Axel

Chapter 252: An Alchemist Always Dreams

Added 2025-02-08 14:02:00 +0000 UTC

Sean Conner took several deep breaths, as though pulling himself back from the brink of being overwhelmed. With a faintly bitter smile, he said, "I was too impatient, and you saw right through me."

"I went to Byron on business and came across two high-grade blood cores at a very favorable price. I intended to resell them but couldn't resist. You might not understand—every alchemist dreams of crafting one or two masterpieces."

"I exhausted all my resources and even took out a loan to forge these two vampiric pistols."

"I thought I could sell them for a high price, but after several auctions in Byron, they went unsold every time."

Charlot Mecklenburg raised an eyebrow in mild surprise and asked, "Why is that?"

Sean Conner was silent for a long moment before replying in a low voice, "I am from the Fars Empire and was trained in traditional alchemy."

Charlot nodded in realization. "Byron favors classical alchemy."

Several of the extraordinary weapons in Charlot's possession were made using both classical and traditional alchemy. He never found either inconvenient. In fact, the anti-space long-range rifles forged with traditional alchemy felt more practical and easier to use—aside from the cost of anti-magic armor-piercing rounds being slightly expensive, there were hardly any downsides.

Yet Charlot also understood why Byron's vampires disliked traditional alchemy. Vampires abhorred machinery!

Being a peculiar form of sinister entity, most machinery was ineffective against them.

Weapons forged through traditional alchemy were highly effective against humans but less so against vampires.

Vampires, like humans, valued weapons that could harm their own kind the most.

Sean Conner murmured, "I am willing to sell one of these pistols to you in exchange for your baronial blood core."

Charlot smiled faintly and said, "I want both pistols. How about a thirty percent discount?"

Sean Conner looked up in shock. "That’s impossible."

"I’m already selling at a loss."

"Another thirty percent discount..."

"You’re breaking my back here."

Charlot spread his hands and said, "After all, you can’t sell these pistols to anyone else. Why not sell both to me?"

Sean Conner flatly refused. "No! I will only sell one."

Charlot didn’t argue further and instead asked, "What was your original asking price for these pistols?"

Sean Conner looked despondent. "Five thousand écus each. Ten thousand for both."

Charlot quickly calculated in his head and arrived at a figure. One écu equated to about 18,000 to 19,000 yuan in purchasing power. Based on Sean Conner’s initial asking price, each pistol was close to 90 million yuan, and together they surpassed three hundred million.

Where was the loss? Where was the supposed breaking of his back?

This was the attitude of a true capitalist.

Charlot's eyes gleamed faintly as he asked, "Do these pistols offer any unique bonuses when used together?"

Sean Conner’s eyes brightened as he replied, "Both blood cores in the pistols come from the Nicholas Clan. One pistol’s core is inscribed with a Swiftstep Technique x6, and the other has Swiftstep Technique x7. When the same user owns both, the effects combine to grant Swiftstep Technique x9."

"As for other attributes..."

Charlot kept his expression neutral, but inside, a storm raged. Only one thought floated above the turbulent waves: "I must have them. Both of them."

"These pistols are a necessity."

"Even if this purchase becomes the single largest expense of both my lifetimes combined."

"Most West Wind Knight Order soldiers earn only a few dozen centimes weekly. This sum could support the entire Order for two or three months... but it's worth it!"

Charlot wasn’t even interested in their offensive capabilities. With Swiftstep Technique boosted to x9, his speed would be unmatched beneath the Saint rank.

Besides, he already had Swiftstep Technique x2.

Charlot gave a soft "Oh" in response. He wasn’t sure about his acting skills, but Sean Conner clearly didn’t catch on. With great effort, Sean said, "Even now, I cannot accept less than three thousand écus per pistol. Both together, at least ten thousand écus."

Charlot sympathetically patted Sean’s shoulder and said, "You won’t sell them."

"Also, have you considered someone might try to split the purchase by involving an acquaintance?"

Sean Conner’s eyes lit up. "If I sell one, I’ll raise the price of the other. Buyers will then understand the unique value these pistols hold."

"Extraordinary weapons should be expensive. These are lifesaving tools capable of defeating enemies. How could they be cheap?"

Charlot countered, "What if someone purchases one just to collect, not to use?"

Sean Conner grew agitated. "Impossible! My creation, my masterpiece—it’s flawless. Who wouldn’t use it?"

Charlot shrugged. "Many nobles don’t personally fight."

Sean Conner retorted, "I wouldn’t sell my masterpiece to such people."

Charlot sighed. "Only those kinds of people have money. I now understand why you haven’t sold these pistols."

"If you stay this stubborn, you’ll go bankrupt."

The words struck a nerve. Sean Conner slumped, muttering repeatedly, "I won’t go bankrupt. I won’t go bankrupt. I still have a chance to rise again. I will become a great alchemist."

Charlot, his eyes filled with sympathy, said, "Sell them to me, and you’ll have the capital to rise again. I suspect you’re already struggling with debt. The interest must be high."

"You still have a chance now, but if you delay, the accumulating interest might leave you with nothing even after selling them. You’ll lose the opportunity to bounce back."

Sean Conner hung his head, whispering to himself. Charlot didn’t interrupt, giving the man space to think.

After half an hour, Sean Conner made a firm decision. "You can have both pistols for your baronial blood core, two vampiric weapons, and 6,500 écus."

Charlot shook his head. "I can’t give up my vampiric weapons. Baronial blood core and 3,000 écus."

Sean Conner’s forehead veins bulged. "That price is impossible."

Charlot replied, "Both my weapons are worth over 1,000 écus each. Your price lacks sincerity."

The negotiation continued, with both sides gradually softening their positions.

Finally, when the price reached a range of a baronial blood core plus 7,000 écus versus 4,500 écus, Charlot played his trump card. He summoned a waiter, paid for two coffees, and said, "Why don’t you take some time to reconsider?"

Sean Conner wrestled with his thoughts like an internal battle between angels and demons. At last, he pushed the box containing the two pistols toward Charlot and said, "Baronial blood core and 5,500 écus!"

"That’s my final offer!"

"I see you truly love these pistols. May they follow you to great deeds and legendary feats."