Chapter 135: Half the Share of the Crystal Mine!

"Lord Gervas, this… what is this?"

"Viscountess Catherine, this is a telescope—it can draw distant objects closer for observation!"

"It's night now, so the clarity isn't perfect, but in daylight, you could observe objects and people a hundred meters away as if they were right before your eyes!"

Gervas guided Catherine to look at the soldiers on guard beside the bonfire dozens of meters away.

This time, the effect was even better—the soldiers dozens of meters away seemed within arm's reach.

"A telescope?! This is incredible! Lord Gervas, is this magic?"

"It's not quite real magic."

Gervas gave an evasive answer.

Although he planned to cooperate with Catherine, before the contract was signed, he couldn't reveal too many secrets.

"Gervas, you just said you could make the Violet Family immune to Farrio's suppression—is this how? What should I do?"

Catherine's mindset had returned to normal.

Since Gervas had brought it out, it must be connected to this.

Witnessing the telescope's marvel had boosted Catherine's confidence.

"Viscountess Catherine, if other nobles saw this telescope, what do you think they'd do?"

"Especially during war, or while sailing at sea!"

"They'd flock to it—no need even for battlefields or sailors; just the telescope's miraculous ability to draw objects closer would make nobles clamor for it!"

Novelty, uniqueness, rarity—these were what nobles loved most.

Especially anything that showcased their distinction, nobles would spare no expense to buy.

Just to demonstrate their depth and superiority.

"Exactly. This single-lens telescope will surely sweep through noble circles—and if I tell you that one of its materials comes from the Violet Family's white crystal?"

"What do you think, Viscountess Catherine?"

Catherine's body trembled slightly.

If nobles flocked to the single-lens telescope, their family's crystal mine would never lack buyers."

Besides, the single-lens telescope was unique to Gervas—if some nobles later wanted to buy it, he could speak a few words on her behalf.

Say Farrio Viscount was harassing the Violet Family, causing the crystal supply to be cut off…

Catherine's pale, lovely face flushed with excitement, her luminous eyes fixed intently on Gervas.

"Lord Gervas, your plan is excellent, but I know this telescope belongs to you."

"So, Lord Gervas, tell me—what does the Violet Family need to pay?"

Catherine had received heir training; she understood well that among nobles, everything was about profit.

Gervas's throat moved slightly—why did it feel like, if he asked for her, she'd agree?

Of course, Gervas wasn't some lecher obsessed with women.

He needed sufficient gain: "Viscountess Catherine, I demand half the share of your Violet Family's crystal mine!"

Gervas stated his demand.

Catherine's expression changed instantly, her eyes filled with disappointment.

But after a moment, she gritted her teeth: "Lord Gervas, I can agree to you…"

In Catherine's view, it was better to let Gervas benefit than let Farrio seize the family's assets.

Yet Gervas's opportunistic move had damaged his image in her eyes.

Gervas, seeing this, was speechless.

I haven't even finished speaking—why are you rushing?

He wasn't distracted by female charm; he prioritized profit.

But he preferred gaining profit through mutually beneficial cooperation.

Like Farrio's plundering—such a man would never rise far.

"Viscountess Catherine, I haven't finished. I won't take half your Violet Family's crystal mine for free—I'll treat it as your family's equity investment."

"From now on, I'll give you fifty percent of the single-lens telescope's profits—and the telescope's official ownership can be registered under the Violet Family's assets!"

Catherine had previously revealed that the Violet Family's crystal mine earned five hundred gold coins annually.

That meant ten years would total five thousand gold coins.

If Gervas took half the profits, he'd earn two thousand five hundred gold coins over ten years.

If the mine could be exploited for twenty years, it would reach five thousand gold coins.

So while the single-lens telescope might be valuable, exchanging it for the Violet Family's mine left Gervas far from losing.

And this binding arrangement would prevent future issues with crystal raw materials.

There were certainly other high-quality crystal mines in the kingdom—but they were extremely rare.

"You're giving me half the single-lens telescope's share too?"

Now Catherine realized she'd misunderstood Gervas.

Her pale face instantly flushed with shame.

Seeing this, Gervas naturally pressed further: "Viscountess Catherine, if you can't decide yet, wait until tomorrow morning and test the telescope again."

"Then you won't feel my proposal is too unfair—after all, it truly could sweep through noble circles!"

"Also, this single-lens telescope contains a small vial of corrosive liquid—if anyone tries to disassemble it, the entire device will instantly corrode, preventing other families from copying it!"

In truth, this anti-copying device was only temporary.

After mass production, Gervas would add anti-tampering inscriptions.

He'd heard some nobles, to protect vital secrets, hired alchemists to craft inscription-locked treasure chests.

If opened incorrectly or forcibly dismantled, the chest would explode.

Though this might raise costs, Gervas could pass them on to the nobles.

Though this method wouldn't last forever, at least it would let him profit for several years.

"Gervas, I don't need to think—let's sign the contract now!"

Catherine was deeply moved—how could she hesitate now?

Even if Gervas hadn't offered her half the telescope's share, to protect the Violet Family from suppression, she would have agreed.

Now, with Gervas offering the telescope in exchange, it was already an excellent outcome.

Though the telescope's potential profits couldn't be measured, even if it earned only one or two thousand gold coins, Catherine would gladly accept.

Gervas had already prepared the magic contract—he'd anticipated this meeting about the crystal mine.

Both sides quickly signed the contract exchanging half the Violet Family's crystal mine for the single-lens telescope.

From now on, the manufacturing and sale of the single-lens telescope would be entrusted to the Violet Family!

"Gervas, if I don't expose Count Farrio's ties with the Scorpion Bandits, you won't be able to approach him directly to resolve your grudge!"

After signing the contract, Catherine—who should have been happy—now worried about Gervas.

This contract made her feel increasingly indebted to him.

Gervas shook his head. "Catherine, even if you exposed Count Farrio, do you think a simple 'I didn't know' and fifty gold coins could soothe his hatred toward me?"

"Nobles with such powerful backgrounds are never merciful—especially toward someone like me, a weak border noble!"

Having lived two lives, Gervas understood human nature all too well.

To make Farrio show restraint, you must possess power or status that gives him pause.

Otherwise, begging only excites them, giving them the thrill of torturing a crawling insect.

Of course, this conclusion also stemmed from the intelligence he received this morning.

Farrio would become the overseer for these minor nobles.

Then, a single careless order could make his life miserable.

Would he generously spare me?