Chapter 238 Simple Paperwork

Walter leaned back in his creaky wooden chair, his eyes glinting with a mix of satisfaction and concealed greed. He clasped his hands together, fingers interlocking as if he were orchestrating a grand performance.

"Helen, my dear customer," he began with a practiced sincerity in his voice, "I've given it careful consideration, and I must say, making the goblin attire is no easy feat. The craftsmanship, the precision - I'm investing a considerable amount of time and effort to ensure your goblin companion gets only the best for the cheapest cost."

He paused for dramatic effect, letting the weight of his supposed dedication settle in the air. In reality, Walter had already prepared the order before he even mentioned it, and his calculations were more about maximizing his profit margin than any genuine effort.

"But," he continued, faking a moment of reflection, "I understand the importance of your cause. I want to be of assistance in your noble endeavor, my dear. So, for you, my valued customer, I'm offering the entire goblin package for a mere 40 gold coins."

Walter's eyes twinkled with cunning as he awaited Suzuka's response. His faux generosity was a carefully crafted performance, concealing the fact that he had secured a tidy profit while making it seem like he was doing Suzuka a favor. The slick salesman was confident that he had successfully woven a web of deception that Suzuka would willingly step into.

Suzuka, well aware of Walter's penchant for maximizing profits, maintained a poker face as she listened to his detailed tale of the supposed challenges in fulfilling her goblin-sized order. Internally, she rolled her eyes, knowing that Walter had likely orchestrated the entire process with estimated profits.

When he finally revealed the total of 40 gold coins, Suzuka feigned a thoughtful expression, as if grappling with the financial burden of such a purchase. She sighed audibly, adding a touch of dramatic flair to her response.

"Walter, you know times are tough, and coins don't exactly grow on trees these days. I understand the craftsmanship involved, but 40 gold coins? That's quite a hefty sum," she lamented.

She glanced around the cluttered shop, making a show of contemplating the cost. 

"It's just that I've had some unexpected expenses lately, and these coins are hard to come by. But, for the sake of my town, I'll make the sacrifice. I suppose quality comes at a price. Let's just get this over with. I need those goblin tools, and you're the only one in town who can get it done right."

She made a show of reluctantly counting out the coins, emphasizing each clink as they landed on Walter's counter. Deep down, she knew that, despite the inflated cost, she was getting a decent deal from the cunning salesman. The goblin attire was a necessity for her grand plans, and Walter, with all his cunning, was her best option.

Walter's grin widened as Suzuka reluctantly agreed to the cost. He could sense her desperation but played along with the charade of commerce, enjoying the dance of negotiations. He rubbed his hands together, his eyes glinting with satisfaction.

"Excellent choice, Helen! I assure you, your goblin tools and attire will be the envy of every goblin in the forest. I'll put in the extra effort to make them truly magnificent. You won't be disappointed," Walter declared, oozing confidence.

He then checked an imaginary schedule, tapping his chin as if deep in thought. 

"Give me a little over a week, and I'll have everything ready for you. You'll be amazed at the craftsmanship, my dear. Until then, feel free to come by and check on the progress."

With that, Walter bid her farewell, his smile never wavering. As Suzuka left the shop, Walter's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. He knew he had secured a good deal. Suzuka, on the other hand, left with her funds significantly diminished, aware that her investment in her goblin-building force had come at a hefty cost.

Suzuka, her dealings with Walter settled, directed her steps toward Valerius's somewhat concealed establishment. She made her way through the twisted alleys to Valerius's secret meeting place. She stood before the humble door, adorned with neither sign nor marker and knocked. The small sliding panel creaked open, revealing a pair of sharp eyes belonging to the intimidating bodyguard who had guarded Valerius's door on her last visit.

"What's your business?" the bodyguard grunted, his stern gaze scrutinizing her every move.

Suzuka offered a smile. 

"Hey there handsome, I got important matters to discuss with Valerius."

The bodyguard, recognizing her from their previous encounter, grunted and stepped aside, allowing her entry.

"Come inside, no funny business." His voice carried a warning tone as he cautioned her to behave and not entertain any notions of trouble. 

Suzuka took a moment to assess the bodyguard more closely. Towering over her with an imposing stature, he was a seasoned adventurer and a dwarf without a doubt. Strapped to his back was a massive battle axe, clearly intended for formidable foes, while a sword hung at his hip, ready to dispatch smaller threats. The sight of these weapons reassured her that Valerius had employed a professional, not just a common thug, to safeguard his domain.

