Chapter 139: The Unscrupulous Merchant (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 139: The Unscrupulous Merchant (1)
The permafrost region of Eisengar is so desolate that it lacks even proper carriage roads. Some might call it madness to try and sell goods in such a remote place.
Most merchants operate primarily in the south, where the coastal location makes for bustling trade.
And they might be right.
After all, the continent's most prominent merchant groups had made the South their main base of operations.
And for that very reason, it was the wrong answer.
The southern market was already saturated. Cheap goods, brutal competition, and greedy mega-corporations.
Could a fledgling merchant group, or even a single merchant, survive there?
The answer was, of course, no.
It was a battlefield for the great merchant groups.
The weak could never survive.
The South was a red ocean.
But here, a squinty-eyed merchant named Bifen was different. He had found a way to survive amidst the fierce competition.
‘The greatest treasures are hidden in the most dangerous places.’
A land where the extreme cold made farming difficult and supply lines were easily cut. A place where people desperately needed everything from basic necessities to luxury goods.
Bifen thought of the North.
His reason for choosing the North was simple. He was captivated by the high profits that came from trading with risk.
He would bring fruits, salt, various fabrics, and daily necessities—all hard to come by in the polar regions—from the south at a low cost, then travel throughout Eisengar selling them for several times the price.
Conversely, he would purchase byproducts from demonic beasts, which could only be obtained in the North, for a pittance. The northerners, unfamiliar with trade and having nowhere else to sell, had no choice but to sell cheap.
“It’s been a while! I’ve brought the goods you’ll be needing.”
After making his rounds through the North, Bifen arrived at Lake Fortress.
Lake Fortress was more treacherous than other regions in Eisengar, but its warriors were competent. The quality of the byproducts they offered was consistently rare and exceptional.
In short, it was a place with high-quality merchandise.
”Let’s see the goods.”
At Jorn’s words, Bifen gestured. His men began unloading boxes. People of all ages, adults and children alike, gathered around, their eyes filled with curiosity as they examined the items.
“I took special care in bringing these! Hey, you there, little one. Don’t touch that carelessly, it’ll get dirty.”
Inside the boxes was an assortment of goods. Children looked at toys, women inspected fabrics and foodstuffs, and men checked the tools.
There was nothing particularly unique, but they were all items that would certainly make life easier. They were especially valuable to the northerners, who lacked everything.
“This is all I have to show you. Now, what have our friends from the North prepared? I’m very much looking forward to it!”
His sly, narrow eyes and flippant mouth gave him the unmistakable air of a merchant.
Jorn nodded, and his men spread out bundles on the ground, laying out their goods.
“These are the items we have prepared.”
“Ooh?”
Bifen’s narrow eyes twitched.
‘Are these reindeer antlers…? Don’t tell me, is this a wyvern’s wing membrane? A size like this is unbelievable! And yeti fur, too!’
Bifen draped the yeti fur over his arm. It was thick, fluffy, and the texture was undamaged—excellent quality. It was the finest of the fine.
Fur of this quality would fetch at least 70 gold coins on the market.
He had just heard that a certain noble lady was looking for fabric to make a winter coat. She was known for her love of luxury goods, so if he sweet-talked her, he could easily get 100 gold coins.
Coming to Lake Fortress was indeed the right choice.
“Excellent goods. More than enough for a trade. Have you decided on the items you wish to exchange for, Chief?”
“Wait a moment.”
Before long, after discussing with the residents, Jorn handed a finalized list to Bifen. Bifen checked the items Jorn had proposed for the exchange.
First, salt.
It was difficult to obtain naturally in the North but essential for preserving food and adding flavor.
Next were silk thread, sturdy cloth, and needles for sewing leather. There were also edible saplings like rutabaga and plants that could be used as medicine.
Finally, there was a variety of foodstuffs, including fruit. It was a list that permitted not a shred of waste. A truly rational selection.
“Acknowledged.”
At Bifen’s command, his men presented the items for trade.
