Chapter 647: Kind-hearted Dragon
"...I thought Theresa was reluctant to leave the capital City’s cuisine, so she wanted to stay a while longer."
Astrid had just finished speaking when she noticed Theresa’s eyelashes trembling slightly, as if she’d hit the mark. A faint smile tugged at the dragon’s lips before she replied.
"Pft... I was joking. If Theresa wants to stay, she can certainly spend some time wandering the Imperial capital, and enjoy the prosperity and beauty of a human city."
Of course, Astrid’s comments assumed that Theresa knew the rules, what required a permit and what didn’t, what could be done and what could not.
"If you need a guide, tell me or Amalia anytime. The imperial family can assign professional attendants to accompany you."
After all, she wasn’t human; in her true form she was a mighty dragon capable of blotting out the sky.
With Astrid’s approval, Theresa nodded and again thanked the regent. Soon the conversation returned to the matter of that night’s encounter.
"Astrid, about the trade you mentioned earlier, we should talk it over properly."
Theresa meant exchanging the Valeria Empire’s information on the spatial magic array for the magical materials and elemental crystal stones she had.
Astrid inclined her head slightly and, her tone lowered, said, "If Theresa isn’t in a hurry to see the exhibition, we can discuss it now."
When Theresa answered, "It’s fine, cooperation is important," Astrid brushed back a lock of silver hair and spoke softly.
"Then please, Theresa, come with me. There are too many eyes here; let’s talk in my bedchamber."
There is nothing in this world that truly comes without cost. Such prolonged hospitality, given freely and without charge, should now be repaid in some fashion.
Fifteen minutes later, in the regent’s private palace, Astrid had the head maid bring tea and sat across from Theresa at a meeting table.
Because Astrid wanted to discuss business, Lyra sensibly did not follow; she went to the adjacent bedroom to meditate. Aside from Elise, who guarded the door, only Astrid and the dragon remained in the room.
"What quality are Theresa’s mana crystals?"
"Mostly elemental crystal stones produced by tenth to twelfth-tier magical beasts. As for the lower-grade ones, I thought their quality was too poor, so I mostly discarded them."
By human power tiers, tenth to twelfth-tier magical beasts are roughly at the level of Arcanist or Crusader. They are powerful and rare, and their elemental crystal output is correspondingly low. In the Valeria Empire, such crystals are almost priceless.
Theresa spoke boldly from the start, all high-grade elemental crystals. But thinking about it, the blue dragon before her was a fourteenth-tier powerhouse, roughly equivalent to a middle tier Arcanist human mage. With innate draconic magic and enormous size adding to her combat power, dispatching beasts weaker than herself would be easy.
"And how many, specifically?"
Astrid crossed her legs and rested a smooth white elbow on the table, revealing a strip of pale skin. Theresa considered for a few seconds before answering.
"I can’t really count exactly. There’s a lot."
"Like a small hill, big enough for me to stand on with both feet. If I spread my wings, the bottom layer just reaches the edge of the shadow."
"..."
That meant...roughly the capacity of a small loft...
And that was a conservative estimate.
Surprised by the blue dragon’s wealth, Astrid narrowed her eyes and asked offhandedly, "I remember Theresa is only a few dozen years old?"
For a dragon that age she should just be coming of age. Having already accumulated a mountain of high-grade elemental crystals at such youth meant she must have slain many high-tier beasts each year. Were there really so many wild beasts near the dragons’ territory?
Theresa nodded and smoothed her conjured blue gown as she explained in a generous voice.
"Yes. The main reason there are so many is that my mother gave me half of her collection when I reached adulthood."
It had the same tone as old internet questions about how to afford a Bugatti before twenty, answer: dad gives you half his fortune on your eighteenth birthday. Some things, if you don’t start with them, you probably never will.
"I see..." Astrid tapped her chin and fell silent for a long while.
Magical devices don’t demand exceptionally high-grade crystals. Their lower threshold is very low, so long as the crystal is usable in chunk form, it suffices.
For everyday appliances like blowers, dryers, floor heating or bath devices, a fourth-tier elemental crystal is more than adequate.
Higher tiers don’t bring substantive functional changes; the only real advantage is that higher-tier crystals contain more elemental micro-particles, so they last longer.
In other words, unless you were building hard-demand weapons like a magical supercannon, which pursues extreme elemental release and needs high-tier crystals as core energy sources, at least tenth-tier fire crystals for adequate output, the tier of crystal mattered little to Astrid.
As a way to knock down the price for the trade, Astrid explained the situation honestly to Theresa. Theresa, being a broadly knowledgeable mage who had listened to a day of magitech lectures, knew Astrid’s words were true.
Unfortunately for Theresa’s collection, the lower-quality crystals would drag down the overall value. Trading them off now would be better for both parties.
"So at the moment, I can’t offer especially high prices for Theresa’s crystals. I hope you understand," Astrid said softly.
"I understand, Astrid." Theresa looked at the pretty face across from her and answered in a low, gentle tone.
In truth, keeping those crystals at home wasn’t particularly useful; beyond decorating, they were almost meaningless.
