Read Novel Full Chapter 220: Price
Chapter 220: Price
Dasmond was naturally aware that he could only leave for now, as the Red Star Empress clearly seemed to be following Richard’s wishes.
He let out an unhappy snort before leaving without saying a word.
Watching him go, the Red Star Empress finally let out a sigh of relief.
However, when she looked at Richard, she found it difficult even to say thank you.
Now, it felt even harder for her to refuse if Richard invited her to buy that coin.
"Richard, it’s very expensive," she said after a moment of silence.
"How much?" Richard asked.
"It’s equivalent in price to a Tier 6 weapon—over seventy million Spirit Natures," the Red Star Empress replied.
She seemed to hope that, even if Richard possessed a great deal of Spirit Nature, he would still hesitate to spend that much on her.
But Richard immediately smiled and said, "That’s not expensive at all."
That clearly meant it was of high quality, considering even the Ignis Volt Core hadn’t cost that much.
Of course, Richard knew that the high-tier Ignis Volt Core he currently possessed was worth far more than that.
The Red Star Empress found it increasingly difficult to refuse after hearing him say it wasn’t expensive at all.
"All right, Sister Maya. I still have matters to attend to elsewhere, so I’ll take my leave for now. See you," Richard said before turning to go.
He wasn’t in a hurry. In his view, the woman needed time to calm down before he made her soul burn once more.
DING!
(Your mastery of Mind Attack has increased from 63% to 78%!)
Mind Attack (78%)
He received the notification just as he walked away.
By now, night had already fallen.
Richard continued strolling through the city, waiting for William.
The man didn’t keep him waiting long. He arrived with a new appearance, looking even more neat and refined than before.
"Richard, Master Alex has appeared. Let’s go meet him," William said.
Richard nodded without saying anything, motioning for him to lead the way.
"By the way, why does Duke Dasmond also want that Hidden World?" Richard asked as they made their way to Master Alex’s residence.
He didn’t think the man needed a Hidden World designed to serve as a clan residence and a training ground for young Magi.
Such a place was more suitable for clans without fixed territory, clans that moved around constantly.
As for Dasmond, he was part of the Royal Family and already possessed vast lands.
He didn’t even need to worry about his descendants, since they would inherit his title and receive a large territory of their own.
"Most likely to house the remnants of the Dark Star Legion," William replied casually.
"The remnants of the Dark Star Legion? What happened to that legion?" Richard asked. He had dealt with the Dark Star Legion when he was young.
As of now, he had no idea what had become of them, as he’d never bothered to look into it.
"Queen Lilith disbanded them after she took power, transferring all their bases and resources to other legions. Even the Sky Armor of their Sky Armor Knights was confiscated. Duke Dasmond was naturally unwilling, but Queen Lilith has become so powerful that he could only accept it. Many members of that legion were his personal subordinates. Now that they’ve lost their training grounds, he needs to prepare a new place so the Dark Star Legion can continue to exist, at least before they completely scatter if its members choose to wander off one by one."
"Oh..." Richard smiled strangely after hearing that.
So the man merely wanted to gather the thorns that Lilith had already discarded.
"But where did he get so much Spirit Nature?" Richard asked again.
Naturally, this puzzled him. With the kingdom being so poor, one of its members actually possessed such immense wealth.
"Don’t underestimate the Dark Star Legion. They did a lot of dirty work, so it’s natural they accumulated plenty of wealth. It should be the result of selling off treasures that Duke Dasmond managed to preserve," William replied.
"To think he kept wealth that should have belonged to the kingdom, while I’m the one paying off its debts," Richard said, unable to hide his irritation.
William chuckled at his words.
Just then, Richard suddenly saw Dasmond flying in from another direction, accompanied by a man in his thirties wearing a black robe, with dark, dangerous-looking eyes.
They were heading in the same direction as Richard and William—toward a large wooden house hidden deep within a forest nestled between two mountains near the city.
This was undoubtedly Master Alex’s residence.
Dasmond was clearly surprised to see Richard here again, alongside William.
He frowned, his expression quickly turning uncomfortable.
In the end, they landed simultaneously in front of Master Alex’s house.
