Reborn With A Technology System In A Fantasy World-Chapter 88: Back To Business (2)

"You never fail to amaze us, Adrian," the Director said in a voice rich with admiration.

"We’re honored to market your latest masterpieces. And I’m grateful you’ve made them affordable. This means many households across the kingdom will benefit from your ingenuity."

Adrian nodded with a calm expression. "No problem. I’ve done my part. Now it’s your turn. I don’t want the prices jacked up too high."

The Director raised a hand with a reassuring smile.

"Rest assured, while we’re a private organization, we have our dignity. We plan to sell the Heaters and Coolers for eleven gold coins each. Which is roughly the same value as you gave it to us."

On the surface, eleven gold coins seemed like there was zero profit margin, but the reality was far different.

The market didn’t dictate the true value of Magic Crystals; not for an organization like the Association.

They collected vast quantities of crystals through their taxes and exploration, a stockpile that dwarfed what most could imagine.

Paying Adrian in crystals rather than gold was no burden for them; it was a strategic choice, preserving their gold reserves while leveraging their surplus.

Adrian appreciated their restraint in not increasing the prices further. It aligned with his own goals: mass adoption, steady TP and EXP growth.

The Director gestured to a set of crates already waiting in the corner of the office.

"Your payment, as agreed."

The crates contained 1,760 2-Star Magic Crystals for the Communicators, alongside 187 1-Star Magic Crystals and a pouch of 187 gold coins for the Heaters and Coolers.

The Heaters and Coolers yielded little profit, but Adrian wasn’t chasing short-term gains. These devices were a foundation for future TP and EXP as users relied on his magic-based inventions daily. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

Activating his [Analysis] skill, Adrian scanned the crates and he determined that their quantity were. exactly as promised. Satisfied, he nodded to the Director. "I’ll bring more supplies next weekend."

The Director’s eyes lit up. "Thank you, Adrian. We’ll be waiting. I’m certain these will sell out in no time."

With the transaction complete, the Director summoned a pair of adventurers to assist. They hauled the crates outside to a waiting carriage.

Adrian followed, his mind already shifting to the next task. The carriage ride was brief, the clatter of hooves against cobblestone a familiar rhythm as they approached the Gilded Tankard, the upscale inn where he’d first met the Dukes’ delegates.

As instructed, the driver stopped at the back, away from prying eyes. The crates were offloaded in a secluded alley, and Adrian dismissed the driver with a nod.

Once alone, he ensured no one was watching. With a mental command, his [Inventory] activated and the crates vanished in a shimmer of light, absorbed into his personal storage.

He pulled a Communicator from his [Inventory], one linked to the delegates’ device, and activated it. "I’m here."

A respectful voice crackled through. "Master Adrian, welcome. We’re in the same private room as last time, the sole one on the second floor."

"Alright," Adrian replied before disconnecting.

He dusted off his attire and clasped his hands behind his back. With measured steps, he entered the Gilded Tankard.

The inn’s interior was as opulent as he remembered. Adrian ignored the curious glances, ascending the staircase with purpose. At the top, he pushed open the heavy door to the private room.

The four delegates from Varyn, Miralith, Thalren, and Borin rose immediately, their movements synchronized in a show of respect.

Adrian noted they were the same representatives from his last meeting.

"Master Adrian," one of them said, bowing slightly. "A pleasure to see you again."

Adrian inclined his head, taking a seat at the polished oak table.

A pitcher of water and several goblets sat at its center, and he activated [Analysis] to confirm the water’s purity before pouring himself a glass. He sipped slowly, his eyes scanning the delegates as they settled back into their chairs.

Borin’s representative spoke first as usual. "About the deal. The King’s offer isn’t exactly to your taste... tax exemptions, access to certain lands and military support. Though there are a wealth of resources."

Adrian set the goblet down with a neutral expression. He sensed a shift in the man’s tone.

"I’m listening."

"The Dukes have an offer we believe will interest you more. A sum of one million gold coins."

Adrian’s face remained impassive, though inwardly he calculated. One million gold was significant for sure, but it paled against the King’s offer. He tilted his head, prompting them. "And...?"

The delegates exchanged glances, a flicker of hesitation passing between them.

The one from Varyn took over.

"And a land. Not just any land. It’s a territory spanning 20,000 square miles."

