Chapter 306：Debate

"How much is the price?" Dudian inquired.

The girl spoke in a cold tone as she saw that Dudian wasn't aware of the prices: "Tungsten steel is for commercial purposes. You can use the points issued by the Temple and buy with gold coins. If you are going to use points then we can exchange ten kilograms for a point. If you want to buy with gold coins then it will cost you seven gold coins for ten kilograms. In case you want to purchase the tungsten steel outside the Temple then it will cost you ten gold coins for ten kilograms. You are an intermediate architect so you will get 70% discount. We could give you 50% discount if you were a senior architect. Moreover masters get to buy at 10% of the price of the material."

Dudian was surprised: "Ten gold coins for ten kilograms? The tungsten steel is almost at the same price as a copper coin!"

"Its normal for such a precious metal alloy to be as expensive as copper." The girl spoke in disdain as she saw Dudian's expression: "Please leave if you aren't planning to buy."

Dudian thought that the metal prices of this era were more expensive than the old era. The first reason should be because the refining process was still at a beginner level. The second reason was the war with the barbarians and hunt of the monsters outside the giant wall. There were constant need for more production of weapons and armor which increased the demand for the good steel.

"I'll buy two thousand kilograms." Dudian thought for a moment then said to the girl.

Dudian was stunned as she looked at the boy. However she frowned and got up as she saw the serious look: "Two thousand kilograms? Are you going to use points or gold coins?"

"Gold coins." Dudian was planning to accumulate points to become a senior level architect.

The girl indifferently said: "An architect is limited to buy a thousand kilograms per day if gold coins are used for purchase."

Dudian was surprised. But the next moment he understood why such a system is put up by the Temple. They are worried that some architects may work with wealthly businessmen to buy metals at a discounted price and sale them outside.

"Alright, thousand gold coins then." Dudian thought that he would ask Bernard to help him buy another thousand kilograms of the tungsten steel.

The girl looked back at him: "First is the payment. I'll submit your order afterwards. Fill in the address and someone will bring it to your place."

Dudian took out his leather wallet and pulled out seven gold notes from inside. The words "one hundred" were engraved on each of them referring to their value.

The girl's eyes narrowed as she saw the medal in Dudian's wallet: "What is that?" She asked as she rapidly breathed.

Dudian took a look at the silver medal which was 'epoch' medal issued to him by the Temple. He stuffed it back into the wallet: "Nothing."

The girl was shocked as her mind buzzed. She was able to quickly put together the pieces of information: "wood...intermediate architect...youngest in the history..."

She looked up and down at Dudian: "You! Are you Mr Dean?"

Dudian was frustrated as he saw that she had recognized him. He was in a hurry and didn't want to be entangled. He wrote the order and write down his details including the location of the castle. He gave back the form: "I urgently need this batch of tungsten steel. Please send them quickly."

Girl checked the delivery form. She saw the signature and the name. Her eyes glowed as she said: "Dean...Mr Dean sorry that I didn't recognize you. You are the winner of 'epoch' medal so you can enjoy the same treatment as masters. Same discounts apply to you!" She handed back six notes out of the seven given by Dudian.

Dudian didn't think that he will get advantage because of the 'epoch' medal. Although hundreds of gold coins were trivial for him but he still readily took back the notes: "Can I buy two thousand kilograms at once?"

"Yes, of course!" The girl quickly replied: "The upper daily limit for people such as you is ten thousand kilograms per day."

Dudian smiled: "Then I'll buy ten thousand kilograms." He pullet out three more gold tickets from his wallet and handed back to the girl with the initial six notes.

The girl took the golden notes. She was stunned. She wasn't surprised because of money but because Dudian was an architect from wood faction. She couldn't help but ask: "Mr Dean are you planning to use tungsten steel in a new research?"

If it was earlier she would think that Dudian was working for a wealthy businessman. Most of the architects were coming from middle-class families from the commercial district so not all of them were rich enough to buy materials as they wished. So some of them would cooperate with wealthy businessmen to make extra money to fund their own researchs.

But she knew that architects such as Dudian didn't lacked or were short of money. The money he earned from military crossbow would make many nobles jealous.

Dudian replied: "Most of it."

The girl asked: "Are you planning to join gold faction?"

Dudian replied: "We will see in the future. Please help get this batch of the tungsten steel as soon as possible. Faster the better! "

The girl's eyes lit up: "If you want to build a caf�� using tungsten steel I can help you out." She would ask for a commission if she wasn't aware of Dudian's status but right now she was willing to join as an assistant. The main reason was that she was planning to take the opportunity to observe Dudian's research. After all, Dudian's military crossbow was not only an item which was made out of wood faction elements. There was involvement of gold elements. Especially the structure and weight of the arrows.

dudian thought for a moment: "Alright, but I don't have tools for forging."

"That's not a problem. I have." The girl replied: "You can use my research room to make it. "

Dudian said: "I'll pay the reward for troubling you." He thought that the girl works here as a part-timer. Most probably she had difficulties with finance.

Girl said: "You don't have to. As an assistant I'll be able to see you do research. It's a rare occasion on its own, I wouldn't dare to ask for money."

"A little money won't hurt." Dudian casually said. He didn't want to owe anyone.

The girl no longer refused as she was really short of money.

"Who is that?"

A voice echoed from side.

Both Dudian and the girl turned towards the source of the voice. Three people were approaching them. They were led by a handsome blonde youth.

"Isn't this Mr Dean?" The blonde youth asked as there was a trace of surprise in his face.

Dudian looked at the youth whose smile was like a knife. There was malicious intent in his eyes. There was an orchid pattern on the youth's robe. The youth belonged to Milan family. Dudian's eyes lit up as he smiled: "Hello."

"Mr Dean isn't like other geniuses. He has become arrogant and got carried away because of little success. It is said that such people are too irresponsible." The blonde youth said in a humble manner.

Dudian smiled. The youth was from aristocratic origin so he was trying to ruthlessly attack Dudian. The purpose of his speech was obvious. The youth was from Milan family which was under Mellon consortium.

"There are people who like to talk irresponsible words. After all, you aren't feeling the pain." Dudian faintly smiled.

The blonde youth nodded: "Yes, no one would talk uselessly if they felt the pain."

Dudian shook his head: "They would still beg and say 'let me go' as they feel the pain."

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t/n: there is word play focused on 'pain'