Chapter 107: Only Children Make Choices, Adults Want It All
Gazing at so many elven gold coins stored in the vault, one could see the prosperity and wealth of the elven city-state of Aen Elle in the past.
Bearing regret and nostalgia for Aen Elle, everyone tearfully completed the division.
As agreed beforehand, if treasure was found, Lynn and Triss would each receive a share.
That was elven gold coins worth four thousand crowns each.
Then, Professor Dijkstra and his three students would also jointly receive one share.
There was also a share left for Prince Adrian.
This was agreed upon by Professor Dijkstra and Prince Adrian when the professor accepted the sponsorship.
Prince Adrian provided them with tangible and effective practical help.
But if treasure was found, Prince Adrian would also take a share.
As for the remaining ones, they would be handed over to Oxenfurt Academy.
They were not tomb robbers.
It was impossible for them to put all the gains into their own pockets.
In fact, according to the regulations of Oxenfurt Academy, any discoveries in the ruins should be handed over to the academy.
But the regulation was one thing, and the actual implementation was another.
The professors at Oxenfurt Academy might be both wise and professional.
But they were ultimately not saints willing to dedicate everything.
Achieving fame and wealth were not contradictory. Only children made choices, adults wanted it all.
Besides, doing research also cost money.
Without money, even the noblest person would starve to death.
Therefore, Oxenfurt Academy basically turned a blind eye to such behavior, as long as it wasn't too excessive.
...
Draheim Manor.
The night was already deep.
But Prince Adrian still hadn't gone to bed.
He couldn't sleep.
It had been quite some time since Kiyan had bid him farewell.
But Kiyan had not yet reported the situation to him.
This was Prince Adrian's first collaboration with Kiyan.
But in the assassin business, Kiyan was considered to have a small reputation.
That was why he had sought out Kiyan to do his dirty work.
Prince Adrian had great confidence in Kiyan.
After all, Kiyan was only dealing with a few bookworms and a group of laborers.
With such a big advantage, how could he possibly lose?
'Perhaps I should shift my attention. Instead of waiting anxiously, I should think about how to use the treasure after I get it...'
Just as he was thinking this, suddenly, the message box on the table lit up abruptly.
Prince Adrian happily picked up the message box. "Kiyan, did you succeed?"
However, the voice that came from the message box in the next second greatly surprised Prince Adrian.
"Your Highness, what did you say?"
The voice coming from the message box was actually that of Professor Dijkstra, whom Prince Adrian had ordered to be silenced.
This instantly plunged Prince Adrian's mood to rock bottom.
Before leaving, Prince Adrian had indeed given Professor Dijkstra a message box.
He had also indeed told Professor Dijkstra to contact him immediately using this message box after the exploration of the ruins was completed.
But this was just a facade.
His real intention was that after the exploration of the ruins was completed, Kiyan would take action to eliminate everyone who had discovered the ruins.
Then he would use the message box he had given to Professor Dijkstra to contact him.
Therefore, when the message box lit up, he mistakenly thought that Kiyan had already succeeded. So, the question arose.
Why didn't Kiyan act according to the plan?
But Prince Adrian, being a prince, quickly reacted and recomposed himself.
"It's nothing, let's not talk about that. Professor Dijkstra, did you contact me because you have made some discoveries?"
Professor Dijkstra, being led by Prince Adrian in this way, no longer dwelled on the previous matter.
Instead, he excitedly reported his findings to Prince Adrian.
"Of course, Your Highness, the elven city-state of Aen Elle is real! The legendary treasure of the elven king, Auberon Muircetach, is also real!"
'Finally some good news,' Prince Adrian said to himself.
Frankly speaking, from the very beginning of sponsoring Professor Dijkstra, Prince Adrian hadn't had much expectation.
It wasn't until Professor Dijkstra's side had made substantial breakthroughs that Prince Adrian increased the level of sponsorship.
Now, his sponsorship had finally paid off.
"That's great. So you... didn't encounter any danger in the ruins?"
Professor Dijkstra's relieved voice came from the message box. "Of course, it was all thanks to the help of that witcher master that we were able to clear the monsters and traps in the ruins."
"You mean that one?" Prince Adrian keenly caught the key word in Professor Dijkstra's sentence. "Are you talking about Kiyan?"
Professor Dijkstra immediately denied, "No, it's Master Lynn."
Prince Adrian was taken aback.
"Only him? Kiyan didn't enter the ruins with you?"
"No, because Master Kiyan had already died before reaching the ruins."
Professor Dijkstra's words shocked Prince Adrian.
"You said... died? What exactly happened? Tell me in detail."
So, Prince Adrian learned from Professor Dijkstra the version that Lynn had fabricated for them.
Of course, this version was fine for fooling Professor Dijkstra and the others.
It was impossible to deceive Prince Adrian.
After all, as Kiyan's employer, he knew exactly what kind of person Kiyan was.
What's more, it was he who had given the order for Kiyan to get rid of Lynn as soon as possible to avoid any complications.
As for the nonsense Professor Dijkstra said, such as "Kiyan was killed by monsters in order to protect them," Prince Adrian didn't believe a single word.
It was only possible that Kiyan had failed while trying to kill Lynn and was counter-killed, hence such an excuse.
The above thoughts flashed quickly through Prince Adrian's mind.
In reality, not much time had passed.
"Is that so? That's truly regrettable," a cold light flashed in Prince Adrian's eyes. "Professor, where are you now? Still in the ruins?"
Professor Dijkstra, without any suspicion, answered without thinking, "Yes, all of us are in the camp at the entrance of the ruins."
Prince Adrian seemingly casually mentioned, "Is that Master Lynn also there?"
"Yes."
Hearing Professor Dijkstra's reply, Prince Adrian's fingers lightly tapped on the table.
"Very good. Since the ruins have all been cleared, that witcher master's task can be considered complete."
"This way, you can take four hundred crowns from the share that was originally supposed to be paid to me and give it to him."
"This reward was originally supposed to be given to Master Kiyan, but since Master Kiyan is no longer here, and Master Lynn did Master Kiyan's work, then it is reasonable for him to receive this reward."
"Witcher masters are all very busy people. Since his task has been completed, we shouldn't waste his time any further."
"I will immediately send someone over to receive the share that we agreed upon beforehand that belongs to me."
"In addition, after Oxenfurt Academy recognizes your discovery, find some time for you and your students to come to my manor. I want to reward you properly."
Professor Dijkstra said, flattered,
"This... you are too kind, Your Highness."
Prince Adrian subconsciously waved his hand, before realizing that the other party couldn't see his gesture at all. "You're welcome, Professor. You did a good job and deserve to be rewarded. This is your due."
(End of this chapter)
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