Thud. Thud.
Seeing what they had offered as a barter, Jorn stared at Bifen.
“What is this?”
“The items you requested.”
“Isn’t the quantity too small?”
The amount Bifen offered was more than before, but considering they had given him a wyvern’s wing membrane and yeti fur, it was a ridiculously small amount.
“Are you taking us Northguard for fools?”
“Ah, there are various circumstances. A poor harvest has made the price of fruit as high as gold, and more importantly, the cold in Eisengar is growing more severe. Do you have any idea how much it costs to transport goods all the way here?”
“So you’re saying this is all you can give?”
“I find it truly regrettable myself, but there’s nothing to be done for now. However, once the economy stabilizes, I will certainly lower the prices.”
There was some truth to Bifen’s claims, but it was mostly exaggeration. The goods the northerners had offered could have been traded for the entire contents of his carriage, yet Bifen had offered only half of that.
‘Why should I trade fairly?’
They were savages who didn’t even know the true value of their goods. It was a terrible waste to pay a fair price to people who knew nothing of the world.
This was the beauty—and another practical benefit—of doing business in the North.
Bifen smiled slyly, hiding his true intentions.
“What’s the matter? You don’t want to trade?”
“This is far from enough. Bring more goods.”
“Hmm, if you’re going to be like that, then I have no choice. We’ll just have to call off the deal.”
“What did you say?”
“You seem to be mistaken about something. I am under no obligation to trade with you, am I?”
It was a waste of time to have come all this way, but it didn't matter.
Bifen was the only merchant who came to this remote place. On the other hand, there were plenty of people who wanted to buy his goods. Supply couldn't keep up with demand.
Bifen could just sell his wares elsewhere, but they couldn't get these goods without him. If they didn't buy, they were the only ones at a loss.
“The chief of Frost Hollow happens to need some goods, so this works out well. They pay a higher price, too! I was short on stock anyway, so this is for the best.”
“Chief, we can do without the other things, but the medicine and salt…”
“No! I’ve completely lost the desire to trade with you. I go through all this trouble to come here, and you don’t even show a shred of gratitude. This is why you shouldn’t deal with savages. What are you all doing? Load up the goods.”
His men began closing the lids of the boxes.
“They ain’t got nothin’ special, but they sure make a big stink about it.”
“Is… that so?”
“That’s right. All their stuff is cheap, too. Wouldn’t take it even if they gave it away for free.”
“What did you say? What uncivilized brute dares…”
Deeply offended by the ignorant savage’s complaint, Bifen turned his head. There stood two women.
“Just tellin’ the truth. Got a problem with it?”
One was short and stout, with a large chest. A body type that might be an acquired taste, but one that enthusiasts would go crazy for.
But it was the woman next to her who caught Bifen’s eye. The moment he saw Azyeth, Bifen’s narrow eyes flew open, his hidden pupils revealed to the world.
‘A woman like that among these savages?!’
She was a beauty of an unbelievable caliber.
It was as if the goddess of winter had descended to earth.
“Who… who is that woman?”
“…A slave.”
“What? A slave?!”
These damn savages.
There was a limit to how senseless one could be.
She was a beauty too precious to be kept in such a remote place.
“She is a truly beautiful woman. Would you perhaps consider handing her over to me? I will pay you handsomely.”
“We of the Northguard do not engage in human trafficking. Besides, we are not her masters.”
“Not you? Then who is?”
“That would be…”
“Are you interested in my slave?”
A man with his hands clasped behind his back approached the commotion with a leisurely gait.
From his attire and appearance, it was clear at a glance that he possessed a noble air not seen among the northerners. Bifen regarded Karami with eyes full of caution.
“Are you this woman’s master? More importantly, is she really a slave?”
“She is most certainly my slave.”
“To have such a woman as a slave… I can’t believe it! Who in the world are you?”
Is he a noble?
Or perhaps even royalty?
“I am Karami, a slave trader. In some circles, I’m also known as the Slave Reaper.”