"Duke Dasmond, greetings!" William greeted him warmly.
"Anderson, why did you bring this brat with you?" Dasmond asked.
"Duke Dasmond, Richard is also interested in purchasing the Hidden World from Master Alex," William replied.
"Duke, I hope you brought enough Spirit Nature," Richard added provocatively.
"Your lack of confidence isn’t misplaced at all. After all, I’m carrying nearly all the Spirit Nature from a massive mine, and I’ll pay whatever it takes as long as I get that Hidden World."
William couldn’t help laughing, not expecting Richard to openly taunt Duke Dasmond like that.
Dasmond’s expression, as well as that of the man beside him, instantly darkened.
Still, just because Richard was a boy in their eyes didn’t mean they didn’t know he was a difficult opponent.
"Brat, if you withdraw, I can sell this coin to you," Dasmond suddenly said, pulling out the coin he had intended to give to the Red Star Empress.
"And I’ll sell it at a lower price."
This time, it was William who was shocked.
He stared at the coin, immediately recognizing it due to his extensive knowledge of artifacts.
Then he looked at Richard, wondering if Richard wanted the coin so badly that Dasmond was offering it to him.
This made him somewhat uneasy. If Richard truly wanted that coin, he might prioritize it, given that he was essentially buying the Hidden World on William’s behalf.
And indeed, Richard hesitated.
He was interested in the coin. If he obtained it now and gave it to the Red Star Empress tonight, he might gain something good in return.
However, he had already promised to help William. Where would his dignity be if he suddenly changed his mind?
"Ehem..." A hoarse voice suddenly cleared its throat.
The door to Master Alex’s house opened, revealing Master Alex himself, looking as though he had just woken up.
"Hehehe, you all came so quickly. It seems I’ll be making a lot of money tonight," he said with a chuckle.
"Master Alex!" William, Dasmond, and even the cold man beside Dasmond greeted him at once.
Master Alex was a Ruler—none of them had the right to act arrogantly in his presence.
"Master Alex!" Richard also greeted him, though after the others.
"Brat, I didn’t expect you to come as well," Master Alex replied.
Dasmond looked displeased, seeing that Master Alex spoke directly to Richard, clearly showing him more friendliness.
"Yeah, I want to buy your Hidden World, Master Alex. How much are you selling it for?" Richard asked.
He glanced at Dasmond, who was still waiting for his answer, but his question to Master Alex effectively served as that answer.
Richard chose to honor his promise to William.
As for the coin, he would deal with it another way.
Master Alex stroked his beard, looking back and forth between Richard and Dasmond.
"Originally, I intended to sell it for one hundred million. Since there are two buyers, the only way is for the two of you to decide. I’m sure you know how," Master Alex said.
Richard and Dasmond instinctively stared at each other after he spoke.
Richard wanted to wait for Dasmond to make the first bid and then outbid him, but the man remained silent, as though he too was waiting.
Master Alex rolled his eyes at their silence.
"Ehem... If that’s the case, I’ll raise the price to one hundred and fifty million. Do you still want to buy it?"
At those words, it was William who looked worried.
One hundred and fifty million?
At that price, he would have to pay Richard at least one hundred and sixty million to ensure Richard made a profit.
Richard didn’t care about the price, but he looked at William, wanting to know if he agreed.
William nodded.
"Of course, one hundred and fifty million," Richard said, pulling out a ring containing that amount.
He glanced at Dasmond, who remained silent.
It seemed that after reaching that number, he could no longer bid.
Richard tossed the ring to Master Alex, who caught it with a bright smile.
"Deal," he said, then took out an item—a miniature five-story pagoda, gray in color, seemingly made of stacked stones.
"Brat, take this!" He handed the pagoda to Richard instead of throwing it.
When Richard received it, he found it extremely heavy.
Holding it, he could peer inside and truly see an immense Hidden World.
The Dragon Hall might surpass it in quality, but the pagoda could accommodate a vast number of people.
Richard even saw prison after prison inside, each holding energy monsters.
They were roughly human-sized but came in many different types.
"Brat, if you auction it elsewhere—say, in the Central Region—it wouldn’t be impossible for you to fetch an even higher price," Master Alex said.