"But... you pardoned me for entering the border rashly and treated me so warmly..."
Not only had Astrid covered lodging and food, she had given Theresa the chance to visit the Royal Library and the magitech exhibition. In all respects, the regent had been exceedingly kind.
"As an honored guest, I understand the human saying about reciprocating kindness many times over."
"If Astrid wants... I can give all of them to the Valeria royal family..."
Theresa didn’t know precisely how human society valued a high-tier elemental crystal, but she understood how precious spatial knowledge was.
In the few days she had stayed in the capital City she had learned more than years at home, and the price, some mere decorative stones, was small.
Surprised by such generosity, Astrid listened as Theresa described the hoard. If this small-hill-sized mountain of crystals were all high-grade, they would be enough to outfit several magitech units far stronger than the empire’s previous border defenses.
"..."
Faced with Theresa’s earnest offer, Astrid fell silent.
She had casually offered a chance to study the spatial formation, leaving how much to gain at Theresa’s discretion. Now Theresa had handed her a no-lose business on a silver platter.
More importantly, the whole transaction would go smoothly, saving both sides the hassle of haggling.
"Theresa is very straightforward... for a dragon."
The sharp heel of Astrid’s shoe tapped the floor, she rubbed her leg and took a sip of tea. Theresa spoke again.
"Think of the extra as... supporting a real friendship with Astrid."
Judging by Astrid’s expression, Theresa knew the deal was going well. The surplus portion was her support for a friend, whether by appearance, bearing, or the polite courtesy Astrid displayed when speaking. Astrid made a very good impression on Theresa.
Even without mixing in interests, she was happy to give something to such a dignified and beautiful human princess.
Hearing Theresa, Astrid felt as if the crystals were less like a regular trade and more like a "friendship fee." She smiled and refilled Theresa’s tea.
"With goodwill in mind and a desire to exchange magic, and respecting the customs of human society as you have, just as I said at the inn, Theresa has already been my friend."
What might once have been courtesy had become a genuine feeling. She was truly glad to have a friend from another intelligent race.
Theresa smiled and blurted out, "If only Astrid had draconic blood."
"Why do you say that?"
"Astrid is like a noble, graceful silver dragon, but without their haughty arrogance or stinginess of words toward their own kind."
At the mention of dragons, Astrid lightly tapped her thigh with her fingers.
"Pretty much like the records state. I didn’t expect that even blue dragons would be treated equally in their eyes."
Or perhaps, even among dragons, a rare and sparsely numbered race, one whose whole population couldn’t match a human city’s size, there was still a kind of class system.
"So I don’t really like them. At least in my generation, we rarely associate with them."
When Theresa finished, Astrid followed up on the topic. The answer she got was earthy and straightforward.
"We don’t have as many social complications as humans. Everything is meritocratic. Silver dragons are generally beautiful and favored by elemental micro-particles, so they’re among the strongest but also the rarest."
"The black dragons, who circle ridgelines and master earth magic, are the most numerous. They are killing machines, and the physically toughest among dragons."
"As for blue dragons, their numbers are moderate. They’re naturally gifted at magic, skilled in incantation and elemental control."
Theresa’s voice grew low as she added, "Compared to the innately powerful silver dragons, we’re better suited to lead our clans."
It was clear she held many grievances toward those beautiful, haughty noble dragons.
Astrid listened and, following Theresa’s tone, praised the blue dragons. Unnoticed, both finished their tea.
This was the first time Theresa had experienced chatting like human friends, rambling and emotionally satisfied, and she felt closer to Astrid than before; the last time was in the inn when she’d heard Astrid speak in the same tongue.
"By the way, Astrid." Theresa asked quietly. "Can I take some of those magical devices back?"
Automatic hot-water heaters, climate control devices, and especially the magitek stove Theresa desired would greatly improve her quality of life. She also wanted to buy some of the spices human chefs had refined over millennia to liven up monotonous beast meat.
"Yes. Lyra told me yesterday that Theresa asked if such magical devices could be scaled up."
"I guessed you’d be interested in the magitek stove and had people start work on it. In time there’ll be devices scaled for a dragon’s appetite."
Theresa’s blue eyes brightened at Astrid’s thoughtfulness.
"Meeting Astrid on this trip has been a huge stroke of luck."
Beautiful and kind, almost a perfect friend.
Astrid blinked, her wine-red irises reflecting scattered light like a deep, chilly sea. "Speaking of carrying them, how do you plan to take the magitek stove home, and how will you transport a small-hill’s worth of crystals?"
"Rely on a dragon’s broad back?"
The question stumped Theresa; she had only thought about the trade, not the logistics.
"Maybe woven sacks using tendons and hides from high-tier beasts?" she offered tentatively.
Astrid shook her head, black silk gloves flickering slightly.
"That would be troublesome and far too conspicuous."
One dragon flying across the Valeria Empire would be enough to attract attention.
"Theresa has shown plenty of good faith; I will give you my trust."
"This is a spatial ring. Take it and use it for now."
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