: I'm using an Elf Artifact!

Chapter 18.18. I'll use an Elf artifact!

Robert, the butler, stood at the castle gate with a calm expression, just like Chloe's, even though the carriage in front of him was occupied by his guests.

The carriage slowly came to a stop at the castle gate.

A very plump-looking man, who looked just as fat as Bartos, came out from inside.

He was dressed in a silk robe woven by elves, with a natural magical aura swirling around it, and clouds and vines of grass and trees moving with his movements.

Lifelike, as if it were alive.

It looks very valuable, but it's more likely that it's just for show, since businessmen need to dress up nicely.

His expression was completely different from his gorgeous clothes.

His round face was very endearing, with a kind smile on his face. He rubbed his hands together and spoke very politely: "It is a pleasure to visit the castle of a mage lord!"

If I were fortunate enough to meet you, it would be an even greater joy!

Yes, that's not untrue.

No other mage came to rule around Hanjiao Island, given its remote location and lack of local specialties; the sea creatures controlled everything in the ocean…

Otherwise, they wouldn't have banished Kroa here.

"Hehe, my master is conducting research... Please come in, Mr. Selu, I have prepared the white iron ore."

Robert completely ignored his hints about wanting to see Chloe and simply gestured with his hand.

A merchant from a trade guild wants to see the Master?

Why not go to sleep early and dream?

The merchant named Selu was not discouraged. He followed behind and entered the castle. After walking through a passage, he arrived at a room.

The room contained some strange, shiny iron blocks, each weighing exactly one kilogram.

These were the white iron ore ingots that Robert had sent people to move earlier that morning.

The reason they didn't use the castle's warehouse but instead went through the trouble of moving everything here was mainly because they didn't want a merchant to see the true state of the castle.

He felt that Kroya must really not want outsiders to freely enter the castle for a visit.

"Huh." Seliu was immediately drawn to them.

Upon closer inspection, their smooth surfaces and the faint aura of magic they exuded convinced them that they must have been forged by a mage himself!

Look how perfectly symmetrical they are, without a single impurity inside, as beautiful as silver, and with a gentle magic within.

It is of extremely high quality, belonging to the most premium category.

As a qualified businessman, even if he is very excited inside, he will maintain a stable outward expression.

He gently stroked the iron ingot with his fingers: "The quality is good. I'll give you six silver coins, according to the market price."

Robert just chuckled and said decisively, "Then please leave now, Mr. Seliu. I'll go find the Gray Sea Merchant Guild right away."

They'll surely be able to give me a reasonable price.

When he said the word "suitable," Robert deliberately emphasized it—he was joking, after all, he wasn't naive; these top-quality white iron ingots could definitely sell for more than eight silver coins.

Admittedly, in a place like the capital, this would be worth about six silver coins.

However, the more remote the area, the fewer the top-quality items there are, and the more precious and valuable they become.

Not to mention that this is the main material for common armor and weapons, and it is full of magic. If you could find an alchemist, you could even create something that is close to a magical weapon.

You don't want it?

If you don't want it, I'll keep asking others for it!

If he hadn't been a nobleman and knew these shady dealings, someone who had just come from the capital and hadn't done any market research would have given it to him like that.

But to be honest, this is only human nature; businessmen are like that…

Selu couldn't help but sigh inwardly: This steward is obviously a knowledgeable person. Isn't it said that monks would hire stewards who don't know anything?

Why are the prices so strictly controlled?

He rubbed his hands together, a smile spreading across his face.

"Oh dear, what are you saying? We're doing business here, it's a give-and-take situation, you should at least give me a price!"

"Seven silver coins!"

Rob's expression was resolute, but he also left himself enough profit—he could earn an extra silver coin with each transaction.

We can't exploit them too much; there will be opportunities for cooperation in the future.

Behind this person is the Han Hai Chamber of Commerce, which has an advantage over the Gray Sea Chamber of Commerce, which is further away, and is also said to be related to the local nobles.

This will help Cloa expand her influence in the local area.

"Alright then." Selu didn't haggle and, after checking all the white iron ingots one by one, said, "There are two hundred and thirty-one ingots here, so that's 1617 silver coins."

It sounds like a lot, but according to the currency exchange rate, it can only be exchanged for sixteen gold coins—of course, gold coins are already magical materials, and they are not usually exchanged easily.

Most common items were purchased with silver coins.

Would you like to exchange your money for gold coins?

Selu offered, "If the Mage needs it, I can exchange it for sixteen gold coins, and the rest can be considered as the cost of the exchange."

This is actually a very good deal, because almost no one would exchange silver coins for gold coins.

Robert hesitated for a moment, unsure whether Kroya needed gold coins, so he thought of sending someone to ask.

Before he could even consult anyone, Knight Art entered and conveyed Kroya's message: "It's entirely up to the steward!"

Then, he took out a handful of crystal-clear sunflower seeds.

There are only twelve.

"This was casually cultivated by the lord, who wants to sell it."

Selu immediately exclaimed in delight, "Cultivated by the Mage?"

This time he really didn't hide it anymore, and hurriedly walked over to carefully examine the few sunflower seeds.

It was as if they were looking at some priceless treasure.

Many people don't know that Selu had dreamed of becoming a mage since a very young age, but due to his talent and the conditions at the time, he had no opportunity to learn.

But this regret has even become an obsession for him.

He was very interested in any items produced by the mage, which is why he rushed over immediately after receiving the invitation.

As a qualified chamber of commerce deacon, he could certainly discern the power of these tiny sunflower seeds—a power brimming with vitality.

It is gentler and warmer than sunlight.

It seems to be good for the body.

"I want to try one myself!"

He made the decision immediately, then hesitated before appraising the price: "One hundred silver coins is the highest price I can offer."

His expression was clearly uneasy as he said this—these sunflower seeds, which he had never seen before, were unique to this place and were different from white iron ingots.

If you miss it, it might really be gone forever.

"..."

Robert showed no outward expression, but his heart was filled with complex emotions—that huge pile of ore, accumulated over who knows how long, only cost a little over 1,600 silver coins.

But what about this one?

Twelve can be exchanged for one thousand two hundred silver coins.

Is this what a sorcerer is like? He can easily earn wealth that ordinary people can hardly imagine, and people even have to rush to give it to him, afraid that they won't sell it.

Robert's hesitation was misinterpreted by Selu as a feeling that he didn't have enough money, so Selu gritted his teeth, stomped his foot, and took out an exquisite necklace.

It was placed on the table.

Reluctantly, she said, "This is an elven magical artifact that I once obtained. If only the mage would be willing to sell these to me and continue supplying them in the future..."

Consider this ritual implement my gift to the Venerable Master; I will still pay with the silver coins as requested!

His words were tactful and also implied an apology for his earlier probing.

At this moment, Chloe, who was eavesdropping, was immediately captivated.

(End of this chapter)