Transmigrated as a Ghost

With the king saying that he had no intention of breaking off Mrazivý's engagement to Marquis Krenston's son since it would cause him too much loss, Marcus knew what he wanted.

If he simply was not going to allow it, then the king probably would have just ended the meeting here telling Marcus to leave and not associate with his daughter anymore.

No now was the stage of the game where he wanted to see how much he could get out of Marcus, who had plenty of valuable skills to provide.

"So, what you are saying is that if you do gain from my relationship with your daughter, over what you would get from her being married to Krenston's son, you would break off their engagement," Marcus said with a serious look in his eyes.

Hearing this a wry smile appeared on the king's face and he said, "Exactly. As the king of this nation, I most always strive to do what is best for it. Currently Mrazivý as a princess of this kingdom, can best serve it by mending relations between the Krenston family and the royal family. Certainly, I will not deny that she has done good work as an adventurer, but that has become too dangerous after her last excursion. Having her to oversee the interests of the crown, in one of our largest cites and biggest trading hubs is a much better and safer way for her to use her talents. However, if you have something greater to offer, I am all ears."

Nodding his head Marcus said, "Have I not already proven my worth to this kingdom. I helped to defend River Landing when it was under siege from the ice ants, and most recently I helped collect heaps of damning evidence that allowed you to eradicate the criminal syndicate calling itself Permafrost, which had been leeching off of this kingdom for years. But if I do not have a reason to stay in this kingdom, I may just take my talents elsewhere."

Saying this Marcus was pretty much trying to sell the king that just his very presence in the kingdom was more valuable than Mrazivý's engagement to Krenston's son.

In fact, the king thinking that it was ridiculous at how shameless Marcus was being let out a quick laugh before saying, "You hold yourself in such high regard that simply being in my kingdom makes it a better place. And anyway, I believe it was an Irene Geist that accomplished both of those achievements you are claiming as your own. But if the baronetess really was here, I would never allow a noble of the kingdom to talk to me the way you are."

Pretty much throwing Marcus' own words back in his face, since he was here today as a great spirit, the king was not going to allow him to claim any of his achievements that were in is other identity.

Obviously both the king and Marcus knew they were just throwing around semantics and that Marcus and Irene were one in the same, but they were both playing a game to see who could come out on top.

'Well, I knew that it was unlikely to work, but I just had to try.'

Marcus was currently trying to find the king's bottom line on what kind of benefits he would have to provide the kingdom in order to break Mrazivý's engagement. 

While on the other hand the king was trying to push Marcus as high as he could, and in a best-case scenario have him serve the kingdom for eternity.

"Very well, then how about I supply the kingdom with twelve top tier mithril weapons and sets of armor. Certainly, weapons and armor of that quality are useful to outfit the knights of this kingdom. There is always a shortage of good equipment, and I am sure that this would be of a great help. I will even provide all of the materials myself and can have it done in three months."

Seeing that his first offer of just staying in the kingdom was not going to work, Marcus decided to try a onetime deal of supplying weapons and armor.

He knew that even in a large and prosperous kingdom like Borealia, good equipment was still in a shortage, and that stronger equipment could make a big difference in a battle or life and death for the kingdom's knights.

And for the first time the king did look a bit intrigued. Even the royal family only had so many top tier mithril weapons, and even less armor at their disposal. 

"Hm, while I am slightly interested, your skill is unknown. Also, you are calming the talent to produce mithril items of the highest quality as if you are making children's toys. Not even our best royal forgemaster can make top tier items at the rate you suggest you can, and the only one in the kingdom who can is Thabon Blazegram."

'So, he is going to play dumb even to this extent.' Marcus though with an internal sigh.

It appeared that the king would not even consider any of the feat he had under him as Irene.

Still, they both knew that Marcus was not just tooting his own horn, but the king still wanted to push him around a bit in order to show dominance.

"Fine this should show you that I do have the skill to accomplish what I have said."

Marcus then took out one of the top tier weapons he had recently made and was not going to be selling to the Penigar auction house and had decided to keep for now.

"This here is a mithril spear I made myself. As you can see it has received the system's approval and is imbued with the power of the ice element."

Placing the spear on the table in front of the king, Marcus allowed him to look it over himself to prove his ability to create top tier items.

Picking it up the king looked it over and was impressed, by the spear. It was a strong weapon that he would love to outfit any knight specializing in the spear with.

In fact, a couple of promising knights came right to his mind, since ice magic was quite common in his kingdom, and this spear would complement any of them quite well.

"Yes, this spear is impressive, and I do believe you made it. However, only twelve sets of top tier armor and weapons are not enough for me to sour relations with a powerful noble house in charge of one of the kingdom's most important cities. Now, I do recognize your skills though, so how about you work for the kingdom as a royal forgemaster. If you do that so long as you work for the kingdom, I will not get in the way of your relationship with my daughter and will break off her engagement."

Feeling that the time was ripe, the king took this opportunity to state what he wanted from Marcus.

Of course, what he had basically asked for was Marcus' eternal servitude as a royal forgemaster, or the king would not allow his relationship with Mrazivý.