The air carried the faint scent of musty wood and aged paper. The bodyguard guided Suzuka through the hall until they reached Valerius's office, a secluded corner where hushed conversations unfolded, and returned to his post by the door.

Upon entering, Suzuka was greeted by the silhouette of Valerius, shrouded in the dim light filtering through heavy curtains. The room exuded an air of authority, and Valerius, seated at a sturdy wooden desk cluttered with papers, looked up from his work.

"Ah, Helen, back so soon? I assume you are here to talk about your town." Valerius inquired, his voice a low murmur.

"Indeed I am. Things are going fine so far. Got my hands on little funds, secured a blueprint for the goblin district to shelter them, and placed an order for necessary little things they might need for a better quality of life. Now, I'm checking in with you to see how things going on your end."

With a delightful "Ah, splendid!" Valerius slightly bowed his head to congratulate Suzuka on her fine start, his gesture subtle and slightly resembling a mocking one. After the pleasantries, he leaned back in his chair, intertwining his fingers.

"Helen, I'm glad to hear about your progress. As for the town, after our last meeting, I took the liberty of consulting with my most trusted associates at MIS headquarters. We delved into the matter with utmost discretion. We wanted to ensure that your endeavors don't attract unnecessary attention or unwanted eyes. We've decided to keep a low profile until you set things in motion. Drawing attention prematurely could be harmful to our long-term goals," Valerius explained, his tone measured and composed.

Valerius paused, choosing his words with deliberate care. 

"One prominent concern that emerged during our discussions revolves around the three magic boxes. The capitalization of such resources could be perceived as a significant problem by MIS. We must address this issue carefully, considering the potential implications."

He continued, "You understand, Helen, that MIS must be cautious. Your ambitious project might be misunderstood as an attempt to amass a force of magic box users, which could be seen as a threat to the region. We need to find a way to assure MIS that your intentions are in line with our broader goals, rather than a rising threat amassing military might."

Valerius's voice took on a more serious tone, and he continued, "Simply put - MIS is apprehensive about the potential capitalization of the three magic boxes within your town. They fear that your intentions might not align with the betterment of MIS, but rather with amassing a magical army to conquer the lands. It's a delicate matter, and we need to address it carefully to assure them of the sincerity of your project."

He paused, studying Suzuka's reaction before adding, "I trust you understand the gravity of their concerns. Clarification and reassurance from your end would be beneficial in this delicate situation."

Suzuka leaned back in her chair, a nonchalant smile playing on her lips.

 "Valerius, that's why I have someone as skilled and cunning as you to handle these political difficulties. I trust you have a few tricks up your sleeve, considering your knack for navigating through such matters. I'm sure you can work your magic and smooth things over with MIS."

She gave a dismissive wave of her hand as if shooing away the concerns.

 "I'll focus on building the town, and you handle the politics. That's our deal, right?" Suzuka's tone remained carefree, seemingly unbothered by the potential challenges ahead.

Valerius's eyes glinted with sly amusement as he smoothly slid a pile of papers across the desk. "Helen, my dear, I anticipated your needs. I've prepared all the necessary paperwork, neatly aligned with MIS regulations, to ensure a smooth journey for our little venture. Your mana signature is all that's required to set things in motion. Take a look and let me know if anything needs adjustment. I've made sure there are no hidden clauses or misleading rules. It's all straightforward, ensuring that your rights remain yours and yours alone. After all, I'm here to make your dreams come true within the boundaries of the law, of course."

His words carried a calculated charm, and Valerius awaited her response with the assurance of a cat who had cornered a clever mouse.

He gestured toward the papers.

 "Take your time to go through them, and once you're satisfied, your mana signature will make it official. We wouldn't want any unnecessary hiccups along the way, would we?" Valerius maintained his composed demeanor, his tone dripping with sly charm.

Suzuka expressed her gratitude to Valerius, acknowledging the efficiency and swiftness with which he handled the paperwork.

 "Thank you, Valerius. I'll take some time to go through these thoroughly. If anything pops up or if I have any questions, I'll be sure to call you."

Valerius gestured toward a corner table. 

"Feel free to use this table, take your time. There's no rush. I'll be around if you need anything."

With a grateful nod, Suzuka made her way to the table. She spent the entire day going over the papers, ensuring every detail aligned with her vision and Valerius's assurances.

As the night wore on, Suzuka diligently reviewed every detail of the paperwork. The corners of her eyes grew heavy with fatigue, but she persevered. Finally, she reached the last page, satisfied that everything aligned with her goals for the town. She took a deep breath and, with a surge of her mana, signed the documents.