Chapter 83: Please Wait a Moment

“This is truly unbelievable.”

Ole sighed.

“As far as I know, in the entire Saint Luo Empire, there aren’t many people who can manufacture mana bombs, but most have already been recruited into the Mages’ Guild. Could you be one of them?”

“If I were one of them, Count Favi, you wouldn’t have bought the mana bombs from the black market—because, as you know, if caught privately making and selling mana bombs, the consequences wouldn’t be good.” Via replied.

“If that’s the case, then how dare you sell them? Aren’t you completely unafraid that I might choose to arrest you right here and notify the Mages’ Guild?”

Ole’s words carried a veiled threat, clearly intending to intimidate.

He wanted to use this to gain leverage over Via.

“I am indeed afraid, but if Count Favi insists on doing so, that would be regrettable. I think, if you wanted to purchase mana bombs through the Mages’ Guild’s channels, you probably couldn’t get weapons that completely ignore the restrictions.”

“Who knows—I have some connections in the Mages’ Guild.”

“Hehe.”

“What’s so funny? Are you doubting me?”

“No, I’m not doubting. I’m just laughing because Count Favi is playing dumb,” Via lowered her voice. “If you equipped all your armed knights with mana bombs, your knights could easily crush opponents of the same level. Then, in the Saint Luo Empire, you’d fully have the ability to challenge marquises stronger than you, or even dukes.”

“Would your connections in the Mages’ Guild really ignore orders from those big shots and help you to that extent?”

“Mr. W, what do you mean—”

“Count Favi, I won’t inquire into what you’re buying these mana bombs for. That’s the benefit of trading with me—I only care about the results.”

Via interrupted the other party.

In her heart, she knew clearly that if Ole really got these mana bombs, he could topple people stronger than himself and challenge authority.

She wouldn’t spell out what the other party was plotting.

“Fine.”

Ole thought for a moment and agreed.

He felt he couldn’t miss this opportunity.

From long ago, he had been secretly expanding his forces in private, making his armed knights stronger.

His goal wasn’t just to be a count.

But cultivating or recruiting Silver-rank knights required spending a fortune—it wasn’t worth it.

When he saw the mana bomb his subordinate brought back from the black market, he was quite surprised.

If he equipped his subordinates with them, couldn’t he easily defeat many competing opponents?

“Mr. W, within a month, I need one hundred mana bombs. Can you provide them?”

“A month seems a bit tight.”

“I have urgent need. I can pay more.”

In the recent period, Ole’s conflict with another count had escalated further, very likely leading to armed conflict.

The opponent’s army strength wasn’t weak, with quite a few Silver-rank armed knights—more in number than his own. If it really came to a fight, he would definitely be at a disadvantage.

“Pay more, huh.”

Via thought for a while.

“No problem, but I need you to provide the magic stones as raw materials. With my channels, it’s hard to obtain a large quantity of magic stones in a short time. Since you’re a count with broad connections, it must be much more convenient for you.”

“For one hundred mana bombs, how many magic stones are needed?”

“Five hundred.”

“That many?” Ole was somewhat surprised.

“Can’t reduce it further. Considering it’s the power-upgraded version, this is the limit. If you want the previous version, the cost can be less—down to three hundred magic stones. You get what you pay for.”

Via put on a very troubled appearance.

Actually, one magic stone could make one mana bomb, but she thought—if she didn’t take a bit more, who would replenish her Demon King Armament’s energy?

Anyway, Ole had money—letting him bleed a little was nothing.

Since it was like this, she might as well extort more!

“Count Favi, I need to remind you that besides the magic stones, there are other production costs. While you provide the magic stones, for each mana bomb, you still need to pay me one gold coin.”

“My lord, this person is obviously shady! Where is the cost of mana bombs that high?!” The personal bodyguard reminded.

“What you’re talking about are the mana bombs sold by the Mages’ Guild—cutting corners, only able to blast Bronze-ranks. Have you seen ones that can blast Silver-ranks?” Via said disdainfully. “Moreover, my mana bombs don’t require any learning cost—any Silver-rank can use them.”

“…” The personal bodyguard didn’t know how to refute. “My lord, you’d better be cautious!”

“Within a month, you’re sure you can deliver?” Ole asked.

“As long as you provide the magic stones, I can deliver.”

“Good, deal!”

“One hundred magic stones are a bit too many—I also need to borrow a small spatial storage pouch. Otherwise, it’s inconvenient to carry.”

“You’re going too far!!” The personal bodyguard could hardly stand it anymore.

“A small spatial storage pouch—I can provide that too. But how can I be sure that after giving you these, you won’t run off?”

Ole wasn’t stupid.

If the other party was pulling a scam, wouldn’t he lose everything?

“This should be usable as collateral, in exchange for temporary usage rights of the spatial storage pouch.”

Via also knew she was taking too much.

She took out a sealed small container and placed it on the table.

Inside was the magic core of the four-armed corrupted ape.

“This is…?” Ole widened his eyes and picked up the small container.

“A Gold-rank magical beast’s magic core, and one infected with abyssal aura at that. I think I don’t need to say more about its weight, right?”

Via didn’t mention that the magic core had already been drained dry.

But it was completely sufficient to bluff.

“You actually have something like this?” Ole frowned. “This magic core is indeed valuable—it’s just too risky.”

“Yeah, with the recent turmoil, it’s not easy for me to sell it—I can only carry it around. I think it can fully serve as collateral, right?”

“Yes.”

Ole agreed.

He thought that if the other party really ran off, keeping this magic core wouldn’t be a loss.

“Mr. W, is the transaction complete?”

Goren walked up to Via and asked curiously.

“Mm, it’s complete. Count Favi is truly generous and straightforward—this transaction was very pleasant.” Via glanced at Ole beside her.

“Hehe.”

Ole just smiled, without revealing much.

“Mr. W, it’s late at night—would you like to stay over?”

“Count Favi, thank you for your kindness, but I want to get back quickly and prepare.” Via politely declined.

“Alright, then I’ll see you out.”

Ole planned to escort Via and Goren out. He personally led the two toward the manor’s gate.

But while walking on the path, Via saw an unexpected pair.

“Father, good evening.”

Lucy, returning home, saw Ole and bowed in greeting.

“Count Favi, good evening.”

Besides Lucy, Stella was actually there too.

Looking at the blue-haired girl’s face, Via was very surprised in her heart—how could this person be with Lucy?

“Father, who is this person?” Lucy noticed this strange black-robed masked figure.

“He’s my guest, Mr. W.” Ole didn’t reveal much.

“Oh, alright.” Lucy didn’t ask more, clearly not too interested.

“So it’s Count Favi’s guest.”

Stella gazed at Via, narrowing her eyes.

Via didn’t speak. She passed by Lucy and Stella without showing any reaction, wanting to leave quickly.

However, Stella unexpectedly called out to her.

“Please wait a moment, Mr. W.”