Birth Of The Crafts-God-Chapter 408: Purified Bloodstones

Lucas updated Russell a bit about the progress of the store while Russell discussed with him about some ideas for the dealership. For Lucas, this was quite a valuable conversation as it gave him a better understanding on how to run a business.

Suddenly, Russell stopped speaking and glanced ahead.

"Why don't you guys get to know each other better? I need to meet up with an old friend."

Lucas nodded as he noticed that Russell's attention was in front even as he spoke. He gazed in the same direction as Russell's eyes and noticed that the latter was staring at the entrance into the open space. An individual had just happened to walk in at that moment.

Even though Lucas had never met the person physically before, he recognised the individual from the documentaries and news broadcasts he had watched.

It was the discharged city lord, Noah Bergs.

Lucas wondered when Russell and Noah patched up their relationship, but he didn't think much about it. He had a significant level of trust towards Russell, so if the latter had fixed up his relationship with Noah, it had to be for a good reason.

As Russell left to meet up with Noah, Lucas and Melissa were stuck with Laura and Vergil.

Unlike the Versailles Group's Exposition banquet that saw more members of the younger generation present, the Silver Star Exhibition Show had more members of the older generation in attendance. Lucas was somewhat surprised by this and wondered what trick the Silverine Factory had played; after all, the Versailles Group clearly had the upper hand in their rivalry, and it wasn't a wise move for these forces to offend them just yet.

With more members of the older generation present, it meant that there were few people Laura and Vergil could hang around with. It was even so since the average age gap between them and the other members of the younger generation was at least half a decade. While this might not seem like much, it meant that the circle of friends had been conceived way before the oldest of the duo could even participate.

As such, their only suitable option was to hang around with Lucas. It was also quite helpful since Lucas was only familiar with the family, and having the two sides relate with one another could strengthen their alliance.

Laura seemed to have a slight dislike for Lucas as she ignored him. Instead, she approached the little girl by his side.

"It's been a while." Laura smiled as she raised her hand to pat Melissa's head.

Seeing this, Melissa dodged the hand and snorted. Even though it had already been four months, she still didn't forget when she was arrested within the Mertens grounds even though Laura was supposed to protect her.

Laura felt awkward by the eleven year old's behaviour and she looked slightly embarrassed.

Lucas sighed for her, but he didn't intervene either. It wasn't like he was on friendly terms with Laura, so he wasn't concerned with this.

"I got you something." Laura said before signalling to a middle-aged woman behind her.

It was then that Lucas noticed that the two Mertens heirs both had a bodyguard each assigned to them.

The middle-aged woman walked forward with a brown box and handed it to Laura. The box appeared simple and lacked any unique design on it, apart from some almost unnoticeable inscriptions. But to a vestige-smith of Lucas' calibre, the secret of the box was easily revealed.

It was made from a material that had a woody texture but was as hard as a rock with the din of a metal.

'Vulgarean timber.' Lucas was slightly amazed.

It was a piece of wood gotten from a tree species that grew on the Beast continent; to be specific, in two of the three Cursed Graveyards on the continent. Due to this, it was quite costly but not exaggerated. This was because the wood had only one good function —to block out radiation.

Vulgarean timber, although really good at its job, wasn't exactly the best at doing this. However, its unique physical structure and material layout made it a preferable choice in an everyday-use case; it was a wood, which was a better and more fancier option than metal. It was also considerably cheaper and less functional than other materials that performed the same features.

Laura opened the box, revealing a pristine set of jewellery. It was a necklace that looked to be made of gems similar to diamonds.

Compared to the sight of the Vulgarean timber, Lucas was more shocked by the jewellery set. Those diamond-like stones were an expensive gem known as Purified Bloodstones.

Bloodstones were close cousins to another rare and expensive gem known as Blood Forest gems. However, Bloodstones were much less rarer and cheaper in comparison to their neighbours. But this was only limited to the regular Bloodstones.

Purified Bloodstones were a unique variation of Bloodstones that occurred after a strange mutation on these rocks, which usually took thousands of years. Not only was this mutation rare, but the conditions for it to naturally occur were harsh. As a result, Purified Bloodstones were much more expensive than their regular counterparts.

Outside of that, Purified Bloodstones were also very helpful to a stellar practitioner as they passively gathered stellar energy into the body. It could also help to calm the mind when in close contact with one's flesh.

With both the rarity and functionality in mind, the value of Purified Bloodstones became on par with the Blood Forest gems. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

It should be recalled that Lucas was previously offered Blood Forest gems —alongside a few other materials— as compensation by Novanio Tech.

Even though she didn't know the value of the jewellery, Melissa was still enraptured by the jewellery set.

"Take it; it's yours."

Hearing those words, Melissa hesitated, before glancing over at Lucas for help.

"You shouldn't stop here from having this." Laura stared at Lucas with a somewhat threatening look in her eyes.

'What's up with this girl?' Lucas frowned.

His opinion of Laura came from their first meeting which was during the launch of the Legacy Crafts dealership. The rightful source is ɴovelfire.net

Back then, Laura was her usual haughty self, but when faced up with the nonchalant Lucas, she couldn't gain an upper hand. In the end, she revealed her potential, displaying a hint of her freezing superpower. However, by doing so, Laura had inadvertently hurt Melissa [1]. If it weren't for Vergil who had intervened back then, a fight might have broken out.

It was only later that Laura realised what she had done, and ever since, she had felt apologetic to the little girl. However, Melissa had been scarred by that event and avoided Laura at every turn. The situation even worsened after she was arrested within the Mertens family compound.

Although Laura had been trying to make it up to Melissa, she still maintained the same haughty behaviour when communicating to Lucas. Despite that, with Lucas' nonchalant self, it meant that he wouldn't be bothered about her antics. But it seemed like that irked Laura even more as she began to up the ante recently.

At this moment, a newcomer walked over to the group.

"It's you..."

Lucas turned to the newcomer and was confused for a second.

"Uhm, who are you?"

"You've forgotten already?" The young lady slightly frowned.

Lucas thought for a bit before he finally recalled who she was.

"Lieutenant? Fancy seeing you here."

The black-haired beauty with dark blue eyes was none other than Lieutenant Lily Mayer of the Red Fangs, and one of the first hyumans Lucas had met after transmigrating into this world. She also happened to be the leader of a squad that earned Lucas his first arrest in two lifetimes.

A twenty five year old at the fourth level of the Apertures Opening stage; in some ways, she could be regarded as talented. However, this was only when the limit was Baylands city-state.

For Lucas, who had his world view expanded in Belfargos territory, it wasn't much to talk about. However, her identity as a Lieutenant in the Red Fangs wasn't to be underestimated.

The Red Fangs was a special unit limited to Baylands City, just like the Baylands City Patrol Corps. However, the Red Fangs were the ones tasked with handling high profile and sensitive cases, as well as beast tides within the city's reach.

Lucas didn't expect a Lieutenant from such a decorated force to be present.

"I'm off duty, so I came around." Lily replied.

This response was somewhat unsatisfactory as only special guests and those related to the industry could be invited to this exhibition show. But seeing as Lily didn't say any more, Lucas didn't press for an answer. Truth be told, he wasn't that interested either.

"Take it; it's yours." Laura once again urged Melissa to accept the gift.

Just as Lucas was about to say something, another voice spoke up before him.

"If she doesn't want it, then don't force her."

'What's with all the interruption today?' Lucas couldn't help but feel that things were strange. Nonetheless, it was only a feeling.

Once again, he looked in the direction of the entrance, which also happened to be where the speaker was. This time around, he was visibly surprised by the person in front of his eyes.

"Vienna?"