Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage Chapter 623: Way of the Wildlands

CH623 Way of the Wildlands

***

Lady Rosa stayed silent in response to Eleanore’s inquiry. Yet, that quiet spoke volumes on its own.

With the upper hand reclaimed, Eleanore sent a discreet cue to Alex, and he swiftly retrieved a small box from his inner jacket pocket.

Eleanore set the box before Lady Rosa and lifted the lid.

Six vials rested inside, each holding just three drops of invaluable potion.

"Two mid-grade berserk stones... that’s the price," Eleanore stated evenly.

"That seems steep for a box of potions, wouldn’t you say?" Lady Rosa arched an eyebrow faintly.

"You’ve got it wrong, Lady Rosa. It’s two mid-grade berserk stones per potion. Still, a full box fetches ten at wholesale. Think of the box as our complimentary bonus," Eleanore explained with ease.

Lady Rosa’s frown deepened sharply.

The cost exceeded her expectations by far.

She rapidly tallied the funds she could spare for this deal and the volume of potions required to claim market dominance.

’Not nearly sufficient...’

That harsh inner judgment tightened her brows further.

Eleanore’s composed smile grew just a touch broader.

"As you can tell, Lady Rosa, exclusivity isn’t on the table for this item. But we can grant you something better: clout."

"Clout?"

"Exactly," Eleanore confirmed with a nod. "Jadewell Merchant Company will pioneer these potions in its stock as the very first merchant house. Plus, we’ll hold off sales to any other company for an entire month.

"That pioneering status will cement your reputation as the initial introducer. A sharp business mind like yours will surely seize a hefty slice of the market."

Eleanore sipped her tea deliberately before returning the cup to its saucer.

She went on, "This setup lets you skip buying exclusivity—or the massive revenue hit it demands—and still surf the potion’s rising fame and profits.

"Managed well, whenever another firm later sells it for us, they’ll just broaden the market and boost its fame, all to your benefit. Soon enough, this potion and Jadewell will be inseparable in everyone’s minds."

She set the cup and saucer down on the table while eyeing the woman across from her, now lost in thought over the proposal.

"It’s a tempting deal," Lady Rosa finally admitted. "But risky too—things could backfire badly for us. We might just pave the way for you without gaining much ourselves."

She shook her head deliberately.

"Exclusivity remains the securest path," she maintained.

Eleanore shook her head right back.

"Then we’re at an impasse. You’re guarding your company’s stake, just as I protect mine in this creation. We’re here to strike a fair compromise.

"Exclusivity doesn’t cut it. Push for it further, and we end talks. I’ll find another partner instead," she declared steadily.

"No need for those tactics with me," Lady Rosa countered with a subtle smile. "Sure, plenty of merchant companies thrive in BloodIron—some bigger than Jadewell. But you picked us first for a reason.

"We’re the sole ones you can rely on not to snatch your product outright... despite our capability to do so."

A chill swept over the table instantly, thick silence crashing down.

Eleanore and Lady Rosa’s stares clashed fiercely, intense enough to spark a fight.

Yet this was commerce, not combat.

Eleanore’s smile stretched wider, unnerving Lady Rosa slightly.

"Lady Rosa, you seem to harbor a false assumption," she replied coolly. "True, I came to you initially—your firm leads BloodIron’s merchants while upholding a solid name, per my research—but don’t misread my motives.

"I’m not defenseless regarding my product.

"I merely aim to avoid needless chaos... the kind that could erase a major city force in a single night."

Dalton Asheton along with Lady Rosa Mercier initially wanted to mock Eleanore’s bold statement with laughter. But shockingly, that laughter failed to escape their throats.

They quickly understood the reason behind it.

Eleanore spoke in a completely neutral tone and with a blank face. Her words didn’t come across as bragging or a threat—they rang like plain truth.

The statement sounded wildly absurd on its face, yet it was obvious the lady facing them fully accepted it as reality.

‘Is she full of pride, or just clueless about the real horrors of the forces ruling this city? Or could she actually have the power to support her words?’ they pondered.

The scene grew even more disturbing because Alex and Udara displayed zero astonishment at her daring words.

As if they accepted them too.

Thriving in BloodIron demanded sharp wits, making Lady Rosa and Captain Dalton highly insightful people.

They never dared belittle anyone until they’d dug deep into their origins and history.

Truth be told, even if someone’s background looked straightforward in records, they stayed wary.

Having lived years in BloodIron, they understood perfectly that the city hid endless hidden experts—dragons coiled in wait and tigers lurking low.

A careless move could accidentally provoke a dragon’s fury... or grab a tiger by the neck.

Unknown to them, Udara paid no heed to the heavy atmosphere around the table. She’d tuned out long ago, lost in her own thoughts; her face stayed the same.

On the other hand, Alex had total faith in Eleanore managing the talks. To him, even if she said their Fortuna group could snatch the sun and moon, his face wouldn’t twitch.

Besides—

‘These sweets taste amazing. Maybe the finest regional treat I’ve sampled since coming to this world. I should inquire where they come from... if luck’s on my side, I could snag the recipe.’

Alex’s mind was fully occupied as well.

Lady Rosa and Captain Dalton shared a quick, meaningful look.

Lady Rosa’s eyes shifted back to Eleanore soon after.

"You appear very sure about protecting your potion recipe. Can I take it that your assurance comes from the Fortuna Company?" she inquired.

"You can see it like that," Eleanore answered with a slight nod.

"Then," Dalton cut in abruptly, slicing through the talk smoothly, "let’s keep this straightforward for everyone—without damaging ties.

"BloodIron, and the broader Wildlands too, follows one core rule: strength rules all.

"Talks and deals are fine enough. But they only matter if both sides have the power and threat level to uphold them."

He halted for a moment before going on.

"So we’ll resolve it BloodIron style. A duel. Winner sets the deal’s conditions—exclusive or not."

Dalton’s eyes moved from Eleanore over to Alex.

"I’ll stand for the Jadewell Merchant Company," he declared. "And as Fortuna Company’s head, I’m sure you’ll defend Lady Eleanore’s honor."

His eyes narrowed a bit.

"Do you have the guts to face me?" Dalton provoked.

Alex looked at Eleanore, receiving her steady, approving nod.

He faced Dalton again.

"What rules apply to the fight?" he questioned.

Before Dalton answered, Lady Rosa interjected, her voice steady and resolute.

"Keep it controlled. Avoid pulling in extra eyes."

"Agreed," Dalton consented with a nod.

"Weapon duel it is. No big or showy moves allowed. Any strike spilling noise past this place means instant loss."

His stare stayed locked on Alex during his words.

"Sure you want those limits? They handicap you badly," Alex noted coolly.

"I’m up against someone a rank lower. That’s handicap enough," Dalton shot back instantly.

A sly smile crept over Alex’s face—one that inexplicably chilled Dalton to the core.

"Looks like a duel it is," Alex declared.

***