My bathroom connects to another world
Chapter 525 - 525 525 Trading in Progress Happy New Year

525: Chapter 525 Trading in Progress (Happy New Year) 525: Chapter 525 Trading in Progress (Happy New Year) The next day, the formal trade negotiations began.

Zhao Guang had assumed that Babaza would be the one to negotiate.

In any world, it was customary for subordinates to handle the specific details of negotiations, as the upper echelons preferred not to show their displeasure overtly.

However, to his surprise, it was Caris who came to negotiate with him, with Babaza simply standing by the side, glaring at him.

Caris waved her hand, and Babaza reluctantly presented a scroll.

“Be grateful for the generosity of the royal family, otherwise how could you possibly see this royal secret technique?”

“Babaza, you talk too much,” Caris exuded a distinct authority at that moment.

Babaza quickly bowed his head in submission, not daring to speak any further.

It was then that Caris turned to Zhao Guang and said, “As previously agreed, this is the ‘Sword of the King,’ a royal secret technique, to be exchanged for the method of producing cement.”

Zhao Guang nodded, then signalled Xi Fei to take out a recording crystal stone.

But before it could be handed over, Babaza stepped in the way and took the crystal stone with gloved hands.

A mere creature with enchantress blood, how could she be allowed to make contact with the esteemed princess?

Seeing this, Zhao Guang frowned, his dislike and loathing for the man growing stronger.

Babaza, on the other hand, didn’t care at all and continued to look smug, even casting a triumphant glance at Zhao Guang.

At this point, half of the trade was complete, but the next part was yet to be negotiated.

“We will need some anti-magic crystals as well.

We’ve heard you’re unwilling to sell the manufacturing method.”

Zhao Guang spread his hands, ignoring the threatening gaze from Babaza.

A mere court etiquette officer, whether he has any real power was questionable, yet he dared to threaten him, a double-advanced professional.

He was truly courting death.

If not for his own background, his survival to this day would be nothing short of miraculous.

“It’s not that I’m unwilling to sell, it’s just that the technical aspects belong to the Silver Tower, so I obviously can’t just give it away.”

“We understand your predicament, so we would like to purchase the crystals directly.”

This little princess wasn’t simple, what does she mean by ‘my predicament’?

Do they not have their own?

If they managed to get the technology, they’d probably be targeted by countless mages, now that would be a real problem.

If the technology is in my hands, then it’s merely an internal conflict among mages.

If a nation were to acquire it, it would become a threat to the existence of mages.

If targeted by many mage organizations, even the Chirali Empire would have difficulties.

“So, how many does the royal family need?

Just so we’re clear, my production capabilities are limited.”

“Ten thousand, we need ten thousand standard crystals.

And we don’t need them right away, as long as they can be delivered within two years.” Two years, that shouldn’t be a problem.

Even with my current abilities, I could produce that many, it would just mean being busier.

Moreover, I’m not done improving my strength; with further improvement, production speed could also increase.

“I should clarify that the highest I can produce will only inhibit intermediate spells.

It can affect advanced mages, but completely restraining them is impossible.”

“Of course, we’re aware.

Or rather, that’s even better.”

If advanced mages feel threatened, but not overwhelmingly so, they won’t provoke me lightly, and they wouldn’t unite against them over this issue either.

It seemed that Zhao Guang had quite some thoughts on this matter.

“So, what’s the price?” Zhao Guang asked directly, as he certainly couldn’t work for free.

Hearing this, Babaza finally couldn’t hold back any longer, stepped forward, and wanted to reprimand him.

Working for the Royal Family and still thinking of benefits—what kind of nobility was this, what was going on.

However, before Babaza could say anything, he was pulled back by Caris.

Seeing Caris’s somewhat icy gaze, Babaza quickly retreated.

When had the Princess become so frightening?

Looking at the Princess made Babaza think of the Grand Princess—truly befitting of her Royal Family lineage.

Caris then regained her composure and said to Zhao Guang, “The Royal Family’s finances are tight at the moment; we cannot come up with that much money.”

The Royal Family was in financial straits—that Zhao Guang could believe, considering how extravagant those nobles were.

To uphold such luxury, most of their wealth likely went to these meaningless things.

Even the cost of maintaining an army probably wasn’t as wasteful as their expenses.

And this wasn’t unique to the Chirali Empire; it was the same with all countries, and even the Beastmen had a bit of it.

“Then what can the Royal Family offer?” Zhao Guang wasn’t in a rush.

The Royal Family wouldn’t come just to offend him.

As expected, Caris proposed her terms, “A high-level Aura Battle Skill to start with, the Holy Butterfly Halo, capable of boosting defense and recovering stamina.”

An Aura with the ability to enhance two aspects was already a high-ranking existence among Aura Battle Skills.

Such Battle Skills were typically beyond the reach of ordinary people; he hadn’t expected the Royal Family to have such a collection.

Others would definitely turn it into their Lifebound Battle Skill, but for Zhao Guang, he would pass.

He would consider training other Light Attribute warriors and see if they could learn it.

“Acceptable, but not enough,” Zhao Guang said outright.

The value of this Aura wasn’t enough to match ten thousand standard Magic Crystal Stones.

Unperturbed, Caris raised a second finger, “The Empire permits you to increase your military force allocation—your force can be expanded to one hundred thousand.”

One hundred thousand?

Zhao Guang hadn’t expected the Empire to offer him such terms out of the blue.

One hundred thousand troops—that was the standard only a Marquis could reach.

It seemed the Royal Family truly wanted to win him over.

With such a vast territory and this army, if developed well, could definitely rival a Marquis in real power.

Of course, that would take time.

To support one hundred thousand troops required a population of at least one million.

If he wanted to train elite soldiers, the necessary population and a more prosperous territory would be even greater.

Although the condition seemed very generous, achieving it would not be easy.

But no matter what, this was a serious investment.

With that, Zhao Guang nodded, accepting the offer.

“I accept this condition; I see the sincerity of the Royal Family.”

Caris smiled as well, understanding Zhao Guang’s message: he would lean towards the Royal Family from now on.

While it might not be a significant bias, even a small one was good.

Relations could gradually improve.

One day, Zhao Guang would fully stand by her side, becoming a steadfast ally of the Royal Family.

The two exchanged glances, each with a smile.

Though young, they both looked like two old foxes.

Only Babaza, grinding his teeth in frustration, didn’t know what specific agreement the two had reached.