Chapter 361: Taking a Stake
The door creaked open, pushed by someone from outside. In stepped a young mage in his twenties, clad in a spotless white robe. His features bore a faint resemblance to William Merlin, though he was clearly much younger. Leon couldn't help but notice the similarity.
"And you are?"
"My name is Owen Merlin. By our family ties, you should call me elder cousin..." The young mage who introduced himself as Owen Merlin sat down naturally across from Leon, introducing himself while casually flipping through the papers on the table.
"Hello." Leon nodded, making no move to stop Owen Merlin. The real Elemental Tide Codex was still in his hands; the papers on the table were just deductions—complicated formulas, dry data, all written in his own magical script. No one but Leon could make sense of them.
"Heh..." As expected, Owen Merlin only skimmed a few sheets before returning the thick stack to its original spot, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "Never thought you'd be so industrious..."
"Just passing the time." Leon frowned again. "So, Elder Cousin Owen, what brings you here today?"
"Oh, nothing much..." Owen Merlin leaned back, adjusting himself into a more comfortable posture. "I came for two reasons. First, I wanted to meet you, Cousin Leon. There are plenty of Merlin descendants scattered outside, but only you were personally summoned back by Patriarch Hoffland. As for the second thing..."
Owen Merlin paused for effect. "The second thing is, I wanted to talk business with you, Cousin Leon..."
"Oh?" Leon raised an eyebrow, then smirked. "So, Elder Cousin Owen, you're interested in the alchemy business too?"
"Of course..." Owen Merlin nodded, a hint of pride showing through his smile. "Cousin Leon, I'm sure you've heard about me since you returned to the Merlin Family. You should know, I'm one of the family's most outstanding alchemists!"
Leon merely gave a noncommittal smile.
"Alright, Elder Cousin Leon, let's be frank. I know you've been facing some trouble at the Elder Council lately, and I happen to have a few allies there. If needed, I can put in a good word for you..."
"Is that so? Much appreciated, Elder Cousin Owen. But if you and your allies speak for me at the Elder Council, what would you want in return?"
"Hahaha, talking to a clever man is always easier..." Owen Merlin laughed, then slowly stood from his chair, bracing both hands on the desk and looking down at Leon with an air of superiority. "What you need to do is simple—let me become a shareholder in the Gilded Rose. I'll invest three million gold coins for a forty percent stake!"
"Oh?" Leon stared at Owen Merlin for a solid ten seconds before suddenly bursting into laughter. "Elder Cousin Owen, you really do know how to joke."
Three million gold coins...
He actually dared to say it out loud!
"Heh, you can refuse if you want." Owen Merlin's smile was brimming with confidence.
To Owen Merlin, this deal was already in the bag.