The Runic Alchemist

Chapter 834: High Board Members & Contributions

After lunch and a little rest, Damian, Lucian, and Torvin met up with the Faerunians. There wasn’t much to negotiate. They had already decided what the prize of the membership on the high board was going to be. And they asked that of all three countries.

Access to their dungeons.

“Don’t you have enough of them already? Ours is nothing compared to what you can already find.” Alex said. His mother eyed her son for being so direct, but said nothing.

“I don’t want the resources or use them for levels. My aim, as I already revealed before, is simply to study them – I need to check as many as possible to find the truth hidden inside.” Damian replied.

“Truth?” The queen of Faerunia asked.

“He is fascinated by the civilizations inside.” Alex took up the responsibility to explain, “Just like we somehow broke out of the dungeon floors and entered the real world, the dungeon was based on; he is probably trying to understand that better.”

“Have you ever thought what you might bring back after messing with dungeons?” Hellstorm asked.

“What if all dungeons are simply a test that is given to the pathfinders to solve? What happens when we fail to do so? The world gets swarmed by all its monsters? There are too many what-ifs and not enough real answers. For better or worse, I aim to find out. That is the main purpose of my research center, which you wish to join.” Damian replied.

“You know it’s not an easy thing to ask any country.” The queen of Faerunia said.

“Which is why we are not asking. It’s up to you. You don’t have to become a board member.” Lucian added.

“35% dungeons.” Alex offered. “3 teams per month.”

“Fixed?” Damian asked.

“Yes,” Hellstorm answered.

Damian shook his head. “50% dungeons. 5 teams per month. And it rotates every three months.”

“We can’t do that. That’s too much support; things can change with time.” The queen said.

The conversation paused, both parties looking at each other without a word. At last, the queen added,

“35% dungeons, 4 teams, and six six-month rotations. You will have to understand if we can’t deliver some of them.”

Damian looked at the three one by one and nodded. “That will earn you one position on the high board – you can keep an assistant that can attend with you.”

The expressions of the three relaxed; they were not expecting a result today at all. Damian did not like to drag things out.

“Also, Damian,” Alex called out, grabbing everyone’s attention back to the table.

“The history of our two countries is anything but simple. I don’t agree with everything my family did, but I don’t condone it either. Despite all that, it is not my wish to maintain those rough political relations.”

Damian looked at the princeling. Then at his uncle and mother. Both were equally surprised as the two beside him. The Alex he knew worshiped his family. For him to say this it was a sign that not all Seablaze had seaweed for brains.

“Don’t mess with us, and we won’t mess with you. It’s as simple as that.” Damian replied. “If I wanted to discriminate against you, I already would have.”

“Times are changing,” Lucian added, “Your father is probably too old and stubborn to change with it. Why fight and die for just a little piece of land when working with an alliance might give you several times bigger places to use? You know him, you know us. The things we have faced and might come to face again. Border skirmishes are not our way of progress.”

With that, the three of Faerunia took their leave. There were many other things they could have made deals about, but for now, all their major concerns had been discussed.

The emperor and his wife were next. They offered the same thing to them as well. Give up your dungeons to have control of a lot more dungeons.

The reason for doing this privately was the results they could obtain. Faerunians gave 35% of their dungeons for research purposes, while the emperor and his wife could only manage 45%. In many words, the couple tried to show that they had nothing but good intentions towards the sanctuary, as long as the temple was not mentioned.

All in all, it was a good enough deal. 45% dungeons, 7 teams, and rotation every three months.

In the end, it was Ilvanya and Vidalia’s turn.

“Did you say potions that could change a person’s entire appearance? Like with mana and everything?” Ilvanaya inquired once they had settled on the board member deal.

40% dungeons, 4 teams per month, and rotation every four months.

“It’s not for sale.” Damian rejected it straight.

There were many runic tools and potions that he had created but never made public because of their dangerous potential. The runic gun was such an invention. They were worried about Evrin, which was the only reason Damian had given the sample piece to her.

“Come on, you can give some so I can roam around the streets like a human!” Ilvanya said, with a bit too much enthusiasm.

“It’s not finished yet; I just have a few plans and need to experiment.” Damian still denied her.

“Didn’t one of you say it was already finished?”

“That’s a different potion. It changes hair’s color and length.” Damian replied.

“Give me that, I will tell you about the time Vidalia ran off to live in the forest and came back crying!” Ilvanya offered.

“Shut up!” Vidalia shouted in annoyance.

“Oh, you have a deal.” Damian was intrigued.

Lucian and Torvin tried their best to ignore the two as Vidalia continued to curse at her mother. The transaction happened extremely quickly – Ilvanya had written the whole thing down on a piece of paper. Damian stored them in his spatial storage for later leisure reading.

He was being eyed by both Vidalia and Lucian, but he did not fold at all. He had earned it through his hard work and dedication. Righteous fury burned bright inside his prideful chest.