Chapter 27 Behind The Balance (1/2)
A thick aroma wafted from the black tea, filling the luxurious room with a calming scent. However, it could not diffuse the icy cold atmosphere inside the room.
”Mr. Claytor, I can't agree to your condition.”
The middle-aged man firmly disagreed as he placed down the cup on the table.
”The situation within the mines are stable. Increasing the price by a substantial amount right now is an irrational endeavor. As a member of the Association, I, without a doubt, seek to do my very best for the benefit of the Association. But regarding this matter, I won't be of much help. I hope you can understand .”
”Please relax, Mr. Keller.” The soignée man who sat leisurely on the couch curled his lips coldly.
”The 30% increment in ore prices had already been approved by the Association. As a member of the Association, you must abide by the rules.”
”But that isn't reasonable!”
Keller frowned.
”Right now, there isn't any shortage of minerals. We cannot arbitrarily raise the price without giving a rational answer. And as such, Mr. Claytor, from the start of our discussion up until now, I have not received a satisfactory reason to increase the price from your mouth. You can't expect me to agree to this outrageous request by merely invoking the Association's authority. At the very least, give me an adequate reason for me to do it. Moreover, if the Golden City were to discover such a thing...”
”... Even if 'that person' realized what was happening, she wouldn't be able to do anything to us.”
The moment he mentioned the Golden City, Claytor's face darkened.
”Mr. Keller... the reason I, the vice leader of the Association, directly addressed you regarding this matter was because you controlled 85% of the mines in Deep Stone City. But I hope you can visualize the bigger picture, Mr. Keller. What you think you have right now, is a drop in the ocean when compared to the entire Paphield Region.”
”No matter what you say, if you cannot give me a reasonable explanation, then I cannot accept the Association's proposal.” Keller then stood up and continued, ”Since that's the case, then I'm sorry. I don't think we have anything else to discuss.”
Having said what he wanted to say, Keller gave a slight bow and turned away.
”Please wait, Mr. Keller.” Claytor's face darkened once again.
”Seeing that I have no way of changing your mind, then you've left me with no further choice. The truth is, I don't want to do this, but since we came to this point, you can't really blame me...”
”What are you going to do?”
The moment he heard Claytor's subtle threat, Keller's face hardened.
”If you refuse this proposal, then the Association has the right to revoke your ownership over all your mines to ensure that they can operate stably and normally.”
”The Association does not have this authority!”
Keller smashed his fist on the table.
”The Deep Stone City's mine is the property of OUR Keller family. It has no any relation to the Association. Surely you don't mean to steal it openly, right?!”
”Of course we will not -openly steal- it.”
Claytor narrowed his eyes and revealed a sinister smile.
”Of course, the Association will pay for the acquisition of the Keller Family's mines for five thousand gold coins... What do you think about the price?”
Five thousand?
Keller almost fainted when he heard the preposterous offer. Keller family owned four mines, and their total revenue was in the hundreds of thousands. This b*stard actually intended to purchase all of his mines with a meager five thousand gold coins? That amount couldn't even buy a pit! Were they idiots?! Or did they have other intentions?
As the head of the family, Keller naturally did not think that the Association was a fool. A trace of doubt flashed across his face as he stared at the Association's vice president. The fact that he could become the Merchant Association's vice president demonstrates that he had the ability.
When the Association headquarters summoned him, Keller already felt that something was amiss. The ore market had been stable throughout the year, and the surrounding countries did not encounter any disasters recently. If they were to raise the prices by 30% suddenly, not only would the Keller family cause a predicament for themselves, but it would adversely affect the market in the surrounding countries as well. This was a delicate situation. Ore trade was one of the most important sources of income for them.
If it was another person, he might have taken those words as a joke. But Keller was unquestionably certain if 'that person' in the Golden City were to discover this matter, every merchant was going to die. 'That person' wasn't a kind-hearted being. Although everyone had to die someday, but perishing by her hand was the worst kind of death.
What is this? The Merchant Association suddenly intend to inflate the price of ores? Do they think that they can escape from 'that person's' detection?