Surviving The Fourth Calamity

Chapter 1446: Chapter 24: Count Stelter’s Little Schemes

Hill did not hesitate in response to Ellie’s cautious probing and directly pointed out his reluctance: ”There’s no need to spend money on unnecessary things.

Mithril, a material that can be replaced by others, isn’t valuable enough for me to pay such a high ’price’ to acquire as a reserve material.”

Hill could never accept a gift from the Stelter Family of such a level... Although he wanted to find a fitting reason to naturally take on the task of teaching Ellie, he only wanted to be a temporary worker who could leave at any moment, not a contract worker bound by an agreement.

Especially since... this salary... instantly reminded him of a certain country’s currency which was even less valuable than joss paper.

It looks abundant, but in reality, it’s useless.

Hill’s resolute refusal made Ellie sigh silently... Really, if not for the many mid-high tier alchemists here today, she would have thought this piece of mithril truly meaningless!

Mr. Belfran’s will is really firm.

As the interaction time lengthened, Ellie increasingly understood that Mr. Belfran was truly an upright person.

Even though that fool from the Ismael Household, Lucimar, always attempted to ruin Mr. Belfran’s relationship with the Stelter Family by speaking ill of her every day, Mr. Belfran never intended to believe him.

No, it should be said that Mr. Belfran, even when slightly compromising with the Ismael Family, would not change his method of handling things due to the Great Sage’s pressure.

And Mr. Belfran’s scholarship is truly profound... Ellie originally thought she had detailed knowledge of various materials, but occasionally, Mr. Belfran would mention some common knowledge she seemed to have overlooked, making her deeply feel her own ignorance.

Indeed, without formal and systematic instruction, alchemists can’t just rely on reference books.

But, it’s not easy to move this Earth Magician’s heart!

Ellie couldn’t help but fix her eyes on the auction hall, constantly recalling if there was anything left that had the worth of having Mr. Belfran take a look.

Now it seems, no matter how rare or expensive the materials, it’s meaningless; the other party doesn’t wish to let desires rule their life.

To entice Mr. Belfran, perhaps it can only be some fresh knowledge... Ellie wouldn’t believe that Belfran genuinely didn’t want this piece of mithril.

How could any alchemist not use mithril?

Even though alloys can substitute for mithril, the difference in weight and quality is something Ellie understands, even if she hasn’t yet formally become an alchemist.

Ellie frowned slightly at the hall, then was slightly surprised: ”Ah~ Someone from the royal capital has come!

The auction list was only confirmed seven days ago... Did they rush over day and night on a crystal carriage?

Ah, that would burn a lot of energy!

I suppose there’s a specific purpose for it, otherwise, why pay such a hefty price.”

Hill’s gaze shifted slightly... The Stelter Family’s fortnight-long auction had long confirmed its items, and this mithril sent from Count Stelter’s former post, that distant ore town, must have a specific aim.

In other words, even without Hill’s unexpected presence, Count Stelter made the best preparation for his daughter’s education.

But this person, although likely to accept the mithril, probably won’t seriously teach Ellie... Alchemists are well-versed in the method of taking money without getting things done.

By tossing over some complex runes that a low-level mage can’t remember, the agreed-upon time could be filled.

Hill glanced at that travel-worn old mage: ”Who is this?”

”There are three Alchemy Towers in the royal capital, besides Great Sage Ismael being an honorary president of the Alchemist Association, the other two, one is the president and the other is the vice president.

This is the vice president, Nesto Delgado, a Level 12 mage skilled in fire element magic and making metal-based magical items.”

”Does he have a bad relationship with the president?”

”Not only with President Guy Finch but also with Great Sage Ismael, his relationship isn’t good,” Ellie commented, her mouth subtly turning down at one corner, her gaze cheekily rolling in a not-so-obvious eye roll, ”This one is famously pricey.

For the same thing, you have to pay at least double the price if you ask him to make it.

As Delgado the Sage puts it... when you have a sage make something for you, you should understand you’re paying more for the sage’s time.

Yet, even Mr. Finch, who is one step away from being a Great Sage, doesn’t agree with him.

Unfortunately, his alchemy skills are indeed excellent.”

”Does he not have students?”

”Only apprentices, or temporarily taught students... charged by the month, not annually.”

Ellie suddenly realized... Since Mr. Belfran’s arrival was an accident, and the count doesn’t want her to get married off while the Alchemist Association wants to suppress the Stelter Family’s entrance into their ranks, only this penny-pinching Vice President Delgado might be willing to risk offending the association president and numerous elders to temporarily become her teacher for a few years.

