Vol. 1 - Ch. 45 - Oh My God, How Can Capital Be So Evil? (Part 2)
Chapter 45: Oh My God, How Can Capital Be So Evil? (Part 2)
"But what if, with the promotion of the product, it triggers the Church's attention?"
Looking at Lynn, whose smile was about to warp into the Pot of Desire, Elysia raised a question that struck straight at the soul
Faced with this question, Lynn wagged his finger:
"You are worrying too far ahead. In fact, as long as we start openly selling Magic Stones, the Church will inevitably start paying attention immediately.
Since magic minerals are their monopoly, after all, so there's no need to wait until the promotion."
Looking at Lynn, who had already thought of this question long ago, Elysia suddenly felt a strange peace of mind.
Although he was unreliable and shameless to the extreme, she had to admit that his tricks were indeed numerous.
Since he had already thought of this, he must have a solution
"In that case, how should we oppose the Church's attention?"
"Of course we completely can't oppose it."
Lynn silently turned his face away, avoiding looking Elysia straight in the eyes.
"???"
Elysia was dumbfounded.
"However, although it is difficult to break free from being paid attention to, attention does not equal understanding, understanding does not equal interference, and interference does not equal judgment."
Lynn cleared his throat a few times:
"First of all, we must understand what our conflict of interest with the Church is. After all, interest is the most fundamental stance.
As long as we are clear on this point, we can deduce under what circumstances they will adopt what level of measures."
He raised several blank pieces of parchment, lifting them into mid-air:
"In my view, the Church's core demand of interest is to maintain its own spiritual rule and absolute status.
The monopoly on magic minerals and the dominance over witch trials are both at the service of this.
Since this is the case, the interest we are most likely to violate is the exclusive sale of magic minerals, as Magic Stones will highly likely be treated as ordinary magic minerals."
After saying this, he prepared to use the pen in his other hand to puncture the first piece of parchment, but then felt heartache over it, so he merely placed it back on the table:
"And then there is the behavior of harboring witches which might be discovered, which is the two of you being here with me.
Finally, there is the most serious one, the secret of the black stones which has touched the fundamental interests of the Church; this is a question that threatens their legal orthodoxy."
After placing the three pieces of parchment on the table, Lynn continued speaking:
"Once the Church begins to investigate, these three red lines will definitely be stepped on one by one, and after that, we will happily receive the physical judgment of the Church's knights."
Flora, who had been listening for a long time, got a bit anxious:
"You small fry talked for so long, isn't the meaning you're expressing just that if we dare to sell, we'll have to wait for death?"
"Wrong, you completely didn't understand my meaning. What I have been saying from beginning to end is, the situation where we openly sell Magic Stones."
Lynn spread his hands:
"Then as long as we change this premise and don't sell Magic Stones that are similar to magic minerals, it will be fine."
"Cough cough... precisely... so."
A weak voice chimed in with Lynn; it was precisely Theodore, who had just awakened from carbon fainting.
He slowly took out an object from his backpack beside him and placed it on the table:
"Your Excellency Lynn... this is the thing you had me make."
The others looked at the object cradled in his skin-and-bones palm, and instantly fell into confusion.
A cylindrical metal canister? What was this used for?
Lynn took it and immediately explained:
"This is the 'Phlogiston Canister' that we will sell in conjunction with the small machines.
Of course, we will not directly sell Magic Stones; that would be a death-seeking action that would draw the Church."
"Phlogiston Canister?"
Elysia leaned in closer to look:
"What is loaded inside this?"
"This is where the art lies."
Lynn forcefully unscrewed that metal lid, which was still in the research and development phase, revealing the structure inside.
The outermost part was two layers of metal shells, and inside was a pile of fine carbon powder.
But if one looked closely, they would discover that those carbon powders were mixed with tiny fire-attributed Magic Stone particles.
"Although magic cannot be felt through two layers of metal, once it is disassembled, it can be detected. This is still not safe."
Flora raised an objection. As an elf with an extremely high level of magic, she instantly discovered a suspected loophole.
"That is because this is not the finished product. The real finished product will have a momentary energy-stimulating array added between the inner and outer metal layers.
If it is directly disassembled, it will activate it, and the fire magic of the Magic Stone will instantly explode and be exhausted, turning into black particles in the carbon powder."
Lynn spoke triumphantly.
This was precisely his genius idea.
Although this kind of operation might cause self-destructing malfunctions to occur, anyway, it wouldn't blow him up.
"That's not right! In that case, won't the cost increase greatly?
A double-layer shell and even having to engrave arrays—this is practically a small magitech device."
Elysia, whose thinking had already been partially assimilated by Lynn, instantly discovered another problem.
"Very good! Elysia! You have already kept up with my rhythm!"
Lynn revealed a loving father-like smile in gratification, but it only garnered a disgusted look.
"Damn it... but you're right. The cost will indeed increase.
Since this is the case, then wouldn't it be fine if we recycle the used Phlogiston Canisters?
Anyway, disassembling the used ones won't explode, we can just take out the black stones inside, recharge them, and reassemble them."
As long as the buyers give us their used Phlogiston Canisters, they can deduct a portion of the price for a new Phiston Canister. They will naturally recycle them actively.
If we feel that this recycling efficiency is not high, we can adopt a deposit mechanism, using the deposit to force them to recycle."
Transferring the increased costs to the consumers, this was his coping strategy.
To this, Elysia's only thought was.
‘Just how did this guy's brain grow to be able to think of so many ideas?’
"Alright, are there any other questions?"
Looking at his employees who were shocked by his world-shaking wisdom, Lynn revealed a smug smile.
"Since there are none, then let us begin the development of the first version of the small machine as soon as possible.
We will strive to rub it out before the Frost convoy comes over, and then completely hook those sheltered demi-humans."
"Wu..."
"Ah, Iyanna is sad. You bastard, apologize quickly!"
A dark shadow lurked in the gloom of the castle.
Those fellows had completely failed to discover his traces, so sneaking in was effortless.
Although collecting information on their conversation as a supplement to intelligence was also one of his goals, it conflicted with his primary goal.
Therefore, the dark shadow, only after confirming that the others had gathered in the first-floor dining room, stepped noiselessly onto the stairs.
In the attic, Griffin, who had originally been resting with his eyes closed, slowly opened his eyelids.
He looked toward the tightly shut door, revealing a self-deprecating smile—
Had they indeed come for him?
"I detest that bastard, but I did not leak any vital information...
I really wanted to ask you to convey this to him, but clearly that won't work."
There was no response whatsoever.
Except for the sound of the door lock breaking and falling to the floor.
"Creak~"
As the door slowly opened, Griffin smelled a familiar stench.
"...Sure enough, just like the rumors say, he can detoxify poisons."
A sharp voice came from behind the door.
What came along with it, besides a bone-chilling killing intent, was also a pair of quietly opened snake pupils.
TL Note: