Sword of Dawnbreaker

Chapter 730 - 729: Merchants

The projected image from the crystal began its third repetition. Without a high-quality Magic Web Terminal to amplify and filter the image, the raw image directly projected by the crystal appeared blurry and slightly distorted. But Kode, observing such a thing, could not calm his mind.

Not everyone can quickly think of its use after seeing something new—creating a new field is often no less difficult than developing new land. This requires not only wisdom and knowledge but also exceptional talent, a bit of luck, and the courage to break conventions.

According to archaeologists, primitive humans used stones and sticks for hunting, but it might have taken them thousands of years to think of tying stones to sticks.

The voice of his eldest son, Pal, came from the door, waking Kode from his thoughts, "Father, the representative from Marlin Trading Company will arrive soon—they’ve already been over twenty minutes."

"You go and receive them," Kode said without looking up, "I still have things to do here."

"But father, what they want to discuss is..."

"You go and receive them," Kode repeated, "You know how to handle it. Go on."

"Yes, father."

Pal left, and Philem looked nervously at the prominent merchant in front of him, "Mr. Kode, am I delaying your..."

"Don’t worry about it. Business affairs never end, but creative ideas cannot be missed," Kode smiled, scrutinizing the young blonde before him, and then seriously asked, "Child, have you decided how to handle this creation of yours?"

Philem instinctively pressed the hem of his coat and adjusted his tie, as if trying to appear as decent as possible, "Sir, actually...I’m not very sure. I only came up with an idea; the crystals aren’t my creation, nor are these magic symbols. I just thought of recording drama in the crystal and then uploading it to the Magic Web Terminal... But I don’t have my own theater troupe, nor do I know how to buy a Magic Web Terminal or sell those recorded dramas.

"Mr. Kode, I don’t know how to value an idea, so I came to the south because the Magic Web Terminal originated here, and I heard there are many new things and people skilled at using them. Perhaps someone here can guide me."

"I just want to confirm, did you tell anyone else about your ’idea’?" Kode asked seriously.

Philem replied frankly, "No...I only mentioned it to a travel companion of mine; he’s an upright and knowledgeable person. He’s the one who advised me not to search blindly but to inquire at the new immigrant consultation office in the Administrative Office first."

"...He gave you good advice. But no matter what, child, your ’idea’ needs to be monetized as soon as possible."

Listening to Kode’s words, Philem slowly inhaled and finally said, "Sir, two thousand gold coins, I mean...Anzu Gold Coins, or Oval Gold Coins."

Codec was momentarily stunned, seemingly unable to believe the price he heard. Philem, thinking his price was too high, quickly continued, "Sir, two thousand gold coins, the idea will be completely yours. If you think it’s not worth it, we can lower the price a bit..."

Kode gave Philem a complex look.

A simple child...Once you bring out the crystal and show the images recorded on it, your idea is already precarious.

Perhaps most geniuses with a keen eye appear overly simple in worldly affairs?

Philem still looked nervously at Kode, not fully understanding the relationships and characteristics of the new order’s nobles, merchants, citizens, and Administrative Office in the southern borders. He assumed the prominent merchant in front of him might be part of the New Aristocracy in the southern borders. Serving the aristocracy for years, he felt only nervousness and anxiety before a significant figure like Kode.

As for the two thousand gold coins, that amount would be enough to help his father’s theater troupe out of a crisis and even allow him to establish his troupe in the southern borders. For him, this would be the starting point of his struggle in this unfamiliar land.

Kode withdrew his gaze, sighing softly in his heart.

Two thousand gold coins... This young man from the north cannot imagine how much money flows between the new companies of the southern borders daily, nor can he imagine what future the new thing he created has within the magical industrial system.

The prominent merchant instinctively clenched his fist, staring intently at the crystal and rune device on the table.

Just two thousand gold coins, just two thousand gold coins!!

He might not spend a single penny—because this is not some complicated technical creation, just an idea, an idea easy to implement for a prominent merchant like him!!

His fist slowly unclenched, then clenched again.

The silent atmosphere made Philem uneasy.

In the silence, Kode gazed at the crude, outdated old-style rune triggers and the man-made crystal, possibly a factory reject from the south.

He recalled the first heating platform he and his friends created.

Remembered the lathe he scavenged from an old, abandoned warehouse.

Remembered the frustration and confusion when they realized the batch of inexpensive rune triggers purchased from Kant’s factory couldn’t be used after being mistakenly marked for the wrong specifications.

Remembered standing outside the technical academy all day, just to invite a Mage Technician to take a look at his factory.

In a daze, it was as if he heard a crisp, pleasant voice saying to him—"Mr. Kode, this city is paved with gold."

Code clenched his fist and lightly tapped the table as if tapping on his heart.

Philem was startled by the noise and wanted to ask but saw the prominent merchant gently shaking his head, "Child, I’m not planning to buy it."

Philem immediately said, "Sir, you might want to reconsider..."

"Child, I haven’t finished speaking," Kode waved his hand, taking two blank pieces of stationery from a drawer and quickly began writing while continuing, "I’m not buying it because it’s worth much more—I’ll write you two letters, these letters should help you greatly..."

