Half-elf Notebook

"Mr. William, do you recognize this magical weapon?"

Ina spoke up, unable to hide her astonishment.

As far as she knew, every magic item or magical weapon had a name.

For example, the "White Night" bracelet on her hand and the unknown flame hairpin.

It has nothing to do with strength or weakness, it's like a finished work of art.

It is written in the book "Apprentice's Basics of Magical Knowledge":

“It is a consensus among alchemists to give their own unique works a name.”

And William seemed to recognize it, which probably meant that William had some connection with this crossbow, or at least had seen it.

"William seems to know the alchemist who made it, or does he know a merchant who sells it on the black market in Earl Crothroy's Ridge?"

"still……"

Several thoughts flashed quickly through Ina's mind.

For a moment, her expression became uncertain.

If the last one was true, she didn't know how to deal with William in front of her.

She couldn't rule out the possibility that the Blood Gang was William's source of gray income...

Ina naturally didn't think that William would do anything to her for the Blood Gang.

Whether William likes it or not, the demise of the Blood Gang is inevitable.

It is obviously more cost-effective at this time to establish a good relationship with a person who is destined to become a bronze-level mutual aid association member in the future.

Of course, all this also fell into William's eyes.

"I didn't explain it well enough. The military is also equipped with similar weapons."

"About 2000 of them. They are considered a type of standard equipment."

"Its ability to effectively penetrate common knight armor within 200 meters makes it the army's best individual standard weapon."

"The one pierced by a crossbow is what our soldiers call him."

"Standard weapons?"

The unbelievable answer made Ina's voice rise a few notches.

In her opinion, there is no equivalence between magical weapons and the word "standard".

This is not to say that standard equipment is cheap.

As a standard of standard equipment, the average price of a long sword purchased by the army is more than two gold coins.

A complete set of armor worn by a heavy cavalryman cost more than fifteen gold coins.

The price of a small-pound cannon that can be pulled by horses can be as high as five hundred gold coins.

The difference between the two is not the price, but the manufacturer.

The mass production of the latter depends on their makers, civilian blacksmiths who accept orders from the Chamber of Commerce’s military.

Their lives are not affluent, which cannot afford them to give up any business they have or slack off at work.

The creator of the former is an alchemist who is at least at the rank of a high-level magician.

"Because of the high profits, the purchase price of each Piercer Crossbow is more than twenty gold coins."

William explained nonchalantly, then spread his hands and said:

"I can probably understand your confusion, Miss Ina, but not every official magician comes from a wealthy merchant or aristocratic family."

"There are also magicians who live in poverty, like me and like you."

"If you are not engaged in a life-threatening profession, the normal annual income of a lower-level high-level magician is about 120 gold coins."

"This is an income that ordinary people would envy, but the failure of manufacturing and unsalable magic weapons and magic items will make this income extremely unstable."

William sighed, took a sip of the black tea, and continued:

"Also, alchemists usually have to maintain their own magic workshops and purchase enhanced potions for themselves."

"Most of them live a rather extravagant life. It is basic for them to live in a separate house in the core area of ​​their city, employ several servants, and have a full-time chef to take care of their daily life."

"He also hosts banquets and spends a lot of money on things he likes, such as buying a famous painting, booking an expensive opera or play, taking out a loan to buy a manor for hunting, buying some expensive clothes and accessories... and..."

William paused.

"In short, alchemy apprentices and magicians are not as wealthy as you think."

"You can think of it as if every class has its own expenses."

"He owns plantations, wine estates, a large number of pastures, land, and shops. He has an annual income of more than a thousand gold coins, but he still needs a loan."

"What's more, he is just a high-level magician, and the income of ordinary magicians is even lower."

Ina accepted this explanation and murmured to herself:

"So that's why they take orders from the military?"

"Yes, a stable business with high profits is always hard to refuse."

"However, for the sake of profit, the production process almost always reduces the material cost... Well, this is my guess. The purchase of these magical weapons will account for a considerable portion of the kingdom's annual military expenditure."

William moved the jade-white piercer crossbow to the other side of the sofa and leaned back slightly:

"Alchemy apprentices were also reluctant to give them names. These crude creations were contrary to their proud principle of striving for perfection."

So that's how it is. The common sense I've developed over a long period of time and my limited knowledge still restrict my judgment of things I don't know...

Ina burst out laughing.

She had been a wandering beggar child for most of her life. In her subconscious, a person with an annual income of hundreds of gold coins was equivalent to having no worries about food and clothing and having wealth that could never be spent.

Even now, she has earned thousands of gold coins.

This perception has not changed.

“Then what would be a more appropriate price for me to sell it at?”

Ina returned the question to the starting point and asked hesitantly.

"Brand new, it's not impossible to sell it for sixty gold coins."

"No matter how ordinary Dimanso white wood is, it is still a kind of magical material. It is the preferred main material for many entry-level staffs."

"The magic loss rate of the magic weapon is only 80% of that of conventional materials, but the magic output is about 30% higher, and the lifespan is four times the normal one. This is a reasonable price."

William pinched his chin, gave his own conclusion, and added:

"But I suggest that Miss Ina, it would be better to set your psychological expectation at thirty gold coins."

“Is it because of the old product?”

Ina nodded and asked in pursuit.

"No one will pay a premium for used items. The price of a pierced crossbow on the black market is generally around thirty-five gold coins, even if they are of average quality."

William explained, and then handed a folded paper to the white-haired girl as if he had prepared it:

"And I recommend that you sell at a mutual aid meeting first. If that doesn't work, I'll be your agent."