The Cornflower Witch

Chapter 66: Agreeing on the Contract

"I wonder how much Blazing Sun Aspect raw materials you require?" Sylutia held a folding fan in one hand, imitating Lady Franne by lightly tapping it against her palm, putting on an expression that said 'I'm not easily fooled.'

"Of course, the more the better."

The other party didn't pretend to be reserved either, opening his mouth like a lion, indicating he could take everything.

The young lady shook her head slightly. Who negotiates like this? She hadn't even stated her conditions and compensation yet.

"Teacher has indeed cultivated quite a few Blazing Sun Aspect sunflowers, but it took immense effort, and some of the produce was already reserved by friends, so it cannot be entirely handed over to you," Sylutia politely declined.

"I understand, which is why I specifically prepared a gift for you this time." It seemed the other party had come prepared.

This efficient businessman, as if performing magic, retrieved a small box from his sleeve. This octagonal prism-like box was placed on the table. Pressing a button, it opened layer by layer like a lotus flower, revealing a piece of jade inside that emitted a strange, shimmering glow.

[Glow Grape Stone] (First Tier · Verdant Nectar): An extremely rare verdant-glowing gemstone, occasionally found alongside stalactites. Extremely heat-resistant, suitable for extending abilities of the Verdant Nectar Aspect.

Despite being only a First Tier Aspect item, considering the rarity of this gemstone, its value was likely over ten times that of an ordinary First Tier supernatural object.

At least a hundred golden flower coins, the young lady secretly appraised."This is a special grape stone that can contain Verdant Nectar Aspect power and assist related abilities." If made into a ring, it could amplify the effects of Sylutia's 'Dew Prayer Method' and 'Flower Blooming Method' by about thirty percent.

"Such a gemstone is indeed precious, but it falls far short of the trade we are discussing." The young lady opened her folding fan, half-covering her face, revealing only those bright, gem-like blue eyes.

"Don't rush, Miss Anluo'er, I have prepared something else for you." This businessman really did his homework, no wonder he was so confident.

He once again, seemingly out of nowhere, produced a jar of amber-colored liquid and placed it on the table. The liquid inside was thick like honey, with tiny bubbles, though it wasn't honey.

"Miss Anluo'er, this is a rare resin I obtained from the Duchy of Hud. It can be used in the crafting of many rare artifacts and can also be combined with the grape stone just now to create a [Tree Jade Spirit Sword], a special type of weapon."

[Chiffon Pine Resin] (First Tier · Verdant Nectar): Resin from the supernatural plant, Chiffon Pine. Yield is scarce, uses are wide-ranging, commonly used in clarifying lenses, jadeite glass, fine instrument components, etc.

Another rare item. But what was this [Tree Jade Spirit Sword] he mentioned? Sylutia was hearing this term for the first time.

As if knowing Sylutia didn't understand, Lining stepped forward at this moment and spoke: "Please, sir, could you explain about the [Tree Jade Spirit Sword]?"

"Naturally. In fact, regarding the forging method for the [Tree Jade Spirit Sword], I have a blueprint here that can be gifted along with the other items." The other party took out a folded sheet of paper and handed it to the maid.

[Tree Jade Spirit Sword] (Verdant Nectar): A weapon forged by combining a [Grape Stone] and [Resin] possessing the Verdant Nectar Aspect, using a special secret method. When infused with Verdant Nectar Aspect power, it can automatically repair nicks, sharpen its edge, and possesses excellent toughness.

Ordinary steel weapons inevitably develop nicks when striking hard objects. A blade made from resin as the raw material can, under the manipulation of the Verdant Nectar Aspect, instantly harden and soften. Thus, it simultaneously possesses hardness/sharpness and flexible resistance. Even if a nick is made, it can repair itself through its own adhesive flow.

A blade made purely from resin would inevitably lack hardness and sharpness and would not be heat-resistant. The properties of the grape stone perfectly overcome these two shortcomings, making the two a match made in heaven, achieving a wonderful complementarity.

Such a weapon was exactly what Sylutia, who lacked combat means, urgently needed. She didn't know how the other party knew, or perhaps it was just a guess, because most gardeners at low tiers lack means to deal with combat.

Her fingers within her sleeve lightly touched her chin. Sylutia tilted her head, looking at the items on the table, thinking to herself.

"Could you tell me how much Blazing Sun seed oil you expect to obtain from Teacher?"

Seeing the young lady soften her stance, the man stroked his beard, thought for a moment, and replied: 'We hope to obtain at least 500 bottles of 'Sunflower Seed Oil' this time.'

Five hundred bottles... Sylutia closed her folding fan and tapped it against her palm.

"That's too much. At most, we can give you three hundred bottles."

Actually, there were about seven hundred bottles of Sunflower Seed Oil in the underground storage room, but these were Lady Franne's stockpile accumulated over many years. Sylutia couldn't sell off her teacher's possessions all at once.

"Three hundred bottles is also acceptable. We would purchase them at roughly 3 gold coins per bottle. I wonder if Miss Anluo'er can accept this." This price could only be described as average.

Considering that selling elsewhere would require extra time and effort, selling at this price would mean not losing money, but not making a huge profit either.

"Three gold coins per bottle? I would have a hard time explaining that to Teacher." Anluo'er shook her head.

"At least four gold coins per bottle." She extended four slender fingers.

"Agreed."

The other party agreed so quickly that it made Sylutia regret whether she was cut out for business. He could have at least haggled with her a bit, letting her confirm if this price was truly appropriate or not.

