…………
The crystalline body silently disintegrated, turning into countless tiny magical light points that dissipated into the damp, cold air of the steel dome's circulation chamber.
Linde's consciousness, like a weary bird returning to its nest, instantly traversed a vast distance and returned to the warm, tired but now somewhat rejuvenated body in Blackrock Fortress.
He lay on the soft velvet bed, slowly opening his eyes, his purple pupils reflecting the intricate carvings on the bedroom ceiling.
Siren's curious questions, carrying the scent of the sea breeze, still seemed to echo in my ears:
"Are you human?" "Do you eat fish?" "Is your land sun... bigger?"
That look of someone who had survived a catastrophe and was somewhat naive and bewildered dispelled some of the chill emanating from the depths of the steel sky.
"Phew..." Linde sat up and stretched his stiff neck.
Sirona is settled for now, with a seawater pool set up in the recirculation chamber, enough for her to have some fun.
She seemed to have recovered from her initial fear and began to develop a strong interest in the world of "land people," which was a good sign.
A siren who can freely traverse the nodes of the magic network is far more valuable than just an "ornament."
However, there is another, more pressing matter that requires his personal attention.
Lind yawned, but his eyes had already cleared.
He got up and walked to the bathroom. The cold water splashed on his face, completely dispelling any lingering sleepiness.
The young lord reflected in the mirror had a hint of sharpness and... a touch of amusement in his eyes.
Yes, a rare guest has come to visit today.
Nad Truk.
His half-sister, whom he had only glimpsed a few times at grand family occasions or at the Earl's mansion.
Despite being the closest blood relatives, they were like strangers in reality. Lind had very limited impressions of her, only vaguely remembering that she seemed to have shown an amazing talent for numbers and contracts at a very young age, and later took full charge of the complex and vast trade network between Earl Truk's territory and the dwarf kingdom of the Gray Rock Mountains.
She personally traveled to a remote and impoverished place like Blackrock Territory to discuss business? A meaningful smile curled at the corner of Lin De's lips. This so-called "business" was probably not so simple.
---
Blackrock Fortress, main reception room.
This place is slightly more private than the formal council chamber, but the furnishings still reflect the lord's majesty and taste.
The fireplace was burning with fine smokeless charcoal, providing a warm and cozy atmosphere.
Oil paintings depicting the scenery of Blackrock Territory hang on the walls, and the heavy oak table is so shiny it reflects light.
Linde changed into a well-tailored, high-quality dark purple casual suit. It had no excessive decorations, but it perfectly accentuated his tall figure and composed demeanor.
He sat upright in the main seat, his slender fingers unconsciously stroking the smooth wooden armrest, his gaze calmly fixed on the doorway.
The door was pushed open silently, and the old butler, Seth, bowed slightly: "Young Master, Miss Nad Truk has arrived."
A figure walked in.
Nad Truk's first impression is that she is efficient.
She looked a year or two younger than Lind, and was tall and slender. She wore a well-tailored, easy-to-move dark blue hunting dress that was both elegant and practical.
Her long, dark brown hair was meticulously styled into a simple bun, revealing her smooth forehead and well-defined jawline.
Her features inherited the excellent genes of the Truk family, deep and three-dimensional, especially her eyes, which were very similar to Lind's. At this moment, they were shining with scrutiny and calmness, like a precise ruler measuring everything around her.
Her demeanor was completely different from that of the noble ladies commonly found in castles.
There was no pretentious fragility, no deliberate elegance, only a settled confidence and shrewdness born from countless successful transactions and complex negotiations.
Her steps were steady and powerful, conveying a clear sense of purpose.
"His Excellency Viscount Lind Truk".
Nade stopped in front of Linde, nodded slightly, and gave a standard aristocratic greeting. Her voice was clear and pleasant, but carried a hint of businesslike aloofness.
"Thank you for taking the time to meet with me."
"Miss Nad Truk".
Linde stood up and returned the impeccable courtesy, a gentle smile befitting an "elder brother" appearing on his face, though the smile didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Welcome to Blackrock Territory. No need for such formalities, please have a seat."
He pointed to the spot opposite the long table.
Nade sat down as instructed, her back straight, her hands naturally folded on the table, her posture impeccable.
She got straight to the point, without any attempt at pleasantries:
“Your Excellency, my purpose in coming here is clear: to secure a deal, or rather, a series of deals with enormous potential.”
Her gaze was sharp as she stared directly at Linde, her eyes gleaming with the light a merchant would when assessing rare goods. "Your Blackrock Territory, or rather, you yourself, possess a... astonishing new material."
Linde picked up the hot tea that Seth had just served, gently blew away the foam, and said in a calm tone:
"Oh? Blackrock Territory is located on the frontier and is poor in resources. I wonder what kind of material could catch the eye of the Truk family's trade magnate?"
He deliberately emphasized Nad's position in the family, reminding her of her current status.
Nad seemed oblivious to Lind's underlying meaning; she leaned forward slightly, her tone carrying an undeniable certainty:
“Crystal Remains. An unprecedented artificial crystal remains with perfect geometry, extremely high energy carrying capacity and amazing stability.”
Her words, like a precise ruler, pinpointed the core issue: "It has already appeared at the capital's top auction, causing a sensation. Although its origin has been deliberately obscured, through some... special channels, and its high similarity in certain key indicators to the 'trinkets' recently leaked from Blackrock Territory, we have reason to believe that its source is here."
Indeed, these unexpectedly leaked crystal remains were part of Lind's scheme, and these astonishing things, like their appearance in the orc kingdom, attracted great attention as soon as they appeared.
Because some important figures in the Kree Empire must know about something like the Crystal Remains.
Her gaze was fixed on Lind, as if trying to pierce through his calm:
"Your Excellency, this material is priceless. Whether used for the core energy storage of top-tier magical equipment, the power core of constructs, the stabilizing node of large magic arrays, or even... the energy carrier in certain forbidden areas, its potential is immeasurable."
The Earldom, or rather the Truk family I represent, hopes to obtain its exclusive agency rights, or at least priority purchasing rights.
We possess a well-established commercial network covering the entire Kree Empire, extending even to the Grand Duchy of Thass and Ork, as well as deep trade relations with the Dwarven Kingdom, enabling us to maximize its value.
She paused, then added:
"Of course, we will absolutely satisfy you regarding the price. The Truk family's reputation is the best guarantee."
Linde listened quietly, his gentle smile remaining unchanged. He set down his teacup, the porcelain cup making a soft, crisp sound against the tray.
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