Negotiation with Chloe (1)
“You said you had something to discuss with me...?”
The workshop owner spoke. She was an elderly woman with a frail, sickly impression—even her voice lacked strength. The owner's name was Cecilia.
“Yes, Cecilia. I think it'll be a very interesting story for you. Could you spare me a moment?”
“Of course. Then, to the parlor inside...”
Chloe followed Cecilia into the depths of the workshop. Cecilia was the only one there. This wasn't a private studio but a rented workshop.
So, it wasn't particularly surprising that there were no other employees.
'But even looking this fragile, like a patient, her skills seem incredible. If she really made all those displayed crafts herself.'
Cecilia personally brought out some tea. Chloe took a sip—and nearly spat it out.
'Bitter as hell, and the aroma is the worst.'
But with the patience of an elite merchant, she barely held it in.
“This is delicious tea. I'll enjoy it.”
“Really? That's a relief... I thought it would taste bad.”
Then don't serve it, Chloe thought, but she didn't touch the tea again. Instead, she bombarded Cecilia with questions.
And throughout their conversation, she couldn't help but be astonished. Every displayed craft had truly been made by this woman herself.
They weren't ordinary crafts, either. They were miniature replicas of all sorts of weapons—from daggers to crossbows and even siege engines, in a stunning variety.
'If it were just crude imitations, you'd find toy-level stuff like that at any local market.'
So Chloe infused mana into one of the crafts to precisely examine its internal structure.
It wasn't at the level of a master artisan from the Tech Division. But weapons were a key trading commodity for the Aiterne Merchant Group, so Chloe knew the principles well herself.
She even had a talent for hidden weapons, which were a type of armament. And the results of her inspection were shocking.
'Every single one is fully functional.'
What surprised Chloe most was that even these tiny crafts were all engraved with runes. The efficiency revealed upon mana infusion was near-perfect.
“So, I was utterly amazed. For someone who just entered Pantheon to have such advanced skills. That's why I have a proposal. You know of the Aiterne Merchant Group, right, Cecilia?”
“Yes... Anyone living in the imperial capital has heard of the Aiterne Merchant Group.”
Chloe couldn't hide her smug expression. The group dominated everything traded in the capital, from luxuries to everyday items for commoners.
It was only natural that even a mere commoner cadet like her would know the name.
“That makes this easier, then. We'd like to sign an exclusive sponsorship contract with you under the Aiterne name.”
Chloe clapped her palms sharply.
“Doirn! Bring the standard contract form!”
A subordinate waiting outside the parlor handed Chloe the documents. It was a contract for sponsoring an Endia Division cadet.
“Want to take a look? I can explain anything confusing. And if you could just sign in all the blank spots here...?”
Of course, every clause heavily favored the Aiterne Merchant Group. There were insidious poison pills hidden so cleverly that only a thorough read would reveal them.
'Sign here, and it's over.'
A craftsman worth 100 in value, bought for a mere 10—and exploitable for nearly five years. A vicious contract.
And five years wasn't short. Plenty of time to work her to the bone and have the group's own family artisans steal all her core techniques.
Plus, with the Aiterne name's prestige, no one would suspect foul play. And compared to shady merchants, Aiterne was practically benevolent.
Even if the artisan only got a fraction of the profits, the massive scale meant that fraction was still substantial.
To top it off, Cecilia was pretty.
If she'd fallen into a third-rate sleazy firm, it wouldn't just be her craft they'd exploit—her looks would drag her into unsavory dealings too.
'In that sense, how angelic am I... Huh?'
Chloe waited for Cecilia to sign. But something was off. Cecilia should have been thrilled at the Aiterne name and signed without a second thought.
Yet she glanced at the papers briefly and handed them back unsigned.
'What's going on? More meticulous than she looks?'
Chloe panicked inwardly but waved her fan leisurely.
“Oh? Is there a clause or condition you don't like? We can revise it as much as...”
“N-no, it's not that!”
Surprisingly, this frail girl who seemed too intimidated to speak cut her off. And what came next was even more shocking.
“The one who recommended me for admission... Viscount Harsen... is Yulian von Reinhardt. So without his permission, I can't decide this on my own.”
“Wait. What did you say? Did you just say Viscount Yulian?”
An unexpected familiar name dropped from the unlikeliest place. Chloe's head rang like she'd been struck from behind.
***
It went exactly as planned.
Today was Monday, the start of the week. Chloe would be busy roaming Pantheon for Aiterne business. Hans, now friendly with her coachman, had tipped me off about her schedule.
And Chloe had taken the bait I'd set. The door to my private atelier in Hesos Hall suddenly opened.
In walked a silver-haired woman. Beautiful, with eerily cold red eyes—the Alchemy Division's representative. Chloe, naturally.
She frantically scanned the atelier for me, then spotted me and approached the sofa where I sat.
Just as I'd trained her, she bowed perfectly, belly to the floor.
“The north wind that calms even...”
“Stop. It's been spring for ages. Don't make it winter again on my account—skip the formalities.”
I cut her off, and she flinched, hiding behind her fan.
“Anyway, what's this about? Coming to my atelier in person.”
She peeked out, eyes burning hotter than before. Her mind racing furiously, it seemed.
Different from her usual high-noble textbook poise. Chloe cut straight to the chase.
