Closed Deal

"You want to earn coins?"

Hearing the question raised by the Count, Gerard was quite shocked. He didn't expect the result to be so soon. Nonetheless, he cannot help but grin inwardly.

Got you!

Gerard quickly goes to action, his prepared rehearsal is going to be tested today.

"I presumed that the orange cocktail is to My Lord's liking?"

Count Alvis nodded "I am a just noble. Tell me how much it will cost me to buy the right of this orange cocktail."

Gerard snorted inwardly. This guy is too fast and quite a businessman. He wants to buy the right this instant so he can publicly sell this orange cocktail in the market. But at least, this Count is not using his noble bloodline and taking an advantage of him. He had to give him that.

The question is, for how much?

"My Lord, this humble servant only knows a little regarding this business transaction. Please forgive me if I have to consult my Master first?"

"You mean Mel? It's okay. Bring him here so we can seal the deal."

In an instant, Gerard leaves the office and brings Mel along.

The Master and the Apprentice are now seating facing the Count with a circular low table between them.

The glass is now half emptied. Although Count Alvis wants to drink it at once, he waited for Mel and Payne to come up with a term with him to seal the deal.

"Mel, I have to give you that. You found a genius apprentice." Count Alvis praises Mel and glances at Payne. "It is rare to meet such a talented young man like him."

"Thank you Count, but talented as he is, he still needs to learn more about the world that was why he boldly asked you if it is okay for him to be part of the mission. With that, we are grateful! Thank you once again!" Mel then bows his head followed by Gerard.

As a master of Payne, Mel finds it natural for him to thank the Count for giving an opportunity to Payne. Besides, this time, his name is also brought forth by Payne. So he has no choice but to act as a middleman for Payne and Count Alvis. And denying the summon of the Count is out the option. As much as he does not want to stand out, denying the Count will jeopardize his and his daughter's way of living in this secluded West Town. And that is the last thing he didn't want to happen.

"I'm a busy person. So let's make it quick. I want to buy not only the rights to this cocktail but also the list of ingredients, the preparations, and the process of making this. I will give you 250 gold coins as an upfront payment right now if you agree. And if it hits the masses and market which it will surely do, another 250 gold coins will be given to you."

Gerard and Mel were perplexed. Did they hear it right? 250 gold coins as an upfront payment and another 250 gold coins if it becomes popular in the market! Does this amount to 500 gold coins and just for a single juice cocktail?!

But considering that this is the first time this kind of alcoholic beverage appeared in this world, the Count will surely earn a massive fortune introducing it to the market. Mostly the noble society. And once this cocktail spread, the Count may start importing this cocktail to neighboring kingdom and nations.

Mel glance at Payne who is still shocked to hear the price of his cocktail!

"I just want to confirm something, does the name of my apprentice will be registered as the creator of this alcohol beverage or not?"

Count Alvis paused for a good ten seconds before giving his response.

"It's up to you. But considering the impact this creation will give on the masses, I suggest let's hide the name for the time being."

The Count is practically right. This newly created alcoholic beverage has a large impact, not only on the masses but on the market as well. Mostly the brewer company.

They will certainly pull a large amount of money from their treasury just to learn the person behind this newly created alcoholic beverage. And if they learned it is just a simple free citizen, they will use any means necessary to get everything behind this cocktail.

So for the sake of Payne's safety. It is better to heed the Count's advice. As a Count, he has a massive influence in the Edo Kingdom and can block any information from spreading.

Mel gazes at Payne and asks him seriously. "Since this product is yours, are you willing to sell it to Count Alvis and agreed not to disclose your name as the creator of this cocktail for your safekeeping?"

Hearing their serious tone of Mel, Gerard wakes up from a dazed state and looks at the former.

500 gold coins. That's 500 gold coins for a single cocktail. Although the amounts make him feel acrophobia, he needs to weigh the pros and cons.

If he sells everything right now, he will lose a potential business in the future. But if he didn't sell this to Count Alvis, he would not only lose the opportunity to learn more about the secret of the secret land but also put his life and secrets in jeopardy.

Count Alvis is a rational man. He knows it. He knows everything about this NPC. Count Alvis's massive influence and his Network Intelligence run deep into the underground society, blocking and altering the confidential information going and from leaving the Edo Kingdom.

His Network Intelligence also surpasses the Royal Families in some aspects.

He might be sounded like a villain, but he is doing this for the sake of his country. He might favor the current ruler of his country but his care for the country weighs more.

But that was the last information he have before he was removed from the team because of his health condition. If the developer team changes some in the storyline which they actually did, then dealing with Count Alvis is a big gamble.

But then again, how can he survive in this game as Special NPC if he didn't move forward and take risks?

