Lord: Stripped of My Inheritance from the Start

Chapter 432 - 405: Interest Negotiation

The lively performances in Golden Feather City continued, and after a period of celebrating with the common folk, the King and his nobles returned to the magnificent Golden Feather Palace.

Led by King Bruno, the nobles paid their respects at the shrine of Emperor Orland, then at the shrine of Oduin’s first king.

Ronin was initially a little surprised. Why would they pay respects at Emperor Orland’s shrine?

But after a moment’s thought, he understood.

When the Empire fractured, Oduin and Tricia had emerged. Though they ultimately established their own separate kingdoms, both claimed to be of the Orland Empire’s bloodline with a legitimate right to succession. Paying homage to Emperor Orland was, therefore, a matter of course.

Lurans had privately explained to him that the Great Emperor’s shrine contained no actual remains. The first king had merely found some of the Orland Clan’s clothing and other personal effects to place inside, making it more of a cenotaph.

’In Ronin’s eyes, whether they were truly the Great Emperor’s descendants didn’t matter. What mattered was that, under the circumstances of that time, their claims gained legitimacy.’

’It seemed that in any world, if you wanted to crown yourself king, it was best to do so under a suitable banner.’

Only after completing these tedious formalities did the Royal Family and the nobles officially begin their celebratory banquet.

Though the activities were similar to those outside, everything here was undoubtedly more high-class. The food, the drinks, the sights, and the entertainment—it was all of the highest caliber.

After a busy half-day, Bruno bathed, changed his clothes, and summoned Lurans and Ronin for a private audience.

Although it was called a private audience, they were not alone. Representing the Royal Family were Crown Prince Garrett, Vice Leader Broel of the Griffin Knight Order, and several Ministers, including those of finance and civil affairs.

Lurans, for his part, brought his Civil Servant, Albert, and Finance Officer, Curry.

The topic of discussion was none other than the marriage alliance between the Royal Family and the Wushan Clan.

The occasion wasn’t as grand as one might imagine; it felt more like a matchmaking session to negotiate the terms of a marriage.

The terms included Wushan Territory ceding partial mining rights to a large iron ore deposit and strengthening its military support for the Royal Family’s campaigns. They also discussed strengthening mutual visits and operations for their merchant guilds, as well as providing faster, more convenient, and more favorable terms for port trade.

The negotiations lasted from the afternoon until the sun began to set, covering nearly every aspect of politics, economics, military affairs, culture, and clan interests.

"In addition to these matters, I’ve heard that the Light Attribute Mage under Ronin’s command can produce two special Magic Potions: an Awakening Potion and a Power Enhancement Potion. I hope Ronin will allow the Royal Family to participate in the production of these Magic Potions to secure a share for ourselves."

From his throne, Bruno voiced his final desired term of cooperation.

Since the negotiations began, the discussion had primarily been between the Royal Family and Wushan Castle. Ronin, who had been growing drowsy, suddenly perked up when Bruno unexpectedly shifted the topic to Wubei Territory.

’Of the two potions, he only planned to sell the Awakening Potion in large quantities. The Support Enhancement Potion was meant mostly for internal use, with only a tiny amount trickling out at most.’

’He hadn’t expected the Royal Family to target his Magic Potions, and with the King making the request personally, it was clear he wasn’t being given an opportunity to refuse.’

Ronin thought for a moment before speaking. "Your Majesty, both the Enhancement Potion and the Awakening Potion have extremely high production costs."

Bruno smiled. "Rest assured, I don’t expect them for free. If you agree to transfer a fifty percent share to the Royal Family, I can give Wubei Territory fifteen adult Griffins and five young ones. I will also provide you with professional breeders and trainers, free of charge."

Ronin’s eyes lit up.

Bruno had previously promised Ronin some Griffins, but certainly not this many.

Each Griffin was incredibly valuable. For the King to offer so many at once, the total value was likely between seven and eight hundred thousand Gold Coins.

’But seven or eight hundred thousand Gold Coins still wasn’t nearly enough to buy a fifty percent share of his future profits.’

’Putting other things aside, he planned to price the Awakening Potion at One Thousand Gold Coins per bottle. Seven or eight hundred thousand Gold Coins would only buy seven or eight hundred bottles.’

