CHAPTER 56: Forget it if you don’t want to (3)

The tower lord and the five elders hurried down to meet Ghislain. Normally, they would have kept their pride and not budged, but circumstances were pressing.

However, once Hubert reached the lobby, he concealed his urgency, approaching Ghislain leisurely. Even now, he wanted to maintain his last bit of dignity.

The tower lord held his head high and addressed Ghislain.

"Are you the one here to sell Rune Stones? I am Hubert, the lord of the Scarlet Flame Magic Tower, a sixth-circle mage."

In any country, a mage of the sixth circle would be treated with the rank of a count or even higher—a noble of considerable influence. And being the tower lord of the Scarlet Flame Magic Tower made his status all the more impressive.

Ghislain accepted the haughty tone naturally.

"It's an honor to meet you. My name is Ghislain Perdium. I'm here to sell Rune Stones."

"Hmph, I see. Then…"

As Hubert continued speaking, he glanced at Ghislain's companions and abruptly closed his mouth.

'…Who are these people? Bandits? Here to scam us?'

Hubert knew of a poor northern estate named Perdium, but Ghislain's group looked nothing like a noble entourage. The people surrounding him looked rough and vicious, more like bandits than anything else.

'Is he really a noble? What on earth is with these people?'

One particularly tall, red-haired man stood with a cocky smirk, staring insolently at Hubert.

'…Is he looking for a fight?'

Having never encountered such blatant disrespect, Hubert turned his gaze, unsettled. One man, with graying hair, seemed somewhat respectable, but the rest were crude, both in appearance and demeanor.

Such uncouth individuals had never before set foot in the history of the Scarlet Flame Magic Tower.

Hubert examined Ghislain again. At least his face was clean-cut and intelligent; he seemed the most decent of the group. Still, his ragged clothes and association with such crude individuals didn't fit the image of an estate heir.

Hubert whispered to the elder beside him.

"Are there any new bandit groups in the area?"

"I don't believe so… Not in this vicinity."

"Right? We eliminated them all, didn't we?"

"Yes, we cleaned them all up."

The tower lord frowned slightly.

'Then who on earth are these people? Are they really from Perdium?'

With a reluctant expression, Hubert resumed.

"Ahem, so you're the heir of Perdium? But your companions' attire… Is this how soldiers in Perdium dress? Is this the trend in your region?"

"No, they're mercenaries who accompany me."

"Ah… not bandits, but mercenaries?"

Hubert finally nodded in understanding.

In poor estates with few soldiers, lords often temporarily hired mercenaries when traveling.

"Well, in any case, it was wise of you to come here rather than to the Crimson Magic Tower."

While he offered a cordial greeting outwardly, Hubert held back irritation. In the past, the tower lord wouldn't have come down personally for a mere transaction or shown his face to a merchant. After all, it was beneath the tower lord of the north's most prestigious tower to haggle like a common merchant.

'I'll make sure they pay a hefty price for having me come in person.'

With a smug expression, Hubert said, "First… let's confirm how much you brought."

He gave the Rune Stones piled on the carts a quick glance, muttering dismissively.

"Not as much as I expected. I came thinking it would be substantial. What a waste of my time."

In reality, it was an impressive amount, enough to make his heart pound.

The elders almost cheered, but seeing Hubert, they quickly composed their expressions.

"Ahem, yes, not as much as I'd hoped. And the quality doesn't look exceptional…"

"Still, given their effort to come all this way, perhaps we should buy the lot?"

"Yes, indeed. Where else could a young man like him sell these? Hmm."

"Right, otherwise, he might end up scammed somewhere else. The world is a dangerous place. Ha ha ha."

The elders exchanged remarks, and the mercenaries snickered in response.

Kaor turned his head and muttered quietly.

"They're terrible at acting."

The mages, including Hubert, had flushed faces, nostrils flaring with excitement. One elder, clutching his chest, seemed so overwhelmed he was panting heavily.

It was almost absurd how obvious their bluffing was to the mercenaries, who had seen it all.

Yet, Hubert, trying to cool his flushed face, continued, "Let's discuss this in more detail. Follow me."

Ghislain, Belinda, and Gillian followed the mages onto a magic circle. Kaor, following at the end, turned to the mercenaries and called out.

"Hey, keep your eyes peeled. If even one of those is missing, I'll crack the head of the one who took it and the one who let it go."

The mages scowled at his crude language, but the mercenaries just nodded as if it were only natural.

Once Kaor stepped onto the circle, the magic circle flashed, transporting them to the top floor of the tower.

Even the maintenance of this magic circle required Rune Stones, a testament to their many uses.

Ghislain followed the mages with a quiet smile.

'It's no wonder they're this excited. Especially them.'

Among the records Ghislain had come across in his previous life were documents about the Scarlet Flame Magic Tower.

The Scarlet Flame Magic Tower had never surpassed second place in the north, always trailing the Crimson Magic Tower.

Over time, its influence diminished, and the tower lord eventually succumbed to illness caused by stress.

A mage who prided himself on rationality had died from a stress-induced illness.

Although they hadn't reached that point yet, things were still far from good, and they'd only get worse.

'If I had come a little later, it might've been better.'

Had he come later, the tower lord might have not only knelt before him but prostrated himself entirely.

But Ghislain was pressed for time and couldn't delay any longer.

'Still, they'll have to be prepared to give up their last scrap of dignity.'

