Chapter 758: Leave This Old Man Alone

Chapter 758: Leave This Old Man Alone



"What I require is simple," Prumace stared at MunuBuntara and got to the crux of his intention as he took out a small, semi-circular metal ribbon, "I wish to create this product."

"Is this a..." MunuBuntara stared at the metal ribbon before gasping in shock, "...miniature Gramophone?"

"You're correct," Prumace nodded with a smile, "I knew a man of your standing would be able to recognise it instantly. Yes, it's a miniature Gramophone, and it's what I wish to release as a collaboration with you."

"With me?" MunuBuntara was surprised for an instant before grasping what was required from his side as he pointed at the metal ribbon, "Can I inspect it once?"

"Yes," Prumace nodded, "Please feel free to look into it until you're satisfied."

"Thank you," MunuBuntara nodded and picked up the metal ribbon, noticing hemispherical discs embedded onto either end of the ribbon. He slung it on his head, noticing the two hemispherical discs align themselves onto his ears.

As his Prana flowed into it, he noticed that there was a small crank within the hemispherical disk, rotating a tiny plate. The needle pin on it produced a song similar to the Gramophone. And there were intricately lodged holes on the flat end of the hemispherical disk, allowing the sounds produced within it to travel into the eardrums of the listener.

The size of the Gramophone disk was only large enough to hold fifteen minutes of music content, which wasn't much for someone used to the large Gramophones. However, it would be useful for people to hear music with privacy.

After all, the current Gramophones, though they produced beautiful sound pieces, were loud. So they could only be used in a private setting. However, the metal ribbons could be used in a public setting too.

MunuBuntara wrapped his palm around one of the hemispherical disks, noticing that no sound leaked out thanks to the insulation provided by his fingers. He nodded and placed it on the table, staring at Prumace to say, "You need to have a designer fabric wrap for both sound insulation and to improve the feel the miniature Gramophone provides when worn overhead."

"I knew I came to the right person." Prumace broke into a smile upon hearing MunuBuntara's analysis as he nodded at the people accompanying him, saying as they walked forward, "I have enough to provide an advance sum for our cooperation. After that, for every single piece you wrap, we'll provide you a generous sum."

"My ears are open," MunuBuntara nodded as Prumace began to give all the details regarding their collaboration.

First, the item, termed a Ribbophone would be sold in various price ranges. And depending on the price, the thread used for the wrap would vary. But overall, due to its quality, Prumace wanted the thread to be primarily sourced from a Balghat.

Since MunuBuntara had both the Iron and Silver Grade variants of this Race in the Nest he controlled with exclusive rights, Prumace wanted to start with two products.

The Ribbophone made using a Balghat's wool would be sold for a price of 1000 Natures of Bio-Synthesis. The hemispherical discs were detachable, allowing one to swap around the music of their choice.

A music pack would be sold separately, which consisted of a total of twelve hemispherical discs, split between the two years for a total of six pieces of music. This was priced at 1200 Natures of Bio-Synthesis.

The Ribbophone made using the wool from a Telghat was priced a whopping fifteen times higher, a sheer premium that only the elite class could afford to buy, even in the Varahan Empire. As the Gramophone had already become a statue symbol, people would buy it desperately, irrespective of whether or not they liked music.

And Prumace knew well to feed into the ego and classicism of his customers. And for every Ribbophone they wrapped, MunuBuntara would receive 180 Natures of Bio-Synthesis, which was a whopping sum.

Considering the sheer numbers that they'll be working on, the business opportunity would create a sizeable revenue source for the Noikatol District. Moreover, it diversified their income sources, for they currently relied on only textiles.

They didn't have a monopoly in the industry. Far from it, they weren't even a market leader, despite their Suits selling like hotcakes. There were many Pranic Beasts in Sumatra whose produce could be used to make clothes.

Only something like the Suits, a revolutionary item that one could wear and remove in a second was capable of competing with an already developed market with giant players. The problem with this was the fact that the Noikatol District's weaving capabilities weren't yet on par with the market demands.

"She has a life beyond helping this old man." Inala glared at Wepetay fiercely, "And if not for

her, I would have already died a few years ago. So, don't talk bad about her."

"I'm sorry," Wepetay apologised instinctively.

"It's alright, I know you've said in concern." Inala let out a wry smile, "I'm not senile yet."

He then stared at MunuBuntara and let out a chuckle, "My Lord, seeing that you've come all the way here, it must mean there's more work to do. But..."

"I can't," He shook his head stubbornly, "You've already worked me to the bone. I only intend

to rest. I have no intention of working anymore."

"Your skills are needed, Sir Binala." MunuBuntara said, "Our City is desperately dependent on

it for..."

"Ahh, fuck that!" Inala's voice was weak, but arrogant, "That's not something someone comfy in his grave should worry about. It won't be a surprise if I were to die tomorrow, so I

DON'T CARE!"

"But..." MunuBuntara felt angry upon hearing Inala's response, but what could he do? Punish him? Threaten to kill him? It won't work.

He could easily tell with a glance that Inala's condition had worsened and it wouldn't be a

surprise if he died the next day itself. Inala's heart had grown too weak, a result of stressful cultivation. Changing Human Avatars came at a cost, especially since his original cultivation was high before he lost his Life Stage Spirit Container to a Centinger and then switched to a

Vara Human Avatar later.

His body had taken a toll already, which made him age faster. "No buts!"

"You told me to teach others, and I've done that, exemplarily well in fact." Inala snorted with

his weak tone, coughing mid-sentence, "The first three graduate batches of mine have all the theoretical knowledge on how to handle Telghat wool, including the skills necessary to do so. They just haven't trained enough to put them to practice."

"I can't train on their behalf, can't I?" Inala said and waved his hand, "So, whatever new work

you have for me, I won't do it."

He pointed at a nearby wardrobe, "I've made a gift for you, since your coronation is due next

month. Take that and respectfully leave, please."

"This old man wishes to be alone in his final moments."