Adrian’s composure nearly faltered and he sat up straighter. "What land?"

The delegates hesitated again, their eyes meeting briefly before Borin’s representative answered. "The Corrupted Lands."

Adrian’s breath caught, though he masked it with a slow exhale.

Of course, he knew of the Corrupted Lands. All the knowledge of Thanad’s history resting in his head ensured that.

The territory was one of the kingdom’s great mysteries, a cursed expanse shunned by all.

Spanning 20,000 square miles, it was a patchwork of inhospitable regions, each more treacherous than the last.

One area was locked in eternal frost, a cold so severe it could freeze a human solid in under a minute.

Another was a volcanic wasteland, its heat and toxic fumes lethal to any who lingered.

The soils were barren, refusing to yield crops, and the springs ran with acid-hot water. Worse still, pockets of the land were steeped in poisons that could kill with a single breath.

But the true anomaly, the one that baffled knights and mages alike, was the absence of mana.

Thanad’s entire world thrived on mana. It was the lifeblood of magic and cultivation. Yet the Corrupted Lands were a void, a region inexplicably devoid of this fundamental force.

In conclusion, the land was like a well crafted graveyard, a wasteland deemed worthless by all who knew it. Efforts to reclaim or purify it had failed for centuries, leaving it a symbol of futility.

Adrian’s curiosity had been piqued by the land’s mysteries. He’d even considered investigating it himself one day, drawn to the challenge of unraveling its secrets.

But now, it was being offered to him... a land the size of a kingdom.

He let the silence stretch, his gaze drifting across the delegates’ faces, each one betraying a flicker of anticipation.

He wanted them to believe he was weighing their proposal carefully, though his mind was already turning over possibilities. Finally, he spoke in a measured voice. "What value do you see I could gain from this land?"

The delegates exchanged uneasy glances before the one from Miralith spoke up.

"Uhm, a land is always valuable, especially one of that size. Having one to your name makes you a proud owner, and you’re free to do anything with it. That’s... still a grand privilege."

Adrian’s lips twitched, suppressing a smirk. "Mmm." He paused, letting the moment linger, then leaned forward slightly. "I’ll buy it. The land is mine then?"

Shock rippled across the delegates’ faces and their eyes widened in unison. They had come prepared for a fight, expecting Adrian to see through their ploy.

The Dukes, they knew, were reluctant to part with the King’s rewards, especially considering how bountiful they were. Offering the Corrupted Lands was a calculated gamble, a way to dangle something grand yet undesirable, hoping to dissuade him.

Yet here he was, accepting without hesitation. Borin’s representative blinked rapidly, while Varyn’s mouth parted slightly, as if questioning their victory.

Adrian pressed on. "When do I get the land officially?"

The delegates snapped back to composure, their surprise giving way to professionalism. Thalren’s representative spoke up.

"If you’re willing, we can travel to Varyn to finalize everything. You’d be able to see the land for yourself... if possible."

"I see." Adrian paused, then added, "I’m not free today, so how about next weekend? I’ll come to Varyn. We’ll communicate more, but expect me."

The delegates nodded eagerly. "Thank you, Master Adrian. We’ll be waiting."

Adrian stood, brushing his coat lightly. "Where’s my gold? I have something to catch up on, so I’ll be leaving now."

The delegates scrambled to their feet, apologizing in unison. "Of course, sorry!"

Borin’s representative led the way, guiding Adrian outside to a royal carriage parked discreetly near the Gilded Tankard.

The carriage, adorned with Borin’s crests was flanked by two mages in dark robes acting to safeguard it.

Inside the carriage, two heavy sacks of gold coins sat.

"We can send guards to escort you for your safety," the Miralith’s representative offered.

Adrian waved a hand dismissively. "No need. I’ll manage."

After they had all wrapped up, he carried them and stepped into the alley, ensuring no eyes followed.

The sacks were heavy, but with a mental command, they all vanished into his [Inventory].

He muttered to himself, "This place needs a bank." The thought was lodged in his mind as a project for another day.

With the gold secured and the deal struck, Adrian felt a quiet satisfaction. His business in the city was wrapped up, and now the only wise option for him was to return to the Academy and practice the technique.

He had never trained on his own since he entered the Academy, but with the exchange looming closer, Adrian planned on giving it a chance.

With one last look at the bright sky, Adrian left the alley to board a carriage.