, wary.
He couldn't figure out what the young lord wanted this time, but he couldn't help but wonder if it would involve them returning funds that they needed urgently.
The only other 'donation' we have received came from Baron Egar… well, not entirely a donation. Moreover, the man's locked up in our dungeon.
Bradley sighed inwardly.
"Milord, I have arrived."
"I need you to head to the Avanti Merchant House."
Bradley's brows rose slightly, wondering what Marcus wanted to sell this time.
"No need for a letter?" He asked.
"No. I want to sell them another license. The license to buy and sell. Though in the long run we will be losing quite a bit, but weighed against the tides about to befall us, the loss is insignificant."
Nodding his head, Bradley began making mental notes of what it was.
"Tell them that if they can't show up with five million gold coins by the end of the afternoon, then the deal is off."
"Hmm, yes, that sounds like a reasonable amount…" Bradley paused as the figure Marcus resounded in his mind.
Five million!? He blinked a few times. "What! Five million? Milord, are you planning to sell your mansion?"
Five million gold coins wasn't a large amount when budgeted to sustain or develop a State, however, to their empty coffers, it was a lot.
"No," Marcus chuckled. "Why would I do that?"
Bradley tapped his chest lightly, calming his heart. "Then what?"
"The low-grade Marc Steel, 1.3."
"...Oh, that's… reasonable. But, sir, would they appreciate the value?"
"If they're wise, they'll be able to see the long-term benefit of this deal. That five million could be made back with a single deal if they find the right buyer.
In fact, they might think of it as the steal of the decade. Unfortunately for them, we're only offering the lowest grade."
"What if they're not interested in buying or selling our Marc Steel?"
"Then we find other buyers." Marcus smiled confidently.
Marc Steel would bring substantial profits, and after testing the waters with Asipen in his previous life, he was certain that any merchant house would want to acquire it and monopolize it.
"However, I still have to make this offer attractive to them despite all of this. We are the ones in urgent need, not them. They can afford to waste negotiating.
So, tell them that the loan will only be for two million gold. We will repay what we owe within a year, with 10% interest that increases every quarter throughout the year. The three million is the cost of the license.
At the same time, if they can't come with five million they shouldn't even bother."
Bradley nodded his head, feeling a bit giddy.
If they get that much money in their pockets, it would go a long way for them.
Especially with the way they were steadily developing.
And as for repayment, it wasn't even an issue. They could pay back by providing more Marc Steel above whatever quantity they agree on, or pay back with coins.
The only issue we might face will come from manpower. Bradley thought.
But he said nothing about it. If he could think of this, surely the young lord had already considered it.
With excitement, he left the estate on horseback and rushed towards the Avanti Merchant House.
…
After a while, Bradley returned to the mansion with a carriage following behind.
Behind this carriage were over a dozen warriors on horseback.
All donned in iron armor. The strongest of them gave off the aura of a Tidal Wave rank, while the weakest was a peak level Flowing rank.
Normally this would be a force that Marcus's knights would have found intimidating in the past.
But after the recent developments in their weapons and mindsets, they didn't buckle.
Rather, those at the entrance, Logail and Floki puffed their chests out and let their aura leak.
This action caught the attention of the warriors and at first it surprised them, but this surprise put them on edge.
Bradley, pretending to be oblivious, got down from his horse and chuckled.
"The young lord invited them, so they're guests."
The two knights relaxed, secretly proud of themselves.
It was at this point that three individuals stepped out of the carriage.
Amsun and his uncle, Hampo, as well as their butler, Joules.
"Please, this way." Bradley guided them in.
Behind them, two of the warriors they came with carried a heavy, wooden chest and followed along.
Soon, they arrived in reception where Marcus was already seated.
One different from the parlour he usually receives guests in. But because the room wasn't in good shape due to his furious antics…
The reception room was smaller and less decorated, unlike the parlour he used to receive guests.
"Lord Governor," The trio greeted and bowed as they entered the reception.
"Young master Amsun, Sir Hampo, and gentleman Joules. It is good to see you three today. How have you all been?"
As Marcus spoke, he smiled slightly as his gaze fell upon the big chest that was brought in.
"We have been well, Lord Governor," Joules said.
"Especially since making some surveys on the items we got from you, our merchant house is filled with great expectations for the future." Hampo smiled.
"Please," Marcus gestured for them to take a seat on the chairs opposite him.
"I trust that you all are wondering why I have called for you with conditions."
The three of them nodded lightly.
"Is it another blueprint?" Amsun questioned.
"No, I don't think I'll be selling blueprints anytime soon."
This answer stunted the excitement of these three. They had been curious about what blueprint the young lord had that would cost so much money.
"What I want to sell this time is the right to monopolize another innovation of ours in the markets of Ulha."
With a raised brow, Hampo asked: "And this innovation is?"
Marcus looked at Joshua, and the knight stepped forward with a longsword.
He unsheathed the sword and placed it on the table that was between Marcus and the Avantis.
They looked at the sword with disappointment etched on their faces.
Avanti Merchant House was a merchant house that dabbled in many businesses, however, selling weapons wasn't one of them.
"Milord, we fail to understand your thoughts," Amsun said.
"We don't deal in weapons," Hampo added.
"What I am selling is more than a weapon. Tell your guard to strike his sword with this sword dropped by my knight."
"Still-"
"Just do it. Don't argue." Hampo started but Marcus cut him short.
He raised his hand and called one of the warriors who brought the chest in.
The man stepped forward and picked the sword up.
He looked at Marcus, and then Joshua, before turning his attention to his employers.
"Go ahead," Amsun ordered.
The warrior unsheathed his sword and held it horizontally.
Right before he struck down, Marcus smirked as he spoke up. "Strike it lightly. I don't want my things damaged."
Thinking that the young lord was joking around, the warrior struck down with the sword Joshua presented.
"Hmph!"
Ding!
The sword sliced through the warrior's sword without much resistance.
And due to the force behind the strike, the sword continued, slicing through the table and floor.
Only then did it come to a stop.
Silence filled the room.
"What I'm selling to you isn't weapons, but the material used to make it." Marcus grinned as he stared at the shocked expression of his guests.
His eyes were filled with confidence and expectations.