[Lord of Abundance] Chapter 48 — The Fengrao Territory's Merchant Caravan

 

Chapter 48 — The Fengrao Territory's Merchant Caravan

A second-tier warrior.

A seasoned mercenary.

Someone who had survived for decades in a profession where people lived by the blade, keeping every limb intact while eventually becoming the head of the merchant caravan affiliated with the Ice Fang Mercenary Company.

No matter how much Old Kili belittled himself, Kun wasn't buying it.

After all, if he were truly an insignificant retiree with no standing, how could he dare claim that he could persuade the entire Ice Fang Mercenary Company to join Kun?

Old Kili had guessed one thing correctly.

Kun really wasn't particularly interested in the Ice Fang Mercenary Company.

Seven Great Warriors and nearly two hundred ranked warriors certainly justified its reputation as a major mercenary company.

But...

Could they produce a single Great Warrior with the potential of someone like Dawn?

Or Nia?

Take Li Yuntian, for example.

Dawn criticized him constantly, yet he was practically guaranteed to become a fourth-tier powerhouse.

Kun preferred quality over quantity.

Because of that, the Ice Fang Mercenary Company simply wasn't that impressive in his eyes.

After pondering for a moment, Kun finally spoke.

"Proof."

"Words alone mean nothing."

"How do you intend to prove that you can persuade the Ice Fang Mercenary Company?"

"Otherwise, I'd merely be releasing a tiger back into the mountains."

"And this continent is vast."

"If your people truly wished to disappear into some remote corner of the world, then no matter how powerful I might be, I certainly don't have the spare time to hunt you down."

Old Kili immediately replied,

"I was half a qi instructor to the current commander of the Ice Fang Mercenary Company."

"The commander has always treated me with great respect and has never minded listening to this old man's advice."

"The opportunity to serve a Saint with limitless potential..."

"I believe he wouldn't willingly let such a chance slip away."

Then he raised his head and gave a bitter smile.

"To be honest, my Lord..."

"The Ice Fang Mercenary Company has recently run into some serious trouble."

"We originally intended to rely on the Smith family's influence to overcome this crisis."

"But now..."

"Not only has the mission failed..."

"The Count's son is imprisoned in your dungeon."

"How could the Smith family possibly spare us after this?"

"I'm afraid we can no longer remain in the south."

Kun narrowed his eyes.

"So you scheme against each other..."

"Drag my Fengrao Territory into your mess..."

"Place my people under the constant threat of an ancient dragon..."

"And now you intend to pin the consequences on me?"

"I wouldn't dare!"

"I truly meant no such thing!"

Cold sweat instantly beaded on Old Kili's forehead at Kun's seemingly righteous accusations.

"Place the Fertility Territory under the constant threat of an ancient dragon?"

If the butchered remains of that dragon hadn't been piled at his feet only days earlier...

He might actually have believed the lie.

Why had Leon been so furious?

Because only moments before, Kun had solemnly claimed that Leon's recklessness had brought an ancient dragon to the Fengrao Territory and demanded astronomical compensation.

At first glance...

That almost sounded reasonable.

But then...

Kun had immediately turned around, killed that terrifying dragon himself, chopped it neatly into pieces, and stacked the corpse right before their eyes.

It felt less like evidence...

And more like naked mockery of their helplessness and stupidity.

Old Kili felt only terror.

Leon...

Had simply been overwhelmed by rage and shock.

Enough to lose his composure completely.

Unlike the young noble, who still desperately clung to the illusion of preserving his nonexistent aristocratic dignity...

Old Kili had accepted reality much earlier.

That was why he had surrendered so decisively.

As for personal pride...

Or the Ice Fang Mercenary Company's honor...

He could pick them up.

He could just as easily put them down.

Besides...

He believed his prized disciple possessed enough sense not to gamble thousands of mercenaries' lives over something as meaningless as pride.

And honestly...

Was serving a fourth-tier Saint really something shameful?

Take any third-tier Grand Mage from any Mage Association standing proudly in the centers of the kingdom's great cities.

Ask whether they would feel humiliated if given the chance to become the apprentice of a Saint.

They would probably beg for the opportunity.

A Saint lived for two hundred years.

During those two centuries...

Kingdoms might rise or fall.

The entire political landscape could change beyond recognition.

Yet a Saint would remain standing above it all—

untouchable.

If he missed an opportunity like this...

Then he wouldn't deserve the nickname "Ice Fang Hedgehog," the most opportunistic man in the company.

Old Kili gazed expectantly at Kun.

This was a gamble.

If he lost...

He merely sacrificed the few remaining years of his old life.

But if he won...

The Ice Fang Mercenary Company would gain a true patron.

One who could stand firm for two hundred years.

Kun slowly shook his head.