In confusion, Philem watched Kode’s actions. Before he could ask, the prominent merchant continued, "Have you thought about a name for this new thing you’ve created?"

"I call it ’Magic Shadow Drama’, sir," Philem quickly replied.

"Good, I’ll write it down."

After quickly writing, Kode sealed one of the letters with wax and wrapped it with a special magical string, then handed the unsealed letter directly to Philem: "This is a letter of proof. With it and your ’Magic Shadow Drama,’ go to the Administrative Office and find the ’Patent Registry.’ The sooner, the better. Also, this is an introduction letter; take it to the Magic Web Communication Bureau to meet with Grand Governor Princess Heidi or go to the Magical Technology Department to see Princess Rebecca... Trust me, they will meet you."

Philem, born a commoner and from a family serving aristocrats for generations, was startled upon hearing Kode’s words. He couldn’t believe the names he heard, nor could he believe he might meet the two princesses of the Empire—the progress of events completely exceeded the young man’s imagination, causing him to exclaim slightly.

Upon Kode’s reconfirmation, Philem was certain that his ears weren’t deceiving him. He then lowered his head to glance at the proof document addressed to the Administrative Office’s "Patent Registry," where he saw his own name—

To the Administrative Office Patent Registry:

This certifies Mr. Philem from Barren Town, Plains of the Holy Spirits as the creator and holder of the "Magic Shadow Drama" technology... Mr. Philem should fully possess the rights to benefit, use, dispose of, and enjoy all corresponding honors from this technology (innovation).

Carol Business Association Kode Baldwin

With a deep breath, a peculiar sense of ease surrounded Kode.

"Sir..." Philem looked at the proof document in his hand. Though he did not understand the new laws regarding technology nor the operational rules of the Cecil Order, he realized the significance behind the two documents and Kode’s intentions. The young man from Barren spoke with hesitation, "How should I repay you?"

Kode looked at Philem and saw sincerity and a hint of unease in those light-colored eyes.

"I have only one request," the great merchant said slowly, "Someday, when your Magic Shadow Drama develops, when your ’theater in crystals’ spreads everywhere, I hope every work’s opening leaves me half a minute—until the day Kode’s Household Affairs closes."

"Half a minute?"

"Yes, for showcasing my products—that’s my asking price."

"Of course, sir, that’s no problem." Philem replied swiftly.

Kode nodded slightly.

Perhaps a knight’s standard answer is no need for repayment.

But he is a businessman.

An excellent businessman.

The young man from Barren stood up, carrying the letters and his briefcase, leaving with a stable and relaxed smile.

Kode watched the young man head towards the door, and just as the other was about to cross that door, he suddenly stood up: "Mr. Philem."

Philem stopped in confusion and turned his head: "Yes, sir?"

"Welcome to the southern borders," Kode said loudly with a smile, "Here lies gold everywhere."

Philem was stunned for a moment, then responded with a smile as well: "Yes, Mr. Kode, thank you."

The office fell silent.

Kode left the desk and slowly came to the floor-to-ceiling window.

Snowflakes were still falling thickly, the north wind brought sheets of snow dancing like curtains, factories and roads gradually turned silver-white.

The sky darkened, the roads leading to the city center gradually lit with Magic Crystal Street Lamps, pedestrians in winter clothing and shadows of black vehicles became sparse, only the Magic Web Terminals at the end of the road and near the square continued, projecting lights and images.

"Good luck, young man."

...

Leaving Kode’s Household Affairs, Philem returned to the avenue with some excitement, the expectation of the future burning in his chest, seemingly making the cold snowy day lovable.

He saw a figure standing not far away, with snowflakes swirling around the figure, flying like elves.

"Hi! Fendil!" Philem stepped forward quickly and greeted the other, "I thought you had already gone..."

Fendil, with short silver-white hair, laughed, seeing Philem’s smiling face: "I had nothing to do, better to wait for your good news here—judging by your expression, it must be good news?"

"Yes," Philem withdrew his gaze from the snowflakes dancing around Fendil—on the boat he knew Fendil’s identity as a Spellcaster, but Fendil’s character was unlike any Spellcaster he had seen before. Once the initial tension faded, he was left only with admiration and envy for Fendil’s magic control over ice and snow, "It’s good news—only Mr. Kode didn’t buy my ’idea.’"

"Oh?"

"He gave me two letters, one to the Administrative Office proving my rightful ownership of ’Magic Shadow Drama,’ and another letter to take to the imperial capital, saying I might meet Princess Rebecca and Crown Princess Heidi..."

"Ah," Fendil said softly and turned his head, glancing at the door of Kode’s Household Affairs, "This Mr. Kode... indeed is an upright person."

"What did you say?"

"Nothing," Fendil smiled, shaking his head, "It seems we can travel together for quite a long time—I’m going to the imperial capital too."

Philem appeared quite happy: "Really? By the way, I never asked, what are you doing in the South?"

"I came to learn," Fendil smiled, spreading his hands, "My aunt thinks I should learn something I can’t at home—she always uses other people’s children to motivate me."

"Ah... that’s truly a disaster."

"Who says it isn’t?"