TF Amethyst

TFA1 6.7 - Renegotiation

The third maester who came with Osvik was Maester Ciesar. He was an expert in arts and culture. And because Osvik was not interested in the next presentation and chose to follow Chef Bianca like a puppy following its mother, Lt. Colonel Slane decided to give Maester Ciesar the presentation personally, so the old Maester would not feel abandoned.

With high enthusiasm, Maester Ciesar followed Lt. Colonel Slane. He attentively listened to every explanation about products that were closely related to art, culture, and modern lifestyle on earth.

A large, soft, and super comfortable bed; a charming dressing table; a sturdy but elegant working desk; a soft chair called sofa that made people who sat on it reluctant to leave; a clear glass mirror measuring 1.9 x 0.75 meters; the cutlery that was beautiful but comfortable to use; the paintings on the walls that were so alive, and finally the wristwatch that almost made Maester Ciesar had a heart attack.

'This place is a treasure storehouse,' Maester Ciesar muttered as he desperately tried to calm his heart. Then, with an endless admiration he inspected the wristwatch. 

"Ser Slane, how much is the price for this wristwatch?"

"Five times the clock that Ser Osvik bought."

Technically, Lt. Colonel Slane wasn't lying. The standard wall clock that Amethyst Merchant sold used a black walnut frame with small silver trimmings and cost USD 40, while the wristwatch in Maester Ciesar's hand was USD 200.

In terms of appearance, the wall clocks and watches that Amethyst Merchant offers were very standard. It had almost no different from the similar products on Walmart. This was because Amethyst Merchant wanted durability and function to be placed above appearance.

As for the wall clocks and watches with the outer appearance wrapped in high-value art and materials, Amethyst Merchant would distribute them as limited editions through an auction.

However, for Maester Ciesar the standard clocks and watches were already products that were worth fighting for. Considering that a long time ago Merry Gold Union failed so badly when trying to produce a wristwatch. Not to mention the Old Maester estimated the wristwatch was worth at least ten times of the wall clock.

At half-past five, the presentation of Amethyst Merchant’s products was finished. Osvik and the three Maesters were then escorted to Maple Palace to rest. Lt. Colonel Slane escorted them directly, and before leaving he told them that at seven in the evening he would take them for dinner at Luise Petra.

---

VIP Room 23, Maple Palace Hotel

17:20, 26 Aug 2025

After Lt. Colonel Slane left, the hotel clerk immediately explained to Osvik about the various facilities in the VIP room and how to use them, and the explanation amazed Osvik endlessly.

Lt. Colonel Slane had openly told Osvik that the VIP room he occupied was only third place in terms of rates. But for Osvik, the room was more than enough to make him regret until his liver became green. As he had said that in Amstell Continent no nobles who would be willing to stay in a hotel and asking them to do so was an insult.

'Damn it! Why did I wait too long before visiting this incredible city?' Osvik muttered while the hotel clerk gave an example of how to prepare a hot soak by using bathtub with triangle shape and rounded corners.

After a warm soak with a very fragrant soap, Osvik intended to relax on the sofa while waiting for dinner. Unfortunately, he could not carry out his wish peacefully.

"We have to focus the budget on electronic appliances," Maester Kallep firmly said as he grabbed Maester Rivak's hair and pulled Maester Ciesar's beard.

"No, we must prioritize culinary commodities as well as buy recipes from Amethyst Merchant cooks," Maester Rivak firmly said as he grabbed Maester Ciesar's hair and pulled Maester Kallep's beard.

 

"You two are mistaken. We must buy all the clocks and wristwatches Amethyst Merchant can provide. Then use the profits from its sales to buy other commodities," Maester Ciesar firmly as he grabbed Maester Kallep's hair and pulled Maester Rivak's beard.

Before he went to take a bath, Osvik asked the three Maesters to determine the commodities to be bought from Amethyst Merchant. He divided the budget equally for them. Therefore, the three Maesters shouldn't make a fuss, let alone pulling each other's hair and beard. 

However, it seemed the three Maesters didn’t satisfy with their own budget and the fight would continue if Osvik did nothing to stop it. After heaving a deep sigh he immediately came over to the three Maesters. 

"Venerable Maesters, use your own budget, nothing more nothing less."

With a deadpan face, Osvik gave the command. The three Maesters then removed their hands from their colleagues' hair and beards.

In truth, Osvik understood why the three Maesters were fiercely fighting over the budget. Usually, he only carried a banknote worth 10,000 gold coins when went into shopping. However, this time he brought a banknote worth 20,000 gold coins but the commodities he could get were far less than he had expected.

For special commodities which were monopolized by nobles, Osvik indeed received a better prices and quality than the offer he got from suppliers in Makai Royal City. However, other products that only Amethyst Merchant could supply absorbed the budget like a dry field absorbing a drop of water. For this product, Osvik could do nothing. That's why he intended to seek discounts on special commodities which were monopolized by nobles.

And an idea popped up in Osvik's mind. 'I can use information from Merry Gold Union as a weapon.'

---

Lounge, VIP Room 23

19:00, 26 Aug 2025

After subtly refusing the dinner invitation, Osvik then asked Lt. Colonel Slane to conduct another trade negotiation. When Lt. Colonel Slane finished in checking the list he had submitted, Osvik immediately started.

"Ser Slane, the quality of Amethyst Merchant's salt is indeed a little better than the salt from Makai Royal City. But it's a shame that the price is too high? So, can Amethyst Merchant give me a little cut?"

Lt. Colonel Slane put down his wine glass before turning to Osvik. "Ser Osvik, why do you want to trick me?"

Seeing a smile that wasn't a smile bloomed on Lt. Colonel Slane's lips, cold sweat immediately drenched Osvik's back. Luckily, he somehow managed to maintain his calm.

"Ser Slane, please don't misunderstood. I can offer a price list of special commodities at Makai Royal City for free. I'm sure Northern Coalition can’t provide you this price list.”

Lt. Colonel Slane casually replied, "It's true that Northern Coalition can't provide the price list of special commodities. However, that does not mean I do not know that over the past eight months the average price of salt in Makai Royal City is 12 kg/gold coin, and has risen to 7 kg/gold coin when arrived in the Regions near the entrance of Desolate Land.

Ser Osvik, you already realized that the quality of Amethyst Merchant’s salt is much better at a price 20 kg/gold coin or almost half the average price offered by merchants in Makai Royal City, and you don't have to pay for transportation and escort, but now you dare to trick me."

Drops of cold sweat instantly appeared on Osvik and the three Maesters' foreheads, while Lt. Colonel Slane continued.

"Well, bidding is a natural thing in trade negotiation. Therefore, I will adjust the price of salt to 19 kg/gold coin."

"Wait, Ser Slane let's use the price before---"

"18 kg/gold coin."

"Ser Sla---"

"17 kg/gold coins."

"Agreed!! 17 kg/gold coins."

Lt. Colonel Slane smiled cheerfully before asking, "Are there any other commodities that need price adjustments?"

Without delay, Osvik shook his head from side to side like a drumstick.

*****