First, Charles saw a tall, slightly chubby figure, which then became clear as Jones slowly approached the guests.

'Is he Jones?'

Charles thought to himself.

Jones wears a brown blouse made of fine textiles, and black trousers of the same material. As the saying goes: people look at clothes. Sure enough, that's the truth. At first glance, it can be seen that Jones exudes the elegance of an upper-class person.

As his gaze shifted upwards, Charles saw Jones' friendly, bearded face. The hooked nose matched the shape of his face, and the sharp golden eyes were looking at Charles at the moment.

Although Jones's hair is no longer much, in fact Jones is not yet 50 years old, and even with this small flaw, the personal charm of the big businessman has not been lost because of this.

"Welcome, welcome, Mr. Green, and two young friends. ”

Jones spoke enthusiastically first, and as he spoke, Jones had already approached the three of them. Green quickly got up in response, and Terry and Charles followed.

"Excuse me, Mr. Jones. I haven't seen you for many years, but you're still the same! full of energy. ”

"Hahaha! ”

Several people sat down with Jones. At this time, the servant took the tray and placed the four cups of freshly brewed black tea on the coffee table in front of several people.

"This is the finest new black tea purchased from the town of Bihel in the northeast of your country, so let's try it. ”

"Bihel's black tea?!! you have to try it. Terry, Charles, and Behr black tea is the best black tea that can only be enjoyed by royal families and nobles! I am fortunate enough to drink it today, but it is not easy. Thanks to Mr. Jones. ”

"Yes. ”

Terry answered and prepared to get up, but was interrupted by the merchant.

"You're welcome, it's nothing. Come, drink tea. ”

Several people took a small sip of hot tea at the same time. Green's usual life is considered rich, and he also has a preference for tea, and he has drunk a lot of high-quality tea, but this is the first time he has drunk this kind of royal tribute.

"Bihel black tea is really extraordinary, and the taste is excellent!"

Green sighed.

Charles didn't know anything about tea, he just thought it was delicious. Terry also didn't know much about tea, and couldn't say anything.

"Yes, among the many black teas, this one is my favorite. Since an old friend likes it, I'll bring you a pack back later. This year's tea is still in short supply, and most of it has been sold out by the nobles of various countries early. You know, the production of Bihel black tea is not very large in the first place. ”

"Excuse me, Mr. Jones. I don't like it, and I'm happy with the tea I usually drink. Thank you very much for your hospitality. Allow me, then, to decide on my own and bring the conversation to my point of view. ”

Green recounted earnestly and amicably.

"Please. ”

The merchant naturally leaned back in his seat, holding a well-made dark teacup in his right hand, and nodded slightly.

"That's right, we're preparing to build a sword, a sword made of rare ores. So, Mr. Jones, I want a fine ice stone, I don't know..."

"Wait, old friend, you mean rare ore, is it lapisian?"

"No, sir, the rare ore I'm talking about is not lapisine, but the Stone of Verenster, which is rarer than lapisline. ”

"What???Ore of Veranster?"

Jones was taken aback, and he moved his leaning body to lean forward.

"Yes, that's right. ”

"Ahh Where did you get it? How many do you have? I can buy it for a high price! You know, old friend, this stone is almost extinct now. Even the second-ranked limestone is bought and sold at sky-high prices. ”

Jones's eyes radiated the characteristic gaze of a shrewd businessman, and he looked at Green intently.

"Uh..., sir, I only have one sword, and I don't plan to sell ore. Look at the kid," Green said, placing a hand on Charles' head. "His name is Charles, and he is a child of Mr. Boken. His goal is to become a swordsman, but he uses a wooden sword. He had been kind to me, and as a blacksmith, I could only repay him by forging a supreme sword. Moreover, half of the ore was found and brought back by the child at the risk of his life. ”

Jones turned his gaze to Charles and looked at it carefully.

"Your name is Mr. Charles Boken, your father, young man. ”

"Yes, sir. ”

"Looks very energetic!, Charles, can you tell me how you got the Ore of Vilenste, and how you have been kind to Mr. Green!"

"Yes, sir. Let's start this morning—"

Unfazed, Charles recounted their experiences to Jones in detail. Jones nodded again and again, and when it came to the point, Jones was so focused that he didn't even blink his eyes.

"I really can't see that at such a young age, such a small body can hide such an ability. Well, it's rare!mm..."

Jones nodded in agreement.

"I've got the Ice Stone, and it's the best quality. The price can be waived by half, 500 gold coins. It's just that I have the conditions. ”

The news made the three visitors' eyes widen instantly, and they smiled with great joy.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Jones, I don't know your conditions..."

"But, old friend. I have another idea. Jones said and turned his gaze to Charles, "Charles, how about we make a deal?"

"What do you mean?"

Charles asked, puzzled.

"I mean, I'm willing to pay for your sword that hasn't been built yet, if you want, I'll give it away for nothing, and after it's successfully built, I'll give you a lot of money, 3,000 gold coins, how about it?"

"3,000 gold coins!Now, brother, 3,000 gold coins, do you want to promise Mr. Jones?

"This..."

Terry couldn't help but utter the tantalizing numbers. You must know that if you get 3,000 gold coins, it means that the Charr family can live a prosperous life from now on, even if they don't work for the rest of their lives.

Green was so surprised by this that he couldn't read the meaning in Jones' eyes.

I know it's a lot of money, very, very much money, and with it, life will be rich. However, life will be dull from now on, such a life is not what I want, and the ore is something I have obtained with great difficulty, and I cannot give it to others. ’

After a brief hesitation, Charles made a decision.

"I'm sorry, brother, Mr. Jones, I know that 3,000 gold is a lot of money. However, I still wanted that sword. I may be headstrong when I say this, but I really want it. Dad said that if you want to become an admirable swordsman, a good sword is a must. Moreover, the swordsman is supposed to be on a path full of hardships, so I can't accept this deal. ”

Although Jones was surprised by such a reply, it did not go against the answer in his heart.

"In that case. All right. Then go back to the conversation I had said earlier, Charles, I need you to do one thing, and if you are willing to accept it and be able to do it, then you can get the best ice stone. ”

"What is it? ”

Charles asked. He made up his mind in his heart that whatever the request was, he would do his best to complete it.

"I heard that near a low mountain deep in the dense forest, there is an unusual python, its skin is rare and of the highest quality, and I want you to help me retrieve it. ”

to be continued