The First Legendary Beast Master

Chapter 1909 The Cost

”I canʼt deny that skill is indeed Peerless. Now, what do you want to teach it to my Family?” Lady Silverwood demanded.

”Not to you, personally, but to your Family as a whole?”

The Ancient Druid immediately saw the distinction that Karl was drawing. Getting the skill for herself would be expensive, but he might consider a discount, given her status. But giving the skill to her Family meant a method that could be learned more than one time.

And if they could learn it more than once, the skill would spread through the family, and they would gain a massive advantage for the Silverwood Legacy.

That was not something that would be passed down without both close ties and a significant concession.

However, the Lady Silverwood was a practical woman.

If she knew the skill herself, she could slowly find a way to teach the most talented of her prodigies and successors. That was a normal event for the Elves of the Immortal Worlds. They had the dedication to study, and plenty of time as they grew up.

”I will settle for the skill to be transferred to myself, and I will find my own method of granting it to my successor.”

”If thatʼs the case, then all I will ask for is an equivalent exchange, given your centuries of distinguished reputation.” Karl agreed.

The mage sitting beside him went a bit pale. He was fairly certain that Karl had no idea who the Lady Silverwood was, but simply agreeing that you would not try to mark up the price for her was considered a concession on his part?

The Ancient Elf examined his wrists, and frowned.

All those accessories were Peerless Grade Immortal items, and they were all made by Karl himself. It simply wouldnʼt be possible to bribe him with priceless treasures, unless she dug into the Supreme Ranked and Legendary items that her family had collected.

The Supreme Ranked likely wouldnʼt work either, as he was a Branch Leader, according to her examination of him. Which meant that someone more powerful than him was the Guild Leader.

If Karl could make Peerless Grade Immortal Items, the Guild Leader had to at least be a strong Supreme, or they would have lost their status to him already.

It wouldnʼt be hard for a Fox to steal someoneʼs spot if they put their mind to charming their Guild members.

The problem was that if she gave away one of the few Legendary Treasures that she had, it would be questionable as to whether it was worth as much as a Peerless Grade skill. She also couldnʼt try to bribe him into the family with a marriage alliance.

She could sense the Soul Bond, so even suggesting it would offend Karl.

In short, his refusal to outright name a price was putting her in a tight spot. If there was something specific that Karl wanted, she would find a way to get it. But he didnʼt seem to be lacking anything.

Perhaps she could offer him something incredibly rare, and only of value to a Pet Sitter?

There should be something like that in the Elven Forests.

If she knew what his bonded beasts were, she would have a better idea of what sort of specialty he had. But she could also try to offer him a different sort of Divine Beast. It might not suit him, but it might be suitable for his disciple.

A Divine Beastʼs Loyalty was every bit as valuable as a Peerless Grade skill, if you could manage to obtain it, and a Pet Sitter could do that.

Most of the time.

During the long seconds while she remained silent, trying to determine the best response, Karl sipped Elven wine, and pretended that he couldnʼt see the sweat rolling down the face of the mage next to him.

Then, an odd two-tailed cat leapt through the window to rub up against the Dryad Queen.

That brought Karlʼs attention to the number of beasts outside who were drawn to the nature elemental construct. Dryad Queens were not quite on the level of a Forest Lord or other ”King of the Forest” type Divine Beast, but they were known to be gentle to the creatures, and their healing magic made them feel naturally friendly.

The Forest Cat said its hello to the Dryad Queen, then came to curl up in Karlʼs lap, startling both the Elves, and the serving staff.

That was a wild beast, not someoneʼs pet. But it had just decided that Karl was a spot for a nap.

Karl idly stroked the incredibly soft fur, and then offered the cat a bit of pastry, which the cat turned its nose up at. The Elven food was normally all vegan, and the cat did not eat plants of any sort.

At least not willingly.

That affinity for beasts was enough to make up her mind, and Lady Silverwood sent one of her trusted retainers to speak to an old friend of hers. If she could send one of the young ones with Karl, she would happily guarantee to protect that oneʼs territory using the skill that she traded, and she could guarantee a good life for the little one.

A Pet Sitter would not harm one of their charges, it was anathema to them.

[ Mistress, the Forest Lord agrees. She says that she doesnʼt fully trust the Ancients, but if theyʼre willing to help raise the runt of her litter to its potential, she will owe them a debt of gratitude. ]

That was good enough for the Lady Silverwood.

”Lord Karl, how would you feel about an exchange? I have the young offspring of a Forest Lord, a Divine Beast, who could be exchanged for your Peerless Grade Skill.”

[ Cara, what is a Forest Lord? ]

Cara laughed. [ Itʼs a title, a job class for powerful druids, and nature beasts. I think this one is a deer? Maybe an antelope? It looks funny, and I think itʼs got wings. ]