Chapter 105: Untitled

Perhaps this young lady was a spendthrift, and this item was stolen from her home? Or maybe these two were just pickpockets or rather unskilled small-time swindlers?

Such a thought suddenly flashed through the shopkeeper’s mind, but the reasonableness of it made a few cold sweat drops startle out of him… If he accepted such a deal, the follow-up matters would likely become very troublesome. So he rolled his eyes, and the smile on his face brightened even more. “Our shop is willing to purchase it for one thousand gold coins. What do you think?”

This was naturally a test. If Constantine was eager to get rid of it, it would prove the ring’s origins were dubious. This shopkeeper naturally had ways to handle the aftermath. And if the other party had strong backing, it wouldn’t matter much either… Colleagues in the Eastern Continent had a succinct proverb: “State your terms in the sky, then pay your price on the ground.”

“This joke is a bit too much, isn’t it?” The Blood Elf who had been standing behind Constantine couldn’t help but speak up, her voice full of indignation.

As a professional thief, she had considerable appraisal skills for things like jewelry. That diamond ring was worth far more than a thousand gold coins when it passed through her hands. And Constantine’s almost magical craftsmanship filled the Elf with admiration. She naturally couldn’t let this treasure, which she couldn’t forget, be bought by the other side at such an outrageous price.

“Young lady, we are merchants. For the price of any item, we need to carry out a complete evaluation before we can make a decision.” Smiling in a merchant-like manner, the shopkeeper did not respond directly.

“This ring also carries a permanent air spell. Once activated, it can keep a cool breeze swirling around the wearer at all times… I think such a condition is sufficient for you to re-evaluate its value…” Constantine added with a similarly smiling face, then watched as the shopkeeper’s smile gradually stiffened.

He wasn’t surprised by the shopkeeper’s reaction. In fact, because he wanted to enjoy the fun of shopping a little, and considering that selling stolen goods wasn’t exactly a glorious thing, Constantine had given up the privilege of traveling in the Connallyvis Family carriage. He also didn’t wear any items marking his identity in obvious places. It was expected that the other party would develop some negative assumptions. However, adding the title of a magic item would make this matter not so simple.

Mages were not numerous to begin with. Alchemists also needed the special abilities of craftsmanship and familiarity with magic arrays, making them even rarer. The path of Magic was vast and boundless. Increasing Magic Power required a long, drawn-out time. Even a great mage, in their entire lifetime, might only hover around the seventh or eighth layer of the Weave of Magic. As an alchemist, one not only had to expend precious Mental Power to craft items but also faced the problem of how to allocate time and energy between Magic and alchemy skills. Therefore, most items crafted by alchemists were uniformly things like weapons, with similar performance. This was also the root cause of why Magic Items were hard to come by, and masterpieces were even rarer.

Even uniform Magic Items were expensive due to their scarcity. As for something like what Constantine held, which had a Magic attached that improved quality of life, it was so rare it was indescribable. Even if it was just a first-tier spell. “This… please forgive me, I need a little time…” The expression on the shopkeeper’s face changed quite dramatically. After being stunned for a few seconds, he hurriedly summoned a clerk and gave some instructions. Then, with a gentle smile, he led the two to a quiet area in the corner of the shop: “Please wait there for a moment. Our shop has prepared some pastries and Rose Tea for you. You’re welcome to try them.”

Constantine gave a faint smile and did not refuse. He pulled the huffing Elf and sat down on that set of sofas. He picked up a piece of soft milk pastry and put it in his mouth. The shopkeeper himself then went through a door inside.

“Aha! Aha! Who brought something good?”

Before the particularly picky Elf could even pick up a piece of pastry, a shrill voice came from the room inside the shop. A short figure banged open that door and rushed out. After glancing around briefly, he directly charged towards where Constantine was. He reached out to snatch the ring placed on the table.

Unfortunately, this move was unsuccessful. The youth stretched out his hand expressionlessly, causing the grab to miss.

“What a beautiful gemstone! Give it to me! Let Jinbao see!”

He seemed to completely not see the people around him anymore. His eyes stared straight at that beautiful ring. A pair of short hands waved, trying to get hold of that shiny little trinket. However, he couldn’t touch the youth’s hand at all. He could only let out a series of shrill shouts like a child… or rather, like an angry little animal!

But clearly, he was not a child… The youth frowned. This rude fellow had a head of golden hair, big azure blue eyes, deep brown skin, and on his earth-yellow short vest were intricate woven decorations inlaid with a few small pieces of exquisite Gemstones, giving him a rather exotic flair. Although his shrill voice and height of less than three feet made his appearance easily confused with that of a Human child… But after noticing the carefully trimmed short beard on his chin, Constantine realized he should be an adult… a Gnome.

