Lord blessed by the elves

Chapter 129 Not for Sale
This explanation both borrows the natural aura of the "magic potion's" nobility and rarity to provide a seemingly reasonable justification for the high price, and cleverly avoids the risk of "false advertising," positioning the product's core value on its unique "flavor."

Mrs. Winnie listened thoughtfully.

If, as Kruze claims, the raw material originates from such a peculiar potion plant, then its scarcity and uniqueness certainly justify a high price.

Looking into Kruse's confident and honest eyes, she began to reassess the value of the little jar of sauce.

Reyes winked repeatedly at Kruse under the table, his brow furrowed. He was clearly worried about his son's insistence on a high price and refusal to sell the formula. Perhaps he felt that he shouldn't be so "harsh" on Mrs. Winnie, or perhaps he wanted to facilitate this seemingly lucrative deal.

Unfortunately, Kruse seemed completely oblivious to his father's signal, his gaze remaining calmly fixed on Mrs. Winnie.

A moment of silence lingered at the dining table.

Mrs. Winnie's slender fingers tapped lightly on the table, clearly weighing the pros and cons. Finally, she looked up and offered a highly tempting solution:
“One hundred gold coins.” She parted her red lips slightly and uttered a number that made Rezael, who hadn’t seen much of the world, widen his eyes instantly. “I will pay one hundred gold coins to buy out your sauce recipe. Furthermore, you will be responsible for a stable supply of the potions and main ingredients needed to make this sauce from now on.”

One hundred gold coins!

This is an absolute fortune, enough to keep a small knight in charge for several years!

Even Reyes subconsciously looked at Kruze, his eyes filled with complex emotions, seemingly offering encouragement, yet also asking—should he stop while he's ahead, or... continue to raise the price?
However, Kruse's mind was perfectly clear.

Sell ​​the formula?

This is practically cutting off their own source of income!

This mustard sauce is just the first stepping stone to his condiment empire; the real gold mine lies in the exclusive spice cultivation and blending techniques it represents.

Once the formula is sold, it's like handing over the golden goose to someone else; future profits will no longer be yours.

Meeting Mrs. Winnie's determined gaze, he slowly but firmly shook his head, his face still bearing that composed smile:
"Thank you for your kindness, Madam, but I cannot sell the recipe."

His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable resolve: "My conditions remain unchanged. You can choose to buy the ready-made sauce, or we can call it a day."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the growing number of customers in the tavern, before adding clearly, his words brimming with absolute confidence in the product and a precise grasp of the market:
“I believe that in a bustling place like Campino, there will always be someone who can appreciate and recognize the unique flavor of this new sauce.” He gave Mrs. Winnie a meaningful look. “In fact, a certain tavern may need such a unique condiment to attract more customers seeking novel flavors and stand out in the fierce competition.”

His words directly pointed out the competitive landscape of the restaurant industry in Camp Nou and also hinted at the potential commercial value of this sauce—it is not just a condiment, but could become a powerful tool for attracting customers and enhancing competitiveness.

After hearing this, Lady Winnie's smile faded slightly, and her eyes sharpened as she re-examined the young baron heir before her.

She realized that the other party was not a naive young man waiting for a higher price, but an opponent who had a clear understanding of the value of his own product and was well-versed in business negotiation skills.

What he values ​​is not the one-time buyout fee, but the long-term, sustainable profits.

A silent struggle filled the air.

Should we accept Kruse's terms and introduce this new product that could bring in customers? Or should we give up and watch it potentially fall into the hands of a competitor?

Looking at his son's composed demeanor, Reyes' initial worry gradually turned into a barely perceptible hint of admiration.

Meanwhile, Kruse calmly awaited the other party's reply.

A brief silence fell over the table, broken only by the faint sounds of conversation and the clinking of cutlery coming from the corner of the tavern.

Mrs. Winnie's slender fingers unconsciously drew circles on the table, clearly indicating that she was making an intense internal decision.

Kruse's conditions were very strong, but the prospect he described and the unique flavor of the sauce made it hard for her to give up easily.

Finally, she took a deep breath, made her decision, and her gaze regained its firmness and shrewdness:
“Alright, I can buy it at your price.” She first affirmed the basis of the deal, but then changed the subject, “However, ten silver coins for a jar is not a small amount. Before investing a large sum, I need time to determine whether this sauce is really as popular as you say and whether it can be accepted by my customers.”

She proposed a compromise that demonstrated her sincerity in cooperation while minimizing her own risks:
“Here’s what I’ll do: I’ll order ten cans from you… no, twenty cans.” She held up two fingers, emphasizing the quantity, “for a month.” She stared intently into Kruse’s eyes and presented a crucial condition: “During this month, you cannot sell this sauce to any of my competitors in Campino.”

Kruse thought to himself, "Well played!"

Lady Winnie's move was indeed brilliant. With an initial order of a relatively small amount—two hundred silver coins, equivalent to two gold coins—she secured a short-term exclusive right to sell the product.

This gave her ample time to test market reaction and validate the sauce's commercial value, while effectively preventing Kruse from seeking other potentially higher bidders, especially her direct competitors, during this period.

If the market reaction is lukewarm a month later, she will lose a maximum of two gold coins and cut her losses in time.

However, if the market response is enthusiastic and the sauce becomes a hit, then she will have an absolute first-mover advantage and the initiative in negotiations. She can use the customer recognition she has built up in the past month and her status as the "sole supplier" to negotiate a more favorable long-term exclusive agency agreement with Kruse, and may even use this to lower the price.

This is a perfect strategy that allows for both offense and defense.

Kruse pondered for a moment.

In the early stages of starting a business, finding a partner who is willing to give it a try is crucial.

Lady Winnie's "Fire of Passion" tavern is quite famous in Campino and serves as a good showcase.

While the one-month exclusivity period limited his initial market expansion, it also allowed him to concentrate resources and observe market feedback. Moreover, he was confident that once customers tasted it, they would remember the flavor.

“Agreed.” Kruse finally nodded, a smile of agreement on his face. “Twenty jars, ten silver coins per jar, a total of two hundred silver coins. For one month, during which time I will not supply this sauce to any other tavern or shop in Campino.”

"It's a pleasure doing business with you." Mrs. Winnie smiled with satisfaction and raised her glass.

(End of this chapter)