"10%," Arthur stated.
"30%," Thirteen countered.
"15% and that's final."
"20% or we auction it off to the Monarch Clans. I'm very sure that they will be more than happy to spend billions for these two pieces of Mythical Equipment."
Arthur clicked his tongue before glaring at the seven-year-old, who was looking more and more like a scammer in his eyes.
Back then, when he saw Thirteen at the party two years ago, Arthur had to admit that the five-year-old had street smarts.
But now, he was being forced to agree to the demands of a boy who hadn't even gone on his First Wandering!
"20% of the monthly earnings of the Leventis Family, as well as priority picking for High-Ranking Monster Parts. We will also have a 20% discount based on the market price for each individual part," Thirteen stated. "The Leventis Family will also surrender one complete Monster Corpse of any Rank 7 Jinns or Majins killed or captured during the month.
"If the Leventis Family is unable to meet this condition, you are required to surrender five Rank 6 Monsters or ten Rank 5 monsters in good condition.
"If the Leventis Family breaks this agreement, any other Mythical Ranked Equipment that my father crafts in the future will be auctioned off, no questions asked.
"This deal will remain active for the next 100 years. As long as the Leventis Family follows these conditions, they will gain priority to negotiate for the acquisition of any piece of Mythical Ranked Equipment that Gerald Leventis will successfully create in the future."
Arthur frowned as he looked at the contract papers that Thirteen had placed on the table in front of him.
He didn't know how the seven-year-old was able to come up with these terms and even produce a contract right away.
'This can only mean one thing,' Arthur thought. 'He had already anticipated that Gerald would succeed in crafting Mythical Equipment and that I would come here to negotiate the terms for their acquisition.'
The more Arthur thought about this possibility, the more he felt as though this grandson of his was not an ordinary boy.
"Well then, do you accept the conditions, Grandpa?" Thirteen asked. "If so, please sign here, here, and here… also don't read the small text over here. It's just a small clause that is not important. Hehehe."
Arthur of course read the small clause that was typed in very small text that only someone like him would be able to read.
"Should any payment become overdue, the terms hereunder shall be subject to a permanent increase of 1% per month on the outstanding balance. Such adjustments to the terms shall be irrevocable, notwithstanding any subsequent resumption of regular payments by the Leventis Family."
Arthur ripped the paper in half and glared at his no-good grandson, who casually took out another copy of the same page he tore a moment ago and neatly placed it in front of him.
"Don't worry, Gramps, I printed 100 copies of this contract. Also, the file is saved in my PC, so I can make more copies if necessary," Thirteen said in a polite and respectful tone, which only gave Arthur the strong urge to slap him silly.
"When is the due date for payment?" Arthur inquired.
"On the 25th of every month," Thirteen replied. "Paying past that date will increase the terms by 1%."
Arthur clicked his tongue before reading the rest of the contract. With the power he wielded, he could not abide by these silly terms that his grandson was demanding of him.
However, the confident look in Thirteen's eyes made him hesitate.
If he were to do that and Gerald was truly able to produce more Mythical Ranked Equipment in the Future, then Arthur would lose the chance to get first dibs on them.
He was certain that if any of the Monarch Clans were to learn that his disowned son was able to craft Mythical Ranked Equipment, they would do everything in their power to bring him under their wing.
The Patriarch of the Leventis Family wouldn't be surprised if they tried to adopt Gerald, giving him their family name, granting him a high position in their family, and providing him countless resources to ensure his loyalty to them.
In terms of resources, the Ten Prestigious Families couldn't match the power and influence of the Five Monarch Clans.
They stood at the Apex of Humanity for a reason, and even if he were to possess the two pieces of Mythical Equipment, Arthur would still be very wary of antagonizing any of them.
"Tell me, do you think your father will be able to make Mythical-Grade Equipment again?" Arthur inquired as he looked at the seven-year-old with a solemn tone.
"Although the chance of crafting Mythical Ranked Equipment is abysmally low, the fact remains that Pops crafted four of them," Thirteen replied calmly. "Since that is the case, what is stopping him from crafting more? Also, if Pops manages to get his hands on a Rank 8 or even a Rank 9 Monster part, then crafting a Legendary-Grade Equipment would not remain a pipe dream."
Arthur narrowed his eyes after hearing about the possibility of Gerald crafting a Legendary Equipment with that Monster Rank.
There had been a handful of times in the past 300 years when they faced off against a Rank 8 Monster and retrieved its body parts.
However, even the best Blacksmiths in the world had only produced Peak-Grade Adamantine Equipments from these Monster Parts.
'The possibility does exist,' Arthur thought. 'I'm sure the world will be shaken to the core once a Legendary Equipment appears.'
What Arthur didn't know was that if Thirteen had been given enough time and resources, Thirteen would have been able to create a piece of Legendary Equipment.
But he didn't do that.
One of the reasons was that his father would be unable to wield it, and two, only Monarchs would benefit from it.
Since arming those bastards wasn't part of Thirteen's plan, he would have to settle with arming Arthur and Lady Callista first.
He would need to use the Leventis Family as a shield to face the brunt of the storm for their family.
As long as they were able to endure a few years, then all was good.
A few minutes later, Thirteen and Arthur left the Smithy.
One of them was smiling, while the other had a solemn expression on his face.
Naturally, the one that was smiling was none other than the seven-year-old boy, who managed to strike a deal with his Grandpa.
"I'll send Michael to deliver the agreed amount as well as the Monster Parts in a few days," Arthur stated. "For the time being, none of you are allowed to leave your residence. The other families are snooping around, so I will assign guards to protect this place to prevent them from doing anything foolish."
The Patriarch of the Leventis Clan then looked at Gerald with a complicated look on his face before walking past him.
"Make sure to not do anything too flashy for the next few days," Arthur stated without even turning back. "Let's go, Callista."
Lady Callista nodded before shifting her gaze to Gerald and his family members. "All of you take care. I will be visiting again in two days."
Her gaze lingered on Thirteen for a few seconds before she turned around to follow her husband, who was already walking toward the gate of the Residence.
Once he was certain that his father and mother were truly gone, Gerald looked at his son, who gave him two thumbs up in reply.
A sigh of relief then escaped his lips before he decided to walk toward the house in order to sleep.
He was dead-tired and badly in need of sleep.
Thirteen followed behind him. Just like his father, he was exhausted as well.
While the two people responsible for creating such a commotion were sleeping, the Leventis Family became busy dealing with the Five Monarch Clans, as well as the Ten Prestigious Families, who were all curious about what had transpired inside Arthur's Domain.
