Sorry, Not for Sale

Rein rejected her offer.

The noblewoman's expression remained unchanged, her face still beaming with smiles. "How about this, I'll add another fifty million. You should know the prices at the auction house; a typical top-quality boxing glove is only worth about this much. If you don't want the money, I can also help you exchange it for a pair of combat protective gear of the same quality at the Chamber of Commerce."

She paused, and seeing that Rein's expression remained unchanged, continued, "You know, these boxing gloves are of great significance to my daughter. Consider it a mother's unreasonable request, so I hope you can part with them. Your generosity will earn you the friendship of our 'Sunflower Merchant Guild'."

They've used coercion, bribery, and now they're playing the emotional card.

Even Rein had to admit that this woman was no ordinary person; she had a knack for understanding and manipulating people's hearts.

She is a competent businesswoman.

One hundred million lisos is indeed the price that most high-end protective gear is worth.

But that's just an ordinary one, not a "famous one".

The Karnap's Sacred Gauntlets, regardless of their efficacy, are unique in the world due to the craftsmanship of Master Primo and the significance of being the signature item of Rudolf Canapé, the Iron Fist.

The material cost of the protective gear is this price, but if you really want to buy it, no matter what price you ask, it depends on whether the seller is willing to sell. A markup of three to five times is perfectly normal.

Moreover, Rein has no intention of selling.

He prefers a pair of comfortable boxing gloves to money.

Moreover, the lady made a mistake.

When you said you were "friends of the Black Gold Merchant Guild," he immediately agreed. After all, Rein still owed that President Canossa a considerable favor.

But why should I give you face for your so-called "friendship of the Sunflower Merchant Guild"?

We'll definitely be enemies from now on, why would I give you aid to the enemy?

At this moment, the unusual flush on Tuster's face also disappeared.

Rein guessed that the woman might be connected to the old man and was afraid it might cause a misunderstanding.

Instead of refusing, he asked, "May I ask how I should address you, Madam?"

In this situation, there was no need for the noblewoman to speak hastily. Her butler proudly introduced her, "This is Fia Marquis Xiangshan Sebil, the eldest daughter of Marquis Seth von Sebil, Minister of Commerce of the Oma Empire, and the current Vice President of the Sunflower Merchant Guild."

Aristocratic introductions always include a long list of titles, statuses, and social connections, making their identities readily apparent.

Rein had never heard of this woman's name.

However, the "Mind Core" contained a biography of Seth von Seibir, the "Marquis Xiangshan," which was quite inspiring.

I heard that he was a minor viscount twenty or thirty years ago, but he eventually rose to the position of Minister of Commerce in Omar, successfully entering the circle of high-ranking nobles in the Oma Imperial Capital and becoming famous.

Finally, old man Tuster could not hold back and asked in a slightly trembling voice, "Excuse me, madam, do you know a lady named 'Elma Garcia'?"

Upon hearing this, the noblewoman named Fia glanced at the old man without batting an eye and said indifferently, "I don't know him."

She lied.

Of course she had heard of that name.

This is because it was her mother's name before she got married.

But she had no desire to have anything to do with this old man who looked like he'd crawled out of a cemetery.

Since his father became "Minister of Commerce," the Lopez Family has become one of Omar's most sought-after business elites, and they have also seen too many poor relatives trying to curry favor with him through a little connection.

Tuster persisted, saying again, "She had a red mole on her lip and long, wine-red hair. She was just as beautiful as you when she was young."

"I'm sorry, sir, I don't know the person you're talking about."

The noblewoman smiled gently and interrupted him.

Haha, hunters living in tents?

If someone can't even get a room in the Mechanical City the camp, they're definitely not Five Great Families "City of Radiance," nor any high-ranking noble from the two great empires.

Although she didn't show any unusual expression on her face, she looked down on these people from the bottom of her heart.

The lady turned her gaze back to Rein and went straight back to the previous topic, "Mr. Rein, what do you think of my suggestion?"

Having read this far, Rein roughly understood and turned to ask, "Grandpa Tuster, what do you think?"

If this woman and old man Tuster really have a past relationship, it wouldn't be unreasonable to give him face.

Tuster didn't look at the lady again, and said, "Young Rein, that's your business, you don't need to ask me. I just think this lady looks a lot like a friend I used to know."

He paused, then the expectation in his eyes finally faded completely. "It seems I was wrong."

Upon hearing this, Rein raised an eyebrow and said to the noblewoman, "I'm sorry, madam. I have no intention of selling the spoils of war at the moment."

"Aren't you really going to reconsider?"

"Yes."

"The price is negotiable."

"No more talk, no sale."

Upon hearing this, the lady's smile vanished instantly.

The butler, who had been holding back for a while, jumped out and shouted, "Have you thought this through? You used despicable means to win against my young lady, fine, but do you really think that just because you have this, it's yours? You..."

"Never mind, let's go."

The noblewoman was, after all, a businesswoman who knew how to weigh the pros and cons. Although the butler had spoken her mind, she did not intend to completely break off relations. "Since young man is unwilling to part with his beloved, then it is a great pity."

"No need to see me out."

Rein snorted coldly and ignored him.

They chased away those uninvited guests.

Rein started fiddling with the pharmaceutical materials again. It's no wonder that serious scientists don't like too much socializing; these activities are a real waste of time and energy.