Gerard took a deep breath. "I agreed to Count Alvis's advice and heed it. And will sell the alcoholic beverage right now."

"You know, there's no going back once you sign a document? I will be frank, this alcoholic beverage of yours has so much potential and can make you a wealthy person in the near future. If you can wait a little longer and save for your security, you can get by and avoid any potential danger lurking and waiting to pounce on you."

Gerard gritted his teeth. I know that but the secret land takes over precedence over anything else.

Since I have blacksmith and chef as subclasses, I can still create a business potential in the near future. But first, I need to build and find that secret place that can shelter me with elite NPCs. If only I can grow strong like the rest of the players, I will not sell this to Count Alvis.

Mel saw gritted his teeth and sighed in the end.

"I understand."

Mel saw his unwavering gaze from Payne and nodded his head.

"My Lord. This apprentice of mine, Payne Blanc agreed with the condition you laid on us."

Count Alvis smiles upon hearing it. "Very well then, I will draft the agreement so both parties can sign."

The Count stood up and head to his desk and write official documents. After writing and reading it, he nodded his head and put his family insignia in the document as his sign. It will also serve that this agreement is created in good faith.

Count Alvis then took his previous sit and pass the document to Mel.

The latter carefully read the conditions laid upon twice before signing it as a witness of this business transaction.

After signing the document, he handed it over to Payne.

Gerard, read the document and was satisfied.

The content of the document is your usual safe agreement for business transactions.

After signing the contract, he then handed it over to the Count. The latter read the documents again and was satisfied to see the three signatures on the lower part of the document, proving that the deal has been closed and both parties should abide by the conditions, hence in good faith.

He then stood up again and this time, he open one of the drawers of his desk and brought out a bigger cloth bag, and handed it over to Payne.

Gerard took the cloth bag with his hands shaking because of nervousness.

This proved, officially, that he, Gerard is the successful multi-millionaire in the Kingdom. If only he is considered a player and can use the exchange currency system. For sure, his face is all over the world, with the headlines of the first-ever person who earns millions in the game called Kingdom.

But that is just his wishful thinking, after all, he is considered dead in the real world. He is now a wandering consciousness inside the game.

But what's the difference between the real world and the game? He achieve a staggering 95% actual synchronization rate compared to the player that only reached 90%!

He can taste the food the same as when he is still alive, unlike the players that have a bland taste to every food and drink inside the game.

He can feel his five senses working and not giving him any hindsight.

And the most exhilarating of all is that he can witness Players and NPCs casting magic spells and performing martial arts that he had only seen on TV when he was young. What's more, different species exist here. Although this world is full of danger and was prophesied to be destroyed if the heroes or players failed to kill the villain, it is still exciting. After all, this is his second chance, his second life, nonetheless.

So he decided to live his life to the fullest and make the best out of it!

And the first step is this. Sealing the contract and trying to find out more about the secret land through that one-piece document laid on the Count's desk.

He then heard Count Alvis congratulating him and extending his hand to Payne.

Gerard was quite shocked.

This noble wants to exchange a handshake with a lowly citizen like himself.

If he remembers correctly, all the nobles in this world do not shake hands with an average citizen. Their lowest standard is the wealthy merchant, they can still stomach exchanging a handshake with them.

So when he saw Count Alvis extending his hand to him, he was perplexed.

On the other hand, Mel is not shocked. He knew this noble well. Since he was a child, he heard a lot of praise directly from Count Alvis Arman.

The Arman family is the only noble family that interacts directly with average citizens. He cannot help but admire this deed of the Arman family.

Seeing the dazed Payne still not extending his hands, Mel coughed twice which woke up the latter. It is not okay to have the noble wait for an average citizen like himself.

Gerard quickly extends his hand and reciprocates the Count's gesture.

The Count nodded his head and extend his hand to Mel as well which the latter answered respectfully.

"Well, then. I am going back to my work. Please make more delicious food for us."

Then Count Alvis stood up and brought himself to his desk and pick up the same document he kept reading and reading.

Mel and Payne followed suit, bow their head with respect to the Count and leave the office with mixed emotions.

Noticing that the two leave the office, Count Alvis heaves a sigh of relief.

"I should keep my eyes on another potential genius."

He then called to his Captain standing outside the door.

"My Lord, do you have another order?"

"Yes, keep an eye on Mel and Payne Blanc. Report everything regarding that young man. But of course, the plan regarding Rook take over precedence over anything else."

The Captain bows his head as acknowledgment and quickly leaves the office.

"Now, let's read you again."

Count Alvis take out a blank paper and dip his quill in the ink and started writing as he read the same document over and over again.