Congratulations All Around

"Miss, this matter has nothing to do with you," said Mr. Saunders, the shopkeeper. "This is between Lucky Star and Mr. Wayne! We've already agreed, he's transferring his shop to us. The contract is ready, see? The date on it is yesterday."

Grace glanced at the contract—it really was a proper shop transfer agreement. The date on it was indeed yesterday.

'So,' Grace looked at Mr. Saunders from Lucky Star. 'Are you going to say that my deal with him doesn't count, and the Supreme Mythril I uncovered belongs to you guys?'

The shopkeeper really was thinking along those lines.

Thinking of the carriage outside branded with the Lawrence crest, and her looks and bearing—not someone ordinary—he said, 'Of course not! Like I said, this is just between me and Mr. Wayne. It doesn't concern you, Miss! The Supreme Mythril is yours! When you're ready to commission something, we'll talk details!'

Grace smiled, reached for her Supreme Mythril, sat gracefully, admiring it as she said unhurriedly, 'Alright, I'll wait.'

Seeing she didn't intend to meddle, Mr. Saunders' expression brightened. He turned to Mr. Wayne and called, 'Aren't you leaving? Do you need us to show you out?'

Mr. Wayne looked helpless, glanced at Grace, then at Mr. Saunders, sighed, and walked out.

Mr. Saunders smiled with satisfaction, full of confidence, came over to face Grace, and bowed: 'Sorry to make you laugh, Miss!'

Grace smiled, 'It's fine. May I ask how I should address you, Shopkeeper?'

'My surname is Sun, you can call me Mr. Saunders,' said Mr. Saunders with a beaming smile. 'Congratulations, Miss, on uncovering Supreme Mythril today!'

'Sun—haha! Mr. Saunders, congratulations to you too! From now on, Lucky Star will be famous and dominate the trade!' Grace laughed.

The crafting of spirit medicines and spirit tools has much in common, and their uses are closely linked.

That's why spirit medicines and spirit tools fall under the same jurisdiction—the Spirit Alliance.

Seeing how impressive the shopkeeper was, and how Mr. Wayne was so accommodating, Grace guessed the owner behind Lucky Star must have ties to the Spirit Alliance.

Hearing the shopkeeper's surname was Sun, Grace became even more certain.

'Hehehe!' Mr. Saunders squinted with a big smile. 'May I ask what you plan to forge with this ore, Miss?'

'I want to forge a sword. Mr. Saunders, do you have a good blacksmith here?' Grace asked.

'Of course! Lucky Star has decades of history! We have plenty of skilled blacksmiths!' Mr. Saunders replied.

'That's great,' Grace said. 'What about the fee? How is it calculated?'

'Well...' Mr. Saunders stroked his goatee. 'As you know, the higher the grade of the spirit tool, the higher the fee. And the sword you want... To be honest, this is the first time our shop has ever seen Supreme Mythril. The fee can't be measured in silver. Let me consult our boss and get back to you, Miss. What do you think?'

Suddenly, Grace slapped something down in front of Mr. Saunders.

Mr. Saunders looked closely—it was a glittering, radiant bead, clearly not an ordinary item.

'Do you know what this is?' Grace asked.

'This...' Mr. Saunders was well-traveled, but he'd never seen such a thing. He shook his head.

'A few days ago, a Fire Demon Dragon appeared in the Eastern Wilderness Forest. Have you heard of it, Mr. Saunders?' Grace asked.