“Before coming here, I stopped by a rental workshop in Endia Hall. Met a cadet named Cecilia there.”
As expected—about Cecilia. Chloe pulled a document from her bag.
“I heard Viscount Yulian is this cadet's admission recommender. So you must know her well.”
“Of course. As you said, I personally recommended her for admission.”
“Oh? It's true, then.”
Interest flickered in Chloe's red eyes. Probably because Cecilia was a beauty. She might think Cecilia was my secret lover.
But Chloe was a cool-headed merchant. Gossip aside, she had a bigger goal.
“Anyway, I have a great proposal regarding Viscount Yulian and that cadet. Directly from the Aiterne Merchant Group.”
I skimmed the documents she handed over. Pages crammed with contract clauses—not just one or two.
“Simply put: Aiterne will sponsor this cadet. We'll invest generously in improving her crafting skills. And a portion of the sponsorship and investment funds will go to you, Viscount Yulian.”
I examined the contract again. Incredibly convoluted, but I knew what to check. After glancing at key clauses and numbers, I tore it apart without hesitation.
Rip—
I shredded it thoroughly and tossed the pieces into the air. Chloe's real-time expression changes were quite the sight.
“V-Viscount? Any complaints...?”
“An utterly abysmal, unfair contract. Do you take me for a fool? This maximizes Aiterne's profits, but Cecilia gets scraps in return. And I don't need your petty sponsorship cut. The margrave's wealth is more than enough without your pocket change.”
I replied calmly, but my irritation was clear. Chloe hid behind her fan again.
“My apologies. I've been rude to you, Viscount. Then...”
She fell silent, mind whirring. Figuring how to salvage this and contract Cecilia.
She wouldn't let go of Cecilia's huge potential easily. But she'd picked the wrong opponent.
I planned to extract maximum gain from her, just like she did.
Our negotiation resumed.
***
In the end, Chloe raised the white flag. She was the aggrieved party, naturally.
No five-year exclusive poison pills—instead, per-product contracts. And ownership of investment-enhanced crafting techniques stayed with Cecilia.
“Still not enough. You came here knowing Cecilia's value. If we opened her skills to public bidding and called in all the merchants, she could get far better terms. Top-tier rune enchanters like her are priceless.”
“No! Viscount Yulian! Then for items sold through Cecilia's workshop, we'll add extra compensation per piece...”
Terms kept improving in real time. Checking the system trait, I smirked inwardly.
Trait: Exclusive Contractor of an Excellent Artisan (B) / Cecilia
: You have formed an exclusive contract with an excellent artisan blessed by the God of Craft. Gain additional proficiency from the contract artisan's skill improvements and product sales.
Details: Using this trait increases the efficiency of enchantments received from the contracted artisan on weapons.
(Includes crafting, enhancement, repair)
The last piece of my six-division traits: the artisan exclusive contractor. I'd unlocked it with GP in advance for this.
Unlike others, Tech Division traits had broad system proficiency judgment.
'Meaning I don't have to become an artisan myself.'
No formal paperwork needed. As the trait showed, Cecilia already saw herself as my exclusive artisan. Probably the dragon blood's pull.
So her skill growth and sales boosted my proficiency. This trait even improved my weapon enchant efficiency.
And Aiterne would hustle to sell her products. A proficiency feast for me.
Each time Chloe sweetened Cecilia's terms, my proficiency rose too.
'Proficiency rising this well means her proposed terms are sufficient.'
Chloe, sensing she couldn't yield more, said:
“This is the maximum compensation for an exclusive contract with Cecilia. We're already taking losses for years with these terms.”
“You take me for a fool? Aiterne doing losing business? Even a three-year-old in the capital wouldn't buy that.”
Chloe sighed behind her fan, looking drained. This level of haggling was rare even for a skilled merchant like her.
“Sigh. Fine. I can't yield more on Cecilia's contract. But if Viscount Yulian—or you personally—wants something from Aiterne, or me, I'll accommodate within reason.”
Finally, the answer I wanted. That was the real goal of this tedious negotiation.
“Oh? Truly?”
“Of course. I already consider us on friendly terms. Don't you?”
She glanced slyly, probing. Friendly terms. She meant something else, no doubt.
'I've taken her virginity. We've had sloppy, intense sex.'
From her last reaction, she'd been thrilled. Time had passed since; she was probably aching for it.
“Then, a few things I want...”
“One moment, Viscount. We've talked contracts forever—how about some tea? A short break wouldn't hurt.”
True, she'd come and we'd only negotiated. Sharp Eirin should have offered tea, but she'd stayed away during our talk.
“Fine, can't refuse that. Eirin! Two cups of mint tea!”
Eirin swiftly prepared the mint tea and brought a tray with two cups. Seeing it, Chloe snatched the tray.
“Oh, let me serve the viscount myself.”
“How kind. Thank you.”
“Not at all.”
Eirin flashed a dazzling smile at Chloe. She clearly disliked her.
Chloe set a cup on the table right in front of me.
“Your tea here, Viscount. Smells wonderful. As expected from your atelier—the mint tea is on another level.”
She gave a suspiciously sly smile.
As expected. The moment I touched the cup, the system activated my Ten Thousand Poisons Immunity passive.
The poison listed was, ridiculously, an aphrodisiac.