Chapter 643: Negotiations

Damian stared at him with a frown. First of all the secret of his shattered soul was only known to Damian and his closest allies. But from the information Laura gave, it was clear this man knew about his condition.

"That’s your explanation?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

"You gave a young noblewoman a pill that can restore a century of lifespan, strengthen the soul, and slow the deterioration of life force, hoping she would bring me here?"

"When you put it that way, it does sound rather calculating."

"It sounds like you have mistaken me for a fool." Damians eyes furrowed.

Shūren bowed his head slightly.

"I assure you that was not our intention."

Damian’s gaze remained cold.

The president continued before the silence could become uncomfortable.

"The Soul Fortification Pill is one of the association’s most precious medicines. Only three remain, and we have no means of producing more at present. We would not have entrusted one to Lady Laura without good reason."

" How are you aware of my situation?" Damian asked directly.

Shūren’s ears twitched. " We have met several people who have suffered the same fate as you. After your battle with Dantalion, we immediately knew your soul was damaged despite your attempts to hide it."

Rin’s voice rang in Damian’s head. ’A doctor can discern sicknesses others fail to notice through the slightest symptoms. They are pretty good at what they do.’

Damian inwardly nodded in agreement. He had gone through so much effort to hide his condition, even the princes have failed to notice a thing.

If anything, the alchemy association are deserving of praise.

Damian looked back at the president.

"What is it you want exactly?"

Shūren’s expression became solemn. "We want to return to Velmora."

Damian frowned because if they just wanted to return to Velmora, they could do so without bringing him here. There is something else Shūren isn’t saying.

’Velmora may be lacking in so many resources but it is home to the rarest herbs and it’s prince possesses the rarest flames. It’s heaven for alchemists. If they can return, they can easily regain cut down on cost of production drastically. Their product quality will also improve immensely, meaning they will make more profit than ever before.’ Rin explained and Damian slowly nodded with a look of realization.

Shūren however, unaware of Damians conversation with Rin gestured toward the production hall.

"This association was established in Velmora long before the current political arrangements took shape. Our laboratories, our senior alchemists, and many of our oldest records originated there. The city provided us with the resources and environment necessary to develop our craft. In return, our products became one of its principal sources of wealth."

He paused.

"That relationship ended after Lin Qui’s death."

Damian’s expression hardened at the name. Shūren noticed but continued carefully.

"The circumstances surrounding his death, and the disputes that followed, created a situation in which the association could no longer operate under the conditions we considered acceptable. Our leadership eventually decided to relocate to the capital. At the time, we believed it was the safest decision for our members and our work."

"And now you want to go back."

"Yes."

"Why?"

The president’s seven tails shifted behind him.

"Because the capital offers security, but Velmora offers opportunity. The city has an established commercial network, a long history of alchemical cultivation, and access to resources that are difficult to obtain elsewhere. Our departure weakened the city, but it also limited our own potential. We believe both sides would benefit from restoring the relationship."

’At least he is mostly honest about their intent.’ Rin chuckled.

Damian glanced toward the alchemists working around them. Yet none of this explained why they had approached him instead of the officials responsible for governing Velmora.

Damian crossed his arms.

"Why me?"

Shūren met his gaze.

"Because you are the Prince of Lust, and your influence over Velmora is considerable. More importantly, we believe you understand the value of what we can offer."

"You’re assuming I have the authority to grant your request."

"We are aware that Velmora has its own political structure. We are not asking you to disregard it. We are asking you to help us negotiate a return under terms that would be acceptable to both sides."

"And what terms do you want?"

"Protection for the association, guarantees regarding our independence, access to suitable land and resources, and a clear agreement concerning taxation and commercial obligations. We would also require assurances that our members would not be dragged into the disputes that drove us away in the first place."

Damian gave him a long look. "That’s quite a list. Don’t you think you are being a bit too greedy?"

"It is a substantial undertaking, Your Highness. We would not ask you to involve yourself if we did not believe the outcome could benefit Velmora as well."

"You’re asking me to use my influence to bring a powerful organisation back to a city that has already suffered from the consequences of its departure. In return, you want protection, resources, and favourable commercial terms."

"That is a fair summary."

"And you chose Laura because you believed she could persuade me."

Shūren inclined his head.

"Her relationship with Lord Paimon gives her access to information and resources that are unavailable to most people. She also has a personal connection to you. We believed she would be able to present our case in a way that would earn your attention."

The real question was whether their offer was worth his time.

He looked at the president.

"Let me make something clear. I’m not interested in restoring your association to Velmora simply because you want to return. If I involve myself in this matter, I expect the city to benefit from it."

"Naturally."

"I want to know what you can contribute beyond selling pills. Your knowledge, your techniques, your ability to train local alchemists, and your willingness to invest in Velmora’s future. If you return, I don’t want you to establish yourselves behind your own walls, extract wealth from the city, and leave again the moment circumstances become inconvenient."

Shūren’s expression grew serious. "That is reasonable."

"Is it? Then you should have no objection to including those obligations in our negotiations."

"None whatsoever."

Damian turned toward the production hall again.

An alchemist was carefully placing a row of finished pills into individual jade containers. Another was recording the results of a refinement process in a thick ledger, noting the ingredients, temperature, and quantity of magical energy used.

It was an organised operation, supported by years of accumulated knowledge.

Such an institution could be valuable to Velmora. More importantly, it could be valuable to him.

The Soul Fortification Pill had already demonstrated its worth. If the association possessed the knowledge to refine more of them, or even to produce similar medicines, it might provide a means of managing his damaged soul while he pursued the power necessary to fulfil his ambitions.

He had no intention of allowing his lifespan to become a leash around his neck.

Damian looked back at Shūren.

"There’s another matter we need to discuss."

"The Soul Fortification Pill?"

"Precisely. You said there are only three left. I want all three and the complete formula, the list of ingredients, and every surviving record concerning its refinement. If it requires me to step in with my samsara flames I will do so."

Shūren hesitated. "The formula is among our most closely guarded records, Your Highness."

Damian’s gaze cooled.

"Then perhaps you should consider how much more valuable those records would become if the association returned to Velmora under my protection."

The president remained silent for a moment. Then his seven tails slowly fanned out behind him.

"I believe," he said carefully, "that we may have the foundation for a productive negotiation."

Damian smiled faintly.

"Good. Then let’s discuss what your association is worth."

He turned toward the exit, having seen enough of the production facilities to understand the scale of the organisation. Laura hurried after him, while President Shūren followed with renewed attention.

The association had wanted to bring Damian to its doorstep with a precious pill.

It had succeeded.

But now the Prince of Lust was interested, and Shūren was beginning to realise that securing his help might prove far more complicated than delivering a gift.

Damian, meanwhile, had already begun calculating the possibilities.

If the association returned to Velmora, it could restore a major source of revenue, strengthen the city’s commercial network, and provide access to alchemical knowledge that had been lost after Lin Qui’s death. In exchange, he could demand more than promises of loyalty. He could secure resources, cultivate new connections, and perhaps even find a way to halt the decline of his own soul.

That way even if he doesn’t find a solution in the dark continent. He can survive without much complications while he prepares to take Abode