“The Slave Reaper! You’re that infamous Reaper?”
“My, I didn’t realize even people in the North knew of me.”
“Of course we know! No merchant could be ignorant of you!”
The Slave Reaper’s infamy was widespread.
He’d buy up beastkin in bulk and dispose of them all. He’d swindle nobles out of their goods and even abduct their daughters, erasing them from the world without a trace.
He had even gotten rid of an elf, a prize coveted by anyone interested in slaves.
The lives and values of slaves were nothing before the Reaper’s vile desires.
In that case, could it be…?
“What do you plan to do with that slave…?”
“When the time comes, I’ll have to send her on her way.”
Good heavens!
He’s going to kill that beautiful woman, too?
This man was no ordinary madman!
“I’d rather buy her myself. Sell her to me!”
“I refuse. To me, she is more important than money.”
“What kind of nonsense is that…!”
Losing such a beauty would be a loss for all of humanity. But the Karami that Bifen saw seemed completely unconcerned.
“More importantly, I overheard from back there that you’re refusing to trade?”
“That… is correct.”
Bifen’s demeanor grew cautious.
“Hmm, that’s strange. The yeti fur is of the highest quality, and the wyvern wing membrane is a rare ingredient used in high-level alchemy.”
“Th-that’s right…”
“Converted to money, they could buy enough supplies to last half a year, yet it’s ironic that you can only buy a few boxes’ worth.”
Struck by the accusation, Bifen protested frantically.
“But I’m the only one who comes to sell goods in such a harsh, remote land! Considering the distribution costs, this level of price increase is perfectly reasonable!”
“Is that so?”
“Of course it is! You, Reaper, may buy and sell people, but you don’t sell goods, do you? When it comes to business, I know better than you!”
Bifen scrambled to make excuses. If he was exposed for price gouging here, they might tell the other tribes.
That would ruin his business.
Karami must know that.
What a man with no business ethics.
Karami, who had been humming thoughtfully, opened his mouth.
“Hmm, you know better than me, you say… And yet, I think I’d be better at business than you.”
“Wh-what did you say?”
“Don’t you think it’s ridiculous to discuss a merchant’s qualifications in a place where you have zero competition?”
“It’s not enough that you accuse me of being a swindler, but now you doubt my abilities! I had high expectations given your reputation, but I was sorely mistaken about you!”
Bifen had his men hastily load up the goods.
“I cannot bear this humiliation! This is truly unpleasant! I’m leaving. Don’t even dream of me ever coming back here for a trade!”
Bifen led his carriage away, fleeing the village as if escaping.
It was the first time the villagers had ever seen Bifen so flustered. While there was a sense of satisfaction, they had ultimately failed to acquire the important goods they needed.
“What do we do, Chief? There are more than a few things we need right away.”
“……”
“Should we try to contact another tribe for the urgent items?”
Jorn couldn’t answer immediately. This was a first for him, too.
Getting goods from another tribe would only be a temporary fix. If the merchant truly didn’t return, their future would be uncertain.
Having already experienced the convenience of goods from the outside world, they couldn’t go back to their old way of life.
As the tribe members debated with serious expressions, Karami slyly inserted himself into the conversation.
“You all seem to be in quite a bind. Shall I help?”
“And how would you help?”
“Oh, you’ve changed quite a bit. Before, you would have dismissed me with a ‘The Northguard do not accept help from outsiders,’ but now you’re asking how.”
“If you’re just going to spout nonsense, get lost.”
This man, that man.
He didn’t like merchants one bit.
“Haha, just a joke, a joke. I have a stake in how things turned out, so I intend to take responsibility.”
Karami had a plan.
After all, Bifen was an unscrupulous merchant who came to Lake Fortress.
He knew things would turn out this way.
“If that man won’t come, we just have to make another merchant come.”
And he had the solution, too.
“What did you say?”
“Merchants are the kind of people who would chase a profit all the way to the underworld.”