Chapter 8: Rapid Merchant Guild (2)
All the branch heads belonging to the Rapid Merchant Guild gathered in one place.
The old man standing at the highest seat, Merchant Guild Head Tade, loosened his hands from behind his back and sat down.
“Ragnar Territory has officially requested a trade.”
At Merchant Guild Head Tade’s words, all the branch heads stirred.
A place where trade had been halted for quite a long time.
It had been a trading partner that formed the backbone of Rapid, and a territory that was now collapsing.
“Do you intend to accept that trade? Ragnar Territory is on the verge of ruin!”
When one branch head spoke up, the middle-aged man sitting beside Merchant Guild Head Tade let out a quiet scoff.
“Not on the verge of ruin—hasn’t it already collapsed? Merchant Guild Head, there’s no reason to accept the trade.”
At the remark of Branch Head Lyman, who ranked fifth in sales within the Rapid Merchant Guild, most of those gathered became noisy.
However, Merchant Guild Head Tade maintained his composed demeanor as the guild head and shook his head.
“These are the gold coins Ragnar Territory sent as an advance payment. 100 gold. With value like this, doesn’t it seem worth preparing a trading caravan?”
Clink—
When he placed the pouch of gold coins Kyle had personally handed over where the branch heads could see it, Lyman objected again.
“They may have given 100 gold coins as an advance payment, but Ragnar Territory will continue to demand trade through this deal. There’s no reason to keep trading with Ragnar at a loss.”
“Shouldn’t you look at this with a broad perspective instead of a narrow one?”
“……What do you mean by that?”
“They conveyed that they would hand over Orc byproducts to us. You know that Northern Monster byproducts have completely dried up these days.”
Monster byproducts from the inland regions and those from the north were entirely different in quality.
Normally, one piece of Orc hide went for 10 silver, but Northern Orc hides were priced at 1 gold each.
But now was different.
Perhaps this was a time when even a single Northern Orc hide could fetch up to 2 gold.
“I will participate.”
“I’ll participate as well!”
The branch heads’ reactions differed greatly between when they saw the 100 gold and when the byproducts were mentioned.
Even those who had been swayed by Lyman’s opposing argument immediately cast their votes in favor of the trading caravan once the byproducts were brought up.
This was an opportunity,
A golden opportunity to distribute Northern Monster byproducts on the market.
As the atmosphere suddenly changed, Lyman raised his hand again.
“How much Orc byproduct quantity are we talking about? If it’s only a small amount, the Lyman Merchant Guild will withdraw from this trading caravan.”
“In this trading caravan, the Lyman Merchant Guild will withdraw.”
In any case, participating while harboring dissatisfaction would only cause obstruction.
Merchant Guild Head Tade informed Lyman with resolute eyes.
Lyman shouted toward Merchant Guild Head Tade, who had accepted his intent without any adjustment, his face flustered.
“Merchant Guild Head!”
But Merchant Guild Head Tade looked at him coldly.
“I heard that the quantity of Orc byproducts Ragnar has secured is quite large. Including teeth and bones, it would be a considerable amount.”
At Merchant Guild Head Tade’s words, Branch Head Lyman’s eyes widened.
Kyle had told him that the Northern Orc byproducts this time exceeded a thousand units.
There was not a single northern territory that produced such an amount.
The yearly output was only around a thousand units.
The items Ragnar Territory would trade this time amounted to a full year’s worth.
Merchant Guild Head Tade took his eyes off the speechless Lyman and continued the meeting.
“Since the Lyman Merchant Guild has withdrawn, who will fill that position?”
“I will participate.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than Branch Head Benshi, ranked second within the Rapid Merchant Guild, raised his hand.
“I will secure as much food and daily necessities as possible. And if there are items Ragnar Territory needs, I will prepare those as well.”
At Branch Head Benshi’s declaration, Lyman’s expression twisted.
“But Ragnar Territory is……!”
