Saga of the Two-World Emperor
Volume 1: A Spark in the Ashes
Chapter 20 – The Merchant's Gamble and a New Challenge
The days in Rustfang passed with an agonizing slowness. The sound of the wind howling through the mountain passes at night was like the mournful cry of a lost soul. An atmosphere of tense anticipation and lingering despair hung heavy in the dust-filled air.
After Garrick had dispatched Adrian's business proposal with the fastest messenger, the only thing they could do was "wait."
For Borin and the remaining miners, it was the most torturous wait of their lives. Every day, they would gather in front of the mine office, staring down the long, empty road leading out of town with vacant eyes. The small spark of hope Adrian had ignited was fighting a desperate battle against the despair that had consumed them for over two years.
For Garrick, it was a wait filled with confusion and astonishment. He continued his duty as an escort flawlessly, but the way he looked at Adrian had changed. He no longer saw a "weak Second Young Master," but an "enigma" he couldn't comprehend. He saw a cold calm, a confidence, and an intellect that was far beyond the boy's years. And sometimes, he could still feel that invisible pressure radiating from the young man.
But for Adrian, it was not an idle wait.
He used every second to his advantage. During the day, he would explore the area around the mine and the town of Rustfang, talking to the workers and villagers to gather information about their living conditions, their problems, and their needs. He was building a "database" for his future plans.
His nights, however, were for secrets and experiments.
In his shabby room, he sat under the flickering lamplight. He gently placed his small, black leather-bound notebook (Reference: Chapter 3) on the table. Then, he took out the pressed, dark blue flower with its silver center.
Finally, he retrieved the dark blue crystal shard he had secretly pocketed (Reference: Chapter 18) from his clothes.
The moment he placed the crystal on the table, a miracle occurred.
The silver center of the dried flower began to glow with a faint, ethereal light, as if responding to the energy emanating from the crystal!
Adrian's eyes widened slightly. His hypothesis was correct. The mysterious flower from his old world was somehow connected to the crystal from this new one.
He summoned the system window in his mind.
"System, analyze the reaction between these two objects."
[Processing… Resonance of spiritual energy detected.]
[Object A (Mind-Reflecting Crystal): Functions as an energy amplifier and focal point.]
[Object B (Shadowmoon Bloom): Functions as an energy catalyst and transformer.]
[Recommendation: Placing the two objects in close proximity creates an energy field highly conducive to the efficient training and absorption of spiritual energy.]
*So that's it…* Adrian thought. *This is why my "Emperor's Will" had awakened so quickly. It's because I've been carrying the notebook with this flower on my person all this time.*
He slowly cupped the crystal in one hand and placed his other hand over the pressed flower. He closed his eyes and began to meditate, following principles he had studied in his old world.
He could feel a warm energy flowing from the crystal into his body. It slowly repaired the spiritual fatigue caused by his critical-state transmigration, making him feel refreshed and focused in a way he had never felt before.
This was his form of "training." This was the path to strengthening this body and soul.
Five full days passed in this manner.
On the morning of the sixth day, the sound of a horse galloping at high speed echoed from outside the town, rousing everyone in Rustfang from their quiet stupor.
A messenger in the light armor of the Cornelius family rode his horse to a halt in front of the mine office. He dismounted hastily and handed a scroll, sealed with fine crimson wax, to Borin.
"An urgent message from Lord Cornelius… for Young Master Adrian Walther."
Borin took the scroll with trembling hands. He rushed into the office, where Adrian and Garrick were already sitting, as if they had been expecting him.
The atmosphere in the room was thick with tension. Borin handed the scroll to Adrian, his face a mask of hope and fear.
Adrian took it calmly. He used his finger to slowly break the wax seal, his unhurried movements a stark contrast to Borin's racing heart.
He unrolled the fine parchment and read its contents.
The letter was written in an elegant script, filled with complex mercantile terms. It began by praising Adrian's "bold and interesting proposal" but also pointed out the "exceedingly high risks" of the investment.
And in the final paragraph… was the verdict.
"…Therefore, I, Lord Marcus Cornelius, have seen fit to approve a portion of the 'seed funding' you have requested, for the purpose of establishing an exploratory team to analyze the properties of this 'Starlight Iron' and the mysterious crystals you have discovered…"
"He did it!" Borin shouted with pure, unadulterated joy.
But Adrian raised a hand to silence him.
"Read to the end, Foreman Borin."
He continued reading the next sentence aloud, his voice flat and even.
"…However, this investment… comes with a condition."
"Within a period of two months from this day, you must present to me a 'tangible result'. That is, a sample of 'Starlight Iron' that has been smelted and forged, possessing the special and valuable properties you have claimed."
"If you succeed, I will approve the next, much larger round of funding, sufficient to fully revive this mine. But if you fail… not only will the engagement between our families be terminated, but the Walther family will be required to compensate for all the time and resources I have invested in this venture, twofold."
"I look forward to seeing a worthy 'return on investment' from you… my future son-in-law."
Signed,
Lord Marcus Cornelius
Silence descended upon the room once more. The smile on Borin's face froze and turned into a look of horror.
"This is… this is madness! Two months! How are we supposed to find an ore that we don't even know for sure exists, and then smelt it!? It's impossible!"
Even Garrick's brow was furrowed with deep concern. This wasn't just a test… it was a "trap." If they took one wrong step, the already-struggling Walther family would be driven into immediate bankruptcy.
But amidst the despair, Adrian slowly rolled the scroll back up.
He looked up… and smiled.
It was a smile of pure satisfaction. The smile of a master strategist who saw that every piece was moving exactly according to his plan.
"Excellent…" he said softly.
"Truly excellent."
(End of Chapter 20)