The Runic Alchemist

"How is that even possible?" Henry Cavendish muttered in disbelief.

"There are a lot of things we don't know in this universe, my friend," Damian replied simply. "I wish to share many things with worthy, like-minded people.. but the ill use of my knowledge will always be in some people's minds from the very beginning, making me refrain from doing such things that could change this world for the better. Maybe some other time. To be honest, I would not engage with the people of this world if it wasn't necessary.

"We are at war. Coming here was more of an escape than sightseeing. There is an enemy so powerful that I.. We.. Don't know if we can defeat it."

Damian paused, then, looking around the room, he added, "So that's the reason. I don't care about your fights—I have my own to deal with. What I offer is mutual benefit. Now, it's up to you whether you want to take my outstretched hand in friendship or reconsider after I make the same deal with other world powers."

That snapped all of their shocked minds back to the matter at hand.

Henry Fox asked, "You will make the same deal with others?"

Damian held his gaze and replied without missing a beat, "If they listen and understand. Otherwise, I am in a hurry, and occupying all their iron mines isn't that hard. I just need enough for my purpose, then they can have it back."

Many eyes stared at him, though not all with friendly intentions. It wasn't a threat, but his position here was clear—these people were inconsequential. He was only involving them because it would make achieving his goal easier.

William Pitt narrowed his eyes and carefully asked, "What if we refuse the offer?"

"You would be foolish to do so. I just need one power in this world to side with me. As you can see, I lack the numbers—you're lucky my portal opened here, or I would be talking to some other king and his ministers instead.

If such foolishness does come to pass, you will be added to the 'others.' And if I fall short of reaching my goal, a portal will open in Shropshire, South Wales, Sussex.. Cumberland, Scotland, Ireland. I will lead men from other lands here, in much shinier armor and weapons in hand.. to work for me.

I do not want to hurt innocent people, but as I said, I am in a hurry. The thing I want to build is crucial for my return to face my enemy. By the time I leave, the power balance in your world will be forever changed."

"You paint quite the picture, Sir Damian," the Earl of Bute interjected, leaning forward. "We get it—an offer, an opportunity unlike any. But twenty percent is too little of an incentive. Your waygates are invaluable, no doubt, but there is no guarantee that we can use these magical things without your presence."

Damian smiled and waved his hand dismissively. "You want more? We go and get more. I know not everyone in the world will agree to my demands. Once I reach my goal, you can have the rest.

And that's beside the advanced scientific methods I will leave behind to produce the best steel as efficiently as possible and in large quantities. Yes, this knowledge will be shared with the world, but whoever gets an early start and capitalizes on the opportunity will always be the dominant party.

And if you do a good enough job.. I might leave behind some things for 'the most helpful' that will change the way of war forever."

Prince George stood up, and with him, everyone in the chamber followed. Looking at Damian, he said, "You have given us much to think about. I hope you enjoy our hospitality, Sir Damian, and give us enough time before making such a life-changing decision that affects people of all classes in England. Your haste is duly noted."

Damian just nodded and opened a waygate to Jacob, who was back at their floating residence with the others. Before stepping through, he said, "There is a thing called a mana contract where I come from. Once signed, both parties must fulfill the agreed-upon terms, or they die. I don't recommend using it, but it exists. And I must say, it puts people's minds at ease."

The Prince, his mother, the Earl of Bute, and William Pitt nodded slightly, understanding his meaning.

Damian closed the waygate behind him and sighed. If they still didn't understand, and he had to repeat such theatrics for other cities and powers, it would waste more days—and annoy him as a bonus.

He didn't want to terrorize people or fight pointless wars, wasting valuable lives. In the worst case, he would have to make adjustments and reduce the scale of his project, working with limited iron and steel. The British were no better than any other power in the world at this time—in fact, their name was worse than many. But if he could use them, control their actions somewhat, they could be quite a useful resource.

There were many alternatives, so ultimately, it wouldn't matter much even if they backed out.

Jacob was in the living room with many others. They asked him what was going on, and he explained in simple terms that he wanted their resources in exchange for helping them a little. He didn't say why, though. He was supposed to be figuring out a way to get all of them back—not trying to create questionable things.

Returning to his room, Damian found someone already inside. It was the metal humanoid without a face—Prince.

"What?" Damian asked just as the guy extended a mana thread toward him.

'I got it!' Prince exclaimed in his mind. 'That password-tying spell you used on locks—I know how to tweak it so I can type the words and they will appear above my head!'

Damian listened to him, and it was a perfect idea.

The perk of being locked in his mind was that Prince had also absorbed most of the runic knowledge Damian had learned in his trial. He didn't understand all of it, but he grasped some. The runic circle he designed was practical.

Damian made a few changes but kept most of it the same, then used his mana cubes to inscribe the spell onto both of Prince's sacrium palms.