“Master, could you please not be so impatient! Look…” At this moment, the panting shopkeeper finally managed to chase out from that door. He complained vaguely, then offered Constantine an apologetic smile: “Well, sir, sorry for the trouble. But this is the gem appraisal master of our shop, Mr. Jinbao Tulan. He is a teacher with eighty years of gem appraisal experience and the qualification of a high-level gem master. I hope he can give your item a suitable…”

“By Garl Glittergold, not eighty years, eighty-eight years, you counting-idiot! You are insulting my experience and qualifications!”

The short Gnome practically jumped up and uttered a curse of protest. He promptly planted a footprint on the hem of the shopkeeper’s well-tailored formal suit. Then he turned back and solemnly bowed towards Constantine. “Hello, esteemed guest. I am Jinbao Tulan. You can call me Jinbao, or Shiny Gem… Well, as you can see, I am what you call a Gnome. But I’m different from those among you who are merely short… Ah, I think this does not hinder my experience in gem appraisal… If possible, may I… young sir… could you give that lovely little treasure to me to look at?”

During this rambling string of words, he approached again. While saying “May I see…” he had already impatiently snatched the small box from the youth’s hand!

Constantine shook his head but didn’t say anything… The Gnome race was not common on the Continent, but their noisy nature was well-known to all. Moreover, their ability to appreciate Gemstones was indeed second to none. Coupled with their long lifespans, it wasn’t excessive for them to be appraisers.

“Top-grade quality, top-grade quality. The craftmanship is also good. Although the polishing process was a little rough, overall it’s a good item, a good item! The spell on it is also set very exquisitely. No problems, not easily damaged either! Mhm mhm…” Placing a piece of white Crystal-polished lens on the bridge of his nose, the Gnome tightly clamped the ring in his small palm. He carefully examined it for a long time: against the light, with the light behind it, from the side. A series of movements as if performing a strange dance. Finally, he took off the lens and somewhat reluctantly held the ring in his hand, gently stroking it. He spoke as if to himself.

“Well… since the master says so… our humble shop is willing to offer two thousand… five hundred gold coins to purchase this ring. How about it?” The shopkeeper’s face darkened somewhat. Clearly, the Gnome’s lack of restraint in speaking put him in a passive position. But he couldn’t refute it.

Constantine’s response was just a slight shake of his head… Magic Items were already rare. This life-enhancing type was even rarer… Asking for the sky-high price and then bargaining down was not something new to him.

“Not enough! At least three thousand!” The Gnome screeched: “Otherwise it’s an insult to this treasure!”

The shopkeeper’s resentful gaze swept over the Gnome’s face, which was still clutching the Gemstone and unwilling to let go. Eventually, he gritted his teeth fiercely… and revealed a strained smile: “Then, three thousand… how do you see that?”

Three thousand gold coins. This amount, even in Hayton where nobles and wealthy merchants gathered, could not be considered small… The labor and price index in this world were in a relatively low environment. Although gold coins were nothing among nobles, for the vast majority of merchants of medium level and below, it was still a considerable sum.

“For a Magic ring like this, can you really offer a mere three thousand gold coins?” Before Constantine could even speak, a hearty voice suddenly joined the conversation!

This voice was extremely loud, like rolling thunder in this quiet room. With the words, a short, stout figure walked out from the door leading inside the shop. The shopkeeper was so frightened by the voice that he almost jumped. But in the end, he could only greet very respectfully: “Hello, Master Dorn!”

Constantine narrowed his eyes slightly and cast a somewhat surprised gaze on the figure who had pushed the door open.

This person did not match the elegant shop at all… A body just over four feet tall was casually draped in a dirty, linen work uniform that looked like abstract art. Only in some corners could the original dark blue base color be discerned. On his large head, messy brown hair of medium length seemed uncombed for a long time, with an oily sheen. Thick eyebrows almost made one doubt whether this Dwarf could see at all. Only a beard hanging past his waist was meticulously groomed, glossy and smooth, finely combed into braids. It was tied together with a shiny copper ring and tucked into a belt two palms wide, studded with copper rivets. His thick, short hands were currently holding an iron hammer larger than his head.

“This shop truly has a wealth of talents… Dwarves as well?” The youth smiled.

Dwarves were not rare in Phoenix, although their numbers were not large. Their completely different physique from Humans and their loud voices, almost capable of conversing with deaf people, made them sufficiently eye-catching. Their far superior metal forging skills, Gemstone appreciation, polishing abilities, as well as their tenacious character and formidable combat prowess, made them welcome figures wherever they went. The swords forged by Dwarven craftsmen could cut through metal and jade without any enhancement Magic. The armor they cast was both lightweight and incredibly sturdy, treasures dreamt of by all warriors.

But this relationship between Humans and Dwarves did not come easily.

