While negotiating the contract contents, the Avantis attempted to push forward with a request for Marcus to increase his workforce again, but they were gently shut down.
Additionally, Marcus included an expiration date for the license, setting it five years away.
After they were done, Marcus arranged for them to leave with 700 bars of Marc Steel 1.3.
Once they were gone, Bradley finally revealed what he had been feeling.
His slight smile widened into a full-on, crazy grin.
He opened his arms wide as though he wanted to hug Marcus, only to recall his position and stop in his tracks.
"Uhumm," he coughed lightly and restrained himself. "Milord, we're rich."
Marcus smiled lightly. While a part of him wanted to agree with Bradley, a logical side felt otherwise.
Five million gold might seem like a lot for an individual, however, most nobles were richer than that.
"We're not rich enough yet. Bradley."
"I know, sir. But at least the donation we returned today doesn't pull at my heartstrings anymore."
Marcus sighed.
Is it because he has lived in poverty for a while? His countenance towards money these days is…
Marcus's head sharply turned to his right, facing east.
His world transformed as a pseudo form of Rippling World manifested. This time, without the water, only a crimson string, connecting Marcus to the distance.
Aethera's Casket. It's calling out to me.
"Milord?" Bradley called out as he placed a hand on Marcus's shoulder, drawing him out of this vision.
"Milord, is everything alright?"
Why is it calling out to me? Or is this just in my head?
He frowned. This call was different from what he had experienced on the altar in his previous life.
But it was still eerie.
"Lord Marcus."
"Yes?" He snapped out of his thoughts. "I'm fine, Bradley. I was just lost in my thoughts now."
Bradley looked a bit worried, however, he chose not to question Marcus.
Marcus forced the call to the back of his mind. Later. First, I have to complete my preparations.
"Bradley, I have a task for you."
"Huh, sir?"
"I need you to head to the nearest States and hire as much help as you can get. I need doctors, midwives, food for a hundred thousand that would last half a year.. You also need to hire more able men, and buy a few hundred slaves."
"What?" Bradley was stunned.
He could understand that they were in need of some of those things that Marcus listed, but the remaining, currently, is a waste of funds.
Didn't we just reject slaves from the Avanti Merchant House? Why are you changing your mind now? Bradley wondered.
"Milord, food for a hundred thousand people for half a year is too much. We don't have the warehousing for that much food. Also, they could go bad if not taken care of well."
Marcus began walking to his office and Bradley quickly followed behind.
Right behind the two of them was Joshua. He had been watching everything, and even after seeing the gold his liege had earned, he still found it hard to believe that making money was so easy.
Have we just been sleeping on our faces all these years? Surely five million gold isn't so easily gotten.
"They won't go bad. Our population is about to increase exponentially, so we need to prepare for it." Marcus said, dismissing Bradley's worries.
"But Milord–"
"Take 3.5 million to the Goldstar merchant house. Deposit three million there in exchange for promissory notes. Traveling with a chest of gold is asking for trouble.
While you're there, exchange three hundred thousand gold coins for silver and send it back to the mansion. After that, you can head on out to complete your task. I will send three knights with you.
Make hiring doctors and purchasing food the top of your priority, as I would like to see some of them sent to the mansion in two days, or three."
Marcus pulled a paper from a huge stack and began writing. When he was done, he handed the paper over to Bradley.
He turned to face Joshua. "Have Caleb, Logail, and Floki go with Bradley. They are to make sure that nothing happens to Bradley on this journey."
"Yes sir." Joshua bowed and quickly left to relay his orders.
"Bradley, does this seem like a lot of work for you?"
He frowned slightly, "No, Milord. It just feels like we're moving faster than our shadows."
"By the time you get back, you'll find out why, and at that point, you'll be relieved that we did this." Marcus walked forward and tapped his shoulder.
"Now, hop hop and be done with it."
Watching Bradley prepare and leave, Marcus made his way to the smithy.
He retrieved a longsword made from the highest grade Marc Steel, 1.0.
After that, he vanished from the mansion, alone.
***
Eastern District.
Inn Street.
When the sun was only minutes away from setting, Marcus arrived in the vicinity close to Baron Gaus's residence.
The streets were a bit crowded, filled with well-dressed gentlemen and ladies.
Some in luxurious carriages and many others, on the street
Only that, there were also half-naked men and women by the sides of the road.
Quite frequently, men and women entered the buildings lining the street, and occasionally, some weird sounds could be heard coming out of the closed windows of these buildings.
That man has always been a whore, but to host such a business around his home… despicable.
He resisted the urge to spit out.
Normally, Marcus wouldn't have focused on such things, but, the call from Aethera's Casket got louder the closer he got to the Baron's residence.
Marcus was fearful that he would meet his end too soon in this life he recklessly approached it. However, at the same time, it was as if his mind was being seduced by the casket's call.
So he had been focusing on the environment to reduce the level of temptation that his mind was experiencing.
After a while, the call stopped. Or rather, the casket was being moved.
Not further away from Marcus, but inching closer to his position.
Realizing this, Marcus stood on alert as he hid on a roof that overlooked the Baron's residence gate.
After a few minutes, just when the last rays of sunlight gave way to the blanket of the night, a figure, riding atop a horse, exited the mansion.
On the back of this figure was a cloth bag.
"There it is," Marcus whispered. Nervous and curious at the same time.
Is that the dog?
This question turned his nervousness into simmering anger.
What's his identity?
The curiosity almost made him move impulsively.
Could he be stronger?
A series of questions ran through Marcus's mind. And they did nothing but fuel his anger.
Just before he moved, out of the corner of his eyes, he noticed a few shadows trailing behind the figure on the horse.
"Back up, or competition?" He wondered. Marcus couldn't recall any information like this in his previous life.
Even when he had Joshua tail Eddy…
"Either way, I have to move?" He squinted his eyes a bit before jumping off the roof.