Chapter 288: Cooperation
Leon Merlin really did act this way...
Half a month later, the joint exploration team returned to Seaview City. Awaiting them was a grand celebration lasting three days and nights. This time, the joint team achieved unprecedented success—the harvest from Vaughn's Alchemist's Lab far exceeded everyone's expectations. For a time, the entire city was immersed in joy.
As soon as the celebrations ended, Leon began negotiations, going door to door...
But to Leon's surprise, the negotiations went remarkably smoothly. The eight major factions that participated in the joint exploration were all eager to present their magical materials.
This even included the Alchemist Guild and the Monty Family...
The Alchemist Guild is the largest such organization in Seaview City. Setting aside Leon, their talent and technology even surpass the Gilded Rose's in some respects. Normally, it would be impossible for them to give up these magical materials.
And then there's the Monty Family...
Under the Monty Family is Twinmoon Radiance, second only to the Gilded Rose Alchemy Shop. Although they've been crushed by the Gilded Rose lately, they still have daily needs, right? Besides, the Monty Family and Goldspark Trading Company don't get along, and even Roger Merlin's shipwreck is tied to the Monty Family...
Because of all this, Leon hadn't even considered negotiating with them at first.
He simply shared his intentions with several friendly factions—like the Silvermoon Mercenary Company, Blackhorn Auction House, Sage's Spire, Viper's Nest, and even sent word to the Flash Arrow Mercenary Company. But he didn't approach the Monty Family or the Alchemist Guild...
But as fate would have it...
Leon didn't go to them, but they came to him.
That afternoon, Lance showed up at the Gilded Rose.
He stormed in, slamming the table, demanding what the Gilded Rose meant by all this—did they look down on the Alchemist Guild? In the end, Leon had to step in, apologizing and explaining until Lance was finally appeased. They agreed that the Alchemist Guild's magical materials would be handed over to the Gilded Rose for development, but instead of gold or alchemical goods, the trade would be a closer partnership between the two factions.
No sooner had Lance left than Monty arrived with his son.
Of course, Monty brought his eldest son, Ryan; the younger, Mason, was already locked away. Without Monty's permission, Mason couldn't even use the bathroom alone.
Monty was afraid—he couldn't help it.
Ever since returning from Four Seasons Gorge, Monty seemed to have aged decades overnight. His once meticulously groomed hair was now mostly white, and he looked nothing like a man in his prime. Some might even believe he was already on his deathbed. After Four Seasons Gorge, Monty suffered nightmares almost every night—dreams of a young magus settling scores, dreams of the Monty Family collapsing overnight, dreams of his two sons dying tragically...
It wasn't that Monty was cowardly...