NOVGO.NET Chapter 1215: Business Empire
Chapter 1215: Business Empire
“Shoot!” Neyeid shouted as the people launched the ball into the sky.
The ball then produced a blast of wind that opened up the sky. The process was simple, and no summoner was involved.
“This is…” The Count gasped. Next to him was a muscular man with a thick beard. With a long scar running from one side of his face to the other, he looked like someone who had just retired from the battlefield.
He crossed his arms with a stern face, staring at the open sky while measuring something in his mind.
This person was none other than the Duke of the East, the duke that guarded the border of the empire and the dynasty, Duke Christian.
After examining the sky, the duke asked, “So, this is the cloud-repelling device?”
“Yes, my lord.” Neyeid bowed politely. “Thanks to my talented subordinate, we have managed to smuggle the device into the empire. I believe with this device, the food problem within the empire can be solved.”
“My lord.” The Count came to him with an unsure expression. This was an opportunity. If they could take advantage of it, their standing within the empire would increase drastically.
At the same time, part of him had become a bit greedy. If they could take this device from Neyeid’s hand, he would gain everything.
The duke, on the other hand, examined Neyeid’s expression before his eyes shifted to Revon, the man who guarded him.
The duke asked, “How much for the device?”
“If you would like, I am willing to part with a single device for 18 million.” Neyeid smiled. 1 Dynasty Zel is 1.2 Empire Zel. Nathan’s original price was 10 million per device. If converted to the empire’s currency, it was equal to 12 million per device.
Of course, there was a price for smuggling and other things, so asking for 18 million wasn’t too much. But Neyeid made it here, so even accounting for the cost, it wouldn’t be more than 5 million Zel. It meant he would get at least a 13 million profit for every device.
Fortunately, the nobles must be thinking about fifty million. That was the original number that Marquis Lindwurm thought.
They never expected it would be this cheap. Of course, they would definitely love to buy the device. And they might even want to be prioritized or become the main distributor.
“18 million? Are you robbing us?” The Count raised his voice, as if Neyeid was demanding an unreasonable price.
Of course, Neyeid wasn’t scared of him. In the worst-case scenario, they could simply negotiate with other nobles, who would definitely love to agree to this price.
Neyeid simply said, “Too much? The biggest cost for this device is the price of the device. For maintenance and continuous usage, you don’t need more than a million a month. So, how could it be a robbery?
“Count Klein. I have heard from your summoner that you need 40 million a month to open the sky, and that’s just one summoner.” Neyeid squinted his eyes. “I wonder if my price is too much for you?”
Count Klein gritted his teeth. “How dare you talk to a noble like me that way?”
Neyeid smiled. “Treat people the way you want to be treated. That’s how I have lived the whole time. I am still polite to you, Count Klein.”
“You…”
Suddenly, the duke raised his hand, stopping Klein from doing anything stupid. “I have seen the device. How many devices can you smuggle to the empire?”
“That depends on your sincerity.”
“…” Duke Christian furrowed his eyebrows before asking, “What is your demand?”
“My demand is simple. I have heard that the duke of the empire can give a rank to a commoner.”
“You want to be a noble?”
Neyeid smiled. “I am. However, I’m aware of my inability to be a governor.”
“!!!” Duke Christian figured out what he wanted. Klein gasped. “You want to be a retainer of Duke Christian?”
“I see. It looks like you are a man with great ambition.” Duke Christian knew what it meant to give a certain rank to a retainer. It would be similar to a knighthood, but with a much broader use.
Unlike a knight, Neyeid didn’t have to be following the duke. He would most likely remain a merchant.
However, he would receive a lot of passages as a merchant with this rank. Neyeid must want to climb to the top by accessing this rank.
Neyeid had studied the structure of the empire, so he knew which one would allow him to access the nobles and even take advantage of them without getting bound by them.
“Of course, I suggest you not take what is mine. Even if you want to recreate it, it’s impossible.” Neyeid gave a warning.
“Did you know that your warning earlier allowed me to execute you?” Duke Christian’s voice turned cold.
“That will be a tragedy, which I’m sure the duke doesn’t want to experience.”
“I can give you the rank. However, remember that the moment you misuse that rank, I will be using the entire force of my dukedom to hunt you down.”
“It will be a pleasure to work with you.” Neyeid remained calm, as if he weren’t fazed by the threat.
“I want to be the main distributor of this device.”
“Of course.” Neyeid nodded. Since he mentioned smuggling, it would be better if the duke took the credit. This way, the blame would fall on him.
“One more thing. I want you to smuggle 4,000 of this device… for now.”
Neyeid thought for a moment before nodding his head. “I can arrange it. However, even the creation is a lengthy process, so I cannot give you everything right away. At best, I can bring you 500 devices every month.”
“It’s too low. Bring me 2,000 devices in one month. You should know that the value of this device will decrease as time passes.”
“At most, 1,000. I can’t do more than that, even if you want it.” Neyeid shook his head.
“Fine, 1,000, is it?” Duke Christian finally agreed.
“As you wish.” Neyeid politely bowed.
Duke Christian took out a token of the dukedom and had his assistant bring it to Neyeid. “This is the token of my household. For your peerage, it requires you to come to the dukedom personally. Come in two weeks.”
“…” Neyeid finally felt the pressure. It seemed the duke wasn’t an easy opponent after all. Fortunately, it looked like a bribe was unnecessary.
Still, Neyeid grabbed the token. “Understood. Thank you, my lord.”