Mana Oath was an ancient form of contract, overseen by the Spirit of Mana itself. According to the scholars, every being was in some way tied to the quintessential aspect of existence: Mana. That very link bound them to every other being in turn. It created a net of sorts, binding anything living in all existing realms.
Scholars also spoke of the Mana as a sentient being, able to understand but with only one purpose in mind: growth. Though many critics had risen to debunk the theory, the idea was scraped and forgotten. That didn't change the fact that some hidden aspect of the Mana somehow facilitated the Oath.
Violation of the said oath usually resulted in one's heart bursting into bloody chunks. It was a horrifying fate, and one that anyone would much rather avoid suffering. Thus the reason Mana oaths were rare in the first place.
Ann agreeing to the oath put Karl's heart at rest. Anything that could delay the exposure would be a day spent getting stronger and that much raising the chances to resist the looming calamity. Nothing truly stayed buried forever; he was sure of that, but he could try to stall as much as possible.
Karl swore the oath to ensure the credibility of his product while Ann followed with a promise of secrecy. As the words left their mouth, mana took shape into obscure crusts for a brief moment before vaporising into smoke.
A heavy sort of feeling settled on his shoulder, a grim reminder of the responsibility he had taken. It lasted only a moment before disappearing.
"Finally," Ann breathed a sigh, "I believe we have much to ask each other, right?"
Karl smiled and nodded.
The meeting devolved into much questioning on Ann's part and more answering on Karl's part. As expected of an experienced businesswoman like Ann, despite the temptation to ask him about the history or the method of potion craft, she had instead chosen to ask about the variety of benefits of the potion. Karl had patiently listed them all.
As to the cost of brewing potions, Karl had waived off her concerns, assuring her that it cost considerably less than what she was thinking. That seemed to have settled her worries, and he understood why.
Health Raise Potion was a product that almost anyone could afford. Even the poor would only require a few months of savings to buy one, much less to say about the rich. If the Blood Cross Potion turned out to be costly, Golden Leaf Emporium couldn't profit from the lower rung of the society. And Karl was sure that it wasn't just about profits.
"Well, that about answers most of my questions." Ann stated. "Now, shall we move onto the main course?"
Her smile gave him a pause, the beauty in her expression briefly enthralling him. Just as he was about to sputter off something incomprehensible, his heart beat a thump, and the effect vanished. For a brief moment, he felt at a loss, then the realisation kicked in, and he had to actively stop the twitching of his brow. He restrained the urge to reach across the table and slap this shameless woman who had tried to charm him. Not only because he was the weaker party in the negotiations, but also because he was weaker, literally.
Sighing inwardly, he morphed his face into a fake smile with much-practiced ease. "Of course, ask away."
Ann raised a brow but didn't change her expression much. "Very well, I would like to ask whether you would like to sell the formula." I would even let you quote the price."
"No," Karl replied curtly, brokering no argument.
"Figures." Ann shrugged and leaned back. "Then what exactly is it that you wish to achieve by bringing the potion to my attention? Do you want me to buy it from you?"
"Yes." Karl nodded.
"Understandable." Ann thought for a moment and then leaned forward with an easygoing smile etched on her face. "Though you need to understand that we will be willing to purchase in bulk, any payments will be made upfront. No starting capital for business."
"That's..." Karl frowned, worry taking hold. "I mean, you do understand the circumstances of Crimson Vale. Without any investment, it will be hard to get the potioneering started, and without those there will be no deal."
"Sucks to be you." Ann replied with a bit of sympathy.
'Fucking bitch,' cursed Karl inwardly. He gritted his teeth but leaned back. "How much are you willing to pay for a single vial?"
"Depends. We have to do some testing first, but given what I've heard from you, the market price will go anywhere from 3 to 8 gold. Of course, you won't be getting that much."
He understood that much, at least. Considering that a single health raise potion costs around 50 silvers, his potion would at minimum cost six times that. He did some mental math and found that it would require him months just to match what he had in his treasury, and that too if he consistently worked as an alchemist instead of handling his territory.
Taking a deep breath, he lowered his head, his thoughts in struggle trying to find a way out. He felt a familiar warmth against his hand and turned to glance at Aurelia, who was giving him an encouraging smile. He understood the trust behind that emotion and almost wanted to pull out the formula and sell it. He resisted the urge.
"Alright, then it would seem our negotiations aren't going as intended." He looked at Ann for a moment before smiling in such a way that radiated confidence. "I'm sure I can find a better deal if I look a bit further."
Ann frowned. "And you're going to trust them to keep your secret? I'm not sure you understand the risk you will be undertaking."
"Oh, I understand it very well." He answered. "I'm already taking risks as is; I believe a bit more wouldn't hurt."
"A foolish choice if you ask me."
"Good thing I didn't then." He grinned.
Staring at him in the face for a moment, waiting, yet his grin never faltered. She narrowed her eyes and leaned forward. "You amuse me, Count Bloodthrone."
"In what way? Enlighten me, please."
"Let's just say my expectations have been betrayed." She spoke. "I was looking to meet a desperate boy with a desire to see his territory safe, yet I met a man who managed to put me in a tough spot."
"Glad to have exceeded your expectations." He smiled softly.
"Oh, you have no idea." She laughed lightly. "Well, it seems I have no choice but to offer you a new deal."
Karl put on his best attentive face.
"I can offer you a sum total of 20,000 Black Gold, alongside an agency relationship. We will give you market value for your potions for over a year, and you sell us the formula after the time period is over."
It was a remarkable deal, and Karl raised a brow at that. 20,000 was a bit less than what he needed, but he doubted the money really factored as anything important in the deal. Instead it was the time period that he found inappropriate. He was still apprehensive about selling the formula, but honestly it was more avoiding the spotlight than anything threatening after a time period. He was sure by then he would have the strength to protect himself and those close to him.
"One year is too low; how about five?"
Ann shook her head. "As much as I'm willing to stretch the deal, five is a bit much. I can offer you three.
Karl pretended to consider for a moment. "Three and 50,000 in Black Gold?"
She frowned but ultimately nodded. "We can do that much. Though we need to swear another Mana Oath.
"I agree."
"One last thing." Ann held a hand. "I understand that you are not very trusting of our organisation, but you will have to take one of our alchemists with you. They will be employed by us, but you will have free rein on their work. Of course all the Blood Cross Potions will have to be their creation."
Karl adopted a stern look. "Is that openly asking for a spy invitation?"
"I assure you it's not." She smiled gently. "If you want a three-year time period, we would need a steady stream of potions every month to start on the project. Thus the alchemist; I don't suppose Crimson Vale is doing well enough to support the expenditure."
"Ahem." Aurelia cleared her throat, feeling indignant at being left out but elected to adopt a neutral look on her face. "I think we would appreciate that, but that has to be subsumed in the oath as well. And this Alchemist would need to take one as well."
Karl chose not to speak, finding the choice as good as any. A free alchemist was always welcome, but something about this deal didn't sit right with him. It wasn't so much a feeling of being scammed as it was just lacking the context to understand the game Ann was playing at.
"Well, an oath it is, then?" Karl spoke; Ann smiled and nodded.
As the two spoke the words and effect took place, another burden settled on his shoulder.
"I think we should call that a successful negotiation." Aurelia smiled cheerfully.