"Certainly," Richard nodded in agreement.
In truth, for the three days prior, Richard had devoted himself entirely to crafting this pocket watch. Not only did he personally labor over every detail, but he also expended fifty gold coins to hire the finest artisans in the city. Under his strict supervision, these craftsmen toiled day and night, meticulously polishing every component.
All fifty gold coins were spent, and the scores of artisans nearly reached exhaustion before they finally rushed to complete the watch. Its inner workings were modeled after modern Earth's timepieces—technology that, in this world, was centuries, if not nearly a millennium, ahead of its time.
Ordinarily, such a clock would be nearly impossible to create without automated machinery; even with continuous work, it might take several weeks, if not months, to finish. Yet Richard spared no expense. He emptied his coffers like a flowing stream, urging his workers to labor overtime until, after three and a half—almost four long days—his masterpiece was complete. This delay, he later explained, was precisely why he did not appear at the jewelry shop until evening.
Naturally, Richard never divulged these details to Newman. Instead, he looked the other man in the eye and said, "Since you understood before that my reengineered clocks could fetch several times the profit of the originals, you should now grasp that this pocket watch promises yields several dozen—if not hundreds—of times greater."
He explained that while aristocrats might purchase a clock merely as a decorative piece—displayed at home for occasional gatherings—a pocket watch, being portable, could be worn out on the streets, at dinner parties, or wherever one went. Its usability was far broader, inciting a far greater desire to own one. "If, previously, only ten individuals would buy a clock, then for this pocket watch there will be a hundred, perhaps even several hundred buyers," he asserted. "And as time goes on, its desirability will only increase. When every noble possesses a pocket watch, those without one will be shunned—and those ostracized will stop at nothing to acquire one. The profit will be nothing short of staggering."
Newman trembled with excitement upon hearing Richard's words. Far from thinking his claims exaggerated, he felt they were almost too precise. In his mind, Newman recalled Earth's modern history—where clocks once captivated the globe during the late Age of Discovery and the colonial era. A man without an expensive pocket watch was deemed unworthy; even today, timepieces remain the most coveted adornment among the affluent. The profits to be reaped from pocket watches, therefore, were evident beyond dispute.
Taking a deep breath, Newman met Richard's gaze and inquired, "Esteemed sir, what exactly do you propose in exchange for granting me the technique to create these pocket watches?"
"It's simple," Richard replied, extending his hand and letting his finger sway gently. "Fifty thousand silver coins."
"Fifty thousand silver coins?" Newman exclaimed—not out of shock at the price, but because it seemed astonishingly modest. Previously, when exchanging for the clock modification technique, his ceiling was roughly that amount. Yet now, Richard was offering something even more astounding for the very same sum!
There was a moment of silence.
"Of course, I have two additional conditions," Richard added.
"Please, go on," Newman urged.
"First, aside from the fifty thousand silver coins, I require that within half a month you secure passage for me on a ship bound for the 'Sesciece' continent."
"'Sesciece' continent?" Newman paused in thought, then pointed toward the unfamiliar lands to the south. "You mean that strange continent in the south?"
"Exactly," Richard confirmed with a nod.
"That is no problem. Though ships from that continent are rare, there are one or two each month. As long as one can reach the port, I can see to it that you board," Newman replied with enthusiastic assurance.
"Very well," Richard said, before continuing, "The second condition is that the fifty thousand silver coins be delivered in cash—no bartered guarantees. And I don't need silver coins per se; convert most of it into easily transportable valuables like gems, diamonds, or pearls. In gold, just a few dozen coins would suffice. Let me repeat: this condition is non-negotiable—no exceptions."
Newman's face darkened upon hearing this. He could muster fifty thousand silver coins if needed, as his jewelry store was worth about that sum. Yet extracting the same amount in liquid cash—and in the form of precious stones and gems—was an entirely different matter. It was akin to expecting a millionaire to produce one million dollars in cash on demand. Liquid assets and fixed assets were two entirely separate matters.
Newman calculated in his mind that even if he emptied his entire reserve, he could only muster half that amount—twenty-five thousand silver coins. It would require dismantling every valuable piece in his store and gathering every gemstone, a solution that left him with no alternative.
Gazing intently at Richard, Newman ventured cautiously, "Sir, is there truly no flexibility?"
"None," Richard replied sharply. "If you cannot meet these conditions, then our deal is off. Perhaps I'll take my talents to a jewelry shop with deeper pockets."
In truth, Richard was resigned to this necessity. Much like when he left the Black Castle with nothing to burden him, he now sought a ship to the mysterious 'Sesciece' continent without adding extra weight. Carrying a large amount of silver would not only be impractical—it might even become a liability, inviting unwanted attention and trouble. Richard, after all, detested complications.
Newman's face shifted from indignation to despair as he realized no easy solution presented itself. With his eyes darting about in a self-serving panic, he resolved to take drastic measures. If normal negotiation would not suffice, why not resort to force? Perhaps by coercing Richard into handing over his technique, he could avoid the headache of amassing fifty thousand silver coins and save a considerable sum in the process.
With a glint of determination, Newman fixed his gaze on Richard and said slowly, "Sir, please believe me—I am earnest about this transaction. But if you remain inflexible, I will be forced to consider alternative measures. Moreover, your threat to share the pocket watch technique with others is vexing. We both know that once this secret spreads, it will lose all its value. I urge you to reconsider, or else I'll have no choice but to explore other methods."
Richard lowered his eyes, staring at the counter as though he had not registered Newman's veiled threats. In a calm tone he replied, "Is that so? Then think it over."
With that, Richard lifted a single finger and slowly drew a line across the counter. Almost instantly, a burst of orange-red flame erupted at his fingertip. The fire danced around his finger like an inkwell dipped in fresh ink, leaving a scorched "stain" on the counter as he moved his hand.
Newman's eyes narrowed sharply, his pupils contracting into tiny black dots. All the threats he had rehearsed evaporated unspoken as he watched in stunned silence. Then Richard lifted his gaze to meet Newman's directly.
In that charged moment, cold sweat broke out on Newman's brow. He fumbled for words while hastily wiping his perspiration, stuttering, "Th-this… this must be a misunderstanding."
"Perhaps," Richard replied coolly. "But the matter of fifty thousand silver coins remains non-negotiable."
At that, Newman felt an overwhelming urge to cry—such demands were truly unbearable! Yet suddenly, his eyes lit up with a new idea. Catching Richard's unwavering stare, he gasped with slightly ragged breath, "I—I've just thought of something that I'm sure will interest you. It might even cover part of the silver coin price—I guarantee it."
"Hmm?" Richard raised a single eyebrow in curiosity.
Under Richard's steady gaze, Newman spun around and dashed into the depths of the shop.