NOVEL NEXT Chapter 56: Business Deal.
Chapter 56: Business Deal.
*Celia’s POV*
This castle sure is impressive… Maybe I should ask for a tour of it after we come to a deal? Ah, right. I took Lia to the royal palace. Truly, the best kind of backer, would have to be either the king or queen, right? So, that is why I’ve come here.
We did run into Lia’s mother, though. She looked very much just like Lia does. That is to say, she is quite beautiful. How can a woman give birth to so many kids, and still look this good?
Granted, I never asked how many siblings that Lia has. But considering that there is a big succession game going on, there are at least a few of Lia’s mother’s children involved in it. Otherwise, it would have ended by now.
Having a small spat with her was fun as well. Unlike the queen, who looked as scared as she could be, even after she realized who I was. She stood her ground, and the only thing she changed, was that she treated me as an equal to herself.
Taina: “So, what is this proposal of yours? It better be good, as I was enjoying my time with Marna.” She said with a serious tone.
Marna: “Taina…” She said with a shudder.
Celia: “Queen Marna, there is no reason for you to be scared of me. Just as long as you do not make me your enemy, I will never cause harm to you.” I say with a warm tone.
Taina: “Marna is fine, she has always been a little timid.” She said with a sigh.
Celia: “Does that mean that the king is the one in power of this kingdom?” I ask with a curious tone.
Marna: “No… I am.” She declared.
Huh? With how timid you are, could you really rule an entire kingdom with that personality? Is she joking with me, or something?…
Taina: “When she has the advantage, she is a ruthless but fair queen. But with your case, as angering you might anger Amelie, she is timid.” She explained.
Celia: “I see… Right, so I came here to ask the Queen for help selling off some lumber, and some Mana Crystals.” I explain.
Taina: “You came all the way here just for that?” She asked with a raised eyebrow.
Lia: “Mother, it is Kercha lumber, and the purest Mana Crystals I have ever seen.” She said with a serious tone.
Marna: “Kercha lumber!? I’ll buy it all from you!” She said with a desperate tone.
Celia: “Um… why do you want it so much? Keep in mind, they’re all uncleaned logs that I cut down.” I ask with a head tilt.
Marna: “It cost a fortune just to get a small piece of it. Unclean logs you say? Then they’re worth even more!” She exclaimed.
Taina: “Lia… were they truly Kercha logs?” She asked with a serious tone.
Lia: “Yes mother.” She said with a nod.
Taina: “Lady Celia, where did you acquire such logs from?” She asked.
Celia: “In a forest.” I reply with a shrug.
Taina: “…”
Marna: “We won’t try to steal the location, but please tell us where you source it from.” She pleaded.
Celia: “Like I said, a forest. It doesn’t have a name, since it is the forest in between Evaclearian and Leretia.” I reply.
Marna: “May we ask why you were in that forest? It is a very dangerous place.” She asked with a concerned tone.
Celia: “Before Amelie found me, that forest was where I lived.” I reply.
Wow… They took a while to process what I just said. Is it that big of a deal? Sure, that forest is somewhat dangerous, but I did manage to survive it. Well… that was with Yona helping me, though. Did I just accidentally say something crazy again?…
Taina: “No wonder Amelie picked you up… The Mana Crystals are unimportant. Marna and I would love to purchase the Kercha that you have, though.” She said with a serious tone.
Lia: “Mother, you have to help set up a business for Celia’s Mana Crystals!” She exclaimed.
Taina: “Why? I highly doubt that such Mana Crystals would be worth…” She said before she cut her sentence short.
Why? Because I pulled out a Mana Crystal from my pouch. Oddly, even Lia’s eyes were glued to it. Girl… haven’t you already seen them before? Why’re you surprised again?
Taina: “How… how many do you have?” She asked with a nervous tone.
Celia: “On me right now? A few thousand. But I have a dungeon, that produces these Mana Crystals. That’s why I want to set up a business for them.” I explain.
Taina took her daughter to the side and said something to her. I couldn’t hear what they were talking about. But it was probably something just between them, so I don’t mind. Once their little chat was over, she walked but to the couch, and looked at me.
Taina: “How many Kercha logs do you have, Lady Celia?” She asked with a respectful tone.
Celia: “A few thousand as well.” I reply.
Marna: “Taina, I want some of it too!” She pleaded.
Taina: “I know.” She said with a sigh before getting up from her seat once more.
Celia: “Are we going somewhere?” I ask.
Marna: “Just to a staging area, where you can offload everything.” She answered.
Celia: “Oh? And how did you know that I had it all in my pouch?” I ask with a head tilt.
Taina: “What? You fit it all in your pouch!?” She asked with a shocked tone.
Lia: “Celia… they were probably just thinking that you would go back and forth to get the logs and the Mana Crystals.” She said with a sigh.
Celia: “Oops?” I say with a cheeky tone.
Lia: “…”
Taina: “…”
Marna: “…”
A little trip later, we arrived at a huge room. Frankly, it looked to be a spare treasure room, or something like that. Basically, it was pretty regal, and the security was tight as well. You could only get in with a necklace that both Taina and Marna have. I guess that they must be good friends?
Taina: “Now then, could you please take the logs and the Mana Crystals out of your pouch for us, Lady Celia?” She asked.
Celia: “Hm? Ah, well, let me just pop back to my dungeon real quick, and get the latest produced Mana Crystals.” I reply, before using my mini dungeon core.
Back in my dungeon, it had changed once more… I was only gone for a day! Why the fuck is there a throne now!? And… why is there a new pile of Mana Crystals? Walking over to it, the pile was of a completely new Mana Crystal that I haven’t seen before…
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Supreme All Mana Crystal: SSS Grade.
:Description:
A Mana Crystal of the highest possible quality. A new variant, that holds mana for every element in existence. Only produced in one place.
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Holy fuck… I am so going to shock them even more now! God, I am so getting addicted to making people shocked. It’s like a drug for me… There are even a thousand of this new Mana Crystal. Now I can see Lia’s surprised reaction as well!