Chapter 16: The Salesman Mark

*Jasper Shaw*

Sylvaine seemed genuinely upset and angry because I had caused her to harm a tree. She mentioned she had to deal with something political about the human kingdom and left, trusting me to find a new solution.

Why should I waste time finding a new solution when I already have one in front of me? Just one more tree will die, and simply we'll have a happy end.

I called one of my golems and asked it to go to the forest and sneakily bring tree essence.

Considering the possibility of it might get caught which was very high possibility considering its intelligence, I asked him to change shape.

I was expecting him to only change his size or structure, but he literally turned into a human. He was bald, muscular, and It might be a strange description, but he had a face that was easy to draw. I couldn't hide my impression and said,

"Wow! I didn't know you could do that."

The golem flexed his muscles in a proud manner and said,

"Aba!"

Anyway, I couldn't allow him to go like that, so I gave him yellow jumpsuit and a white cloak to wear and sent him off.

The moment I sent him off I felt another visitor's presence at the castle gate. This one seems particularly out of place—a man in a suit, carrying a briefcase. He looks... intriguing. Perhaps this will be entertaining.

**

Jasper wore his cloak and willed the castle door to open just a crack, enough to let the man in.

The man, seeing the door ajar, took it as an invitation. "Ah, thank you! My name is Mark, and I'm here to introduce you to some revolutionary products!"

Mark stepped inside, looking around at the eerie, ancient decor. "Quite the setup! Very immersive. Love the medieval theme," he muttered to himself, clearly unnerved but trying to stay confident.

Jasper followed silently, staying invisible as Mark wandered down a dimly lit corridor.

"Hello? Anyone home?" Mark called out, his voice echoing. He opened the first door he came to, revealing a room filled with strange alchemical apparatus and glowing potions. "Whoa, looks like someone's into some serious chemistry," he said, nervously laughing.

"Now, if you're looking for convenience, I've got just the thing!" Mark said, pulling out a sleek tablet from his briefcase. "This tablet can control everything in your house—uh, castle. Lights, security, even your coffee machine!"

Mark continued down the hall, opening another door. This room was darker, with shelves lined with dusty old tomes and a skeleton were dancing middle of the room. He shuddered but kept talking. "I also have a portable power bank. Keeps all your devices charged! Very handy in a place like this."

As Mark moved to the next room, Jasper tightened his grip on the shadows, his amusement growing. The salesman opened the door to what appeared to be a chamber of horrors—chains hanging from the walls, ancient torture devices, and an unsettling silence.

"Um, okay, this is getting creepy," Mark muttered, but he quickly recovered, pulling out a pair of wireless earbuds. "But hey, if you like music, these are top of the line. High-fidelity sound, no wires to get in the way."

Jasper watched as Mark moved further into the castle, still oblivious to the true nature of his surroundings. Mark's persistent chatter and obliviousness were both amusing and irritating.

Mark opened yet another door, revealing a room with an eerie glow. Strange symbols covered the walls, and an unsettling hum filled the air. "This place just keeps getting weirder," he said, trying to maintain his salesman's enthusiasm. "But I also have this amazing smart home assistant. It can answer questions, play music, control your lights—"

A sudden, cold breeze swept through the hallway, extinguishing the torches and plunging the corridor into darkness. Mark yelped, fumbling for a flashlight from his briefcase. "Okay, that's new. But no worries, I've got something for that too!"

Jasper, finally deciding to reveal a bit of himself, let his voice echo through the hall. "You seem lost, traveler. What brings you to my castle?"

Mark jumped, shining the flashlight around but seeing nothing. "I'm just, uh, here to offer some great products! Really useful stuff!"

"Oh really? Tell me, where do you come from?" Jasper's voice was a low, amused whisper.

"Modern Solutions Inc.," Mark said, nervously. "We bring the future to your doorstep."

Jasper's laughter echoed hauntingly. "The future, indeed. Tell me Mark, do you often find yourself in places like this?"

"Not usually," Mark admitted. "This place is... unique. Almost like a different world."

"Perhaps it is," Jasper said softly. "And perhaps you are not where you think you are."

Mark's flashlight flickered, then went out. He fumbled in the darkness, trying to keep his composure. "Look, if you're not interested in buying anything, I can just—"

The torches flared back to life, revealing Jasper standing in the hallway, his eyes glowing faintly. Mark gasped, stumbling back. "Who—who are you?"

Jasper smirked, his fangs glinting in the dim light. "I am Jasper Shaw, the great alchemist and master of this castle. And you, Mark, are quite out of place here."

Mark's fear was evident, but his salesman instincts kicked in. "M-Mr. Shaw, I, uh, I have some fantastic products that could really enhance your... lifestyle. For instance, these smart home devices could bring your castle into the modern age!"

Jasper raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the man's persistence. "Modern age, you say? And how would these devices benefit me?"

Mark swallowed hard, trying to regain his composure. "Well, they can control everything in your home with just a voice command. Imagine, never having to lift a finger to adjust the lighting or temperature. It's all about convenience and efficiency."

Jasper chuckled softly. "Convenience and efficiency... intriguing concepts. However, I already possess the ability to control everything in my castle with but a thought. Your devices, while impressive, seem redundant."

"Of course, Mr. Shaw. I apologize for the intrusion. I'll just be on my way then." Mark turned to leave but then hesitated. His eyes lit up with a last-ditch idea. "Wait! Before I go, there's one more thing I must show you. It's truly revolutionary. A device that can bring the world to you."

Jasper, slightly amused, tilted his head. "And what might that be?"

Mark opened his briefcase and pulled out a sleek, flat device. "This, Mr. Shaw, is a television. It can show you events from all over the world, movies, dramas, news—anything you want to watch. Imagine, all the entertainment you could ever desire, right here in your castle."

Jasper's interest was piqued. "Show me."

Mark quickly set up the television and turned it on, flicking through channels. Scenes of bustling cities, dramatic performances, and exotic places flashed on the screen. Jasper watched intently, a rare smile playing on his lips.

"This is quite fascinating," Jasper admitted. "How does one acquire such a device?"

Mark, sensing victory, grinned. "For a discerning customer like you, Mr. Shaw, I can offer it at a special price."

Jasper waved a hand, summoning a small chest filled with gold coins. "Will this suffice?"

Mark's eyes widened at the sight of the gold. "More than enough, Mr. Shaw! Thank you! You won't regret this purchase."

Jasper nodded, still focused on the television. "I'm sure I won't. Now, leave me to my new entertainment."

Mark packed up his briefcase, his fear replaced by pride and satisfaction. "Thank you, Mr. Shaw. Enjoy your television!"

As Mark left the castle, Jasper thought, 'Roleplaying was really fun though, the great alchemist Jasper... I now understand why Asmodeus is doing it. I might do it more often in the future'

Jasper took his TV into a large dark room, then he thought

'Ah, he was definitely from one of the universes I visited before. I wonder how he got here; did I leave one of my portals open while experimenting?...'

Jasper postponed investigating this and grabbed popcorn. He settled into his chair and started watching drama series on TV.