An ancient maxim said that Humans cherish steel—using it to forge sharp weapons and glittering coins. Elves love the forest; its flourishing scenery and resilient vitality fascinate them. Dwarves are passionate about rock—it is the skeleton and foundation of the world.

Dwarves liked to call themselves children of the earth. They began living in the northeast of the Phoenix Empire. That was during the Age of Dawn before the Age of Dreams. History from that time was shrouded in the mist of the world’s early days. But since then, Dwarves had ruled the mountain range known as the Towering Peaks there, establishing prosperous underground kingdoms. Many Human scholars claimed through their research that Dwarves were immigrants who came to this world from another Plane. But this event obviously happened too early, so this claim had not received any actual evidence so far.

As Human civilization developed, the land they continuously expanded gradually extended to where Dwarves lived.

Nowadays, in Human cities, Dwarven figures were becoming increasingly common, including merchants, craftsmen, Mercenaries, Adventurers, and even Commoners who moved there. And in Dwarven settlements, Human figures were gradually seen as well. Places that were purely Dwarven territory before and completely forbade Human traffic now accepted Human merchants and tourists. Interactions between Humans and Dwarves were becoming closer and more frequent.

The initial exchange came from one of Constantine’s ancestors. The third Duke of Sun’s Horn was ordered to eliminate the threat of the Western Frontier Barbarians. With miraculous command, he defeated the most powerful Barbarian tribe of the Dragonflame Mountains, a tribe allied with terrifying Fire Giants and underground Dwarves. After achieving this glorious victory, the Duke also gained the friendship of the previously hostile mountain Dwarves. He soon benefited from this: not only did he possess a large army of skilled Dwarven craftsmen. The military formation of the Western Frontier also henceforth included a group of short, stout warriors wielding warhammers and axes, like beer barrels.

Constantine remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he was secretly pleased.

Dwarves were originally a race famous for being stubborn and conservative, known as “rock-headed.” But if you could understand their temperament, it was easy to become friends with them. Moreover, they were also a race not easily fooled. Therefore, this time his income shouldn’t fall short by much.

“You idiotic keg, you haven’t even looked at this thing. How do you know again?” Seeing the Dwarf, the Gnome immediately let out a shriek. Like a child, he hid the ring behind his back: “Besides, what do you, a rock-head, know? Although this ring is beautiful, it’s only worth three thousand gold coins! Not a single coin more can be counted!”

“That fire diamond’s base alone is already worth no less than fifteen hundred gold coins. Add that unseen polishing method, a low estimate would be three thousand gold coins, true… But.” The Dwarf shook his big, shaggy head, thumping inside. He didn’t care at all that the coal dust on his body and feet soiled the high-grade carpet on the floor. “But don’t just look at those Gemstones. The metal wire drawing and weaving underneath are also superb craftsmanship. Even without that diamond, this ring could still be worth a thousand gold! And there’s also the spell, the craft, Magic, the fire diamond—a perfect combination of the three… At an auction, it would definitely fetch no less than seven thousand gold coins!” He paused and added in a deep, muffled voice.

In almost an instant, the ring’s price doubled. Constantine, however, showed no emotional fluctuation. Although it hadn’t been long, since setting foot in Hayton, his life had undergone a tremendous change. The experiences in the Magic Tower, several adventures, and his suddenly bulging wallet had gradually filled him with confidence. There was an old saying: when the granary is full, one becomes arrogant. So now, even when talking about several thousand gold coins, his expression remained indifferent, as if it were just a deal involving a few copper coins.

But the shopkeeper’s expression grew increasingly cautious… The thoughts he had at the beginning had vanished without a trace… Such a child of about ten years old, still acting so calm when faced with such a huge sum… That was a demeanor possessed only by so-called noble descendants. His own earlier performance had been somewhat discourteous.

“Then… if I were to offer eight thousand gold coins, could you sell it to me?”

Or perhaps this ring had some special function? Before anyone could express their opinion, another voice suddenly joined in!

Constantine was taken aback and noticed a man approaching middle age standing beside him, seemingly having appeared at some point. He was tall. His full forehead bore a thoughtful wrinkle. His eyes were filled with a gloomy look. From the depths of his eyes, sparks flashed occasionally, though they seemed somewhat dark, somewhat close to misanthropic. His face was covered with the calm light of wisdom, seemingly proving profound knowledge in his chest… His skin was very pale, almost like a prisoner who hadn’t been in contact with sunlight for a long time. Only paired with his rare, bluish-gray hair did he exhibit a unique temperament of high nobility.

This person… is not simple…

Rubbing his chin, Constantine felt slightly alert inside… Although the shop was laid with a thick carpet, with the youth’s recent increase in Meditation, fewer and fewer people could approach him silently…

However, after shifting his gaze over the other person, he noticed some other things… This person gave him a very familiar feeling…