However, since she had already agreed, she wasn't the type to go back on her word.

"Then let's continue to discuss the issues of transportation and delivery." Sylutia knew she couldn't handle this alone. She raised her hand, signaling Lining to come closer.

"Go and invite Madam Carrie from the Horticulture Guild. Tell her I have a business matter I don't understand and need her help."

"Understood, Miss." Lining indicated she understood and then left the parlor.

Not long after, the maid returned, making Sylutia think she hadn't even left the house.

"I have already notified Madam Carrie. She will probably arrive soon." Lining didn't explain what method she used to notify her, and Sylutia couldn't very well ask in front of the guest, so she just nodded with an 'I see' expression.

Regarding Sylutia's action of calling someone in mid-negotiation, the merchant wasn't angry. He just quietly drank his tea, as if everything was within his expectations.

About ten minutes later, a carriage arrived in front of the mansion. Soon after, Madam Carrie, dressed in a deep green dress, entered with two attendants.

"Long time no see, Anluo'er~" She first came to Sylutia's side, greeting her, then sat down, her gaze appraising the man opposite.

"Greetings, Madam Carrie." The man seemed to have heard of her name.

"Hello, though I believe we haven't met before." Carrie was certain this was their first meeting.

"That's correct. My name is Albayo, from Windcliff City. I am a representative of the local 'Copper Halberd Guild,' commissioned by the local guild and the city lord to procure key raw materials."

"Copper Halberd Guild, and from Windcliff City... It seems you are procuring for the military." Carrie recalled something.

The Copper Halberd Guild was a guild focused on military equipment production. They had many blacksmiths and armorers. Many major nobles hired them to procure weapons and equipment for their guards. Because they unified raw material procurement and forging, the Copper Halberd Guild could keep costs down while maintaining stable quality, earning praise from many clients.

"This time you've actually gotten involved in the healing potion business. It seems you're cooperating with the local Apothecary Guild."

Currently, most apothecaries within Regas belonged to the Apothecary Guild Alliance. Their certification and training methods were controlled by the Apothecary Guild, making it difficult for other guilds to get involved.

"I am a friend of Sister Franne. She is not home today, and Anluo'er is handling many matters. However, as an elder, I feel it necessary to help look after things. I hope Mr. Albayo doesn't mind." Not that it would matter if he did mind. Carrie's words were just a polite notification.

Carrie then inquired about the previously negotiated price, quantity, conditions, etc. She tapped her fingers thoughtfully, then spoke.

"Four gold coins is still too little. At least five gold coins per bottle."

"No, no, Madam Carrie, this price is already quite fair and shows sincerity. In fact, I am only offering such favorable terms out of consideration for Miss Anluo'er." Albayo shook his head.

"The market price for one bottle of basic healing potion is about 20 silver. Its effects include stopping bleeding and initial wound healing."

"One bottle of 'Sunflower Seed Oil,' when added as a raw material during refinement and mixed with other herbs, can produce 24 bottles of basic healing potion, which is 480 silver coins, approximately 4.8 gold coins."

"At this price, we have very little profit left. You also have to consider preservation costs and the apothecary's share." Not just little profit, they might even incur a loss.

"That's not the right way to look at it." Carrie also shook her head in denial.

"You only mentioned basic healing potions."

"If one bottle of 'Sunflower Seed Oil' is used as a raw material in the production of intermediate healing potions, it can yield 8 bottles. Each intermediate healing potion sells for 1 gold coin, totaling 8 gold coins." Looking at it this way, there would indeed be profit.

"You also know that 1 gold coin per bottle is the retail unit price. The orders we deliver to the military won't be that high; otherwise, we couldn't secure the order at all." Albayo argued his point.

Subsequently, the two continued to haggle, but Albayo seemed to have changed his tune, stubbornly sticking to the price of 4 gold coins per bottle without budging, which greatly annoyed Carrie.

Seeing the negotiation reach a stalemate, Sylutia had to step in to temporarily interrupt.

"Let's not discuss the price for now. Let's talk about delivery and transportation."

"Due to a shortage of manpower at the mansion, we cannot help you transport the goods to Windcliff City. So, you will have to send people to pick up the goods yourself." Sylutia brought up this point.

"That's not a problem." Albayo also wouldn't feel comfortable letting others transport such expensive items.

"Then there's the issue of inspection upon delivery. Please inspect on the spot before taking the goods away from the mansion. Any damage after leaving the premises will not be our responsibility."

"That is acceptable. However, we also need to consider losses during transit. Therefore, I ask Miss Anluo'er to agree that for every 100 bottles purchased, you provide 2 extra bottles to cover losses."

Regarding this point, Sylutia thought about it. If she didn't agree, relying solely on herself and Madam to sell would also be troublesome. Such losses were indeed unavoidable.

"Agreed." She tapped her folding fan against her palm and agreed.

Seeing Sylutia agree, Carrie didn't say more. In fact, as Albayo said, this price was indeed quite good. If it were raw materials of other Aspects, one bottle might only be worth 1 gold coin. As a rare 'Blazing Sun' Aspect material, a price four times higher was already exceeding expectations.

"Then let's sign the contract." Having said that, the merchant took out a special contract paper. This paper was made by the 'Candlefort School,' imbued with the 'Secret Word' Aspect. It could prevent forgery, and once signed, would separate into two identical copies. Furthermore, the writing on the paper would be covered again by newly generated patterns, preventing tampering.

The price of this contract paper alone was worth several gold coins. Ordinary contracts didn't use such things.