"Your Majesty may not be aware, but the ingredients for the Awakening Potion are exceptionally expensive. The water from the Magic Spirit Spring alone costs One Hundred Gold Coins per milliliter, and a single stalk of Starlight Grass is Two Hundred Gold Coins. Combined with other supporting Magic Potions, the cost approaches Four Hundred Gold Coins per potion."

"The Fury Flame Grass required for the Enhancement Potion is also extremely expensive, costing Four Hundred Gold Coins for a single plant..."

Ronin wasn’t afraid of the formulas being stolen just by revealing these ingredients.

For the Awakening Potion, its creation required a Light Attribute Magic Master. It was useless for others to know the method.

As for the Support Enhancement Potion, it also involved Dream Flower, Magic Crystal Dust, and Pure Water Essence. An incomplete list of ingredients would only lead to failure.

It was worth noting that after searching on Rapids Island for several months, Karda had found Dream Flower in a valley. Elron was now preparing to establish a cultivation nursery for it there.

Garrett, the Minister of Finance, and the others discreetly took note of this information.

Bruno, however, just smiled faintly. He could tell that Ronin was implying that the value of twenty Griffins was not enough.

"Then tell me, what will it take for you to sell a fifty percent share?"

Garrett added from the side, "Ronin, these two Magic Potions are strategic resources. With war on the horizon, I want our Knights to be stronger. This isn’t just a matter of profit; it’s a matter of the Kingdom’s strength."

Ronin smiled. "As a Vassal, I will naturally do my part to strengthen the Kingdom."

He mulled it over for a moment. "How about this: I can yield a fifty percent share, but in return, His Majesty will need to provide me with the ingredients I just mentioned, free of charge."

"Also, if possible, I hope Your Majesty can arrange for commoners from the Kingdom to immigrate to my territory. As you know, I’m extremely short on people there."

Bruno’s brow furrowed slightly. ’The immigration is easy enough to arrange, but to have the Royal Family cover the costs of those ingredients...’

The Minister of Finance, Luther Cox, who was standing nearby, spoke with a smile. "Baron, the cost of these ingredients is very high. If we provide all of them, wouldn’t you be making a fifty percent net profit?"

"That’s not quite right."

Ronin smiled and shook his head. "First, Wubei Territory provides the indispensable labor. Without my Light Attribute Mage, these potions could not be created!"

"Second, Lord Luther, surely you don’t believe the potions only require these few ingredients? The cost of the remaining ingredients is roughly the same as those I just mentioned. In other words, His Majesty provides half the materials, and I’ll be responsible for the other half."

Lurans, who had been stroking his cane, interjected, "Your Majesty, he is your future son-in-law. You can’t expect him to provide the expert, do the work, and still take a loss, can you?"

Bruno laughed heartily. "Of course not!"

’He believed Ronin. After all, no one would be foolish enough to reveal every ingredient for a Magic Potion. The missing components were likely even more critical, and their price would certainly not be low.’

"In that case, we’ll agree to this for now. If we find the arrangement unsuitable later on, we can renegotiate and make changes."

Bruno made the final decision. "As for the immigration Ronin mentioned, that’s simple. Many cities are overpopulated, making famine inevitable. Arsenno, go to the cities, recruit a group, and send them to Ronin. Use the standard for a large city."

A brilliant smile spread across Ronin’s face.

’The standard for a large city was a population of one hundred thousand. Bruno was going to send him a hundred thousand people!’

After acquiring Purple Thunder Territory a while back, Ronin’s registered population was already approaching the three hundred thousand mark.

’By the time he returned, the last batch of people from Lurans would likely have arrived in Wubei Territory as well.’

’At that point, he would be able to complete the [Population Prosperity] achievement.’

’With the people from Bruno, while he wasn’t sure if it would be enough to reach the next achievement tier, it would at least allow Wubei Territory to have a major city of one hundred thousand people.’

’And with a major city, he could complete the [Siege and Conquest] achievement.’

"Thank you for your gift, Your Majesty!" Ronin rose to his feet to express his gratitude.

Previously, he had been somewhat satisfied with his personal power, having already reached the pinnacle of the Orland Continent.

But ever since Sophia’s arrival, he knew that not only were the Silver Moon and Magic Master ranks insufficient, but even the Proud Sun and Great Mage ranks were not enough.

He now had a more urgent need to become Legendary, which made Attribute Points and Energy Essence all the more important.