Chương 120: Chapter 121: Negotiation

For a few seconds, Evel remained very still.

"And you're offering me this?"

"Wealth, fame, power. It's all just a decision away." Evel pretended to hesitate.

"I'm not interested." Zephyr narrowed her eyes.

"Shame. Let's return to the partnership. We can continue with thirty percent, and offer Risen Vials or equivalents based on the information you can provide." They were in the negotiation phase. Evel knew exactly what to do. He maintained a subtle frown, but otherwise remained silent. Zephyr locked her eyes firmly on his.

"This is the part where you make a counter-offer." It didn't work! Swallowing back his spit, Evel composed himself.

"What sort of information, and how many Vials can we expect to get?"

"Can't tell you. Give us everything you have, and we'll internally decide how much it was worth and fairly compensate you." Evel's frown got deeper.

"And I'm supposed to trust your word?"

"There are items out there to facilitate contracts."

"Items that you have full knowledge of, and we don't." She didn't reply. Evel chose his next words carefully. If he pushed her away too far, he was risking losing a partnership that would help him a ton. Yet if he didn't push her far enough, the terms would be terrible. He couldn't allow them to pick and choose when they gave him Vials, but he also needed them. Yet the simple fact that she chose to approach him first meant he had a bit of leeway. She wanted something from him.

"Perhaps this partnership is too unbalanced to work."

"One Risen Vial a month, and ten percent of your employees work for Prachar directly. We'll take fifty percent of your profits but help you expand explosively." I need to be bolder.

"Two Risen Vials a week, but only for the next five years. Thirty percent of profits like we previously agreed, and…" He took a breath.

"You can have one employee watch over what we do, but they aren't a direct part of the actual performances." He couldn't allow Prachar to steal the circus.

"I think you're underestimating the kind of help a worker of Prachar can provide as the leader of the entertainment sector." Evel shrugged.

"Maybe. Maybe not." A few seconds of silence.

"One a week for half a year, and I'm fine with thirty percent. We'll send one experienced worker, and you can see for yourself the difference it makes, and you can choose to get more later. At least one Prachar worker needs to be in every branch even if you expand." Having a Prachar worker wasn't actually a problem for Evel. The more invested they were in the business, the more likely they'd help expand it forward. The problem was the amount of Risen Vials. One a week for half a year would total 26 vials.

With each worth 40 credits, he'd be getting a flat 1040 credits worth of Elixirs for the deal. It wasn't bad, but for thirty percent of the business that Zephyr clearly needed for something, he felt he could easily get more. He'd always undersold himself in the past, so he needed to make an offer so bold that his past self's jaws would be on the ground! The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

"Two a week for four years, and we have a deal." She scoffed.

"One a week for two years, extended to four years if you join Prachar, for thirty-five percent. If at any point the circus fails hard and loses all popularity, we have the right to pull back after six months. Reduced to a potential twenty-five percent based on the quality of the information." Despite how she'd brushed him off, her offer had gotten pretty damn good! Two years of risen vials was worth over 4000 credits! It would be paid out slowly over time, and once he advanced, getting credits would become easier.

Not to mention the added clauses... But 4000 credits! And theoretically if he somehow found a way to join Prachar... He had to make an active effort not to show his giddiness in his actions.

"If we suffer losses, will Prachar cover thirty percent of them?"

"When expanding to new cities, you will suffer losses. We'll offer you a line of credit, or we'll pay for initial expenses for a higher share. You'll be responsible for providing staff, and we'll handle advertising." She extended her arm forward.

"You're never gonna find a better deal in your life, Eth." Evel looked at her silky hands for a while. He'd already gotten far more than he wanted, but could he push for more?

"And Prachar will pay its own employees working at the circus?" Zephyr looked up as she thought, then shook her head.

"They're your employees; you'll have to pay them. However, you can pay them the same rates as others in similar roles; we'll cover the rest." After a beat of silence, Evel met her hand in the middle.

"... two Risen Vials a week!" Evel explained, sitting on the couch across Albert with a cup of tea in his hands.

"Aren't you scared they'll scrutinize you a bit closer?" Evel shrugged, "Maybe, but as things currently are, the most suspicious thing I do is visit you. They won't find much no matter how deep they look." Albert took a sip of his tea.

"You probably could have gotten more. Though… based on what you've told me, she does seem like a tough nut to crack." Evel tilted his head. Albert explained further, "For Zephyr to come and personally invite you for a second time after being ignored the first, she needs the circus for something. What were they demanding?"

"Well… information, I guess. But even the first time, that's what they asked." Albert nodded.

"That's always been their specialty. Since the founding of the Imperium."

"Really?"

"When the Imperium was founded, Prachar was just the name for the information and technology branch of the military. Once more mini-organizations popped up within the Imperium, they instated the Banner system. Redigo, Eminus… all of them, even including Regulus, can be pushed down from their position in REAPER, but not Prachar." He wasn't expecting praise that high/"Of course, their duties are very different from back then.

For example, Acies has taken over manufacturing from their 'technology' side, and Agent their spies. For them to want the circus so badly…" Albert trailed off. Evel sighed into his cup. He was getting better at negotiation, but he still didn't have the proper experience required. I'll keep improving.

"Is there anything happening in the slums?" Albert finally asked.

"Other than the strange door, the only other thing of note is Slack Stone." Albert rubbed his chin with a light frown.

"Strange, then there shouldn't be any new advancements…"

"Colton?" Evel offered. That was the only new event as far as he knew that could really tick them off.

"That's what I'm thinking too. If they suspect you were responsible for his death, you'll have to remain on your best behaviour. Do you carry his bracelet on you?" Evel nodded and took it out of his breast pocket. He didn't wear it in case someone would track anything back to him, but kept it close for emergencies. He'd already given Albert the Copper rod to sell, and was waiting to receive the payment. Evel launched the bracelet through the air and snatched it.

"I'll change it to a necklace, and take the cost out of whatever the rod is worth."

"Thank you. They also invited me to join Prachar." Albert's raised an eyebrow.

"Without seeing your ability or affinity?" Evel nodded.

"Apparently," he said, his voice deepening.

"You can even skip the trials, and they'd help me do so." Albert placed his cup down on the table.

"Hm, perhaps I'm worrying over nothing, then. Seems she just intends to invest in you."

"You knew that people could skip trials?" Albert hardly reacted to that information at all!

"Huh, that? Well, most of the great families do. Only a select few choose to send their children in regardless. Those are the ones you need to watch out for." A name immediately came to mind: Igneus, of Obso. Had his family chosen to risk his life even though he could have gotten to the position regardless?

"How's that fair?"

"Fair?" Albert snorted.

"Why would any of it be fair?" Evel didn't reply.

"Those who are rich and powerful take extra steps to ensure their kids benefit. I wouldn't be too concerned over it; the spoiled ones never make it far regardless. Combat skill is essential to advancement." The powerful will use their power to benefit themselves. In the end, all Evel could do was sigh. Such was just the nature of the world. Evel stood up, "Thank you for the dinner and the tea."

"Next time bring some deer, all the viple are falling so we may as well make it our specialty." Viple were the fruits that grew on the indigo trees with the special sweetness that made Ichoris' deer soup a specialty. Evel nodded. Though he enjoyed his time resting, a part of him felt extremely restless. But this break wouldn't last forever. Soon, he could start getting stronger again.