adbindia Chapter 129 : Chapter 129
Chapter 129 : Chapter 129
Chapter 129. Public Funds Always Feel Better
The next morning, the royal capital was shrouded in a thin layer of mist. Logaris West was not in a particularly good mood.
After listening to a pile of old, rotten stories the night before, he had spent most of the latter half of the night lost in memories.
A missing bastard of a father. A stubborn mother who died of illness. A suddenly appearing uncle and niece. The mess churned in his mind like a tangled knot.
How do you deal with a bad mood?
Naturally—by spending public funds without restraint.
Especially when you are holding a check with no limit and not paying out of your own pocket, the stress relief becomes twice as effective.
The underground market of the royal capital—the Darkstream Auction House.
This was the largest money-burning pit in the entire kingdom, as well as a hub for contraband and rare materials. Even in the early morning, it was brightly lit, the air thick with the scent of cigars, perfume, and aged metal.
“This piece of star-pattern steel is not pure enough.”
Logaris casually tossed the faintly blue-glimmering metal back onto the counter. “Too many impurities. It is too brittle even for an outer shell, yet you dare price it at five hundred gold?”
The goblin shopkeeper behind the counter hurriedly caught the metal, his wrinkled face crumpling with distress.
“Oh, my esteemed professor! This was shipped all the way from Tyrenia’s Fallen Star Sea—top-grade goods! Your eye is far too sharp…”
“Enough nonsense.” Logaris tapped the counter. “I want star-pattern steel that has undergone three rounds of smelting and must be forged using ancient dwarven methods. I will take as much as you have.”
He then pointed at a sealed crystal container nearby. Inside, a silver-white liquid slowly flowed.
“I will take this liquid mithril as well. Also, bring out all wind-attribute magic cores above the fourth tier from your storage.”
Aaron, who followed behind, felt his eyelids twitch.
“Professor… isn’t this a bit excessive?” Aaron lowered his voice, glancing at the goblin whose grin was now ear to ear. “That jar of mithril alone costs three thousand Golden Lion Coins!”
“What are you afraid of?”
Logaris pulled out the governor’s signet given by Sylvia Van Astrelia and waved it under the goblin’s greedy gaze.
“This is for the industrial development of the Northern Territory. The cylinders of the new magitech internal combustion engine I am developing must use star-pattern steel to withstand high pressure. The mana-conducting pipelines must use liquid mithril to ensure low latency.”
He shot Aaron a glance. “Without these, do you expect those machines to run on love?”
Aaron shrank his neck and dared not speak further. Since the Acting Governor was footing the bill, why should he worry?
“Pack everything and send it to the station.”
Logaris did not waste words and directly instructed the goblin to prepare the invoice.
After signing, the irritating headache eased slightly.
As expected, spending public funds felt much better.
“Professor, there seems to be something good over there.” Aaron suddenly pointed toward the VIP room at the back of the shop. “I saw several people gathered there earlier. They said there is a top-grade fire elemental crystal.”
Logaris raised an eyebrow.
A fire elemental crystal—now that was a valuable item. Whether for high-energy explosive crystals or as a power core, it was essential.
“Let’s take a look.”
The two entered the VIP room.
It was much quieter inside. At the center stood a display platform, upon which rested an explosion-proof glass case. Suspended within it was a fist-sized crimson crystal. Even through the barrier, one could feel the intense heat radiating from it.
Several well-dressed merchants stood around it, pointing and discussing, yet none dared to bid.
The price was ten thousand Golden Lion Coins.
Logaris walked over, ignoring the looks from others, and placed his hand on the glass. He released a slight trace of mental power.
Hum—
The crystal reacted instantly. The fiery patterns within it flared brightly, as if a miniature fire dragon roared inside.
“Purity above ninety-eight percent. Naturally formed explosive rune structure.” Logaris’s eyes lit up. “Excellent.”
“Shopkeeper.”
He snapped his fingers. “I’ll take this as—”
Before he could finish, a commotion suddenly arose outside.
The previously noisy hall fell silent in an instant, as if someone had pressed a mute switch. It was not the silence of emptiness, but one born of oppressive tension.
Then came the sound of synchronized footsteps.
Clack. Clack. Clack.
Two squads of royal guards in silver-white full armor marched in. Their movements were as uniform as mechanical constructs. Without a word, they quickly occupied every corner of the shop, hands resting on their sword hilts, their gazes cold as they scanned the room.
The atmosphere alone dropped the temperature to freezing.
The merchants who had been watching immediately turned pale, retreating to the walls, barely daring to breathe.
The crowd parted.
A man in light golden attire entered slowly, surrounded by attendants.
He appeared thin, his complexion an unhealthy pale. He held a white handkerchief, occasionally covering his mouth as he coughed lightly.
Without the extravagant entourage, he would have looked like a frail invalid who might collapse at any moment.
But Logaris frowned.
Dorg Van Astrelia.
The First Prince.
A rare visitor indeed.
It was said that ever since a severe illness years ago, he had lived in seclusion, a typical conservative relic.
To outsiders, he was merely a useless man waiting to yield the throne to his younger siblings.
But Logaris never believed such nonsense.
Anyone who could survive the devouring struggles of the royal court while still holding the position of first in line to the throne—there was no way he lacked ability.
Dorg slowly entered the VIP room. His gaze swept across the space before settling on Logaris.
The somewhat gloomy look in his eyes instantly softened, replaced by a warm smile that felt like a spring breeze.
“Cough… what a coincidence.”
Dorg dabbed the corner of his mouth with the handkerchief. His voice was soft and slightly weak, yet clear.
“I did not expect to meet the renowned Professor Logaris here.”
Logaris turned around. He did not bow, merely nodded.
“Your Highness.”
The nearby merchants’ legs nearly gave out. They wished they could bury their heads in the ground, terrified of drawing attention.
Dorg waved his hand, signaling the guards to step back slightly.
“I have heard.” He walked toward the display platform, looking at the fire elemental crystal as if chatting with an old friend. “You have been quite successful in the Northern Territory. Those factories, those new laws… cough… Sylvia truly found herself a capable helper.”
It sounded like praise, but something about it felt off.
Logaris adjusted his glasses. “Merely following the times. The Northern Territory is poor—without innovation, everyone would starve.”
“Yes… the Northern Territory is harsh and barren.”
Dorg sighed softly, his gaze drifting. “My sister has always been strong-willed. But because of that… she is also prone to snapping under too much strain.”