Building My SSS-Rank Universal Empire: From Trash to Cosmic Overlord-Chapter 27: Negotiate

I nearly flinched, but I controlled myself enough to only still, my face stiffeng. I tilted my head, my heart racing fast. "The forbidden mark?"

"Yes. But that’s not the only mark we saw. There were also symbols... the ancient symbols for Alchemist, forge, and darkness! It’s written in Karthaniss, the ancient language that was said to be made up of words fallen from the gods’ mouths..."

"But we don’t have gods." I raised my brows. Even the Holy Order, which had something like a church, focused on worshiping one’s self.

Kren got more excited and leaned forward, hastily pushing his glasses up his nose. "Maybe not now! A lot of people, before the disappearance of the Arcane Wizards, believed in gods and even worshiped some Arcane Wizards directly. Even until now, some organizations..."

"Stop it, Kren! Just talk about the operation!" Arvas hissed.

Kren flinched back and laughed in embarrassment. "Sorry, I get carried away with history."

I smiled politely but wished he had continued. My head was a whirlwind. ’So is the forbidden mark linked to before the... disappearance of the Arcane Wizards...? Wait, Arcane Wizards? Those that were rumored to create the Knights? And what is Karthaniss?’

I wanted to ask more questions but held myself back. I will only bring suspicion on myself if I ask questions like that. Especially those that are directly related to me.

"Anyway, those marks point to us very likely finding good enchanted tools, techniques, and resources inside," Kren said. "We also think we’ve found a way to get in."

I nodded. "Then why aren’t the Steelclaw Alliance Flagbearers already in there trying to get at the resources? They own the ruin, right?"

Kren smiled like a satisfied cat. "Not anymore. We bought it from them after they spent years trying to get in and deemed it worthless. We priced it as something that might interest scholars and gave reasonable payment in potions and pills. They thought they scored one over us, and until recently, it looked like they did, but now, we finally have a way to get in."

’Good! I also want to go in and see if I’ll come across anything related to the forbidden mark!’

It was the first time I would be finding anything even related to it at all!

I replied slowly, "But it seems to me that you should be partnering with the Steelclaw Alliance to explore it together because of the level of dangers that might be involved. What will a bunch of Squires and normal humans do in a ruin?"

Kren adjusted his glasses. "I understand you, but we don’t want to share the resources. At all. Besides, we’ve estimated the dangers, and it’s something we can handle."

I nodded. "Then the Squires and the ordinary humans? Why bring us along if you’re going to end up protecting us?"

That was one thing I didn’t understand about all this and it stood out to me as strange. Even though I wanted to visit the ruin now that I had learned it might be connected to my mark, it didn’t mean I’d just go blindly.

Kren looked at me and sighed. "The Squires and normal humans are easy to employ for labor. We might need to dig things and..." He gave me a look. "Those humans are going to join our ranks later. What? Do you think we’ll just give them constructs for free? They’ll end up working for our organization, so it’s better they tag along now."

I wasn’t entirely convinced but their explanation did make sense, so I warned, "I’m not going to join you."

Kren shrugged. "Since you’re not collecting a construct from us, then it matters not. But if you ever change your mind, you can come here. So, what do you want as payment?"

I took a deep breath and thought about it. "What’s the usual payment?"

"Enchanted tools of your rank or a technique of the same value. You can also collect potions or pills, all of the same value. Or you might want gold. Of course, these are all payments for employing you. We will also give you some resources from the ruin after we are back, according to your contribution."

"Then what do you want from me?" I asked. I needed to know before committing to anything fully.

It was Arvas who spoke in his cold voice. "Your service is like that of a soldier in the ruin. You will obey commands and do as you are told. Of course, there’ll be monsters to fight, but mostly you Squire ranks will supervise the workers. You’ll assist when called upon. Also, don’t forget to keep all this private."

I thought about it and weighed my options. It was really a generous offer, so I’d be doing bodyguard work. Then I shook my head. "What I want is half the gold of payment. Then I want your time, Captain Kren."

The man didn’t hide his surprise. "My time?"

"Yes. You will teach me. I want to learn about the language you talked about, the ancient one on the door. And I want to know about Knighthood, everything you know. And history too." I threw the last one in.

Kade and Arvas gave me surprised looks, but Kren looked rather pleased with himself. Before he could say anything, I hurriedly added, "Food too. Your organization will feed me daily until we go for the operation."

Kren tapped his finger on the table before he spoke. "Well, I think it’s worth the value of your service. Of course, I won’t be able to teach you every day, only three times a week in the evenings. You can come here in the morning and evening for food. You can take the side door to the kitchen.

"And what I teach you will be general knowledge. If you want anything more, you can pay for it with something of equal value."

Arvas nodded shortly. "Acceptable."

I also nodded. "Very well. Then it’s nice meeting you, Captains. Oh, I’d like to eat now."

Arvas gestured at Kade, who snapped to attention and led me out of the room and down the stairs, all the while shooting me looks.

"What?" I finally asked.

"You’re insane. I’ve never seen anyone negotiate like that before!"

I just shrugged. To me, the negotiation went even better than I thought. But then again, it seemed everyone got what they wanted.