Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage Chapter 622: The Beauty Potion

CH622 The Beauty Potion

***

"Would you like to spar with me?" the man inquired.

Even if posed as a mere question, the intense battle hunger pouring off him turned it into anything but optional.

"Master Dalton, he's a guest of Lady Rosa," the butler cautioned gently.

He attempted to convey a warning through his glance, yet Dalton paid no heed whatsoever.

"So?" Dalton shot back curtly.

His stare stayed fixed on Alex.

"The woman over there is the one here to see Rosa." He cocked his head a bit. "Why not take a walk while the ladies chat?"

A faint smile crossed Alex's face before he declined with a shake of his head.

"You're a Combat Master, and I'm just Gold rank," he answered steadily. "That wouldn't make for a fair match on your end."

"Particularly as I'm visiting your household."

"You've got a smooth way with words," Dalton's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Your mouth acts like it's yielding, yet those eyes say otherwise."

His aura grew razor-sharp.

"You think you can stand toe-to-toe with me... or maybe even beat me."

Amusement flickered in his expression.

Alex offered no words, just that same smile.

It spoke volumes all on its own.

"Oh..." Dalton's fighting spirit exploded outward. "I'm itching to put you to the test now."

"What's happening here?"

A serene but commanding female voice sliced through the charged air.

"Why are you intimidating my visitors, Dalton Asheton?"

Every gaze snapped toward her.

The butler bowed at once.

"Lady Rosa."

"Don't accuse me falsely, Rosa Mercier," Dalton retorted. "I'm just proposing a friendly spar to this fighter."

"If you want a spar," Rosa stated coolly, "hold off until my discussion ends. Your boorish attitude won't ruin my deal."

Her look hardened into a clear caution.

"Assuming he even accepts."

Dalton seemed ready to protest, but to everyone's surprise, he restrained himself.

"...Fine."

He signaled a servant nearby, who hurried over with a seat.

With that, he took a seat and bided his time.

Alex's smile grew a touch tighter, though he held his tongue.

"I'm sorry for his conduct," Rosa remarked, facing Alex and his companions. "Fighting is all he understands."

"No issue," Alex responded effortlessly. "I get his eagerness."

"For any fighter, challenging fresh foes is prime for improvement."

While talking, he quietly retreated a step, redirecting attention to Eleanore.

A subtle move, yet Rosa caught it immediately.

Eleanore advanced with poise, seizing the moment.

"Lady Rosa, a true pleasure."

She motioned delicately.

"Meet Alex Fury, head of Fortuna Company. And next to him stands Udara Kael, a key captain in our team."

"So you're the one guiding those upstarts who've been stirring things up." Dalton interrupted from the sidelines. "Makes sense why they're succeeding... with leadership like yours."

Alex gave a light headshake.

"Just a handful of minor wins, nothing to boast about," he said. "Next to BattleBane Guild, we're mere amateurs."

"I wouldn't count on that," Dalton grinned knowingly.

Alex mirrored the grin without adding more.

—

Lady Rosa's eyes gleamed faintly as she watched the interaction.

She pondered Eleanore's connection to the Fortuna outfit.

’What exactly is her relationship with this Fortuna Company?’

Her focus returned to Eleanore.

’Just a basic trade ally... or something deeper?’

Quietly, she revised her view of Eleanore and her venture.

Eleanore had evolved beyond a talented alchemist with a novel item.

As Rosa sized them up, they returned the favor.

Alex's eyes rested on her for a moment.

’A woman in her middle years who maintains her looks well.’

That was his initial take.

’Typical for a trader, I suppose. Looks matter in the business. And she's a lady too.’

She couldn't match his wives' stunning allure, but that wasn't required.

Her shortfall in pure attractiveness was offset by sophisticated poise and a seasoned allure his wives hadn't attained.

"I got your present," Lady Rosa noted, propping her chin on one hand.

"Gotta say... it surprised me. A beauty potion, right?"

Eleanore offered a courteous smile.

"Better termed an age-reversal potion."

"It doesn't boost beauty outright. Instead, it undoes aging's outward signs and revitalizes the skin."

After a brief pause, she added praise: "It seems like a beauty potion only because someone as naturally stunning as you used it, Lady Rosa."

Rosa's smile appeared.

She recognized the flattery, but skillfully given praise still landed well, particularly from Eleanore.

Even veiled, her loveliness shone through.

Making the praise all the more satisfying.

Yet, flattery stayed flattery, and commerce remained commerce.

"Let’s skip the pleasantries," Rosa declared, sitting up a touch straighter. "Time to talk about the main issue."

Her eyes grew keen.

"Hand over the potion rights to the Jadewell Merchant Company."

"I demand exclusive rights. You just handle making and supplying it. My company takes care of all the rest."

Most would have been stunned by Lady Rosa’s proposal, yet Eleanore’s face showed no shift whatsoever.

That poised, professional smile lingered on her lips.

"Exclusive rights aren’t feasible," she replied steadily. "But we can definitely manage bulk orders for you."

With graceful poise, Rosa raised her teacup, sipping leisurely before placing it back on the saucer in her lap.

Her stare fixed on Eleanore once more.

"You have to realize," she started, voice silky yet resolute, "conducting trade in BloodIron—and across the entire Wildlands—is no easy feat."

"Shipping out beyond this area proves even tougher."

She reclined a fraction.

"Regardless of a product’s superiority, without access to proper markets, it fails to yield real gains."

Her gaze intensified.

"Your venture is brand new."

"Approaching my Jadewell merchant company reveals your doubts about promoting this item on your own. Especially... from a store of your present size."

Inwardly, Eleanore let out a sigh.

Their strategy’s flaw lay exposed.

Without the pressing deadlines, she’d have chosen a gradual, tighter market rollout.

Alex had pushed for speed, though.

The fellow himself lounged relaxed off to one side.

He filled a cup with milk, munching idly on the pastries laid out nearby.

Udara mirrored him, but with much more refined composure and delicacy.

Any onlooker would think the talks didn’t concern them at all.

Alex’s glance darted momentarily to Eleanore.

Her skills earned his full faith.

Still, he wondered how she’d tackle the limitation he’d set.

Softly, Eleanore placed her teacup down.

Her smile held firm.

"You’re right," she acknowledged. "Breaking into the market proves tough for new items, particularly from an obscure supplier like ours."

"However—" Her eyes gleamed faintly sharper. "That holds true only for standard goods."

"Now and then, something appears so... groundbreaking that markets shift to embrace it."

"Distribution channels arise naturally, and demand paves its way forward."

She inclined forward barely enough to lock eyes with Rosa.

"You’ve tried our product, haven’t you, Lady Rosa?"

"You tell me—

"Is our potion the kind of groundbreaking item you believe it to be?"

***