The Mechanical Era

While Oswald was negotiating with DML Designs, Alister and Jac were meeting up with a bunch of merchants who can help bring in the three vital ingredients to make cement. However, as they might not be able to bring in as much limestone as they would desire, the men had to adapt.

Instead of limestone, the trio had the idea to use substitutes. Materials with basically the same composition as limestone and clay. Kant, who was kind enough to leave a manual about the wonders of making cement, listed the possible alternatives to limestone and clay.

Limestone can be replaced with chalk, shells, shale, and even calcareous rock. Meanwhile, the clay can be replaced with sand and argillaceous rock. Although, due to the clay containing another component vital for cement-making, any substitute that gets rid of clay would need bauxite for Al2O3.

With that in mind, the OSAC group set up individual meetings with merchants and get them to agree to sell their goods to the company, and form a formal partnership. This way, they can import the materials relatively cheaply, while they think they are profiting off big time.

Alister and Jac sat on two comfortable wooden chairs in the room the meeting was to take place. A long luxurious table was at the center, facing the door horizontally. There were three chairs in total. Two of the chairs were placed facing the door, behind the table, while the other was placed in front of the table, turning its back to the door.

Behind them, was a giant glass window that allowed light in, similar to the setup that DML had facing Oswald. Speaking of which, the third seat was accompanied by a man wearing a similar black coat to what Jac and Alister were digging.

He had a clean-shaven diamond shape face, with exotic bottle-green eyes. His black hat covered up his combed brown hair. His hands and feet were covered in gloves and black socks, with his black boots left behind at the door.

He is a merchant from the city of Tyrol. One who had connections to many merchants, and government authorities around the city, and even have some connections to some merchants outside the city, including Oswald, which was how they managed to contact him.

"We are glad you could make it Mr. Chase Bowman. I hope your trip didn't last too long," Jac said. Chase's head turned to face him.

"Thankfully not. Besides, I would not like to toss up a great opportunity." His head then turned to face Alister. Before speaking, he smiled.

"Ain't I right?" The two men awkwardly smile back at each other.

"...Well then! I am assuming you want to know what we desire?"

"I am assuming you want materials to be delivered over to this city? Limestone. Clay. All that?" The two were surprised that he knew the materials used.

"You know?"

"Of course! Ever since King Heinrich used your product to build his wall over at Albersterg, you all have been in my sights. Learned a thing or two about it, before the factory was sold off at the auction. Besides, I wouldn't be a good merchant if I didn't know what I was getting into now, would I?" he asked, still keeping his smile.

Jac and Alister were seen sweating a little bit. He took a piece of cloth from the drawer and wiped it off their forehead. Chase turned to Jac.

"You better open that window. We are halfway to summer, right? Let the cool breeze come into this room. It should help cool it down," Chase suggested after seeing the two men. Alister and Jac both nodded in agreement.

"That's... that's a good idea. Alister, would you mind?"

"No, I won't." Alister got up from his chair and walked over to the window behind him. As he was attempting to open it, Chase turned his attention to Jac. He takes off his hand and uses it as a fan before starting to talk.

"So... what are your prices? Because last time I checked, there is not a lot of limestone or clay to be had. Right?" Chase asked. Jac took a silent breath, keeping cool in front of Chase. He didn't want him to collapse to the pressure placed on him. Remembering what Oswald told him, he struck back.

"Well... we got some other substitutes available to us."

"Oh, you do?"

"Yes. We do. We have already a fixed supply of limestone substitutes. We already signed a contract with a few other merchants, so that won't be a problem for us. The same goes for the clay. However, we are still looking for one that could provide us with bauxite."

"Bauxite..."

"Yes. Although we have 3 potential merchants that could deliver us that promise, we heard that Tyrol has a vast quantity of bauxite, is that right?"

"Yes. The city does have a large supply. Although, I don't think it would be cheap. What is your pricing?" he asked, By this point, Alister managed to open the window wide open, allowing cool air to enter the room. The breeze hit both Alister and Jac, who were a little calmer than before.

"What do you think it is worth?" he replied back with a question.

"According to the others, they think 127 to 132 is about right. Settled mostly on 70," Jac lied. He wanted to make sure that he could get the best price possible, which is often the cheapest.

"Hmm... I see. Did they settle on the agreement?"

"Not yet. They are going through it."

"Hmm... in that case, how about we bump the price up to 148. I can ship in more bauxite than you will ever need, besides."

"Hmm..." Jac thought about it for a minute, at least he showed it off by rubbing his chin. He then held out 3 fingers.

"140, and you got yourself a deal."

"145." I cannot go lower.

"144 then. Just a cent difference, yet you will still be raking in a lot of silver." A smile formed on Chase's face.

"You got yourself a deal." Jac smiled at his reply. In turn, he extended his hand, wanting to shake it with him. Chase, understanding the cue, took it, and the men shook, smiling. In the end, both thought that they had played the other.

Chase could easily buy and ship the bauxite for 129 copper per ton, while Jac thought he won considering the other merchant's settlements were much higher. With this contract, he can forcibly bring the price of the other merchants down.

Regardless, the two eventually signed a contract and had Chase on his way.