[An engagement ring imbued with noble elegance, reflecting refined taste, at as cheap a price as possible.]
It was quite evident that even a naïve fool would understand, after hearing these words, that there was a gap between the desires and the payment capability of the [Knight Lord]who received only a little grain, meat and the scarce Pistole (Pistole Note 1), Liard from his 6-kilometer-radius Manor estate each year.
"By the way, our shop is currently having a discount activity. Rings are also included in it, Mr. André, are you interested in taking a look first?"
The youth pulled out a thin wooden board like a menu from behind the tray and passed it over. The yellowed parchment paper bound on the board was flipping in front of André. Uneducated André could only understand the patterns of various types of jewelry, so he directly gave up on the difficult words and numbers below and wore his confusion on his face.
"I shall introduce to you our shop's latest introduced package service."
His friendly, sunny smile overwhelmed André's senses, and he began to listen to every word that came out of the youth's mouth.
Half an hour later, André, who had the "package service order" in his arms, walked out of the small workshop on the edge of the swamp with utmost satisfaction. He didn't make a direct deal, but he had more valuable information to report to his master, which was more important than anything else.
The package discount, installment payments, and long-term customer benefits... these new terms are practical advantages and extremely beneficial conditions for the cash-strapped knight Salvie. He must report to the knight as soon as possible before the miser Alberish finds out about his apprentice's foolish actions, then sign the order and make a deposit, it's as simple as that.
He was sure that he would receive praise from his master for this, and he might even get a raise. All of this was thanks to Alberish's naive and almost foolish young apprentice.
André was all but ready to praise the young man with the azure hair—Siegfried Otto Lilin.
"A good customer, and a good person. Next time we meet, it wouldn't hurt to give Mr. André a card."
Removing the business polite smile, with the recently repaired wooden door creaking behind him, the husky and subtly mocking voice which wasn't quite a sneer synced with the youth's turn. The two creatures who had been salivating over cookies, cake, and tea retreated to their seats with lightning speed, their backs rigid.
Bypassing the two statuesque seats, the weight of his body returned to his own. With his right hand tapping a silent rhythm on the side table, the silent boy let the grim quiet of death whisk away the room's warmth, the solemn silence of the dragon's lair slowly filling in.
The strange atmosphere that could freeze even a heartbeat disappeared without a trace once the pouring tea refilled the teacup. Alberish inhaled a large amount of air quickly, then gradually slowed down his breathing rhythm. No matter how many times he had experienced it, he could never get used to the feeling of that heavy pressure acting on his body. The dreadful heaviness of cold and heavy lead water receded from his body, and the dwarf, with his breath steady, tentatively asked:
"Are we really going to take this business, sir?"
"Do you have any different ideas, [Master Alberish]?"
A rude interjection similar to gritting one's teeth was added, and Alberish was frightened into retracting his neck by the clear threat and warning in the tone of the person sitting next to him. The boy with dark blue hair and a cute face was staring at him, his amber eyes swirling with threats and warnings.
Even though he had transformed into a human form and started a life in this small workshop with the appearance of a 6-7 year old human boy, Nidhogg's physical strength and Mana were still full. A slap with a little bit of force would be a one-way ticket back to mother earth for a dwarf. The grinding of teeth that could easily bite through steel reminded Alberish, who once had ideas about [Dragon's Treasure], that he was now lower than cockroaches and rats in this house, constantly in danger, and had no choice but to unconditionally obey the two invaders to sustain his precious life.
Having left the rum and women in the small tavern, cleaning, tidying up, repairing the workshop, cooking for himself... These unknown lifestyle habits had replaced Alberish's known rhythm of life, causing him mental trauma on top of physical fatigue, which continually activated his regret for his foolish act of [Stealing Dragon's Treasure], and constantly amplified it.
"Of course, I won't do the stupid thing of giving away money, but if you only focus on the small money at present, it's undoubtedly putting the cart before the horse in terms of business activities. Pay more attention to the surrounding information and make long-term plans. A little bit of concession sometimes can bring you unexpected returns."
After giving out the cold objective critique like a spectator, Lilin took the teacup handed over by Nidhogg, gently blew away the froth, and continued speaking in a soft tone.
"Let's leave business matters for now and return to the previous topic. Because of the client's requirements, the progress of those things needs to be advanced by one day than before. Please hurry up, or it will be hard to guarantee the amount of your dinner, Master Alberish."