"I have no particular interest in the Ice Fang Mercenary Company."

Old Kili's heart instantly sank.

"...However."

"I am somewhat interested in your merchant caravan."

"...Huh?"

Old Kili blinked in confusion.

Not interested in one of the kingdom's renowned large mercenary companies...

Yet interested in his insignificant merchant caravan?

Why?

Truthfully...

Kun had absolutely no interest in the "huge opportunity" Old Kili believed he was offering.

At least...

Not right now.

The Fengrao Territory lacked manpower.

But it wasn't so desperate that it needed over a thousand mercenaries to cultivate wilderness.

Those battle-hardened veterans had grown accustomed to complete freedom.

They weren't one thousand workers.

They were one thousand headaches.

Not only would the Fengrao Territory fail to welcome them—

No small lord would.

Sooner or later...

The guests would become the masters.

Would the territory belong to the lord...

Or to the mercenary commander?

Kun wasn't afraid of mercenaries.

He simply hated unnecessary trouble.

His territory had never lacked military strength.

Managing rebellious mercenaries was far more troublesome than managing farmers.

What he needed were people who would faithfully carry out his plans to cultivate his "garden."

Not a thousand drunken troublemakers.

In Kun's opinion, the Fengrao Territory was wonderful in every aspect...

Except transportation.

No merchant caravan wanted to travel somewhere this remote.

Buying or selling anything required making trips to distant cities.

It was terribly inconvenient.

Kun had long wanted to establish a proper trade route.

Unfortunately...

His manpower shortage forced him to postpone the idea.

Then another thought occurred to him.

Why establish his own caravan?

As long as someone else was willing to regularly travel the Fengrao Territory route...

That was enough.

Kun casually tore open a scroll.

A magical map of the Fengrao Territory and its surrounding regions unfolded before everyone.

With a flick of his finger...

A crimson route appeared, connecting the Fengrao Territory directly to the northern trade roads.

"I intend to build a proper highway connecting the Fengrao Territory with the outside world within one year."

"When that happens..."

"The rugged mountain trails will no longer hinder this land's prosperity."

"But before then..."

"I doubt any merchant caravan would foolishly travel all the way here every half month just to conduct trade."

"Don't you agree, Caravan Master Kili?"

Kun smiled pleasantly.

His expression practically screamed Let's discuss this like reasonable people.

Old Kili instantly understood.

Patting his chest, he declared,

"Of course not!"

"The Fengrao Territory under your leadership will surely prosper."

"How could a mere mountain road stop merchants eager to make money?"

"The only reason no one comes is that news from the territory never reaches the outside world."

"That simply allowed me to seize this fortunate opportunity."

"I guarantee it."

"My caravan will visit the Fengrao Territory every half month."

"...No."

"Every ten days."

"I'll bring whatever goods you require."

"And I won't earn even a single copper coin."

Kun laughed.

"Money should still be earned."

"If merchants can't make a profit here..."

"Then what other caravan would dare visit the Fengrao Territory in the future?"

Still smiling, Kun gently waved his hand.

An invisible force lifted everyone from the floor.

Now that they stood on the same side...

There was no point in squeezing them like before.

Enemies deserved ruthlessness.

Friends deserved hospitality.

That was another valuable lesson Kun had learned from his previous world.

"Tate."

"Take them to Grace."

"Treat their frostbite."

"Then let them wash properly and change into clean clothes."

"As for the merchant caravan..."

"Our tax officer, Vittorio, will discuss the details with you."

"...Actually."

"We'll postpone those matters until tomorrow."

"Today, simply get some proper rest."

"You have our deepest gratitude for your mercy."

Old Kili bowed respectfully.

He knew...

His old life had been spared.

Then, unable to contain himself, he cautiously asked,

"And... the Ice Fang Mercenary Company?"

Kun answered calmly,

"My answer remains the same."

"Have your commander come speak to me personally."

"Whether cooperation is possible..."

"Whether an opportunity even exists..."

"We'll discuss it after we meet."

This wasn't a junkyard.

He wasn't interested in collecting every piece of trash thrown his way.

Kun had completely seen through Old Kili's intentions.

Personally...

He actually thought rather highly of the old mercenary.

Ruthless.

Perceptive.

Able to judge situations quickly.

Old Kili embodied what Kun believed a true mercenary should be.

His cultivation wasn't particularly impressive—

only second-tier—

but Kun never judged people by strength alone.

Under different circumstances...

He might even have invited the old man to become one of his personal advisors.

Or perhaps assist Old Tate in training the territory's guards.

In fact...

Had Old Kili been the commander of the Ice Fang Mercenary Company...

Kun might genuinely have considered cooperating.

Unfortunately...

He wasn't.

Organizations like the Ice Fang Mercenary Company required Great Warrior strength to command.

