Hearing his words and seeing the look in the emperor's eyes as he stared at the prism intently, Noah did not hear his next words to see where the conversation was going.
The subtle shift in his posture, the way his pupils remained fixed a mont too long…
He knew the man wanted his technology for himself.
Amused, Noah leaned back slightly in his seat, a faint smirk forming at the edge of his lips. But before the emperor could see that smirk, Noah replaced it with a serious look.
It did not matter what the man wanted, but there was no way he would allow him to get what he wanted this easily.
"Your Majesty," he said, his voice dipped in polite mockery, "if you're thinking of asking for this artifact outright, I must warn you—it's not sothing you can simply requisition with imperial authority or sweet diplomacy."
Being a good negotiator ant knowing when you had the leverage and using it to obtain the desired compensation.
Noah was not planning to use the threat of hundreds of thousands of innocent residents of the empire in exchange for getting so benefits, but he could not just give away such an important piece of artifact when he could get sothing in return for it.
The Emperor blinked, snapping his gaze back to Noah. He remained silent, unreadable, though a flicker of annoyance betrayed him in the tightening of his jaw.
"This… Soul Salvaging Prism" Noah took a breath and randomly ca up with the na of the artifact and continued on with a straight face as if nothing had happened. Gently tapping the prism's polished surface, he said, "It was not made in a day, nor could it be replicated easily. The materials required are rare—so of them found only in places no sane man would willingly venture into."
He paused, letting the words settle in.
"I'm not withholding it out of spite. I brought it here to help, and I only have this single piece of this artifact on . So if we are to speak of production, trade, and possession, then I am afraid it would be difficult for to give you a positive response."
The Emperor's eyes widened, just for a mont—but enough for Noah to notice. That subtle crack in the man's usually impenetrable deanor.
"You can replicate it?" the Emperor asked, his voice lower now, touched with disbelief. "This device isn't… one of a kind?"
Noah gave a slow, knowing nod. "Not one of a kind—rare, yes, but not singular."
The Emperor leaned forward ever so slightly, his attention fully focused now, all earlier tension replaced with sharp interest. He had assud this was a divine relic, so singular miracle crafted by ancient hands or chanced upon in so forgotten ruin. The idea that more of them could exist—could be made—shifted the entire weight of the conversation.
More importantly, Noah had not denied him.
He had not said no.
"So…" the Emperor said, his tone cautious but probing, "you're saying… It can be done again. With the right materials."
"I'm saying," Noah replied, his voice filled with pity and dejection, "that I could make perhaps two or three more of these with the materials I currently possess. After that… I am not even sure if we can find the right materials again."
The Emperor tried to remain composed, but his eyes shone with delight. He leaned back now and started slowly tapping on the chair to show Noah that he was deeply conflicted, but Noah could see through his facade.
Then the emperor sighed, his fingers paused as they curled inwardly.
"Then speak plainly, Envoy Noah," the Emperor said at last, his tone more direct. "What is it you want in return?"
Noah paused, as if he was genuinely considering sothing.
Noah's eyes glead with cool confidence as he leaned forward again.
"So if the Quan Empire is truly interested in acquiring one of these for itself… you will have to offer sothing of equal weight." Noah tapped his finger on the prism, making it float and glow in the middle of the two negotiators.
"I will tell you that this is a revolutionary piece of artifact that removes any type of ill-intentioned foreign energy from the soul itself."
Noah's words made the emperor wince visibly as he muttered in disbelief, "That alone puts it in the Rank 7 Level Artifacts."
He looked at Noah with newfound respect, since the man claid to be the one to make this artifact, which would make him…
A Tier 7 Weapon Refiner!!!
He could hear the beat of his heart as it started pumping with excitent. It had to be noted that their empire had no one who was even close to Tier 7 in weapon refining, and now there was a young man in front of him, claiming to be one.
If his words were true, thinking about his unlimited future accomplishnts, Emperor Quan started to feel jealous of the Feng Empire.
They were both forces that ruled parts of a continent. Why was it that the difference between them was so big?
Ignoring the emperor's inner predicant, Noah continued on with his sales pitch without losing the montum. "Even among the rank 7 artifacts, the value of this prism is unsurpassable; hence, you cannot asure its value with any artifact or piece of creation."
Noah looked deep in the old emperor's eyes and said, "I am sure Emperor Quan is an honorable person and can co up with sothing of equal value and make sure a fair trade is achieved."
"But for now, I will continue to save you royal family mbers as per our deal."
The Emperor thanked Noah with a bitter smile and then continued to stare at the prism in the air.
His hands rested still on the armrest of his throne-like seat, but his eyes slowly lowered to the table before him—down to the fabric draped across it. His gaze stopped at the banner of the Quan Empire.
A red flag with the image of a trident painted in the middle. Surrounding the weapon were several sea waves, swirling. As he looked at it, the emperor went deeper and deeper into contemplation.
Noah did not interrupt him.
Then, quietly, as the air in the study grew still, the scene faded.
At the sa ti, on the other side, Concubine Wen Ji had locked herself in her room, planning sothing sinister.
User Comments
0 comments from readers