A big deal?
Kael was slightly taken aback. Seeing Grace like this, it seemed she had come specifically for him—could it really be something major?
"What kind of big deal?" Kael grew intrigued. Normally, Grace handled most matters on her own, but this time, she had sought him out.
Grace smiled. "It's actually related to an old acquaintance of yours."
"An acquaintance?" Kael asked, puzzled.
Grace nodded. "That fatso from the Kindrick family—Kindrick the Fatty! He says he has a big deal to discuss with you, but no matter how I pressed him, he refused to elaborate. Very secretive."
That fatty from the Kindrick family?
Kael certainly remembered him. The Kindrick family was one of the top-tier merchant conglomerates in the Ancient Empire. Back when the territory of Laffey was flourishing, the Kindricks had provided significant assistance, playing a crucial role in its rapid development.
If even Grace couldn't pry any details out of Kindrick the Fatty, this must indeed be something important. With Kael's ascension to the tenth rank and the news of his annihilation of the Reynolds family spreading across the continent, countless merchant groups had been clamoring for an audience, hoping to secure some benefits from Laffey Territory.
For most of these merchant groups, Kael left the dealings to Grace, who managed them with impeccable order. Their entry into Laffey City had been mutually beneficial, steadily increasing the city's tax revenues.
However, merchant conglomerates like the Kindricks held substantial influence within the Ancient Empire's commercial circles. Meeting them was still necessary.
Grace led Kael into the lord's manor, where Kindrick the Fatty was waiting in the hall.
Sure enough, the fatty sat anxiously in the hall, his massive frame causing the chair beneath him to creak faintly—his bulk was truly extraordinary.
Behind Kindrick stood a burly middle-aged man with a long, menacing scar across his face, giving him a rather fearsome appearance. His aura was steady, marking him as a capable expert—likely around the eighth rank.
An eighth-rank fighter was considered elite among merchant groups. Those above the eighth rank rarely worked for commercial factions, as reaching such a level already made one a formidable force on the continent.
The moment Kael entered, his attention was drawn to Kindrick the Fatty and the scarred man behind him.
"Greetings, Count." Upon seeing Kael, Kindrick the Fatty hurriedly rose and bowed.
Though Kindrick himself didn't practice cultivation, he could faintly sense that Kael carried an indescribable presence unlike before. A trace of awe flickered in his heart—Was this the terrifying aura of a tenth-rank mage?
Meanwhile, the scarred man behind Kindrick the Fatty sensed a faint yet unmistakable surge of fire-elemental energy pressing down on him, sending a shiver down his spine. The strength of Laffey City's lord is truly terrifying… he thought with dread. The rumors must be true—this man single-handedly annihilated two tenth-rank experts and erased the Reynolds family from the continent…
Kael gave a slight nod. "Grace mentioned that Viscount Kindrick has business with me?"
Indeed, Kindrick the Fatty held a noble title—Viscount—which, though inferior to Kael's rank as a Count, still made him a figure of some standing in the Ancient Empire.
"Correct." Kindrick waved his hand, signaling the scarred man to withdraw. His plump face strained into an ingratiating smile as he said, "Lord Count, I've heard rumors that a vein of Aquamarine Stone has been discovered in your territory…?"
Kael's brow furrowed. News of the Aquamarine Stone deposit had been tightly sealed—how had the Kindrick family's intelligence network pierced through that?
Seeing Kael's reaction, Kindrick hurried to explain, "Please don't misunderstand, Lord Count! I only stumbled upon this information by chance and wasn't entirely certain. I even double-checked with Princess Grace just now…"
Kael shrugged, neither confirming nor denying. Merchant conglomerates and their spies really do leave no stone unturned. Not that he had ever expected to keep this a complete secret. After all, mining an Aquamarine Stone vein would inevitably create a stir—there was no hiding it.
"It's true," Kael admitted. "What of it?"
Only when Kael's expression eased did Kindrick the Fatty let out a relieved breath, swallowing hard. The Kael before him was no longer the same man as before—a tenth-rank mage and a territorial lord, a combination scarcely seen across the continent. And to top it off, he was still so young!