Old Master Tuster remained lying blankly in his chair, not snapping out of his daze for a long time.

Rein didn't disturb him and quietly packed up the medicine.

Little Karl was also helping to clean up the broken glass test tubes on the floor.

Suddenly, the old man spoke up, "Young Rein, little Karl, don't you want to know why I lost my composure just now?"

Karl, not quite understanding the emotional world of adults, blinked in confusion.

Although something seemed to be on his mind, Rein pretended not to know and asked, "Did that lady remind you of some old friends?"

Tuster nodded, his cloudy eyes growing deeper and deeper, gleaming with a light of reminiscence.

"When I was young, I loved a girl. She also had a head of wine-red hair. Oh no! To be precise, they looked almost exactly alike."

He paused for a moment, then began to recount a story from thirty years ago that he had never mentioned to anyone before.

When the old man mentioned the girl in his heart, a warm smile that he had never seen before spread across his face.

"I entered the Oma Royal Academy of Sciences when I was six years old. At fourteen, I received the 'Senior Mechanic' qualification medal and graduated first in my class. Afterward, I served as a teaching assistant at the academy."

"I only enjoy scientific research and have no interest in positions, honors, patents, social interactions—anything that wastes my time. Given the necessary conditions for research, I don't even want to leave the lab."

"And she was there for me during the best time of my life."

"."

Rein listened quietly.

He had heard a rough outline from Bazel, but the focus was on the "scandal."

Now, this old man is recounting the most beautiful love story from his youth.

He finally understood why the old man had acted so strangely when he saw that noblewoman.

For a truly top-tier scientist like Tuster, the emotional world is as pure as a mathematical formula: 1+1=2, and can only equal 2.

They dedicated all their passion to science, and the little love they had left for life was only enough to love one person.

They don't fall in love easily, but once they do, it's for life.

But,

The story begins with hearing the beginning,

Rein knew it would end in tragedy.

In fact, when Rein first heard about the "scandal" at the Royal Academy of Sciences from Bazel, he noticed several suspicious points that seemed to suggest something fishy.

Tuster made a scene, claiming that the son of a high-ranking official, 'Breidan,' had stolen hundreds of his patents.

This is quite intriguing. The creation cycle for hundreds of patents must be quite long. If it were a one-time theft application, it would easily arouse suspicion.

If it is a long-term theft process, then a close person who can frequently access Tuster's research is needed.

The old man was very reclusive when he was young, and there was only one outsider who could stay in his laboratory for a long time.

That's the girl in his story, "Irma Garcia".

Moreover, the toxins in the old man's body were very special; they were muscle atrophy toxins that the medical community couldn't detect even thirty years ago.

This is a toxin that can cause the body to gradually shrink without affecting the brain.

If it weren't for the early brain isolation procedure, Tuster wouldn't be alive today.

Rein connected the dots with other clues, and the conspiracy quickly came to light.

Some people want him to use his brain, but also hope that he might die at any time due to his physical condition so as not to arouse suspicion.

Therefore, a chronic toxin that cannot be detected is needed.

The sudden outbreak of the "scandal" had a significant impact on the then-president of the Academy of Sciences.

With the investigation underway, suspicion naturally fell on "Irma Garcia." If the technology theft was indeed committed, then this woman's testimony would be extremely important.

Unfortunately, according to Tuster, his lover committed suicide by drowning herself in a lake because she could not bear the humiliation.

The death of this key figure turned Tuster's appeal into a "false accusation," ultimately leading to his disgrace, ruin, and the destruction of his family.

Then, things returned to reality.

From a genetic perspective, the noblewoman from earlier is probably directly related to the girl named "Elma Garcia" in the story.

That's quite dramatic.

The girl who committed suicide to prove her chastity not only survived, but also married a nobleman and is now a well-off marquis.

Clearly, this could be a melodramatic story involving a manipulative woman, an actress, and a spy.

Rein didn't comment, even though he guessed it wasn't a beautiful love story.

Thirty years is enough time for a person to understand everything.

It's likely that Mr. Tuster had already guessed something.

But there wasn't even a trace of hatred in the story he told.

Finally, Tuster finished telling the story.

The elderly man, nearing the end of his life, made his last wish. "If my health permits, I would like to return to the Oma Imperial Capital a visit."

He wanted to take another look at the homeland that had hurt him the most.

Karl immediately said, "Grandpa, I'll go with you."

"Grandpa Tuster, once you've recovered, I'll go with you."

Rein knew very well that his body probably no longer allowed him to cross mountains and valleys to return to the Oma Empire east of the "Alkolon Mountain Range".

After hearing Tuster's story,

Rein felt that the old man had a kind of "obsessive" passion for relationships, just like his attitude towards science, remaining steadfast to the end.

However, it's also a good thing.

At least it seems that old man Tuster has gained another "obsession" with living.

I don't know why, but today seems particularly lively.

The troubles just kept coming.

Even the Bazel, who was hiding in the shadows, was alerted.

"Rein, be careful these next few days. It's best if you don't leave the base; there might be some trouble."

"You mean... that the people from the 'Sunflower Merchant Guild' will come after me?"

"Heh, those guys, if they really have bad intentions, I'll kill as many as they come. What trouble could they possibly cause?"

"What do you mean?"

"See those Blue-tailed Hawk in the sky? They've been circling in the clouds all afternoon. They followed the 'Iron Boots' men back to base."

"."

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