Chapter 88: The Deal

After a sharp “click” as the blade slid into its sheath, James Potter placed the Tachi back on the sword stand. He turned to George and asked, “Not bad! Although I don’t know much about weapon s, I can tell this is a finely made piece.”

“This is naturally the best of the best. You might not know the inscription on the side of the blade, but that is the seal of Ishizumi, a famous blacksmith school from the Land of Sakura. Our schools on the Eastern Continent are a bit like how Mages recruit apprentices here. Every school has its own style, and Ishizumi’s specialty is blades that are tough and hard to break.” Wang Qinian rubbed his hands together and explained with a big smile.

George then shared his own thoughts: “If this Tachi didn’t have so many decorations, and if I hadn’t spent a huge sum of money on that deep-sea pearl last year, I might have bought it.”

Seeing that George was picking faults with the Tachi, Wang Qinian quickly interrupted, “How could you say that! It sounds like it isn’t worth the price I offered.”

“To me, it really isn’t worth it. I’m not buying a sword to collect. On the battlefield, these fancy decorations won’t do anything. Why would I waste money on that?” George shrugged his shoulders.

Wang Qinian widened his eyes and said, “If you want a weapon for the battlefield, go to a Blacksmith shop! The stuff near the volcanic lava at the next corner is good. Why come here?”

George pretended to be serious and said, “It’s just that I was attracted by the weapons from the East the first time I saw them. It’s a pity you don’t let people test the blades here.”

“I told you, this is art, it’s art!” Wang Qinian shouted, waving his arms around.

“Okay, it is indeed art!” George agreed casually, then smiled at James Potter and asked, “Mr. Potter, do you think this would be a good target for your collection this time?”

James Potter looked down and thought for a moment before saying, “As a collectible, the quality is very suitable. However, I need to consider the price as well.”

“The total is 600 Gold Coins, and I’ll include a redwood sword stand and a set of original maintenance supplies.” Wang Qinian quickly stated the price he wanted.

George noticed that this price was 50 Gold Coins lower than the quote he had received last time. His immediate feeling was that this item must be hard to sell. Wang Qinian was probably afraid that if he waited any longer, the sword would rot in his hands. Otherwise, with his stingy merchant attitude, he would never lower the price on his own.

After hearing Wang Qinian’s quote, James Potter clearly looked a bit troubled.

‘Looks like it’s a bit of a challenge for the Potter family to pull out so much money to buy a show-off collectible all at once.’ As an observant person, George immediately understood what was going on. ‘I guess Wang Qinian is probably wondering how to ease Mr. Potter’s worries and doubts so he can buy this unsold item. Which side should I help in this situation?’

Although 600 Gold Coins was a huge sum in some ways, James Potter’s expression showed that his family could afford it. Otherwise, he wouldn’t look so conflicted; he would just make an excuse to refuse or look at other goods.

James Potter said he was helping his family pick out a collection item. Given the Potter family’s wealth, this amount wasn’t really that big. If he were buying a Magic Artifact or an Alchemy Item with copying abilities, James Potter would probably pay without hesitation. But for a decorative piece to keep at home, he wasn’t sure if it was worth such a big investment. This would affect his reputation within the family, one way or another.

As for George buying that deep-sea pearl for 2,000 Gold Coins in one go last year, that had used up several years’ savings from his own Vault. Anyway, he had his own Manor and factory, so his wealth was decent. Of course, no one believed he spent such a high price just for a toy, which is why those rumors appeared later.

Facing this situation, Wang Qinian started his verbal attack with a fawning smile: “Mr. Potter, think about it. Even a normal Masterwork Longsword sells for at least 200 Gold Coins on the market. Plus, this weapon is absolutely the only one of its kind in the Nohan Kingdom right now.”

While speaking, Wang Qinian took the Tachi off the stand and pointed to the decorations between the sheath and the hilt in front of James Potter: “Look at the bamboo patterns on the sheath and the pommel inside the hilt. Such fine craftsmanship is rare not just in the Duchy of Nohan, but even across the entire Western Continent. My price is definitely fair.”

“Speaking of unique, won’t local Blacksmiths try to copy this kind of blade? Even if it’s not the original, the uniqueness of this weapon’s decorations might be challenged.”

Wang Qinian smiled mysteriously and said, “The forging techniques of the Land of Sakura are extremely refined. Plus, the casting techniques differ between the two Continents. Given Nohan’s current level, it would be quite difficult to create a Tachi of this quality in the short term. Lord Bolerum should have his own military craftsmen, right? If you don’t believe me, Mr. Potter, ask him.”

Seeing that Wang Qinian was using him as a shield, George’s wavering balance tipped towards James Potter’s side. However, even so, George couldn’t lie with his eyes open. He pressed his chin with his hand and thought for a moment before saying, “Completely copying such a Tachi is quite difficult. Based on the information I know, it wasn’t forged as one piece. Instead, it uses techniques like lamination and sandwiching steel, combining different types of steel. If you have this original as a sample to study, and with plenty of funds, it would probably take two to three years to get results. But I don’t think anyone would spend that much. I have studied relevant documents. This weapon can only show its sharpness when fighting targets with light armor or no armor. Against the heavy armor we often use here, its deterrent power is too low. In other words, in Karada, it can only serve as an excellent self-defense tool and is hard to use as a main battle weapon. Since the market is so narrow, I doubt anyone will try to copy it within the next ten years!”

“According to what you say, it won’t be easy to find similar items for a short time. However, the practicality of this sword seems quite low,” James Potter said as if he had just woken up from a dream.

When George said the first part, Wang Qinian was smiling, thinking he had won. But when George said the second half, Wang Qinian’s face turned green like spring grass. However, he was an old hand who had seen many storms, so he quickly controlled his temper and said, “Anyway, Mr. Potter, you are buying it for collection, not for the battlefield. Besides, if the opponent wears light armor, its effect is much better than most other weapons. Assassins or Rogues like them would definitely be able to cut them in half with one strike.”

Still unsure, James Potter turned his gaze back to George. It seemed that what George said earlier made him think George was on his side in this matter.

‘Since I’ve already stepped in, I might as well help to the end. Anyway, that old fox Wang Qinian won’t lose out.’ Having made up his mind, George winked at James Potter and said, “Actually, regarding the art style, the decorations on this Tachi are just different in style and certainly not at the rare level of the Western Continent. So, a price of 500 Gold Coins is more appropriate.”

“Hey! Hey! You can’t just say that! If I sell it for 500 Gold Coins, I’ll lose my whole capital!” Wang Qinian shouted with great effort.

James Potter, who had gotten a hint from George, was sure Wang Qinian wouldn’t give up on this deal: “Yes, 500 Gold Coins. I won’t buy it for even one more copper coin.”

“How could you do this…” Wang Qinian’s saliva flew everywhere as the two of them fell into another price tug-of-war.