Kindrick chuckled nervously. "Lord Count, I wish to secure the mining rights for this Aquamarine Stone vein."
"Oh?" Kael's eyebrow arched. Conservative estimates placed the profit from the Aquamarine Stone deposit at no less than five million gold coins. Kael had initially planned to mine it himself, but after plundering the Reynolds family's wealth, he'd temporarily set the idea aside.
However, he had no intention of handing over the mining rights to any of the major merchant conglomerates.
A large Aquamarine Stone vein like this was highly likely to contain rare companion gems. If even one or two such gems were found, their value alone could dwarf the profits from the ore itself.
Seemingly reading Kael's thoughts, Kindrick grinned and said, "Rest assured, my lord. If you entrust the mining to our Kindrick family, any companion gems discovered will remain yours. Moreover, we'll only take a thirty percent cut of the profits."
Kael was taken aback. Thirty percent—and no claim on the companion gems? This was practically charity! Under such terms, the Kindrick family would barely profit from mining the Aquamarine Stone vein.
This is completely unlike the bloodsucking tendencies of merchant conglomerates!
Noticing Kael's visible surprise and interest, Kindrick's heart swelled with delight. Seizing the moment, he pressed further, "If you agree, my lord, our Kindrick family has prepared a small gift as well."
As he spoke, Kindrick produced a spatial ring he had prepared in advance. Opening it, a metallic gleam spilled out, revealing stacks of crimson-hued metal.
The metal was a fiery red, dense and unyielding, shimmering with a unique luster.
"Solarite!" Kael exclaimed in astonishment.
Kindrick chuckled shrewdly. "Indeed. We heard that you've been searching for Solarite, Lord Count. Our family went to great lengths to procure some from across the continent. We hope it meets your expectations."
There was a considerable amount of Solarite before him. Kael quickly estimated that this batch was more than double what he had acquired last time—enough to craft dozens of magitech devices. In other words, with this Solarite, Laffey Territory could soon boast dozens more mana cannons!
If Ethan found out about this, he'd be over the moon.
Kael's interest was piqued. The Kindricks have truly gone all out—to secure such a quantity of Solarite… Their intentions were now crystal clear.
Kael had already begun to understand the Kindrick family's motives.
They had undoubtedly recognized Laffey Territory's meteoric rise and sought to lend a hand at this critical juncture—not for gold, but for something far more valuable. After all, Laffey's dominance was inevitable. By aiding it now, what they stood to gain was Kael's friendship.
The Kindrick family's calculations were indeed shrewd—befitting a top-tier merchant conglomerate on the continent. Kael's influence underwent earth-shaking transformations at an alarming pace, and his annihilation of the Reynolds family had only further cemented his fearsome reputation.
A tenth-rank mage at such a young age? Given time, he would undoubtedly become a dominant force across the land.
Thus, this could be considered the Kindrick family's… investment.
Kindrick the Fatty watched Kael with a knowing smile.
Kael nodded. "Since the Kindrick family is so generous, I'll remember this favor. My thanks, Viscount Kindrick." With such an advantageous offer practically handed to him on a silver platter, refusing would have been absurd.
Besides, this was a mutually beneficial arrangement.
"Lord Count, your decisiveness is commendable! Then let our collaboration begin!" Kindrick's grin widened until his eyes nearly disappeared into the folds of his face.
Kael smiled. "Now that the matter is settled, I'll have a formal proposal drafted and sent to you shortly. For any further details, you may coordinate with Grace."
Kindrick nodded cheerfully. With this major deal secured, the Kindricks had effectively tied themselves to Laffey City's rising fortunes. Once the city soared to new heights, the family would undoubtedly reap substantial rewards.
At present, the Kindricks might appear to be making little profit—but in the long run, the scales would tip dramatically in their favor.
"A shrewd merchant indeed," Kael mused privately, reassessing the portly viscount.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Kindrick the Fatty finally took his leave.
No sooner had he departed than Kael relayed the news about the Solarite to Ethan. The moment he heard, the artificer burst out of his magic tower in a frenzy. Upon seeing the gleaming red metal, he erupted into laughter:
"Perfect! With this batch of Solarite, I estimate we can forge around forty mana cannons!"