Guarantee that your fleet can pass unimpeded through the Star Mist Archipelago?
After returning to the fleet, Nolan was still immersed in that statement, savoring it for a long time.
Could it be that this entire Bullywug tribe is completely insane?
What gives this almost primitive Frogmen tribe the right to offer such a guarantee to their merchant fleet? Although the merchant fleet isn't as powerful as the kingdom's navy, Nolan had spent a fortune to purchase a Mana Cannon to defend against many dangers. He also hired an elite mercenary group of fifty men and a mage dispatched by his father, Count of the High Tower, to assist.
With such a lineup, Nolan could say without hesitation that it was enough to annihilate this Bullywug 'nation'.
If it weren't for the lack of resources here, the distance from the kingdom being too great, and the hassle of harvesting pearls, Nolan would have already wiped out this disgusting Bullywug tribe.
And just now, the Frog King's demands had left Nolan even more astonished.
These demands were absolutely not what a 'Frog King' who had just unified a barbaric tribe should be asking for.
This seemed more like something manipulated by an existence with long-term planning, even one requiring accumulated knowledge.
How could a primitive tribal chieftain think of wanting books?
The very idea itself was bizarre!
Nolan quickly filtered through the possibilities in his mind.
A fugitive?
Some wanted master thief or desperado who couldn't survive in the kingdom, fled to this desolate island, wanting to use the Frogmen to establish a base, even develop secretly? That could explain the demand for weapons and poisons, but books were still a stretch. And why would Bullywugs submit to a desperado from a different race?
Or perhaps...
Chromatic Dragons!
This thought sent a chill down Nolan's spine.
Bullywugs were indeed the most common servants of the Black Dragons among the Chromatic Dragons. Furthermore, nearly seven years ago, the world's largest evil dragon dynasty, the Underwood Dragon Flight, was annihilated under the joint siege of the Gold Dragon Clement and various factions. The dragons of the entire flight scattered and fled. Although many had been killed, dozens of dragons were also dispersed across the lands.
Perhaps what dwelled here was such a remnant from the Underwood Dragon Flight?
However, Chromatic Dragons were the most arrogant; they were absolutely not the type to hide their tracks. If there really was a Chromatic Dragon behind this, it would have likely appeared before him directly, forcing him, a puny human, to kneel.
Could it be Prince Imon, whose fate was unknown after his failed rebellion ten years ago?
Nolan's imagination ran wild. If Prince Imon was still alive, having drifted here, attempting to accumulate power... this thought was enough to make any kingdom noble's heart pound.
Whichever possibility it was, it meant immense risk.
However...
Nolan exhaled a breath, his eyes blazing with fervor.
"Who cares if it's a dragon, a ghost, or a rebel behind it!"
Nolan's gaze sharpened once more. Greed overwhelmed fear.
As long as the profit was substantial enough, he would even dare to sell the Mana Cannon on the ship!
If the entity behind this had sufficient assets, Nolan could even procure alchemical golems for him!
Of course, the civilian versions.
He didn't have the means to get military-grade versions.
Nolan needed this wealth, and for it, he would not hesitate to deal with the devil!
And there was another point. No matter if it was a desperado, a Chromatic Dragon, or that Prince Imon who, after his failed rebellion, headed north, deep into the Karugu Highlands, and vanished into the icy plains behind these Bullywugs—anyone who could develop power here surely harbored their own ambitions.
If they truly succeeded in the future, they might remember the favor of this merchant and provide unprecedented returns.
This, too, could be considered an investment.
Suppressing the doubts and a trace of inexplicable excitement in his heart, Nolan immediately took action.
Inferior ironware and tools were readily available ballast cargo, quickly moved to the deck by the sailors.
But seeds, poisons, and books were indeed troublesome.
Nolan paced rapidly in the cargo hold, his eyes scanning the piled goods.
Seeds were naturally absent. The ship only had a small amount of emergency oats. As for tree seeds... or rather saplings, who would bring those on a ship? That would have to wait for the next trade.
As for poisons...
A flash of inspiration struck Nolan, and he stopped before several sealed wooden barrels emitting a pungent odor.
This was 'Black Oil,' the energy source that powered the precious Mana Cannon on the ship and its navigation.
This stuff wasn't just flammable and explosive; its toxic fumes were enough to dizzy nearby crew, and prolonged exposure would damage the body. Its toxicity was unquestionable!
