Lying quietly inside the box was a piece of silvery metal, but its sheen was brighter than a silver coin's, with a faint trace of something sacred.
It was as though no darkness could hide beneath its reflected radiance.
Even the room grew a little brighter in its reflected light.
This was neither mithril nor any naturally occurring magical metal, but "sacred white iron," which could only be created under the influence of the Church's Light Divine Arts.
This sacred metal was said to be exceptionally effective against beings such as vengeful spirits and demons. It was one of the primary materials the Church provided for making equipment for novice Demon Hunters and Battle Priests.
Normally, this metal never circulated in large quantities. At most, a few kilograms might find their way out. Yet judging by what Kermoyer had just said, he seemed to have a large amount for Kroya to refine.
Could it be...?
He shifted his gaze from the metal in the box and glanced at the still-smiling Baron. "There are questions I really shouldn't ask, but I don't want anything to do with them."
"Them" naturally referred to the Church.
Although this world's Church differed considerably from the churches he had read about before transmigrating, he still wanted no part in such matters.
He only wanted to farm in peace. Until he had enough strength, he was better off staying as far away from these messy affairs as possible.
The Baron seemed to have anticipated this. "I can assure you, Mage Kroya, that this has absolutely nothing to do with the Church.
"I can personally provide a contract to ensure that our transaction proceeds smoothly."
As he spoke, he took a peculiar piece of parchment from the guard behind him. An exquisite set of scales was inscribed on it.
Beneath it were the already drafted terms of the contract.
The terms were fairly loose. Put simply, the source of these metals had absolutely no connection to the Church, and Kroya could refine them without concern.
Kroya narrowed his eyes at the contract, then relaxed and leaned back, his tone indifferent. "A contract of Order. You seem to have decided long ago that I would agree."
"Order" referred to a deity of this world. He had long since merged with the world itself, possessing no consciousness, with only his instinctive divine power maintaining things.
With his contract, virtually any transaction was guaranteed to proceed smoothly. Even demons and devils from the lower planes could only fulfill their agreements obediently.
Honestly, producing this contract showed that Kermoyer genuinely intended to conduct a proper transaction, and it did put Kroya at ease.
"Naturally, I needed to prepare thoroughly to do business with you." The Baron gave a chuckle.
As for where these metals had actually come from?
He did not say.
Nor was that something Kroya needed to know. It was the other party's secret, and even if he asked, he would never get an answer.
He was merely a processor, nothing more.
As for refining this sacred metal, the method was simple enough. All it required was compression using magic elements of a different type, which would concentrate and gather the sacred power within it.
That was how the metal could be refined.
It was actually much the same as Magic Power Forging. At most, it consumed a little more magic power-but what did that have to do with a heartless profiteer like Kroya?
He only needed to sit back and collect the money, leaving all the hard work to the Kaba Beasts. Besides, living creatures could absorb the power of light within the metal, so it would benefit the Kaba Beasts too.
Thinking of it that way, he really was a great philanthropist.
And so Kroya nodded. "I can agree to that, and I can also guarantee that however much sacred metal you have, I can refine it all for you.
"But..."
Kermoyer immediately took the hint. "Please tell me. As long as your requests aren't excessive, I'll accept them."
"Since you have a barony, you ought to come across Magic Plants and magical beasts occasionally... Besides, this friend of yours."
He glanced at Sai Liu, who stood behind the Baron, and said with a smile, "Your friend has his own connections and channels too. Why not settle the payment in magical beasts and Magic Plants?"
Sai Liu could only return a polite smile.
Inwardly, however, he knew that this mage must have seen through the master-servant relationship between him and the Baron. It was actually quite common for nobles to have someone conduct business for them.
How else could they support so many expenses?
After a brief hesitation, the Baron agreed.
Honestly, he wanted gold coins more than those magical beasts. First-level magical beasts offered practically nothing worth harvesting; only certain special magical beasts of the second level or higher had any value.
Besides, his territory bordered the sea, where Magic Fish and the like were countless. There should also be magical beasts in the ruins he was about to explore.
By comparison, gold coins were far more important than magical beasts.
Buying supplies, buying farm servants... all of it required gold coins.
As for Magic Plants, well, that was another matter. Magic Plants were worth far more than magical beasts.
"Very well. I agree to pay for forging these metals with Magic Plants or magical beasts... I've brought two hundred jin of sacred white iron. When would you be able to finish?"
He leaned forward slightly, a hint of urgency entering his voice.
Those ruins were full of skeletons and undead. Without weapons made from this batch of refined sacred white iron, entering them would be utterly impossible.
Oh-ho, so he needs it in a hurry?
Kroya immediately spread his hands helplessly. "Even if you're in a hurry, I can't give you an exact answer. After all, I can't cut into the time I spend meditating and conducting experiments.
"It would take magic crystals to make up for that.
"As soon as the refining is done, I'll have my subordinates notify you."
"..."
Of course, Kermoyer understood what Kroya meant.
He's jacking up the price!
But there was nothing he could do. This stuff really was difficult to refine; otherwise, he would not have come eagerly running to ask Kroya for help.
The corner of his mouth twitched despite himself. "I don't have any magic crystals, but I do have a Magic Plant that you're sure to find interesting."
Barely suppressing the pain of parting with it, he rolled up his sleeve and removed a coiled bracelet from his wrist, which looked as though it had been formed from a vine.
He gently placed it on the table.
Then he made an inviting gesture.
The instant Kroya saw it, a notification appeared-
[Magical beast suitable for Astral Spirit Inscription detected: Woodstar Curving Vine King. Please activate the inscription technique to view the magical beast's astral spirit body and inscribe spells.]
A magical beast, not a Magic Plant?
Woodstar Curving Vine King-that name sounds pretty impressive... Is there some connection between Woodstar and Waterstar?
Kroya blinked, his interest immediately piqued.
"This is a Magic Plant I obtained by chance. It can help gather magic power, so it should make up for your lost meditation time."
The Baron offered that single explanation and said no more. If there hadn't seemed to be more of these things in the ruins, he would never have offered it.
As long as I can get the refined sacred white iron, I can make up for the loss!
Before you continue