[Days Left: 6 months (177 days)].
Three days had passed since the night Marcus faced the Devilish Mutant.
Two days ago, he had asked Bradley to start recruiting Agardians to work on the construction project.
Not only that, but he instructed the man to also recruit women who were good at sewing.
In total, about 570 men and women had been given jobs.
Bradley initially protested, arguing that they didn't have the funds to start this, but Marcus didn't care.
Or rather, he wasn't all too worried about money as long as he had inventions to sell, the money would come
…
Marcus bent over, huffing as he tried to maintain his breath. Sweat rolled down from his forehead to his lips only to be blown off by a strong exhale.
It was less than an hour before dawn and he had just finished working out.
He felt good.
Even better than how he felt before.
Since yesterday, Marcus could tell that he had gotten stronger. His muscles had healed and the sores were gone.
He could run faster, jump higher, and even his senses seemed to have been enhanced as he could also hear and see further.
This change came as a pleasant surprise.
It further solidified his previous notion of increasing his proficiency in his current level of magic before upgrading to the next.
This growth encouraged him greatly.
Ding!
The sound of weapons clashing rang in the training grounds.
Turning to look at where the sound came from, Marcus saw his guards also training.
They had been this way since that night, training like they were still apprentices.
Especially those who had the chance to fight the devilish mutant, their training seemed more intense.
Their training carried a quiet desperation, as though they were trying to ensure that if they came across the devilish mutant again, they wouldn't be so helpless against it again.
As for Caleb and Chase, they were absent.
Today was their turn to supervise and coordinate breakfast by the estate's gates.
Lesley still hadn't returned, though he was expected to, today.
After their morning training, everyone had their breakfast and Marcus spoke to them about wanting to recruit apprentices.
He made them understand that he needed to build his own personal army.
The knights nodded, agreeing that it was a good move to make. There were things they couldn't achieve due to their limited numbers.
After their discussions, everyone went about their day.
By the time it was 9 in the morning, an unexpected guest arrived at Marcus's estate.
"Sir, the Avanti Merchant House representatives are seeking an audience with you," Bradley reported.
Marcus arched a brow, "So soon? Was there a problem in the blueprints or have they returned to try and get their hands on the blueprints for the irrigation pump?"
He had initially thought that they wouldn't return until after they had launched the products they got from him and seen how profitable it was.
Marcus was already expecting a long game from them, however, they had returned so soon.
"Let's go see what they want." He smiled and left his office with Bradley.
…
"Lord Governor!" Three men stood on their feet and bowed.
"If it isn't the Avanti Merchant House young master, Butler Joules…" Marcus paused as he looked at the third man.
This was someone that he didn't recognize, however, this man bore some resemblance to Amsun.
He looked mature, like a man in his mid-thirties, with a charisma that could draw gazes.
"And a gentleman I don't recognize," Marcus added.
"I am Hampo, Amsun's uncle." He introduced himself with a bow. "It's a pleasure to meet the young lord of Agard."
Marcus promptly walked to a sofa and sat down. "To what do I owe this uninformed visit?" He wasn't in the mood to beat around the bushes.
"Lord Viscount, Grandpa Joules informed the family of another interesting invention of yours that he saw when he came to deliver the payment for the previous agreement. Something called the irrigation pump." Amsun started, speaking as though he and Marcus were on very good terms.
"So I heard, what about it?" Marcus replied boorishly. Almost as if he wasn't interested in having a conversation about this.
Amsun became nervous because of this.
Grandpa Joules was right. This young lord holds grudges. This might be tricky. The young thought.
As for Hampo, he was more experienced, he could tell that Marcus was faking his disinterest.
But rather, he was fishing for something.
"Lord Governor, Joules spoke about this irrigation pump as though it was something… great." Hampo chipped in.
The last time that Amsun was, his family felt like he didn't negotiate well, even after Joules had reported that it was Marcus who didn't give much space for negotiation.
"Is it? It's just an invention I came up with when I was bored." Marcus uttered lightly, waving a hand as he spoke.
This sort of attitude, Bradley could recognize it.
Lord Marcus, you're thinking of taking a chunk out of them, aren't you?
Bradley almost couldn't hide his smile.
"I see, the young lord is as talented as the rumors say," Hampo chuckled. "We want to know if the blueprints for the irrigation pumps are for sale."
He finally revealed their true intentions.
Marcus didn't immediately answer, causing the room to fall into silence. Making these guests nervous.
"It is up for sale," Folding his arms over his chest, Marcus leaned forward a bit, "But why should I sell it to you?"
"..."
Hampo was caught off guard by that question.
If you don't sell it to us, do you dare sell it to the other Merchant Houses in Agard?
The Avanti Merchant House was very clear on the reason why Marcus contacted them in the first place.
They were well aware of the political elephants in the room, so to speak.
Marcus didn't have many options to sell to, even outside of Agard.
So for now, the Avanti Merchant House didn't have competitors in this regard.