Without it, nobody could secure the position.

Kun guessed their commander was one of the seven Great Warriors Old Kili had mentioned.

Unfortunately...

Kun never worked with fools.

His promise to Old Kili was nothing more than basic courtesy after establishing a trade agreement.

There was no reason to tear down the bridge immediately after crossing it.

From Kun's perspective...

The Ice Fang Mercenary Company's decision to seek help from the Smith family had already revealed enough.

It was a disastrous move.

He hadn't even met their commander...

Yet his first impression was already terrible.

Probably another muscle-headed fool.

Did they truly believe borrowing the power of the Golden Family came without a price?

That family had never acted without profit.

Kun even suspected the Smith family had orchestrated many of the southern troubles facing the Ice Fang Mercenary Company in the first place.

Eventually...

Unable to repay their debts...

The company would simply be devoured whole.

How did the Golden Family earn that title?

Surely not because they spent their days doing charitable deeds.

Otherwise...

They'd be called the Good Samaritan Family.

Or perhaps...

The Fool Family.

Wouldn't they?

"One moment."

Just as Old Kili prepared to leave, Kun stopped him.

The mercenaries looked back in confusion.

"My Lord?"

"Is there another question?"

"I'll answer whatever I know."

"There is."

"But don't be nervous."

"It's merely a personal curiosity."

"When I first met you at the open-air auction square in Loworth City..."

"You spoke with such a thick northern dialect that it nearly gave me a headache."

"So how is it..."

"That you're now speaking flawless Standard Kingdom Speech?"

Old Kili's weathered face reddened.

"My Lord..."

"You may not know this..."

"I speak more than just the northern dialect."

"I know several southern accents as well..."

"And even a little of the mountain dwarves' language."

"As merchants constantly traveling from region to region..."

"Speaking the local dialect often serves as proof that you're one of the locals."

"Native merchants tend to band together and exclude outsiders."

"And local buyers usually believe locally produced goods are of better quality."

"So..."

"If you speak like one of them..."

"They trust you more."

"...Which makes it easier to..."

"...Ahem."

"...Charge a better price."

"Actually, my accent isn't perfect."

"But it's good enough to fool southern merchants visiting Loworth City for the first time."

Kun burst into laughter.

"Hahaha!"

"You're incredible."

"So it was all a scam?"

He laughed so hard he nearly choked.

Not because he'd once been treated like some rich fool.

To Kun...

Everyone in the world was ignorant of something.

A mouse understood the world of mice.

A lion understood the world of lions.

Everyone's understanding was incomplete.

Who could truly know everything?

Strength always came with weakness.

Knowledge always leaves something unknown.

There was nothing worth getting angry over.

If you'd been deceived...

It merely meant your experience was lacking.

Learn the lesson.

Grow wiser.

That was enough.

"Old Kili."

"If the day ever comes when you can no longer remain with the Ice Fang Mercenary Company..."

"The gates of the Fengrao Territory will always be open to you."

Unsure whether to interpret that as praise or a curse, Old Kili smiled awkwardly before following Old Tate from the reception hall.

Walking through the castle corridors...

He felt as though he were floating.

Even his footsteps seemed lighter.

A Saint...

Personally invited me?

Granted...

He would never abandon the Ice Fang Mercenary Company.

But that hardly diminished his excitement.

Just imagining gathering his old drinking companions one day...

Casually letting that story slip...

He could already picture those old bastards dying from envy.

That was a legendary powerhouse who had stepped into the Heroic Realm.

One of the greatest figures in the kingdom's entire history.

Yet he had personally invited an insignificant old man like him.

He hadn't cared much for the entire Ice Fang Mercenary Company...

Yet he had singled out Old Kili alone.

A sixteen-year-old Saint.

Someone who could casually slay an ancient dragon.

Just how powerful was that man?

To think...

Old Kili might actually have the chance to work for someone like him.

He eagerly looked forward to the day Lord Kun's name echoed across the entire Eternal Dawn Continent.

---

After the mercenaries departed, Kun wandered over to the window and quietly admired the scenery outside.

The spring planting was finally complete.

The remaining work—

fertilizing...

weeding...

removing pests...

watering the young seedlings—

had all been divided into new labor assignments.

Only women and elderly workers were permitted to take those jobs.

Naturally...

The wages were considerably lower than those earned by the logging and construction crews.

As for the children...

Lord Kun's newest decree stated that every child under the age of ten must attend the newly established Emerald Academy.

Tuition was free.

Like the labor teams, students also received two meals each day.

And if any family failed to send their children...

The Fengrao Territory's tax officer, Lord Reinhardt—who often claimed he had nothing useful to do—would personally arrive at their doorstep with his subordinates.

Then...

They would have a pleasant little conversation regarding all the unpaid taxes from previous years.