As for tuition... perhaps it could be offset by the Stelter Family’s mithril ore, equivalent to twenty years of income, couldn’t it?

No wonder her brother Ditte, who usually dislikes leaving the barracks, personally went to that ore town to find supplies this time!

For many ore merchants, it’s not that they lack good things, but selling them... that risk is just too high.

It’s common to have the means to earn money but not the chance to spend it.

Moreover, the military nearby would not overlook the emergence of a wealthy tycoon without trying to take a cut.

After all, without the protection of the military, this small town wouldn’t survive under the so-called ’desert bandits.’

Ellie lowered her head slightly, hiding the redness at the corner of her eyes... Although the Earl always says that after receiving the family’s full support, Ellie must protect the family for life.

However, even an official mage can only live for 200 years at most.

Even if Ellie’s talents are decent and she successfully advances to the intermediate level, it would be at most 350 years.

Warriors age faster than mages, but as a high-level warrior, the Earl can live for at least another 200 years!

Besides, her brother Ditte can advance to an intermediate level warrior.

The benefits of nurturing Ellie are definitely not as much as the Earl claims.

Ellie smiled warmly and happily... No wonder the Earl directly instructed her yesterday that the piece of Mithril could be taken out to hire Grand Mage Belfran, asking Ellie to subtly probe his thoughts.

After all, in recent days, everyone could see how much this Earth Magician appreciates Ellie.

Every now and then, Ellie would pose questions related to various materials, all of which received detailed answers.

It seems that they are just one step away... The Stelter Family understands the hesitation, so they’ve been thinking of a reasonable excuse.

After all, this would mean tearing relations with the Alchemist Association.

Unfortunately, having too good a reputation can be tricky.

Even though she was straightforwardly rejected, Ellie felt a faint sense of relief... At least she doesn’t have to follow behind that old man famous for his greed and lust!

Although Ellie trusts her own skills and the Earl’s intimidation power, sometimes, even without physical actions, just a look can make a girl feel humiliated.

Yet, can she really fall out with her teacher over a mere look?

Even if he might not seriously teach her?

Wait!

Ellie suddenly realized, isn’t this letting Grand Mage Belfran discover that Delgado is indeed the teacher chosen by the Stelter Family for her?

And then, after discovering Belfran, they quickly changed their target... was trying to give the Mithril intended to entice Delgado to Belfran today!

Although Mr. Belfran has always been broad-minded, facing this situation, he might also be displeased, right?

Ellie frowned and sighed: ”Although I’m moved by my father’s and brother’s care, if it’s a choice like Sage Delgado, no wonder my mother thinks it might be better for me to just marry off!

Father and brother probably can’t understand why a girl wouldn’t want a... such kind of... teacher, can they?”

Hill tilted his head slightly and soon understood Ellie’s implied meaning... Delgado sat in his private box, and without closing the one-way visible glass window at the front, he inserted his hand into the mage robe of the girl apprentice next to him... The girl’s robe was a traditional style with large sleeves; Delgado’s hand went in through the sleeve.

Even as she felt the astonishment coming from all directions, even from the hall below, the girl’s delicate face remained calm, obviously accustomed to it.

Ellie felt a darkness in front of her eyes: ”Luckily, in Basia, mages no longer wear the old mage robes!”

Then she whispered: ”Father probably doesn’t know his lechery is entirely different from Basia’s!

Men... really unreliable.”

If at first, she only intended to denigrate Delgado’s character in front of Hill, now she truly feels relieved.

Maybe the Earl feels that since the old man is staying in Basia City, no one would think Ellie could be taken advantage of.

But... watching such scenes daily is too much stimulation for an innocent young girl!

Ellie’s gaze even became a bit dazed.

Hill silently glanced at the obviously shocked girl.

He doesn’t think the Earl would be oblivious of this old man’s conduct... the Earl simply doesn’t care.

He’s clearly not planning on letting Ellie marry out; in that case, making her feel that men are no good, what’s wrong with that?

When facing any man, if Ellie views them with scrutiny... then even if someone eventually wins her heart, there probably wouldn’t be any problem.

As for Ellie getting too stimulated, ending up playing with lives... anyway, she’s playing with others, why would the Earl care?

It’s well-thought, truly has the grandeur of Grand Tang.