Chapter 140: The Vicious Merchant (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 140: The Vicious Merchant (2)
Bifen, the vicious merchant.
A merchant operating primarily in Eisengar, he made his living by ripping off the northerners.
He’d gotten into a conflict with the residents of Lake Fortress. Then he discovered Azyeth and proposed to buy her, but was naturally refused.
His so-called retaliation was to cut off his regular trade with Lake Fortress. The user’s job was to connect Lake Fortress with a new merchant.
‘And that new merchant is me.’
In the game, I would have established a branch in the North and created a foundation to help them, but that was out of the question now. When would I have the time to buy a building and get everything ready?
In the game, a shop would appear in a day with the click of a button, but it wasn't like that anymore. I’d pass on the unnecessary effort.
So, the method I chose was to find someone to take my place.
“Hey, you piece of trash. Why the hell do I have to go with you?”
Linvar, riding in the carriage's cargo bed, grumbled discontentedly. We had left the village and were heading toward a city within Eisengar.
The party consisted of the dwarf driver, me, Azyeth, and Linvar.
“Perka was dying to go. Why didn't you take her instead of me?”
It seemed she'd already gotten acquainted with Perka. Looked like I was the only one she really hated.
“Miss Perka has a prior record, so she's atoning for her sins. You, Miss Linvar, are coming with me as a witness.”
“What witness?”
“A witness who will tell the villagers what a good slave trader I am. Besides, this is for the good of the village. Shouldn't someone naturally come along? Does it make sense for us outsiders to go alone?”
“Well… hmm. I guess you're right.”
As much as she hated me, her conscience must have pricked her, because Linvar conceded the point. Then she glanced at me, looking like she had something to say.
“Feel free to speak your mind.”
“So, is it true? That we could get half a year's worth of supplies for the goods we offered?”
She must be wondering if they were getting ripped off.
“It's true. And that's even considering the geographical nature of the North. In a place with active trade, they would be worth even more.”
“So that merchant bastard was trying to rip us off?”
“Not just trying. He's probably been doing it all along. Since you have almost no contact with the outside world, you wouldn't have the eye to judge the value of your goods.”
“That son of a bitch…”
Furious at being deceived, Linvar's face contorted as she ground her teeth.
Then she sighed, her expression softening. Her gaze toward me was much gentler.
“Uh… thanks. We didn't get scammed because of you.”
“Haha, it's nothing to thank me for. This particular deal was just an extreme case. Furs aside, wyvern wings are an extremely rare material.”
“Really?”
“Yes. He probably lost his mind the moment he saw them. If he'd been just a little more reasonable, he could have made a handsome profit. But he got too greedy and tripped over his own feet.”
Thanks to that, I got a chance to build up some favor.
“If you really want to thank me, you can help me get those jewels from your chief.”
“You just have to say one thing too many and make people hate you. If you'd just kept your mouth shut, I might have seen you differently. Sigh, what else can you expect from a slave trader.”
*
We arrived in Brund, the central city of Eisengar.
Just as the continent of Africa has both indigenous peoples and large cities coexisting, so did Eisengar. There were northerners who valued tradition, and also civilized people who lived ordinary city lives.
Among them, Brund was the largest city in Eisengar. Of course, compared to other regions, it wouldn't even be considered a major city.
“What do you think? It has a different feel from Doomheim, doesn't it?”
“Yeah…”
“Cities all have their own unique characteristics. It's fun to travel around to different ones.”
“Are you my dad or something…?”
She didn't get it.
This kind of trivial communication was key.
The main story was important, but the sense of normalcy that could only be found in daily life was also a great help in liberating Azyeth.
“Rami… my dad…?”
“Haha, I'm your master, which is even closer than a dad.”
“Enough with the nonsense. What are we here to do?”
“There's a place we need to stop by.”
When a restaurant does well, it expands its business by opening franchises in other regions to generate profit.
Merchant groups were the same.
The types of business you could do varied by region, so even in a polar region like this, there were branches of large merchant groups.
The place I was looking for was the Snow Cloud Association.
It was the Eisengar branch of the Celestial Pavilion.
A massive building reminiscent of an igloo. Inside, beastkin of animals native to polar regions were at work. A walrus who looked like he was tired of everything in the world approached.
“What brings you here?”
“I'm here to see the branch manager.”
“Hmm, never seen your face before… You got an appointment?”
“I don't have an appointment.”
“You think our manager has nothing better to do? Stop bothering people and get going.”
The walrus, who was already making it obvious he couldn't be bothered, sighed openly. He waved his hand dismissively, as if to shoo me away.
It was the reaction I expected.
‘I brought something just for this occasion.’
I took out the item I'd kept carefully hidden in my inner pocket so I would never lose it.
“Th-that's?!”
The walrus's bored expression turned to one of shock.
An octagonal token with a pure white fox engraved on it.
