Marcus had just finished taking his bath after working out and was on his way to see how the distribution of food was going.
His mind was also troubled by a realization he found yesterday.
The number of achievement points awarded differed.
When Marcus visited the blacksmith workshop yesternight, he was greeted by the sight of newly made farm tools.
However, unlike the first time when he saw the farm equipment and was awarded 20 points, 5 from each–this time he was awarded 4 points.
Meaning, 1 point from each one made.
This brought quite a weight to Marcus' heart. He had thought that achieving 50 points could be done within the week, however, that didn't seem to be the case.
He couldn't milk this as he wanted to.
The more they made, the fewer achievement points he would receive.
Marcus sighed. "I have to urge the carpenters to be done with the irrigation chain pump as soon as possible." He muttered.
[Name: Marcus Sirdi.]
[Age: 24.]
[Level: 1 (Mage)]
[Race: Human.]
[Mana: 200.]
[Achievement Points: 27.5]
[Arcane Knowledge Learned (Lv1). Advance Technological Knowledge Learned (Lv1). Body Modification Knowledge Locked. Futuristic technological Knowledge Locked.]
[Redo: 1.]
[Days Left: 6 months (180 days)]
…
From 21, his achievement points had increased to 27.5.
Yes, he was now receiving points in decimals.
"Lord Marcus! Good morning, sir." Bradley called out as he sighted Marcus across the long hallway.
"Morning Bradley."
"Sir, the Avanti Merchant House is here with their response," Bradley revealed.
"So early in the morning?" Marcus raised a brow.
Sure, what he offered was quite tempting. But he didn't expect that they'd respond so fast.
'Did the second young master rush to Eewan to discuss with his father yesterday?' Marcus wondered.
This question was quickly answered when he saw Amsun.
The young man looked like he hadn't slept at all.
Even the old butler, Joules, was no different.
"Lord Governor," Joules and Amsun greeted.
"Young Master Amsun, I didn't expect your response to come so soon. Hopefully, you've had a pleasant surprise." Said Marcus as he took a seat.
"That's how much I value your favor, Milord." Amsun gave a tired smile.
"I appreciate your efforts. So, tell me. What did your father agree to?"
"Father said that we'll take the short-term deal."
Marcus nodded. "That's good, we'll both be winning either way."
"Lord Governor, he also said that he cannot pay the five hundred thousand," Amsun mentioned slowly.
And sure enough, what he feared came to sight.
Marcus's smile slowly erased from his face and a somewhat threatening stare appeared.
But this didn't last for long as he soon returned to smiling.
But it was long enough to fill Amsun and Joules with chills.
Marcus didn't want to negotiate this price. To him, he was doing them a favor and losing out on much of the profit, and yet, they still wanted to bargain.
This was a merchant's nature.
"Go ahead, what did your father say?"
Amsun was still processing the chill he felt from Marcus's stare. Perhaps because the weather was a bit cold it lingered longer.
"He said that rather than paying two hundred and fifty thousand in silver coins, he will give you grains and food supplies worth three hundred thousand. And then a hundred twenty thousand silver coins."
"What about the remaining seventy-five thousand?"
"Father said he doesn't want to purchase a seat now for when you have more innovations in the future… he will wait until you have them."
"Hahaha!" Marcus burst into laughter.
This man was more crafty than he thought. But did he truly understand what he was doing by refusing this seat?
"A seat of mine isn't as cheap as seventy-five thousand silver coins," Marcus uttered.
"Father said that if it's worth it, a thousand gold coins wouldn't be much of a problem," Amsun added.
"Okay… good. Good, tell your father that he has piqued my interest. However, do you know that your merchant house will not be receiving such good offers from me in the future? Everything, even as small as a breath from me will cost you guys thousands."
Amsun shivered a bit as he laughed nervously.
This was a threat, but it wasn't one that he could take seriously for now.
"As long as it's worth it, we will pay for it, Milord." He answered.
"Let's sign the contract then." Said Marcus.
Pulling out a prepared contract from his bag, Amsun laid it flat across the table in front of him.
Marcus picked it up and read through it, confirming that everything was okay, before asking for his seal.
This!
The seal struck the paper, leaving the shape of a sun shadowed by a moon on the paper.
Marcus then handed them a copy of the four farm tools they saw
"Thank Milord. I hope that we'll be able to work together in the future." Amsun said, quite excited upon receiving the blueprints.
"Your merchant house should send out my things before the end of the week."
It was only Wednesday.
"The coins will be delivered today. While the food supplies will take a day or two." Joules spoke up.
Marcus nodded with a smile and sent them off.
After they left, Bradley stayed silent to see if Marcus's demeanor would change.
But aside from the young man leaning on the sofa, nothing else happened.
"Bradley, what do you think of their offer?" Marcus suddenly asked.
"Sir… to be honest, the price is too low. Should we try selling the blueprints to other merchant houses to gain some more?"
"Hmm, not exactly a bad idea. But that's not what I want to do though. At least not now."
Marcus chuckled and folded his hands across his chest before staring at the ceiling.
"They chose to give more food supplies because it would cost less for them and because they know that I'd be hard pressed to refuse the offer…" He paused before shaking his head.
A hundred twenty-five thousand silver coins would help achieve a little bit more of what he wanted to do.
At least it was a bit of capital to start preparing for his next step.
All he needed to do was get enough achievement points before he could start.
"Bradley, assemble all the knights in the training ground after breakfast has been distributed. As for those escorting the miners to Daze, let them be."
"Yes sir."
'I wonder how long it will take you guys to come running to me.' Marcus thought.
…
Amsun wasted no time after receiving these blueprints. He didn't return to his office in Agard, rather, he rushed back to Eewan to present them to his family.
Joules didn't go with him as he went to prepare the silver coins for Marcus.