Bab 30: Chapter 30: I Only Wish to Win Your Friendship
Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The elegant noble maiden before him took Lide by surprise.
Winnie Alex
Age: 24
Level: 11
Profession: Gale Warrior
Introduction: The most beautiful tulip of Green City, the eldest daughter of the Alex family, the president of the Alex Chamber of Commerce, and a direct disciple of Duke Storm.
The attributes were simple, yet each one held considerable weight.
A level as high as 11 was 1 level higher than his so-called magic genius.
Moreover, the profession was a Gale Warrior, a profession he'd never heard of — undoubtedly a hidden profession, one that a marquis's daughter would not undertake if it wasn't extraordinary.
The subsequent string of titles made it clear that each one was significant.
Especially being a direct disciple of Duke Storm, which quite astounded him.
Duke Storm, in the few memories the Blood Clan Ancestor had of the Nolan Empire, was one of its strongest warriors.
Having surpassed level 20 and reached Transcendent long ago, there were even rumors that he was seeking to ascend from Transcendent to Legendary.
He was a figure amongst figures.
Lide hadn't expected to encounter the disciple of Duke Storm in the southern city of Green City, thousands of miles away from the royal capital.
"Miss Winnie, you're too kind. I am here today primarily because I need your help,"
After pondering, Lide decided to be direct. From the initial conversation, he deduced that this noble lady, with her remarkable background, was not someone without an agenda.
Beating around the bush held little benefit.
"Please, speak, Mr. Lide,"
Winnie was somewhat surprised. She had expected Lide to spend at least half a Sunshine Hour, or even longer, forging a rapport through chit-chat before revealing his purpose... That was the noble's usual approach.
She hadn't anticipated him being so straightforward, making the speech she had prepared redundant. She looked at him with keen interest.
"Gaining Mr. Lide's trust is my honor.
If there's something you need from the Alex Chamber of Commerce, please do say."
The words were polite, but one would be foolish to take them at face value.
"Miss Winnie, I need to purchase a large quantity of grain.
Due to the war, Green City has issued an order prohibiting the sale of large quantities of grain.
The Alex Chamber of Commerce controls over half of Green City's grain; there's no better choice than the Alex Chamber in Green City.
Miss Winnie, I wonder if the Alex Chamber of Commerce can fulfill my request."
Since he had decided to lay it out clearly, Lide decided to be completely forthright.
If Winnie refused, he would proceed to his second plan. Initially, he had thought to use his convenient teacher, Spark, as leverage to pressure her.
But seeing that she was a disciple of Duke Storm on the attribute panel, he silently discarded this plan.
Even putting aside that she was a marquis's eldest daughter, threatening the disciple of a Great Mage, a Transcendent, and potentially a Legendary warrior with a mage seemed awkward, to say the least.
If he were a player who could revive at will, he wouldn't be intimidated by anyone. But as a vampire hidden among humans… he still had to play by noble rules.
A profound and meaningful smile appeared on Winnie's perfect, delicate face. This mage was truly different. She could sense that Lide genuinely did not understand the noble way of conversation.
The information indicated he was from a small town on the border areas, and at his age, it might be that all his time was spent exploring spells to achieve such magical accomplishments.
Winnie filled in the blanks for Lide's behavior herself.
"Mr. Lide, it must be said that the ban was imposed by the City Lord's office.
The Alex Chamber of Commerce must unconditionally obey the orders of the City Lord's office, especially now at this critical time of the Beastman Army's invasion.
Surely, you understand the enormous impact of this war this year. We will have a large number of civilians facing hunger, so there is a reason to control the grain trade,"
Lide was not dissuaded by this excuse. He looked directly into the girl's beautiful violet eyes, speaking with a sincere tone.
"Miss Winnie, I'm willing to pay an additional ten percent, no, twenty percent, just to buy grain before winter.
I believe you'd help a friend, wouldn't you?
I need this grain, and I need your assistance."
Those eyes at that moment seemed to speak, without deceit, without concealment, containing an unwavering resolve.
With a faint smile, Winnie took a sip of red tea brought from the distant Eastern Empire from the round wooden table.
"Indeed, Mr. Lide, I will help you.
