Chapter 23 - Handshake with a Goblin
Handshake with a Goblin
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Translator: Dusky90
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Handshake with a Goblin
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While playing as Otto de Scuderia, the merchant caravan known as [Ego Caravan] makes occasional stops in the territory.
Run by a goblin named Ego, the caravan may be small, but it’s brimming with growth potential.
Thanks to Ego’s sharp business skills, it’s destined to become a continent-spanning global enterprise.
Because of this, most players, no matter which lord they chose, made it a point to trade with the Ego Caravan and gain its trust.
Otto knew this all too well and couldn’t just let the caravan pass by unnoticed.
Fortunately, the timing couldn’t have been better.
In late autumn, the Ego Caravan traveled through the lands ruled by Otto de Scuderia.
They were transporting luxury items, including spices, to a major city in the continent’s northwest. Unfortunately, they ran into a bandit gang along the way, making it impossible to meet their delivery schedule.
To ensure the goods arrived on time, the caravan had no choice but to pass through the ogres’ breeding grounds.
If a player had subjugated the ogres and developed that area into a trade route, they could establish and maintain a good relationship with the Ego Caravan.
This explained why Otto had sprung into action as soon as he awoke.
‘There it is!’
Otto noticed the Ego Caravan taking a short break in the territory and dashed toward them.
“Ah! It’s the Lord!”
“Oooooh!”
The residents of the territory, seeing Otto, all exclaimed in admiration.
Why?
Because Otto’s exploits were known.
The legendary tale that Otto had defeated the Chimera using sword techniques with a mace spread instantly throughout the entire territory, changing the way the villagers looked at him.
Of course, Otto didn’t care about that at all.
Since he was going to keep showing even more astonishing feats anyway, there was no need to get conceited just because the villagers’ perspectives had changed.
“Greetings, my lord.”
A knight knelt before Otto and addressed him.
“I was just about to report. They are merchants affiliated with a guild called Ego Merchant Guild…”
“They’re on their way to the large city in the northwest and might miss the delivery deadline?”
“How do you know that?”
“So, did you say they wanted to pass through the ogres’ breeding grounds?”
"T-That’s right.”
“Just as I expected.”
Otto gave a small grin toward the knight and then approached the merchants belonging to the Ego Merchant Guild.
“The lord wishes to meet the head of your guild.”
Camille called the head of the Ego Merchant Guild on Otto’s behalf.
Then, an old goblin with a bushy white beard approached and said.
“I am Ego, the head of the Ego Merchant Guild.”
Camille was startled when the old goblin introduced himself like that.
Goblins were monsters with a certain degree of intelligence.
However, Camille had never seen a goblin that could speak human language so fluently.
“So… you’re saying that you’re the owner of the guild?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Ego bowed calmly, seemingly used to Camille’s surprised reaction.
“Nice to meet you.”
At that moment, Otto held out his hand toward Ego.
“I am Lord Otto de Scuderia.”
“…Ehh?”
This time, Ego flinched in surprise.
Even though it was a rural territory, it was astonishing that someone of a lord’s status would so readily offer a handshake to a mere goblin.
*Ding!*
Then a notification window appeared before Otto’s eyes.
[Notification: Ego’s affection toward you has become 'Amazement'!]
[Notification: You have gained Ego’s favor!]
‘Exactly this.’
Otto grinned, staring at the notification that had just popped up.
* * *
Ego was a mutant goblin.
Despite being a goblin, he was born with intelligence above that of an ordinary human.
His extraordinary intellect made it impossible for him to fully belong in goblin society.
Ego, gifted with remarkable intelligence, could not comprehend why goblins needed to attack and devour humans.
He also found their culture and habits utterly illogical.
As a result, he left goblin society and, by chance, met a mercenary who taught him the human language.
Even with his exceptional intelligence, Ego, being a goblin, found it nearly impossible to fit into human society.
Because he was born a goblin, he was constantly subjected to all kinds of discrimination and disdain, and there were hundreds of times he nearly got killed by humans.
Yet he persevered, and with the money he painstakingly saved, he built up a modest trade guild.
Victory for humans!
No, victory for the goblin!
Having conquered endless discrimination, persecution, prejudice, slander, and adversity, he had finally carved out a rightful place in human society!
Yet Ego wasn’t about to settle for just that.
Being a goblin, he knew that to wield real power in human society, nothing mattered more than money.
Having lived in human society for many years, he realized that humans bow and bend their necks before money.
Even if the one standing before them was a goblin!
So Ego held the ambition of growing his guild into a global company spanning the entire continent.
And truthfully, he had the talent to make it happen.
‘The lord offered to shake hands with a goblin like me…’
Ego, secretly surprised, clasped the hand that Otto extended.
“Oh my, Lord. I am Ego, in charge of the Ego Merchant Guild.”
He bowed politely, showing respect.
“Pleasure to meet you.”
“I am also pleased to meet you, my lord. I don’t know how to act with you coming here so graciously.”
“Don’t worry about that. A guest of your stature has come, after all.”
“W-What do you mean by that?”
“Shall we go somewhere quiet and have some tea while we talk?”
“Oh my, I’m truly honored. Of course.”
Once they had relocated.
“Your cargo delivery schedule must be tight, right?”
“That’s correct.”
Ego looked dejected in response to Otto’s question.
Trust is everything for the guild.
Failing to deliver the cargo on time would not only damage the guild’s reputation but also incur massive compensation costs, resulting in considerable losses.
“Then let’s pass through here.”
Otto pulled out a map and pointed to the region that used to be the ogres’ breeding ground.
“Wha..?”
Ego’s eyes went wide in shock.
