Chapter 180
Chapter 180
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 180
Chapter Title: Naga's Island 2
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"Hmm, is that so? Doesn't matter anyway."
"What I'm saying is, if he's traveling with this many people, that Naga merchant must be someone of pretty high status."
"How many are there?"
"At least eight Nagas."
"That's manageable."
Claiming a human could take on eight Nagas would normally earn a scoff.
But Shati, having seen Azadin's fights so far, knew his words weren't empty bravado.
"Still, he's a high-status Naga, so be careful."
"Got it."
Azadin took Shati's advice and approached the merchant.
*********
The Naga merchant, decked out in flashy ornaments and accompanied by acrobats, had gathered a crowd in the open space by the village docks with his performers' acts.
The acrobats' skills were nothing special—just juggling and twirling fire-lit sticks—but in this backwater, it was entertaining enough.
"Come on over, folks! I've brought rare goods from all over, so please make a purchase today. Hey, you there, miss—don't be shy. This is a fabric from Btuma called nasam. See how sheer it is? Use it as a veil, and it'll make your beauty all the more mysterious. Every young man in the village will lose their hearts."
The Naga merchant had a silver tongue; he could've made a killing even without the acrobats. His wares, though, were too pricey for rural fishermen.
"I'd like some silk fishing line."
"Some net twine too. Can't figure out why we can't make it as thin yet tough around here."
"Sigh. How could village hemp match a craftsman's skill? It's all about technique. But is that all? You always just buy line and hooks. Won't you splurge on something nice this time?"
"Oh, right—we've got a guest this time."
"A guest?"
"Come on out."
At the villagers' words, Azadin's group stepped forward.
"Hmm? New faces. Not quite travelers... Green Turbans? I don't like dealing with Green Turbans. They never pay and just ask for this and that."
"We're not asking for free, of course. We'll pay the price. Can you take us to Btuma? We're headed there, but the rainy season's made the roads a mess...."
"Not going all the way to Btuma, but I can drop you at Bel Hoda nearby. Not for free, of course—we'll have to agree on a price."
"Bel Hoda?"
Azadin unfolded his map and searched for Bel Hoda.
A city near Btuma—with a major road marked on the map between them, it looked walkable from there.
"One gold coin to Bel Hoda?"
"Come on, dig a little deeper?"
"Pardon?"
"Outsiders hear 'gold coin' and think it's a fortune, but eight out of ten Hwivris gold coins come from Btuma mines. Gold's not that rare here."
"......"
Of course, it was bluffing. Gold didn't get cheaper just because it was mined locally. Gold coins were certified by the Eight Kingdoms and trade guilds for their value.
It probably worked on the naive. But Azadin wasn't a fool.
'This guy's trying to fleece me? But if he's pulling this, maybe he's not involved in the Btuma invasion?'
Contrary to Shati's warning, this Naga seemed obsessed with business. A model merchant with killer salesmanship.
His handsome looks and charming banter made him more appealing than most humans, even as a Naga.
Not involved in the Btuma invasion?
"If gold's so cheap here, forget the coin. How about goods instead?"
"Hey now. I didn't say no to gold. I'm just asking for more."
"Gold doesn't seem popular around here, so maybe iron?"
Azadin pulled out weapons that had become dead weight since his goat died. Mostly spoils from foes who'd attacked him, so quality varied.
"Hmm... junk. Wait, isn't this a heavy crossbow shaft? Just the shaft by itself—who's gonna use that?"
The Naga grumbled as he inspected the weapons.
"I'll give scrap value. Not enough for a ride."
"Scrap? That's harsh. This is a fine blade, isn't it?"
"Looks like you're all stuck and desperate. More weapons just mean more baggage. Hmm, how about this: one gold coin for the lot, and I'll take you to Bel Hoda. Food included on the way."
"Deal."
Azadin sealed the trade with the Naga merchant.
"Oh, rude of me—introductions are late. Name's Deha. As you see, a merchant."
"I'm Adan of the Green Turbans. This is Jis, here is Scott, and this is Shati."
As Azadin introduced the group, the merchant—Deha—flinched.
"Shati?"
"Deha...."
