The enthusiastic look on King Nalvon's face, which had previously radiated when viewing the carriage's luxury, slowly faded, replaced by a serious and authoritative expression. This drastic change was clearly felt by the seven elite soldiers faithfully escorting him. The King's aura of leadership dominated the room once again.
King Nalvon stared at his soldiers, then spoke in a loud voice, "Let us head to the academy immediately! Time keeps ticking, and we must not be late."
Then, he gently patted the sturdy wall of the carriage. "Kazien, we shall use this carriage you have just created. I wish to enjoy the first tour of my official journey using this carriage!"
Kazien nodded politely. "Very well, if that is what you desire, Your Majesty. This carriage is ready to be used at any time."
However, before the King could step out to issue the command for preparation, Kazien detained him briefly with a request. The young man's face looked serious.
"But, there is one thing I must ask, Your Majesty. Once we arrive at the academy gates later, we will part ways. I will enter through the student lane, and you through the guest of honor lane."
Kazien looked deeply into the King's eyes. "And please, do not say anything or give even the slightest hint about my identity when you arrest that woman or in public. There are other plans I wish to carry out at the academy, and my identity being exposed would ruin everything."
King Nalvon was slightly surprised by Kazien's request, so adamant about not wanting his identity known to the public. In his confusion and the great curiosity he had suppressed earlier, King Nalvon asked him directly.
"I am still confused by you people!" King Nalvon complained while placing his hands on his hips, staring at Kazien with a scrutinizing gaze. "Neither you, nor your aunt Elisalva... Why do you always hide your identities as the Altavis family? Even though that name could open every door in this kingdom."
Kazien gave a faint smile, one that was hard to interpret. "I simply do not wish to attract unnecessary attention, Your Majesty. If anyone knew my true identity, all the plans I have arranged would fall apart because they would treat me differently. I prefer to move in the shadows."
He shrugged slightly. "But as for the reason Aunt Elisa hides her identity as the Guild Master, I honestly do not know, Your Majesty. Perhaps she has her own reasons."
King Nalvon sighed deeply, giving up on digging deeper into the Duke's family secrets.
"Very well, I understand. I will not say a single word about your identity in front of everyone at the academy later!" King Nalvon promised.
"Thank you very much, Your Majesty. I hold you to your promise."
Moments later, the atmosphere in the palace courtyard became busy again. On the King's order, two soldiers came out of the palace, struggling to carry a fairly large chest. The veins in their hands bulged, indicating how heavy the burden they carried was.
Kazien blinked. He truly hadn't expected that his service of making three carriage units would be paid in cash right then and there with such a high price.
Thud!
The chest was placed right in front of Kazien and King Nalvon. The sound was heavy and dense. Without wasting time, the two soldiers unlocked the chest.
Cling!
Golden light instantly reflected, dazzling the eyes of anyone looking. Inside, there was a mountain of gold coins. Hundreds of thousands of gold pieces glimmered under the morning sun.
Kazien's eyes widened. His heart raced. In all his life, this was the first time he had seen physical money in such a vast amount in one place.
"Y-Your Majesty... a-are you really going to give all this money to me?" Kazien asked nervously, his voice trembling slightly.
King Nalvon smiled in amusement at the reaction of the youth who had been so calm creating high-level magic, now nervous just from seeing a pile of gold.
"Of course it is for you, Kazien! It is your right." the King answered firmly. "Is the payment of 150,000 Gold Pieces still not enough for the extraordinary technology you gave me? If it is less, I can order the treasurer to get more."
Kazien hurriedly shook his head and waved his hands in panic. "N-No! That is not what I meant! This is more than enough! It's just... this is the first time in my life I have seen this much money directly."
King Nalvon laughed heartily hearing the innocent answer Kazien just gave him. The King's laughter echoed, making the previously tense atmosphere more fluid.
"Hahaha! You are so funny, Kazien. Have you never entered the Altavis family treasure vault? Your father is the wealthiest Duke; surely the pile of gold there is far greater than this."
Kazien smiled wryly, recalling his past. "Never, Your Majesty! Since I decided to become an adventurer, I have never asked for a single coin from my parents. Alvin and I buy things with the results of our own efforts by hunting monsters or completing missions at the guild."
King Nalvon's laughter stopped instantly. He looked at Kazien with a new gaze, a gaze full of respect. King Nalvon was astonished and simultaneously proud of the answer.
He truly never expected that the child of the most influential and strongest noble in his kingdom possessed such strong life principles. Never asking for money from his parents again? That was an impossible feat for most young nobles.
Extraordinary. thought King Nalvon. If I think about noble children his age, they would certainly enjoy their noble status to show off or squander money. High social status and parental wealth, those are things they usually flaunt to everyone to gain recognition. But this Kazien Altavis is truly different. He is an independent child. He is truly great! If only my childrens could follow his example, their mentality would surely be as strong as his.
"Your Majesty, may I store all this money now?" Kazien asked, breaking the King's reverie.
At that moment, King Nalvon returned to reality. "Oh, of course! Go ahead, it belongs to you."
Kazien nodded. He aimed his palm toward the large chest.
Zip!
In the blink of an eye, without any audible incantation, all the money along with the large chest vanished from everyone's sight without leaving a trace.
The soldiers who had carried it earlier gaped. They looked around, puzzled as to where the heavy chests had gone.
"Young master... where did that chest go?" asked one of the soldiers with a confused face.
"I stored it inside my dimensional storage space!" Kazien answered casually. He then looked at the soldier with curiosity. "By the way, does no one in the capital sell things like magic storage bags or magic storage sacks? Why do you look so shocked?"
The soldier scratched his helmet-covered head. "There are those who sell them, Young master. But the price is quite expensive for ordinary soldiers like us. It is a luxury item."
"How much is the price per unit?"
"If I am not mistaken, even the smallest capacity costs around 10 Gold Pieces! And that is very expensive for our salary scale!"
Kazien fell silent hearing that price. Ten Gold Pieces for a small capacity? That is a very high price for technology that is actually simple, he thought.
Instantly, a business idea flashed through Kazien's mind. With my ability, I could mass-produce storage bags at low cost and sell them for a much cheaper price, for example, around 5 or 7 Gold Pieces. That would surely sell out and be very helpful for soldiers and novice adventurers.
However, Kazien's brow furrowed. He immediately dismissed the thought.
He was afraid that his business would destroy other people's businesses. If he flooded the market with his cheap goods, local magic bag craftsmen and merchants who had stocked up would lose their livelihood.
I feel conflicted, Kazien complained inwardly. I want to help everyone so they can have that practical tool. But, I also have no obligation to do so.
Kazien looked at the soldiers who were still amazed by his storage magic.
Moreover, those who are currently running businesses selling magical tools would go bankrupt instantly if I were reckless enough to open a business in the same field with slashed prices. I want to help, but it would be fatal for those business owners! They would experience total bankruptcy if I recklessly sold magic tools in the capital! It is better not to act rashly.