"Next."
Annan watched the Inventor walk in. His shoulders were hunched, and he looked timid—the mark of someone who had lacked confidence for a long time.
Whatever someone like him had invented was either useful or useless... Wasn't that stating the obvious?
While Annan was still making pointless deductions, Dunbelly gestured for the inventor to introduce his work.
"Uh... I invented a Light-Sensitive Potion. Apply it to your eyelids, then close your eyes, and it feels as though sunlight is shining on them..."
Annan sat up a little. "A night-vision potion? That's nothing unusual. Or have you found a way to lower the cost?" Dunbelly asked.
"It's not a night-vision potion. It just... makes your eyes sense light..." The more he spoke, the more he stammered.
Annan finally understood: the potion affected the retina, making it seem as though you were standing beside a light source when you closed your eyes.
What's the point of that? After turning the question over in his mind several times, Annan instead asked, "Are you looking to sell us the formula, or are you after a position?"
The Inventor, who had looked so timid a moment ago, lit up with delight. "I can give the potion to Free City, as long as I'm allowed to stay!"
Annan asked Dunbelly what he thought. Dunbelly had no objections. Anyone capable of inventing a Potion would be more useful to put to work than a Mage Apprentice.
Annan smiled. "Welcome to the Mushroom House. But business is business, and Free City never takes advantage of its own people. Hmm... How does ten Gold Narls for your formula sound?"
Even a mosquito was meat.
The Black-Clad Cardinal watching from the side said nothing. Apparently, he felt ten mere Gold Narls weren't worth arguing with the Holy Son over.