And it will be at the current price."
Lide listened and stared at her for a long moment.
"Thank you, Miss Winnie. You are a friend worth fostering a deep relationship with; I feel deeply honored for it."
Though, in his heart, even he didn't fully believe it…
"No need to thank me, Mr. Lide. I do this all to win your friendship," Winnie responded, her tone pausing as she continued looking into Lide's deep eyes. "Even if it means offending the City Lord's office."
These words genuinely took Lide by surprise.
Could it be that this marquis's eldest daughter, the disciple of a Transcendent warrior, was smitten by his charm?
As expected, there's no one as handsome as I am.
But the unwavering gaze from Winnie still suggested he might be overthinking it.
Such a noble girl had likely seen many handsome nobles; even a royal prince might not catch her eye.
"Although I don't understand why I deserve such favor from Miss Winnie, I am sincerely grateful.
Then, is there something Miss Winnie needs my help with?"
There's no such thing as a free lunch, and Lide wasn't that naive.
Winnie smiled softly.
"No, you're overthinking, Mr. Lide. Not now."
Lide noted the word "now".
"Then, in the future?"
"In the future? Perhaps when you become a Great Mage, or even an Extraordinary Mage, you'll be able to assist me.
So, no need for excessive gratitude, Mr. Lide. I am investing in your future."
Lide squinted slightly, observing this girl dubbed the most beautiful tulip of Green City again, feeling a bit in awe.
The talents nurtured by this decayed feudal society were just as impressive as those in modern times.
Until now, he still couldn't fathom what plans this girl had.
The matter had come to this; whether the Golden Wheat Commerce's grain purchasing plan was intentionally obstructed by the Alex Chamber of Commerce was irrelevant.
Today's encounter was quite successful, exchanging a hollow promise for time and space to develop.
Lide felt as if he had just secured funding from an angel investor, the investor saying generously, "I'll give you 80 million now; when your company develops and goes public, grant me some shares."
But as for the future, who could say?
This kind of transaction, was it akin to gaining something for nothing?
In this exchange, Lide didn't comprehend Winnie's intentions, and Winnie didn't grasp Lide's plans, yet both felt they hadn't been at a loss.
The only thing that made Lide uncertain was this girl with violet eyes and an astonishing background.
What exactly did she want?
Though he wore a smile, he had become highly vigilant towards this girl internally.
Did she really do all this just for friendship as she claimed?
If such words were believable, he might as well return to Earth...
After stepping out of the Alex Chamber of Commerce gate, Veena and Kohen couldn't wait to inquire.
"Lord Lide, how did your discussion with Lord Winnie go?"
"Yes, did Lord Winnie agree to our request?"
Laurent also looked on with a face full of eagerness.
Lide was silent for a moment, not answering, and headed straight for the carriage.
Seeing Lide's demeanor, the trio felt a bit downhearted, thinking that even Lord Lide couldn't manage it.
Veena was especially discontented, wishing she had a noble status so she could help Lord Lide resolve these issues.
"Hurry and get in the carriage, what are you waiting for?
Everything is settled. Laurent, head to East District's Alex Chamber when you're back at the Golden Wheat Commerce to receive the grain.
If you don't get on the carriage now, you'll have to walk back."
Hearing Lide's voice from within the carriage, the formerly dejected trio instantly seemed rejuvenated, their spirits soaring.
"Lord Lide is truly incredible, I knew it. Not even the tulip of Green City could resist Lord Lide,"
Kohen boasted, proud to have such a mentor.
Apprentices could only call Lide a mentor; only disciples could call him a teacher.
Veena shook off her earlier gloom, feeling joyous.
Lord Lide was still the omnipotent Lord Lide, truly wonderful.
Laurent's face split into a wide grin, thrilled that the Golden Wheat Commerce's first mission hadn't failed.
By the goddess, finding a reliable backer was indeed correct.
Though solving minor issues today for Lide seemed trivial, to the three, it was as triumphant as a major victory.
That was the eldest daughter of the Alex family, the president of the Alex Chamber of Commerce, and the most beautiful tulip of Green City. To make progress with such a dazzling lady was a matter of great honor.
-- Hadiah diterima