In the hands of alchemists, it was an important raw material.
If the other party truly wanted alchemical materials, this was absolutely the best choice.
"This is it!"
Nolan decisively decided. Selling a few barrels secretly wouldn't hurt.
As for books, Nolan smiled wryly.
A merchant ship wasn't a library. Apart from the logbook and a few boring cargo manifests, there were only a few dog-eared knight adventure novels and popular erotic tales privately stashed by the sailors.
Immediately, Nolan summoned the first mate. They turned the crew quarters upside down and finally managed to gather seven or eight colorful booklets, their contents being nothing more than tales of heroes saving beauties, dragon-slaying, or other absurd stories.
Nolan gathered these 'spiritual sustenance' together.
Setting foot on Coral Island again, Nolan presented the list and samples one by one to Benedict.
"Respected Frog King."
Nolan maintained an elegant smile. "The ironware, cloth, and liquor you requested are here. As for seeds, it was an oversight this time; we will definitely bring them next time. Poisons... these barrels of 'Alchemical Black Oil' are highly toxic and exceptionally valuable. They are excellent alchemical base materials, and I believe they will meet your needs. These books are the treasured wisdom of our crew, recording strange tales and anecdotes from the human world, and... combat techniques."
He told this small lie without batting an eye.
Benedict's bulging yellow eyes swept over the black oil barrels. The pungent smell made it shake its head uncomfortably, but upon hearing 'alchemical' and 'exceptionally valuable,' it grunted and nodded.
As for those books, Benedict couldn't read them anyway. Seeing they were densely packed with characters, it simply waved a hand.
Thus, over thirty baskets of pearls of varying sizes and luster were laboriously carried onto Nolan's ship by the Bullywugs.
With the transaction complete, a weight lifted from Nolan's heart.
The profit was not as high as previous years.
After all, in previous years, before the Frogmen tribes were unified, those Frogmen had no idea of the value these pearls held in the Human Kingdom. A few pieces of iron could exchange for these pearls.
The corresponding cost, however, was having to haggle with each individual tribe.
Now, after unification, the price had gone up, but it also saved a lot of time.
After all, their merchant fleet's true goal was to continue northward to trade with the 'Innsuit people' of the icy plains.
Just as he was preparing to take his leave, Nolan took a deep breath, mustered his courage, took a step closer to Benedict, lowered his voice with a hint of a merchant's shrewdness and a barely detectable probe: "Frog King, the quality of these pearls is excellent. A pleasant transaction. However..."
Here, Nolan paused, then continued: "Forgive my bluntness, but pearls, though good, are ultimately mundane items. Next time, if you wish to exchange for more precious goods—such as the magical materials, fine weapons, or even certain rarer seeds and knowledge tomes you might need—pearls alone might not suffice in value."
Observing Benedict's reaction, Nolan said slowly: "The seas of the Star Mist Archipelago are vast and mysterious. In the deep ocean below, there must surely be hidden true treasures, or perhaps scales shed by certain powerful creatures. If you can provide such items of greater value, I swear on my family's name that I can bring you returns far beyond your imagination."
Having planted the seed of suggestion, Nolan said no more. After a respectful bow, he led his fleet, laden with pearls, slowly away from Coral Island.
This was also a test.
As everyone knew, everything about Chromatic Dragons was extremely valuable.
A single dragon scale was worth over a dozen gold coins, far exceeding the value of pearls.
At the same time, dragon scales were also commonly used materials by alchemists.
If there was a Chromatic Dragon behind this Bullywug tribe, then upon learning this, the other party might trade with dragon scales.
This way, Nolan could clearly understand what was truly manipulating this Bullywug tribe.
"The Star Mist Archipelago is getting more and more interesting. Half a year ago, Derek's merchant fleet obtained the corpse of a young White Dragon from those lizardmen. Now these Bullywugs have been unified, plus the originally powerful fishmen... It seems the Star Mist Archipelago is inevitably headed for a great war."
Nolan was indifferent.
Whoever won or lost had nothing to do with him.
The merchant fleet operated solely based on profit.
He didn't yet have the capital to support a faction here and keep a war going continuously. So, no matter who achieved victory, it wouldn't affect Nolan's core interests.
"Hoist the sails, set course!"