Negotiation

Even your Sequence 9 potion formula is incomplete, and you expect me to believe you have the next one? Lorry remained silent as the thought flashed through his mind.

Baron Percival seemed to guess what Lorry was thinking:

"The Marauder potion formula in the Percival family's collection was damaged by rats. One crucial main ingredient was missing.

"I had to spend a great deal of effort studying the notes my ancestors left behind to deduce the missing main ingredient.

"Unfortunately, I still got the dosage wrong in the end-perhaps that was why you lost control after drinking that potion.

"But things are different now."

As he spoke, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly:

"Cyril brought me news that your attempt to advance to Marauder by drinking the potion had failed, forcing me to reconsider my plans.

"Should I keep researching the formula, or simply find an existing Marauder?

"Obviously, the latter was more practical.

"I won't deny that the failed experiment may have left me discouraged-no one enjoys that feeling, wouldn't you agree?"

Baron Percival glanced at Lorry with a chuckle, returned to the chair behind his desk, and reached for an exquisite porcelain teacup.

He lifted the teapot, pouring dark red tea into the cup in an arc.

An intoxicating fragrance immediately filled the air.

Baron Percival inhaled deeply, his expression turning satisfied.

He continued:

"But the more important reason was time.

"Saul had actually been handling this matter all along, but had made no progress.

"Perhaps it was a blessing from a god?

"On the seventh day after the experiment failed, he found a Marauder. Unfortunately, the man lost his life while trying to escape.

"The potion formulas came from a diary he carried with him, and they've been verified as genuine. Sequence 9: Marauder. Sequence 8: Swindler!

"Complete my task, and the second formula will be your reward."

Swindler!

Lorry's gaze sharpened.

Thanks to the fairly important Lanevus storyline in the original novel, he had some recollection of the potion name that followed Marauder. He was certain it was Swindler!

But knowing a potion's name alone proved nothing.

When Lorry still did not speak, Baron Percival took a small sip of black tea, his previously mild tone gradually growing grave.

"You killed a subordinate I had cultivated, then had someone secretly tail a baron of the kingdom, yet you're still standing here in one piece...

"I think I've been merciful enough.

"Or do you intend to follow that man's example and reject my goodwill?"

His voice rang through the study.

At that instant, the danger Lorry sensed from this ordinary man actually far exceeded that of the Sequence 8 Hunter standing nearby!

He forcibly soothed his agitated spirituality and said quietly:

"Baron, you've misunderstood.

"I'm quite willing to accept your goodwill, but perhaps because there was something wrong with that potion, my Sequence abilities are incomplete. I'm afraid completing the task would be very difficult."

"Incomplete?"

Baron Percival tapped the desk, a faint note of puzzlement in his voice.

The man in black hunting attire barked:

"Who do you think you're fooling, boy! Drinking a potion can only end in success or failure. If you're alive, how could your Sequence abilities be incomplete?"

He started forward, apparently intending to teach Lorry a lesson.

Baron Percival raised a hand to stop him:

"Saul!"

The man in black hunting attire drew a deep breath, nodded slightly, and returned to his place.

Baron Percival frowned slightly, his expression turning contemplative:

"I believe that is possible.

"I remember seeing something similar in a set of notes. Such cases are essentially equivalent to Beyonders born with a fixed pathway.

"They possess incomplete potion abilities and cannot choose another Sequence."

His tone was hesitant, as though even he was not entirely certain.

Suddenly, Baron Percival chuckled and gave Lorry an amused look. "Aren't you afraid that telling me this will cost you your last bargaining chip?"

"You should know what would happen to you."

Nervous yet excited, Lorry licked his lips:

"I think I do have some talent as a Beyonder. Otherwise, I wouldn't have gradually pulled through after losing control when I first drank the potion.

"If-and I do mean if-you could make me a true Marauder, Baron, I believe I could complete the task.

"I'm sure anything that troubles a baron must be far from simple."

From the other man's attitude, he had keenly picked up on a few clues:

Baron Percival seemed to be planning something, and one indispensable step required a Marauder!

Moreover, time seemed to be very tight.

That was why he had temporarily forgiven the trouble Lorry had caused earlier.

In that case, Lorry had no intention of standing on ceremony. He planned to squeeze the baron for all he was worth and have him provide the Marauder potion he had searched for in vain.

As Lorry finished speaking, the amusement faded from Baron Percival's face. He gave Lorry a searching look, then grew thoughtful.

Tap, tap, tap.

His hand rested on the desk, tapping with no discernible rhythm.

Suddenly, the sound stopped.

Baron Percival said gravely:

"You should know something about the Beyonder world by now. After failing your first advancement, drinking another potion is very likely to cause problems.

"No matter how talented you are, I'm afraid surviving a second loss of control would be very difficult.

"Of course, I'm not certain whether what happened to you before truly counts as losing control. Have you thought this through? Are you prepared to drink a complete Marauder potion?"

Lorry's expression turned bitter:

"If I refuse the task, I doubt I'll leave here alive.

"But anything important enough to concern a baron would have virtually no chance of success with a half-baked Marauder like me.

"If I'm going to die either way, I might as well take a gamble."

Although he called it a gamble, he actually felt somewhat confident.

Lorry remembered the Tarot Club members discussing this issue in the original novel. Although he could not recall the details clearly, he did remember the conclusion.

As long as one strictly adhered to acting, drinking excess potion would not cause any major problems.

This was an effective way to improve Beyonder abilities. Klein's former captain, Dunn

Smith, Fors the Magician, and Alger the Hanged Man had all had similar experiences.

He had no need to worry about that.

After all, the original owner of his body had been a highly skilled pickpocket!

Baron Percival pondered for a moment:

"You're right.

"I can give you this opportunity.

"But you're in no condition to drink a potion right now. Go back and get a good night's sleep. I'll send someone to bring you the potion tomorrow morning."

With that, he looked at the bodyguards. "Take him to 'that' guest room."

"Yes, Baron."

The two bodyguards bowed, then escorted Lorry out of the study.

Once their footsteps had faded, the man in black hunting attire looked at Baron Percival in puzzlement. "Baron, do you really intend to do this?"