To be honest, the shopkeeper's eyes went red the moment he saw the purse Kael took out.
The cost of getting a Dragon Egg is only about fifty Galleons. As long as he can bring it back safely without being found out, he can make a crazy profit of a hundred and fifty Galleons.
In 1899, a hundred and fifty Galleons is really an uncommon fortune. Most shops in Diagon Alley can't necessarily earn that much in half a year. Now he just needs to figure out a way to get a Dragon Egg here, and this money will go straight into his own pocket… it's hard not to be tempted.
"Come in and talk."
The shopkeeper glanced around, grabbed Kael's arm, dragged him into the shop, and then locked the door without hesitation.
"What's this supposed to mean?" Kael quietly tightened his grip on his Wand.
"There are a lot of people outside. If someone reports us to the Ministry of Magic, wouldn't that be trouble for you too, sir?" The shopkeeper said with a smile, and poured Kael a cup of the best black tea in the shop.
"You know as well as I do, sir—the International Confederation of Wizards is planning to set up a Fire Dragon Reserve, and the Ministry of Magic has been tightening inspections on anything related to Fire Dragons. Especially Dragon Eggs—if a transaction gets exposed, it won't just be a simple confiscation… I doubt you'd enjoy life in Azkaban."
"So you don't want to do this deal?" Kael asked.
"No, no, no. Making money always comes with a bit of risk." The shopkeeper shook his head. "As it happens, I just happen to know someone who has a Dragon Egg and is desperate to sell. But…"
Here his tone paused.
"But what?"
"He's not in the United Kingdom. I'd have to go there myself, which obviously raises the risk. And if I leave, I'll have to close the shop. It's Hogwarts holiday right now, the best time for business in Diagon Alley—I'd be losing a lot."
Kael understood at once: the man wanted him to raise the price.
Did he really take him for some dumb, rich lamb waiting to be fleeced?
Two hundred Galleons is enough to buy a Dragon Egg even a hundred years from now, and he still isn't satisfied?
Kael decisively grabbed a handful of Galleons out of the purse.
"In that case, it's a hundred and ninety Galleons."
"Wait, that's not right. We agreed on two hundred…"
"One hundred and eighty." Kael narrowed his eyes, set down his teacup, and made to leave. "I'm quite sure that even if I drop it to a hundred and fifty, there'll be plenty of people willing to bring me a Dragon Egg to trade."
Seeing how firm Kael's attitude was—he clearly wasn't joking—the shopkeeper's face flickered with regret. He had to admit Kael was right: never mind a hundred and fifty Galleons, even for less, there would definitely be people willing to do this deal.
He'd thought he could squeeze out a bit more, but instead he'd just lost twenty Galleons for nothing.
"A hundred and eighty it is." He hurriedly stepped in front of Kael to block him. "Whatever the risk is, I'll shoulder it."
"Naturally." Kael gave him a look. "And even if you get caught by Aurors from the Ministry of Magic, I'll never admit we had any dealings. This is all your own idea."
The last trace of wishful thinking vanished from the shopkeeper's face.
"Don't worry, I know the rules."
"Besides…" Kael stacked the Gold Coins on the table one by one. "If you can meet two small conditions for me, we can still keep the deal at two hundred Galleons…"
"Just say the word, sir." The shopkeeper thumped his chest. "Forget two, I can handle ten."
"No need for that many." Kael chuckled. "First, it can't take too long."
"You can rest assured on that." The shopkeeper said. "Hogwarts holiday is the best season for business in Diagon Alley. I'd hate to miss it."
"Good." Kael went on, "As for the second condition, it's the species of Fire Dragon. If you try to fob me off with a Common Welsh Green Dragon Egg, we'll be renegotiating the price."
They may all be Fire Dragons, but different breeds vary. The Common Welsh Green is the smallest in size and most numerous, and the only Fire Dragon that can be kept in captivity. Most Dragon Blood, Dragon Liver and other materials on the market come from that breed.
The shopkeeper's face twisted into an embarrassed grin. "Rest easy, sir—I'll make sure to find you a Dragon Egg worth two hundred Galleons."
By now he was sure the man in front of him was definitely not some clueless sheep.
"Not 'for me'—you're doing it because you want to." Kael reminded him, then stood up, ready to leave.
But the twenty Gold Coins on the table were left behind.
Though it wasn't said aloud, the shopkeeper understood perfectly well this was his deposit.
"Sir, please wait a moment." The shopkeeper swiftly scooped up the Coins and suddenly called out to Kael.
"Is there something else?"
"There's something I should warn you about. When we were talking at the door earlier, Hokuriken happened to be nearby—that lame Wizard in black robes… he may have heard our conversation."
"Oh…" Kael raised an eyebrow. "He's with the Ministry of Magic?"
"Not at all." The shopkeeper shook his head. "But he's an infamous Dark Wizard. The reason I pulled you inside was because he was eyeing your purse greedily the whole time."
"You think he'll make a move on me?" Kael asked with interest.
"I'm certain of it." The shopkeeper said. "Hokuriken is a greedy Dark Wizard with cruel and vicious methods. He may already have his sights set on you. You've been rather high-profile these past few days…"
"The Ministry of Magic really lets someone that dangerous roam around Diagon Alley?"
"They don't dare interfere. Hokuriken belongs to Knockturn Alley, and there are big names behind him. They don't want to bring trouble down on themselves."