Shati reacted to the name too, as if it rang a bell.
*********
And so the fishing village began trading with the Naga merchant Deha.
Villagers traded smoked fish and hides from local beasts; Deha sold nets, fishing line, jewelry, spices, seasonings, and iron tools.
While they bartered, Shati pulled Azadin aside.
"What's up?"
"Captain—even you? This Deha guy's high-status Naga. Probably from the same water serpent tribe as that Nagaraja Dehares I saw before. Royalty, even."
"Huh, you're calling me captain now too?"
"Heard Scott say it so much. What else? 'Boss'? Anyway, you don't seem surprised—knew already?"
"They look alike, Dehares and him. Name's Deha too, so yeah. But he seems to have clocked you as Naga."
"Probably."
"Anyway, no choice. We ride."
Azadin paid the agreed fee for passage on Deha's ship.
"Fine. Hop on, then. Oh, we're traders, so we have stops along the river and coast. That okay? You'd know skipping business for one gold coin would be insane loss."
"How long to Bel Hoda?"
"Three days tops. She's a swift ship."
Deha smiled.
Despite its ornate decorations and size, Deha's ship was incredibly fast.
It sailed on wind with sails normally, but in lulls or tricky currents, Nagas cast spells to shift the flow and propel it at shocking speeds.
"While we sail, check out the exotic rarities we've collected in the cabin."
"Not buying."
"Just to pass the time. Haha. So you don't bother the crew."
To hide his crew's magic from Azadin's group, Deha always ushered them into the cabin when spells were needed.
Azadin already knew they were Nagas but respected the effort by eagerly browsing Deha's boasted foreign goods.
They were interesting, after all.
"Behold, a pendulum. Masterfully crafted art, right? So smooth. What passion must that artisan have poured into polishing metal like this? Oh, did you know? A pendulum never swings higher than its start. So even if you do this..."
Deha raised and lowered a pendulum of small iron balls aimed at his philtrum.
"Ah. But on this rocking ship..."
Azadin warned, but too late—the pendulum smacked Deha's philtrum.
"Gah! Ow. What a silly mistake... Huh? Nosebleed?"
"......"
Whenever his Naga crew prepared spells, Deha distracted the group like this.
*********
Deha stopped at another coastal village for trade. Familiar territory—both sides had prepped goods, so it went quick.
"Just one more stop, then Bel Hoda. From there to Btuma: one day by ship or horse, two or three on foot. You're golden. Food to your taste?"
"Yes."
"No refunds claiming one gold's too much now that we're close."
"Haha, wouldn't dream of it."
"Right, then. One last stop."
Deha smiled and steered.
Leaving the river mouth, hugging the coast, his ship soon neared a rocky island lashed by fierce waves.
But...
[Azadin.]
The Emperor's voice called.
"What?"
[Air spirits for surveillance magic up top.]
Azadin asked silently in shock, no voice.
'Like Foresight Birds? Or what? Arael's voice?'
[No. Kurt divine tribe magic. Monsters under the water too.]
"......"
Soon Deha's ship docked. Nagas disembarked in full Naga form, boldly tying it down.
"Welcome."
Deha greeted Azadin's group with his usual smile.
But crew grabbed weapons; dock figures drew theirs; a massive tentacle burst from the water, shredding the surface.
Surrounded, plain as day.
Jis hurried to Azadin in terror.
"M-Master."
"No, they tried so hard to hide it all this time—why reveal now?"
Azadin asked Deha, who was dropping the mask.
"Because you're Azadin."
"That famous, huh?"
"Your name's legendary. Skyrocketed through Herald ranks—infamous among Heraldkin."
"That's why even you Nagas know me?"
"No. You've wrecked our operations multiple times. You have the Wendigo Dagger, killed Count Salasma, smashed our detachment at Koral Sahar. Tell the Heralds your feats, and they'd see your 2nd Herald promotion was no favoritism."
Shockingly, this Naga knew Azadin's exploits in detail.
"Then you know killing me here won't be easy."
"Don't make us. We love heroes. And you're a fine one."
"......"
"They say eating a hero's heart elevates a Naga...."
"Hmm."
"Kidding. Haha."