🎄 Christmas Special! 🎄
To celebrate Christmas, enjoy 30% off monthly subscriptions from December 25th to 31st 🎁✨
The adjusted price is available on the Patreon page.
Chapter 492: Dwarves with Mines at Home
Looking at the price list in his hand, Manhammer scratched his head, surprised, and glanced at the smiling Old John. He couldn't help but ask softly:
"I mean, we're on good terms."
"But as the ancient eastern saying goes, 'Even blood brothers should keep clear accounts.' You shouldn't make a losing deal!"
Old John, who initially thought Manhammer was about to haggle, momentarily froze.
The modified weapons and equipment were priced at no less than 200 gold coins each.
With 1,000 units of each of the 10 types, the total order amounted to a hefty one million gold coins.
And the cost?
Excluding manufacturing expenses and bonuses for developers, completing this order required only 250,000 gold coins!
That's a whopping 300% profit!
Yet Manhammer thought the price was too low!
What did this indicate?
That they had been selling their products far too cheaply!
Of course, the price for this batch had already been set, and the Lord had made it clear to maintain good relations with the Dwarven Kingdom.
Raising the price now wouldn't yield much benefit and might even offend the dwarves.
That wouldn't be worth it!
Old John reminded himself that while Bay Territory could produce high-quality and affordable weapons due to its superior production capacity,
It didn't mean they should sell them at too low a price!
Equipment provided to the Third and Eighth Legions and the Dwarven Kingdom could be priced lower.
This was because the relationships were strong, and it was a "brother's price." Selling to others, however, required more consideration.
While mulling over this, Old John maintained his cheerful demeanor and explained to Manhammer with a grin:
"Haha, don't worry about that. Although this is a brother's price,"
"we're not taking a loss. We're just making a smaller profit."
"But for the sake of our friendship, such concessions are worth it."
Hearing this, Manhammer, who thought he was getting a great deal, immediately shook his head and said without hesitation:
"That won't do. We can't take advantage of a brother!"
Despite Old John's earnest persuasion, the dwarves' stubbornness prevailed, and Manhammer adamantly refused to accept this price.
Elio, who had come to gather intelligence, secretly admired Old John, thinking:
"As expected, I still have much to learn."
"Not only does he sell goods at a high price, but he also makes others feel indebted and grateful."
Seeing the stalemate, Elio suddenly had a bright idea and said from the side:
"Old John, the munitions factory asked me to check if the fine gold and mithril purchased from Sevinton have arrived. They urgently need materials for production."
Catching Elio's probing look, Old John quickly picked up on her intention and shook his head with a wry smile:
"What resources? It's already good enough if Sevinton hasn't siphoned off what's left of ours…"
This wasn't an uncommon occurrence.
While the Sevinton Council couldn't command nobles below the rank of Earl, they could requisition valuable strategic resources.
As a result, most of Bay Territory's mineral resources were well-hidden.
The exposed resources were often "used" or "consumed" quickly.
For example, spatial crystals from Rift Lizards and rubies from ruby veins were mostly accounted for in Bloodmoon City's usage records.
Manhammer, aware of this, understood that Old John wasn't making excuses.
The speaker had intent, and the listener understood.
Overjoyed, Manhammer immediately responded enthusiastically:
"Precious metals? Our Dwarven Kingdom has plenty of those!"
"Say no more; I even brought a batch with me to help out the brothers in need!"
As he spoke, Manhammer began to pull items from his bag.
Ecstatic, Old John quickly stopped him, kindly reassuring him:
"Good brother, we do need these materials and are willing to pay the original price for them."
"But it's enough that we know about these treasures; we wouldn't want others to find out…"
As he spoke, Old John pointed subtly in Sevinton's direction.
Manhammer, catching on, burst into hearty laughter and nodded cautiously:
"True enough…"
"If you have good stuff, you've got to keep some for yourself, right?"
Manhammer, deciding to keep a few items just like the malt beer he planned to leave behind, found the situation all too familiar.
Old John brought Manhammer to a designated meeting hall, where a fresh feast was served as they cheerfully discussed the trade.
This approach might not suit others, but it worked perfectly with dwarves.
Previously, Old John, despite his decent drinking ability, would never have dared compete with dwarves known as "walking barrels."
However, after undergoing four rounds of enhancement surgeries,
Old John noticed a significant increase in his resistance to strong liquor and an appetite twice as large.
Initially, like other enhanced soldiers, he felt uneasy about these changes.
Please... bookmark 6_9_Shuba (69shu.com).
Arnold, who was more in the know, had even teased him about it:
"You should've studied more when you had the chance. You never listened."
"The Lord explained long ago that the surgery's purpose is to further strengthen the body's structure and functions."
"Your strength increased, so your energy consumption naturally rose. Doesn't that mean your appetite should grow too?"
Arnold's simple explanation quickly put everyone at ease.
Old John thought about it and agreed. Besides a larger appetite and more energy, there weren't any drawbacks.
With that realization, Old John embraced the changes and soon began enjoying the benefits of his enhanced body.
Competing in drinking was just a minor perk.
Confident he wouldn't lose, Manhammer cheerfully placed an order worth over five million gold coins with Bay Territory.
This included a large amount of food and various combat supplies.
The urgently needed spell scrolls and magical potions for the dwarves would also be replenished promptly.
Moreover, the prices were quite fair, even slightly lower than current market rates.
Manhammer couldn't be more satisfied.
Not to mention, Bay Territory didn't strictly require gold coins for payment.
Rare metals produced by the Dwarven Kingdom or their high-tier weapons and equipment were gladly accepted in exchange.
This mutually beneficial cooperation was advantageous for both sides.
Based on the data Manhammer shared, Matthew deduced that the Dwarven Kingdom's vast territory contained over ten rare and valuable metal veins.
"As expected of dwarves with mines at home, their reserves are truly abundant."
Curious, Elio, who came to report, asked:
"Is there really no capacity elsewhere in the Netheril Empire to support the dwarves?"
Reflecting on the powerful drow coalition, the exiled Duergar Kingdom, and the true darkness hidden deep underground, Matthew shook his head and sighed:
"Not in the current state, and likely not even before. Saving the Dwarven Kingdom was probably never an option."