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Chapter 500: What Matters Most in the Prime Material Plane?
Orianna
Age: 6 years old.
Race: Human
Profession: None
Talent: Transcendent - Heart of Mechanics LV1. Constitution -5, Max HP +10, Charisma +10, Mechanical Knowledge Learning Speed +100%, Mechanical Modification Checks +10, Mechanical Creation Effect +10%.
Expertise: Advanced - Mechanical Mastery, Intermediate - Mechanical Modification.
Heritage: None
Attributes:
Strength: 4
Agility: 6
Constitution: 1
Intelligence: 8
Perception: 10
Charisma: 21
HP: 6/12
Luck: -5
Evaluation: A fleeting meteor.
An exceptionally unique yet fatal talent.
Extreme frailty in constitution, coupled with extraordinary charisma.
Such an unusual physical talent led to Orianna's tragically brief life.
Orianna, pale-faced, had a head of soft, curly brown hair.
She noticed Matthew's gaze and offered a friendly smile on her thin, small face, evoking deep sympathy.
Victor extended his hands, carefully lifting Orianna, speaking with a trace of pain in his voice:
"You should be resting. Why are you up again?"
The thin little girl merely chuckled, her bright eyes sparkling with joy as she replied without hesitation:
"I just thought of how to process that part!"
Her clear voice echoed in the cramped shop.
Victor's lips trembled with distress, but he ultimately said nothing. He forced a smile and praised her hoarsely:
"You're much better than I am!"
Kyle's expression changed slightly as he cast a worried glance at Matthew.
He feared the Arcanist would disdain the components touched by Orianna and refuse to buy them.
Hearing her father's praise, Orianna contentedly blinked, then looked at Matthew with curiosity, boldly striking up a conversation:
"What are you here to buy, sir? My father can make anything!"
So clever and endearing!
Full of quirky charm!
Matthew smiled slightly and got straight to the point:
"I intend to buy all these parts—13,245 gold coins in total."
At these words, Orianna's large round eyes lit up with delight as she counted on her fingers, nodding happily:
"That's right! That's exactly how much it is. You're quick at math!"
Kyle froze, unable to believe Matthew's display of such wealth.
Victor's expression darkened as he looked at Matthew, his gaze filled with unhidden suspicion.
Such doubts were understandable.
After all, in the Netheril Empire, the only people one truly had to be cautious of were Arcanists.
Victor strongly suspected Matthew had ulterior motives from the very start.
But before he could dwell on it further, Matthew continued:
"And, I'll pay your father a monthly salary of 3,000 gold coins to create better components for me."
"And in the meantime, I'll cure your illness."
Meeting Victor's wary gaze, Matthew gestured for Sera to hold back, revealing the emblem of the floating island and the crest of the Ser Family.
Under Orianna's amazed gaze, Matthew confidently declared:
"I am Archmage Cronorman's student, the Ser Family's heir, and the Lord of Bay Territory."
"My Bay Territory needs talent like your father's."
When Matthew mentioned the first title, Victor, who had been on edge, visibly relaxed.
The reason was simple: among all the archmages in the Netheril Empire, Cronorman was the most respected.
As Cronorman's student, Matthew's words would carry weight no matter what.
Kyle instinctively swallowed hard, a flash of realization crossing his mind as he exclaimed in shock:
"You're Lord Matthew Ser of Bay Territory?"
Kyle turned to Victor's questioning gaze and excitedly explained:
"The lord who's been taking in refugees and recruiting talent of all kinds—that's Bay Territory."
"The Vitality Potions I brought you earlier were products of Bay Territory."
"And those components you made for that last batch? They were for Bay Territory as well..."
With Kyle's reminders, Victor quickly connected the dots, looking at Matthew with barely restrained excitement.
Victor didn't know why Matthew sought him out, but if Matthew could cure his daughter...
Then no matter what Matthew asked of him, Victor would do it without hesitation!
Noticing Victor's change in attitude, Matthew breathed a subtle sigh of relief.
Soon after, Matthew noticed Orianna's HP had suddenly dropped below half on her status panel.
Orianna's face twisted with pain.
Matthew pointed at Orianna, who was forcing a smile, and blurted out:
"Quick..."
Victor immediately reacted, pulling out a pre-prepared advanced healing potion and carefully feeding her a sip.
Matthew watched as Orianna's HP rose back to 8 but soon began slowly declining again.
She didn't wake up as usual; instead, her eyes remained closed, and her breathing grew weak.
A surge of fate's power swelled within Matthew, constantly reminding him:
[Ding, cure Orianna, Luck +4.]
[Ding, abandon treatment, Luck -4.]
The perfectly symmetrical changes in fate gave Matthew a clear signal.
Seeing Victor's anxious expression as he prepared to rush Orianna to the Church of the Goddess of Magic, Matthew said directly:
"If you trust me, I'll take Orianna to my teacher's floating tower to stabilize her condition."
"This time, Orianna's situation is different. Ordinary healing from priests and paladins won't save her."
Hearing Matthew's words, Victor, torn with indecision, locked his eyes on Matthew's.
Unable to discern anything from Matthew's deep gaze, Victor silently nodded.
As Matthew prepared to take Victor and Orianna to the carriage, a group of people approached from a distance.
Matthew cast a cold glance at them and signaled Elio without hesitation.
Elio understood immediately, stepping forward and unleashing an imposing aura that froze the approaching group in their tracks.
By the time they regained their senses, the floating carriage had already risen into the air, heading toward the floating tower under Matthew's control.
The faintly glowing floating island emblem atop the carriage made the onlookers' faces pale as they turned and fled.
A somewhat bewildered Kyle, glancing nervously at Elio, hesitantly asked in a soft voice:
"Should I take you to the teleportation tower? It leads directly to the archmage's floating tower."
To his surprise, Elio shook her head and pointed at the fleeing figures.
"No rush. Let's see where they're heading first."
Elio understood Matthew's mindset well. The lord was more than willing to pay a high price for valuable talent.
What matters most in the Prime Material Plane?
Talent, of course!