The room they arrived in was as lavish as the reception room, with opulent chairs and tables already set with refreshments.

With a calm expression, Ghislain took a seat. The other three stood behind him.

Hubert and the five elders lined up across from him.

"Let me introduce you to the elders of our tower. All of them are fifth-circle mages, core figures in leading the Scarlet Flame Magic Tower."

As Hubert finished, the elders wore smug expressions and introduced themselves, as if to say, "You know who we are, don't you?" But Ghislain showed no interest.

"I see. I look forward to working with you."

His confident attitude made the elders' faces tighten slightly.

Usually, young nobles bowed and fawned when meeting them, but Ghislain showed no such inclination.

One of the elders sneered and asked, "Isn't Perdium a poor estate in the north? How did you acquire Rune Stones there? Don't you struggle to even eat?"

At the condescending remark, Belinda scowled, but Ghislain merely smiled.

"I was fortunate. Anyway, all of you being fifth-circle mages is impressive."

Most lords contracted fourth-circle mages.

A tower with five fifth-circle mages was undoubtedly powerful.

Hubert and the elders' faces filled with pride, but as Ghislain continued, their expressions soured.

"No wonder people call you the second-best in the north. Haha."

'This insolent brat.'

Hubert ground his teeth at the jab to his pride.

But Ghislain, smiling innocently, feigned ignorance.

There was no point in arguing, as it would only diminish the tower's prestige. Hubert took a deep breath to calm his seething anger.

"Hmph, you must not know, being from another estate. That's just a rumor. We are still the best tower in the north."

"Oh, really? Well, if you say so."

Behind him, Kaor stifled laughter, and Belinda covered her mouth, her eyes narrowing with amusement.

Only Gillian remained impassive, standing stoically.

Hubert and the elders glared at the two rude attendants.

But Kaor and Belinda only shrugged, as if daring them to do something.

'Such uncultured ruffians.'

The mages scowled, seeing the mercenaries as poor, unrefined fools with no sense of decorum.

Though their insides burned with frustration, arguing with these lowlifes wouldn't be worthwhile.

"Enough useless talk. Let's get down to business. How much are you looking to sell for? Keep in mind, I hate being overcharged. It's insulting, you know? You must've heard how fearsome I am."

Hubert tried to intimidate Ghislain, hoping to gain the upper hand.

He intended to buy all of Ghislain's Rune Stones, no matter what.

If they couldn't secure Rune Stones soon, they would never surpass the Crimson Magic Tower.

'I must acquire them all. I won't let a single one go to the Crimson Magic Tower.'

With that many Rune Stones, he could create magic tools for profit and raise the skill level of the mages in the tower.

'All of those Rune Stones are ours.'

Watching the mages' eyes, blazing with greed, Ghislain smirked.

"I'll need double the market price."

"What?"

Hubert's face twisted. Despite saying he hated overcharging, Ghislain had brazenly demanded an exorbitant price.

"Young noble, you clearly know little of the world. I just said I despise overcharging. Are you mocking me?"

As Hubert growled, the other elders joined in angrily.

"Do you even know where you are?"

"Is Perdium looking down on the Scarlet Flame Magic Tower?"

Ignoring their scowls, Ghislain responded nonchalantly.

"Two and a half times."

The mages stared at him in shock before shouting furiously.

"You insolent wretch! Do you think such cheap tricks will work?"

"This is absurd…!"

"Do you truly wish to see this through to the end?"

The mages raised their hands, teeth clenched, but Ghislain merely glanced at them and spoke again.

"Three times."

The mages fell silent, sensing that saying anything would prompt Ghislain to raise the price again.

Hubert and the elders glared at Ghislain with fierce eyes, unable to speak for a long while.

Ghislain's three companions were equally taken aback.

As precious as Rune Stones were, who would pay triple the price?

They could just go to a merchant guild and buy them.

Having traveled here with the intent to sell, Ghislain's behavior seemed baffling, as if he wasn't serious about making a sale.

Belinda looked at Ghislain with concern.

'Is this another of the young master's whims? Maybe he's irritated by the mages' arrogance.'

She glanced at Gillian and Kaor. Neither seemed inclined to stop Ghislain.

She muttered to herself, looking at the stone-faced Gillian and Kaor, who was grinning mischievously.

'I'm the only one who truly cares about the young master!'

Oblivious to Belinda's worry, Ghislain waited a moment before silently rising from his seat.

Hubert looked at him with wide eyes.

"Why are you getting up…?"

"It seems you're not interested in a deal. I'll be off to the Crimson Magic Tower then. I hear they're doing well and pay handsomely for Rune Stones these days."

With that, Ghislain began striding toward the door.

Hubert, his face pale, hurried to grab him.

"Hey, young man, why such a hasty temper? I said I hate overcharges, not that I wouldn't pay them."

Hubert quickly blocked the door.

Ghislain narrowed his eyes and nodded.

"Well, if that's the case, let's continue our discussion."

He sat back down with a graceful smile.

Hubert's face turned somber, and the elders grew visibly anxious, fidgeting in their seats.

Unaware of the Scarlet Flame Magic Tower's dire situation, Belinda couldn't understand why they were yielding to Ghislain.

'Why are these old men doing whatever the young master says? Are they all senile?'

In the room, Ghislain's voice, brimming with confidence, echoed.

"So, will you be buying them all at triple the price?"

[T/L: Please support me and read extra chapters here: https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]