As a great merchant, Marquis Golden Ear understood this creature's strategic value all too well. If he could acquire this technology, he could not only resolve his fief's crisis but even monopolize waste disposal across the entire council!
"Not for sale."
Veylin's answer was firm and final.
"This is a core asset of the Gray Marsh Fief. We only lease its services, charged by the day, or... paid for in grain."
"Everything has a price." The marquis regained his haughty bearing, trying to overwhelm the other man through sheer presence. "Ten thousand Gold Suns? Or fifty thousand? Name your price, human. Don't be too greedy. The council might not agree to let such ugly things into the sacred forest. Only I can help you secure approval."
He tried to devalue the merchandise to seize the initiative in the negotiations.
It was a standard trick in business negotiations.
Unfortunately, Veylin did not buy it.
"That's fine."
Veylin smiled, turned, and beckoned to Tristan. "Tristan, make a note. Since Marquis Golden Ear finds these insects too ugly, let's cancel our original cooperation plan."
"Yes, my lord." Tristan opened his notebook, expressionless.
"Also, send a message to Duke Frostleaf north of the Ironwood Line," Veylin added casually. "Tell him we observed the forest conditions there while passing through. This 'Ecological Cleanup Plan' might be just the thing to solve the Frostleaf Family's troubles. Although the residents there aren't particularly fond of humans and the price would be lower, the sheer size of the territory makes up for that."
Marquis Golden Ear's brow twitched sharply.
Duke Frostleaf.
He was the neighbor whose lands bordered his own. Because of its location, the Frostleaf Fief was indeed somewhat less affected by the curse of "abundance," and its environment had always been better than that of the