Chapter 714: Loan

Chapter 714: Loan

“Ah... haha... I didn’t expect to meet you guys here,” Thunder said somewhat awkwardly in the bustling area of the second-hand space fortress trading market.

This was Sein’s first encounter with him, a figure rumored to possess Rank Five strength.

To protect Sein, Lorianne had enveloped him in a light green energy shield.

This was to safeguard him from the potent energies released by several high-ranking powerhouses that could inadvertently harm Sein, a mere Rank Two being.

This showed that Lorianne truly cared about Sein and was a meticulous person who paid great attention to little details.

Thunder had come to the Capiche Business Alliance to either rent or sell his space fortress, which was relatively new by space fortress standards—having been used for just over ten thousand years.

Unlike the average mid-tier models, the Thunder Fortress was larger and included unique design modifications specifically requested by Thunder, placing it between the mid and high-end categories.

It was evident that Thunder had invested his heart and soul into this fortress, along with a substantial amount of resources.

The reasons behind his decision to rent or sell this prized asset were unclear to Sein, as the motives of beings at such a high level were beyond his grasp.

Lorianne, however, seemed to have some idea about the underlying factors.

“Ahem, Thunder, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you,” Lorianne said, clearing her throat to catch his attention.

Thunder Knight looked at her curiously.

“It’s about business,” Lorianne added.

Thunder glanced at Zaka, who was accompanying Lorianne, and with a nod of understanding, suggested, “Then let’s talk somewhere more private.”

He invited Lorianne into his space fortress for a more discreet conversation.

The Thunder Fortress, larger than the typical models with a diameter spanning tens of thousands of meters, was mostly empty at this moment.

Aside from a few mages from Capiche Business Alliance who were busy testing various equipment and magic artifacts within the fortress, the vast structure seemed deserted from the outside.

Observing the blue and purple Thunder Fortress up close, Sein was reminded of his time during the Thunderfall World War.

Sein was momentarily taken aback by Lorianne’s response.

As someone who prioritized practicality, he had not really considered the aesthetics of the space fortress.

Reevaluating the fortress from an aesthetic standpoint, Sein had to agree with Lorianne’s assessment—it was indeed unattractive.

He could not help but wonder who had designed this smaller space fortress as it certainly did not conform to the standard expectations.

Over the next two months, Master Zaka guided Lorianne and her companions through various parts of the market, including the areas reserved for high-end and low-end used fortresses.

It became clear that finding a suitable space fortress at a reasonable price was no simple feat, especially when the mages of Magus World were known for their shrewdness and calculative natures.

Even the knights, who had dealt with them long enough, became adept at navigating these negotiations, ensuring they never found themselves at a disadvantage.

In fact, the powerhouses of the Magus World often exploited extraplanar creatures and members of the Magus Alliance.

After exhaustively exploring the last of the available options, and even venturing into underground areas with Zaka, it was evident there were few viable choices left.

Zaka sighed and suggested, “If you’re still intent on buying a second-hand fortress, you should consider checking out Sky City and Steel City. The heavy industry labs in Sky City sometimes sell off defective fortresses at reduced prices. Alternatively, Steel City is known for its repair facilities, frequented by various divine towers and knightly orders over the past tens of thousands of years.”

Pausing after giving his suggestion, Zaka then advised, “Honestly, I’d recommend buying a new one. Not only will it have fewer issues, but the Capiche Business Alliance can also customize it to meet your specifications.”

He added, “Plus, buying new means Capiche Business Alliance will handle all low-cost repairs and maintenance for the next ten thousand years. You won’t get to enjoy such a benefit with used fortresses.”

Lorianne hesitated, placing her finger on her bottom lip. “But a new space fortress is so expensive,” she whined.

Zaka responded promptly, “We at Capiche Business Alliance offer excellent financing options! If you have assets for collateral, I’ll secure the lowest possible loan rate for you.”

He fished out his crystal ball and adeptly manipulated the data on his crystal ball, showing Lorianne the possibilities.

In that moment, Zaka looked no different than a skilled salesman.

Lorianne looked at Zaka, then at Master Cipher beside her, visibly uncertain.

“What do you think I should do?” She transmitted her question to Master Cipher via mental focus.

Master Cipher, who had been silent and composed the entire time, only nodded slightly.