A symbol that only those trusted by the Celestial Fox Yuhwa could possess, and a free pass to enter the Celestial Pavilion at will.
“I've been dispatched from the Celestial Pavilion. I'm here to see the branch manager… May I come in?”
Time for the secret royal inspector to make his appearance.
*
“Welcome, Inspector! You must have had a difficult journey to this harsh land. It may be a humble place, but please, make yourself comfortable!”
The polar bear beastkin, the branch manager of the Snow Cloud Association, seated me in the seat of honor.
I possessed a pass that could grant me a private audience even with Yuhwa. As far as I knew, the only other person who had one was Hilde.
A mere branch manager couldn't possibly refuse to meet me. To him, I was already an inspector sent by Yuhwa.
“If you had contacted us in advance, we would have prepared a grand reception…”
“A reception isn't necessary. I'm here on business.”
“Business, you say…?”
“Haha, no need to worry so much. It's not what you're thinking. The leader personally selected you, so I'm sure you're doing a fine job.”
“Phew, of course! I must, naturally.”
The branch manager sighed in relief, his worries eased.
Well, in reality, all of Yuhwa's employees were quite competent. She could see clear as day with her Heavenly Eye what future would come from hiring someone, so it would be stranger if they were incompetent.
“Then, Inspector, what brings you all the way to Eisengar?”
“The leader wishes to expand the business. By opening trade routes with the tribes of Eisengar and widening our trade network.”
“With those barbarians, you mean?”
“What? Barbarians? Has this damn bear lost his mind?!”
Linvar shot up from her seat.
“I-Inspector. This person is…?”
“A Northguard who resides in Lake Fortress. She is my companion.”
“M-my apologies. It was a slip of the tongue. I apologize.”
The branch manager bowed his head.
Anyway, beastkin were one of the most persecuted groups, yet look at him taking this chance to look down on others. See, there's no one who sees people as equally as I do.
“Let's get back to the point. The Snow Cloud Association is to trade with the tribes of Eisengar. You will purchase the byproducts of the demonic beasts they hunt and provide them with supplies of equal value.”
“But why must we…”
“Hmm, if things go well, I might just whisper in the leader's ear how competent the Eisengar branch manager is…”
“Ahem! The byproducts of northern demonic beasts are certainly valuable. As it happens, we were just thinking of looking into it ourselves.”
Good thing he had at least a little sense.
“Then we can proceed immediately.”
“Well… we would like to, if it were up to us, but…”
“Is it because of Bifen?”
The branch manager nodded.
He took a sip of water and continued.
“That's not wrong. It's true that the merchant association, including Bifen, operates around the North. But they alone are no obstacle. We are a branch of the Celestial Pavilion, after all.”
“Then what is it?”
“The problem is that they're backed by the Great Chieftain, Zeke.”
Zeke Snowsvine.
The Great Chieftain of Frost Hollow, the largest group in Eisengar.
“It's a contradiction to aim for trade with the northerners while antagonizing Zeke. A great many northerners follow him. Furthermore, making an enemy of him could affect our current business…”
“So, conversely, all we have to do is take care of Zeke.”
“In essence, yes. There's no race better adapted to the North than the polar beastkin. If the way is cleared, we can transport goods anytime.”
“Excellent. It's settled then.”
Take care of Zeke.
Re-establish the tribal hierarchy of Eisengar.
With Lake Fortress at the top.
“B-but Zeke is by far the strongest warrior in the North. If you needlessly provoke him—”
“Shhh.”
I pressed my index finger to my lips.
I dangled Yuhwa's pass in front of the branch manager's eyes.
“Are you doubting me right now?”
“N-no, it's not that…”
“The leader is the one who sent me here. Doubting me is the same as doubting her judgment. Shall I report that the Eisengar branch manager harbors discontent toward the leader?”
“No! Absolutely not! The leader must have a plan for everything! I'm sure it will all work out! Of course it will! Of course it will…”
I smiled faintly.
“I will send word again soon. Be ready by then.”
*
“Take care!”
I left the Snow Cloud Association, seen off by the branch manager's respectful farewell.
Things went smoothly.
Power really was a wonderful thing.
“You must be a bigger deal than I thought. That bear seemed pretty high-ranking, but he couldn't even squeak.”
“It's nothing so grand. I'm just borrowing someone else's power. The important part comes next.”
A look of concern clouded Linvar's face.
“Are you really going to take on Zeke? It hurts my pride to say this, but Zeke is the strongest of the Northguard. Even the late Lord Pascal could barely fight him to a draw, and he never actually won.”
“It's fine. I have Miss Azyeth, who is stronger than me.”
Linvar shot back a surprise jab, “Like being stronger than you is anything to brag about…,” but she didn't deny my claim. After all, she was one of the people who had witnessed Azyeth's power.
“There's no need to waste time. We'll go at once.”