Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 650: Legendary Space Bloodline (I)

Chapter 650: Legendary Space Bloodline (I)

Vlad’s eyes sharpened instantly upon hearing Elder Damian’s words. He took a deep breath, steeling his resolve as his concentration peaked. Quietly, he sat down, and silence dominated the office for several tense moments before the negotiations began.

Immediately, Elder Damian and Vlad entered into a fierce, intricate clash of wits. Each man tried to gauge the other’s absolute limits, carefully stating demands and restrictions, inserting clauses, and cleverly retracting them, all while maneuvering for more advantageous terms.

Vlad quickly realized that Elder Damian’s cunning was truly extraordinary. Had it not been for the constant assistance provided by his A.I. Chip, he likely would have fallen victim to the elder’s numerous subtle traps.

Elder Damian also felt pushed to his absolute mental limits, as even the smallest lapse in concentration threatened to tilt the negotiations decisively in Vlad’s favor. The elderly strategist remained exceptionally focused, unwilling to concede even an inch unless absolutely necessary.

Marshal Maximo, initially curious about the progress of negotiations, glanced back and forth between the two negotiators. However, within five minutes, he became utterly lost.

Numbers, conditions, and strategic clauses flew rapidly from one side of the table to the other, completely overwhelming the battle-hardened general.

Soon, Maximo gave up trying to follow along entirely, relaxing instead in his chair with a bored expression. He cared little about who "won" or "lost" the negotiation—as long as the empire ultimately received the newly developed Darkness Devouring Runic Formation, he would be satisfied.

Finally, after half an hour of intense negotiations, both Vlad and Elder Damian sat back in exhaustion, their foreheads glistening with sweat, making them appear as if they’d just completed an intense physical battle.

Elder Damian stared at Vlad with an annoyed yet respectful expression before finally nodding in reluctant acknowledgment.

"Then it’s agreed," the elder spoke slowly. "You shall receive 50% of the net profit from every Darkness Devouring Runic Formation sold."

Upon hearing the terms, Marshal Maximo’s eyes widened, a frown forming on his face.

"Fifty percent? Isn’t that excessively generous?" the Marshal questioned, clearly confused and concerned about what seemed to him like an excessively favorable deal for Vlad.

However, Vlad calmly shook his head, already expecting the Marshal’s misunderstanding. "Fifty percent isn’t actually much, Marshal," Vlad explained patiently. "After all, my share applies only to those formations directly sold by the empire."

Marshal Maximo’s confusion persisted until Elder Damian clarified further, realizing the Marshal still hadn’t fully grasped the details of their agreement.

"What Vlad means," Damian explained calmly, "is that formations distributed freely—such as those provided directly to our soldiers—won’t generate profits, and thus Vlad earns nothing from those. Additionally, any formations we sell to other allied powers will likely be priced at minimal profit margins, given their strategic importance. Hence, his seemingly large percentage actually won’t amount to an enormous fortune."

Marshal Maximo’s eyes finally revealed a spark of understanding, his expression shifting into a complicated smile. He now realized that Vlad might earn even less from this deal compared to the lucrative arrangement regarding the Demon Cage formations. Marshal Maximo was a peerless warrior, an honorable and valiant leader, but when it came to complex governance or economic affairs, he was painfully out of his depth.

Elder Damian quietly observed Maximo and shook his head slightly. "If only he had half this young man’s business acumen, my job would be much easier," Damian thought, silently lamenting before returning to the business at hand.

"Furthermore," Elder Damian continued clearly, "within a year, your noble title will be officially elevated to a Third-Rank Marquis. However, as per your special request, you’ll immediately gain full access to all imperial records, including detailed information on the myriad worlds under our control and beyond. Your Legendary Space Bloodline will arrive within a few days, and your three companions will each have unrestricted access to one Half-Step Legendary-Tier Bloodline of their choice. Additionally, we’ll deliver the three Legendary Demon Souls you requested within six months."

Marshal Maximo nodded silently, understanding that these benefits, while impressive, were well within the enormous resources and capabilities of the vast Graecia Empire. Yet there remained one unusual condition that Vlad had successfully negotiated.

Elder Damian suddenly fixed Marshal Maximo with a sharp stare, clearly emphasizing the gravity of his next words. "Marshal, one day this young man will give you a single name. Provided the person named isn’t a member of the Graecia Imperial Family, and as long as fulfilling his request doesn’t compromise your morals or your life, you must eliminate that individual."

Marshal Maximo’s eyes widened briefly in surprise at this unexpected clause. Normally, he would instinctively reject such an arrangement—he hated being commanded, especially regarding matters of life and death. Yet after carefully considering the wording, he realized the request was crafted as more of a personal favor rather than a direct command. Moreover, the clause explicitly stated he could refuse based on his own morals or safety.

Slowly, Maximo turned toward Vlad, who watched him carefully, wearing a cautious yet hopeful expression. After a brief internal deliberation, Marshal Maximo sighed softly before nodding his head in agreement. "Fine, I will honor your request."

Vlad’s cautious expression immediately transformed into genuine delight. Even though he could invoke this request only once, it represented an extraordinary trump card—a deterrent of immense value he could leverage strategically at a crucial moment in the future.

"Then everything is settled," Elder Damian announced decisively. With practiced efficiency, he produced a golden parchment, signing his name elegantly before handing it to Vlad, who promptly did the same. Moments later, the parchment separated perfectly into two identical copies, one for each party.

Deeply satisfied with the carefully negotiated terms, Vlad wasted no time. He withdrew a glowing crystal from his space ring containing the complete and meticulously detailed runic diagram and promptly handed it over to Elder Damian.

"Here is the completed diagram," Vlad declared calmly and sincerely. "There are no hidden traps or tricks this time. You’re welcome to have your experts review and improve upon it if possible."

Marshal Maximo and Elder Damian exchanged impressed smiles upon hearing Vlad’s assurance. Previously, during negotiations concerning the Demon Cages, Vlad had demonstrated cunning ruthlessness, clearly treating the affair strictly as business.

However, now that countless lives and the survival of their empire were at stake, Vlad had willingly shown sincerity and integrity, prioritizing the greater good over personal profit.

This realization greatly improved the already positive impressions that both Marshal Maximo and Elder Damian had of the young runic genius. Recognizing Vlad’s genuine dedication and honorable nature in matters of true significance, the two senior figures silently acknowledged his remarkable maturity and promising future.