“Isn’t that a place crawling with ogres? And right now…”
“It’s ogre breeding season?”
“That’s right. Passing through there now is…”
“Basically suicide?”
“Yes, exactly.”
“Of course it was. Until yesterday.”
“What do you mean?”
“As of yesterday, we exterminated the ogres. Now, even if you look carefully, there won’t be a single ogre in this area. We wiped them out.”
“Is that really true?”
Ego’s expression brightened.
If they could safely go through the ogres’ former breeding ground, there was a real chance to get the cargo delivered on time.
“If you do this for me, I’ll never forget your kindness.”
“Alright.”
Otto smiled.
“I’ll waive the toll, but let’s strike just one deal between us.”
“R-really…?”
“This.”
Otto slammed a red potion onto the table.
“I’m planning to distribute these on a large scale… you can handle that, can’t you?”
The potion Otto set on the table was a restorative tonic brewed from Bear Bile Herb.
* * *
[Lloyd Potion]
A potion crafted using the fruit of the Bear Bile Herb.
The best tonic suitable for everyone, regardless of age or gender.
Its biggest advantage is that it has no side effects whatsoever, and if taken once every 30 days, the potion’s effects become permanent after 100 doses.
Category: Potion (Consumable)
Rank: Unique
Effect:
- Strength +10%
- Stamina +10%
- Fatigue Recovery Rate +150%
- Vitality +200%
Duration: 30 days
“What kind of potion is this?”
“Well, let me explain what this is…”
Otto explained to Ego the effects and benefits of the [Lloyd Potion].
“Is… is that really true?!”
Ego was startled after hearing Otto’s words.
If Otto’s words were true, then simply selling that potion would be enough to make someone rich beyond measure.
“Would I lie about that? You’ll see for yourself once you test it.”
“That may be so, but still…”
“I’m giving you the distribution rights for this potion.”
".....!"
“However,” Otto continued.
“Let’s start with an investment of 40 million Ber.”
In this world, the currency [Ber] is worth about 1,000 KRW each, making 40 million Ber a staggering 4 billion KRW.
Forty million Ber was an astounding amount, about 40 billion KRW.
“F-Forty million Ber?!”
“You have to invest for us to produce these potions on a large scale. We need facilities to cultivate the herbs and manufacture the potions.”
“That’s true, but 40 million Ber is far too much to invest without careful thought.”
“I know. Just review it thoroughly and get back to me.”
“When should I let you know?”
“Hmm… until another merchant comes along willing to invest in this venture.”
“First-come, first-served, then?”
“That’s right. I’m not the one who’ll miss out.”
“Got it.”
Ego nodded in agreement.
“I’ll think it over carefully.”
“Take your time.”
Otto was certain that Ego would end up agreeing to the deal.
With Ego’s business instincts, he’d immediately see just how valuable the [Lloyd Potion] was and wouldn’t hesitate to invest everything he had.
‘He’ll probably promise to invest on his way back after completing the delivery. Hehehe.’
Otto could already predict Ego’s response.
“Ah, that’s right.”
As Ego was about to leave, Otto called out.
“Could you fetch me a bunch of metal mirrors?”
“Metal mirrors? What do you need them for?”
“I have my own use for them.”
“Metal mirrors are quite expensive. The metal has to be processed, and there’s also magical treatment involved.”
“I’ll pay generously, so please get them for me.”
“How many do you need?”
“Enough to fill a fairly large room?”
“Do you really need that many?”
“I have a particular purpose for them.”
“Alright, I’ll fetch them for you. I’ll drop by on my way back after delivering the shipment.”
“Thanks.”
Otto smiled.
“Why do you need metal mirrors?”
“I’ve got a use for them early next year. You’ll understand when the time comes.”
Otto responded to Camille’s question with a mysterious smile.
* * *
Otto finished the ogre hunt, created the [Lloyd Potion] as a specialty item, and opened the trade route, successfully meeting nearly all the requirements for the [Kingdom Building!] quest.
[Kingdom Building!]
Objective: Establish a kingdom and usher in the age of the Scuderia dynasty!
Type: Epic Quest
Progress: 0% (0/1)
Condition:
- Develop one regional specialty ✓
- Establish one trade route ✓
- Clear out three monster habitats ✓
- Achieve a minimum of 70 public approval in every region ✓
- Hold a coronation ceremony
All that was left was to officially declare the founding of the kingdom and hold the coronation, then claim the quest rewards.
“Camille.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Get everything ready for the coronation.”
“Are you really going to do it?”
“Yes.”
“I understand.”
A few days later, Otto held a very modest coronation and ascended the throne himself.
The name of the kingdom inherited the name of the Lota territory and was called the Kingdom of Lota.
It marked the beginning of the Scuderia dynasty era in the Kingdom of Iota.
Even though the kingdom was so tiny that calling it one felt almost ridiculous, Otto didn’t care.
The beginning was humble, but the end will be glorious!
With the knowledge and skill to turn this tiny kingdom into a continent-spanning superpower, Otto had no fear of anyone’s mockery.
[Notification: 'Kingdom Building' quest completed!]
When Otto took his seat on the throne, a notification appeared, confirming that he had completed the quest.
‘Great. Now I just need to grab the rewards.’
Otto smiled.
‘I wonder what I’ll get… I hope it’s something good…’
At that moment.
“....!”
Otto’s eyes snapped open as a sudden pain struck him.
It wasn’t an assassination.
*Throb!*
Pain shot through his chest.
It felt like someone was driving a knife into his heart.
“Ugh…!”
Otto clutched his chest and sank to the ground, soon losing consciousness and collapsing.
A sudden heart attack had struck him.
“Your Highness!”
Camille dashed toward the fallen Otto in alarm.