Arcane: Winds of Change

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Chapter 4: The Alchemy Baron

Parting with Powder, Phil headed directly back to the factory, contemplating his plans for tomorrow. To acquire a large sum of money, he needed a partner with significant influence. However, the people of Piltover scorned collaboration with the less esteemed individuals of Zaun, even if it promised substantial profits. Phil had no choice but to target a few Alchemy Barons in Zaun. It felt akin to negotiating with a tiger, but he had no other option. To achieve his goals, some risks and sacrifices were necessary.

The target he picked was Baron Saito Takeda. Unlike other barons who wielded alchemical technology, he claimed descent from a distant land's samurai caste, with exiled ancestors leading him to these parts. Importantly, he didn't get along with the other alchemy barons. Or rather, he held them in disdain. A proud man, a man with a need for weapons, it was contradictory, as Phil wasn't sure if Saito would dismiss him with arrogance.

The next day, Phil took the elevator to Zaun's upper level, to the clothing store he visited yesterday. Behind him were workers carrying boxes of weapons. "Boss, I'm here to pick up my clothes." He still wore a mask, his voice still somewhat hoarse. "Sure thing, it's ready for you." The store owner hurriedly got up and brought out the clothes. Phil went directly to the fitting room to try them on. They fit well, and this outfit would make it hard for the Alchemy Baron to gauge his identity.

Phil adjusted his hat, expressed his satisfaction to the owner, and then walked out the door. "Sir, your old clothes haven't been taken." "Give them to someone who needs them," Phil said without turning back. The original clothes weren't comfortable for him.

Phil walked on the top level of Zaun, where Zaun's wealthy strolled and the people from Piltover tried to buy some Piltover contraband, though most of them would be ripped off. He stopped in front of a tall building. The alchemical lights illuminated the lampstand, showcasing a creative blend of stained glass. The polished steel beams sent light into the darkness, characteristic of Zaun's architecture.

Phil approached the gatekeeper, taking a gun wrapped in cloth from the box carried by the workers, then handed over some bills: "I have a business proposal for Baron Saito Takeda regarding this product. Please inform him." The gatekeeper gave Phil a long look, then exchanged a few words with his colleague, pocketed the money and gun, and went to report. Soon, he returned to the entrance: "The Baron has agreed to see you, but you must go alone." Phil remained calm: "Then please help with the rest of the items."

Led by the gatekeeper, Phil entered Baron Saito Takeda's office. "Dear Baron, I wish to discuss business with you. I believe you need these items." "Are you from Uptown? These are probably discards from there, right?" Baron Saito Takeda queried gravely. "Where they came from isn't important, is it?" Phil didn't answer directly. "It's not important. However, just ten firearms aren't worth my time," the Baron continued without pressing further.

"These are just samples, Baron. If you are satisfied with them, I'll supply you with the actual product—at least thirty firearms every month, of no less quality than these samples." Baron Saito Takeda was surprised upon hearing this number. He could discern flaws in their craftsmanship, marking them as potential rejects. Still, securing thirty firearms monthly could alleviate the embarrassment of lacking alchemical weapons.

"The price?" He was tempted but maintained a neutral expression. "Fifteen gold coins per weapon, with the monthly transaction location decided by us, all transactions will be straightforward." "Defective products, ten gold coins, not a penny more." "Thirteen gold coins per weapon, that's the lowest I can go. Remember, other alchemy barons are in Zaun."

Baron Saito Takeda took a deep breath; he didn't like being contradicted. Nevertheless, he retrieved a bag of coins from the drawer, followed by a small pile: "The bag contains one hundred gold coins, and these are thirty more, for this batch."

"Pleasure doing business, dear Baron," Phil said, pocketing the gold coins.

"Pleasure doing business."

"Silco, this is for you." Phil returned to the factory and tossed the bag of gold coins directly to Silco. He knew Silco had spent a lot setting up a small arms factory for him and hiring assistants, especially now when money was crucial for Silco. Researching potions and recruiting soldiers all required funds.

"What is this, so many coins? Where did you get them?" Silco was a bit surprised. "You didn't go to Uptown, did you?"

"I'm not that stupid, Silco. I just sold my first batch of firearms."

"Sold to whom?" It's a highly profitable business, so selling them wouldn't surprise Silco much. He was more surprised at how quickly Phil found a buyer; he was even prepared to help Phil clear the goods.

"Baron Saito Takeda, he needed them," Phil said, adjusting his hat. "If I sold to other regions, I'd earn more, like Bilgewater. But right now, I don't have that capability or energy."

"You did well, Phil." Silco was somewhat comforted and put the coins in the safe. Phil also knew the safe's combination; since Silco's last injury, he trusted Phil even more. Actually, Silco once saved those barons' lives, but that was in the past, and he's not in a good condition now.

"Don't we need to keep some weapons, Silco?"

"Not yet. Vander was right about one thing, we can't confront Piltover head-on for now. Only when Shimmer is perfected can we truly stand against them."

"Hey, hey, my guns are pretty powerful, you know," Phil protested. Only in front of Silco did Phil feel like he was a child again.

"If every gun you made was like yours, I'd stake everything on your weapons," Silco glanced at Phil.

"That's different, mine is unique," Phil explained, without arguing much.

That day, Phil visited his small arms factory; a portion of the original factory was allocated to him. "Your task is to produce thirty-five quality firearm components every month. No defects, no cutting corners, or you know the consequences," Phil instructed the workers skilled in the craft. They could make parts, but the success rate was less than ideal.

"Understood, boss," came the sparse replies from below.

The cost to produce a Phil-brand shotgun was about three or four gold coins, while the selling price was an astounding thirteen gold coins. This profit would make even capitalists cry with joy. However, with the profit came risk. Seizures from Uptown, double-crosses, and other factors made arms dealing a high-risk job, even in lawless Zaun. Most importantly, there was a lack of gunpowder. But this could be sourced from Uptown; after all, it's a trade city, though the price was high. This is where Silco's support would be crucial.