"Milord, we are willing to purchase–" Amsun started, but Marcus interrupted him.
"Just because you're willing to purchase it doesn't mean you're qualified to buy it. Can anyone just buy it because they can? If my father's enemies want to buy my creations, should I just sell them to them?" Marcus retorted.
It was at this point that Joules noticed something unsettling.
This young lord hadn't smiled since their arrival.
"But we we're not enemies of the late Sirdi." Amsun quickly jabbed back.
"Why don't you go and meet the King and tell him that you want to buy his exclusive military weapons, huh? Find out if you're qualified."
Marcus's remark made them speechless.
Hampo didn't expect today's conversation to go this way. This young lord was totally different from what Joules and Amsun described to the family.
He began reevaluating Marcus in his mind.
"What can we do to qualify?" Hampo asked directly.
There was no point in trying to win in a battle of words, Marcus wouldn't give in.
After all, they were the ones who came uninvited, unlike the first contact they made.
"Didn't I mention this the last time we spoke?" Marcus turned to look at Amsun with a questioning brow, as if it was obvious.
"Y-you did?" Amsun stuttered.
"Milord, are you referring to the seat you offered us?"
Marcus nodded. "As I had said, that seat would give you incentives, one of which is the qualifications to request to purchase my inventions."
Now, everyone realized why Marcus was so different from the first time they met.
Either he was being petty, or he truly meant it.
Though they bordered around the middle, Marcus's serious gaze made them lean towards the latter.
"So if we pay the seventy-five thousand silver coins, we'll have the qualifications to purchase the irrigation pump blueprints?" Hampo asked.
If it's just that amount, then we can do it.
"Seventy-five thousand? Who says that's the price?" Marcus scoffed.
"I thought–"
"You thought wrong. The price was made up by your merchant house, not me. When I made the offer, I was extending a kind hand of friendship. But it was rejected."
Hampo gulped silently.
Marcus was right, that price was conjured by his family.
"How much do we have to pay for this seat, now?" Hampo asked slowly.
"Two thousand… gold coins."
If a pin dropped at this point, its fall would echo in the room.
Two thousand gold coins!
All three men felt their palms sweat as their eyes widened in shock.
Who in the hell would pay that much for the concept of a so-called seat Marcus spoke about!?
Even Bradley almost lost his balance.
That amount was pure daylight robbery.
"Milord, that amount…it's too much," Amsun spoke after taking a deep breath.
It seems like we won't be getting what we can't have here for. He thought.
"Well, you should have thought of that last time."
"Isn't there any other way?" Amsun asked sincerely.
This young lord was an opportunist. Give an inch and he shoots for a mile.
Seeing the man's sincerity, Marcus became curious.
"The blueprints I sold to your merchant house last time should be enough for you guys to earn a lot, why are you in a rush to acquire more?" Marcus asked.
"Isn't it the way of a merchant to be one step ahead of the market's trend?" Amsun scratched his head.
"Yes, but you guys look almost desperate. For you to offer to pay the seventy-five thousand you so stingily withheld so easily, that shows that there are other motives."
Marcus had struck the nail on the head.
Amsun's fingers unconsciously began tapping his leg.
Out of the two he came with, only he failed to hide his shock this time.
"Could it be that my irrigation pump has given you guys an idea and you wish to explore it?"
Once again, Marcus hit the mark.
This young lord's mind is scary. Hampo thought. A Sirdi is truly not to be underestimated.
Their silence was all the answers Marcus needed.
He was about to send them on their way when an idea came to his mind.
Is it possible for me to reap greater achievement points if they can use the blueprints of the pumps to make something else? It doesn't have to be people I hire that does it, right? To be safe, let's play this differently.
Immediately he thought of this, a smile appeared on his face.
"Fine." Marcus chuckled. "As a man who loves innovations, I am quite curious to see what your merchant house would produce with my blueprints."
This change of attitude, once again, caught these guests off guard.
"You're willing to sell it to us?" Hampo uttered with uncertainty.
"Sure."
Does the young lord have a personality disorder?
"But with some twists. Rather than saying that I will be selling it to you, I will license the blueprints to you. Whatever you create using my blueprints as the foundation, I will receive 20% of the total profits.
"Also, you will have to purchase this license for 1,200 gold coins. Do not even attempt to negotiate these terms and prices. Any attempt to reduce what I have just offered will send you out of my mansion." Marcus threatened.
"Is the seat offer included in this?" Amsun asked. He felt that if they didn't get past this seat issue, things would be even more difficult for them when it came to Marcus in the future.
"No, the price of that remains as I stated and will only get more expensive in the future."
Amsun sighed. Young Viscount, my father, and the elders still don't see the use of this seat you're offering. Even if we narrate what has happened today, they wouldn't consider it.
Amsun shook his head.
The family simply didn't believe that Marcus could invent so many novelties, hence their attitude.
These guests left the mansion to discuss what to do, promising that they would return with a response by the end of the day or tomorrow morning…