“That’s enough. The branch head himself said he would not participate, so do not involve yourself in this trading caravan.”
At Merchant Guild Head Tade’s firm instruction, Branch Head Lyman lowered his head.
‘Damn it…….’
The monster byproducts processed by Ragnar Territory were well-known not only in the Daon Kingdom but across the entire continent.
Their trade was hunting monsters and processing them.
If this had been a first transaction, the quality of the goods would have needed scrutiny, but knowing Ragnar’s techniques, Lyman harbored not a shred of doubt.
If it had been like before, Lyman himself would not have opposed trading with Ragnar so strongly.
‘Money-crazed bastards.’
Of course, had it not been for the hatred he held toward Ragnar Territory, Branch Head Lyman would not have opposed this trading caravan either.
‘……Vice Guild Head.’
Lyman had been one of the branch heads selected by Reni, not Merchant Guild Head Tade.
He still harbored dissatisfaction over the death of Reni, who had been like a benefactor to him, and Merchant Guild Head Tade also knew why Lyman opposed the trading caravan.
Thus, until the meeting concluded smoothly, Merchant Guild Head Tade did not spare Lyman a single glance.
All the branch heads left, but Branch Head Lyman alone remained in his seat.
Only then did Merchant Guild Head Tade look at Lyman and open his mouth.
“It must be because of Reni’s matter. Do you still resent Ragnar Territory?”
“……I do not understand why the former Merchant Guild Head is trying to open trade with Ragnar again. There are things more important than money.”
“As you say, there are things more important than money. But just because I lost my child in Ragnar Territory does not mean I should betray trust.”
Upon hearing Merchant Guild Head Tade’s words, Lyman clenched his fist tightly and trembled.
“That accursed trust! Who abandoned it first in the end? It was Ragnar! The late Vice Guild Head tried so hard to help them, yet Ragnar Territory did not even recognize that favor and unilaterally cut off trade with the Rapid Merchant Guild!”
Merchant Guild Head Tade rose from his seat as he looked at Lyman’s stubbornly trembling mouth.
“Why do you think Ragnar abandoned that trust first?”
“That is…….”
“Have you never considered that they broke the trade for the sake of the Rapid Merchant Guild?”
Even before Kyle spoke, Merchant Guild Head Tade already knew.
After losing all the iron mines, Ragnar’s formidable military power had been diminished.
Since then, he had thought countless times about why Rai had halted the trade, and he had arrived at one conclusion.
That Rai had unilaterally cut off the trade for the sake of the Rapid Merchant Guild.
Only then did Lyman seem to grasp the meaning of Merchant Guild Head Tade’s words, and he spoke in a subdued voice.
“……Merchant Guild Head.”
“You will not be able to participate in this trading caravan, but remain here and prepare for the next one.”
“The next trading caravan?”
“Stay in the Royal Capital and purchase as much food and daily necessities as possible throughout the Daon Kingdom.”
Preparation had to begin now, even for the sake of the next trade.
In addition, there was one more reason for leaving Lyman behind here.
“And inquire about a place called the Sinoah Merchant Guild.”
“……Why are you looking for the Sinoah Merchant Guild?”
“Was it a place you knew?”
“I knew that one of Branch Head Benshi’s trading partners was a small merchant guild called Sinoah.”
At Lyman’s words, Merchant Guild Head Tade’s expression twisted in an instant.
That meant Branch Head Benshi was working hand in hand with a Slave Merchant Guild.
“I see. Could you perhaps look into it in detail?”
“Yes. I heard they are trade merchants who bring spices from the Tylers Empire and sell them in the kingdom. I will investigate further and report back.”
“That works out well. We needed trade merchants who could take Northern Monster byproducts to the Tylers Empire. Try making contact.”
“Yes, Merchant Guild Head.”
As Lyman went outside, Merchant Guild Head Tade also rose from his seat and headed toward the Merchant Guild Head’s Office.
Even as he walked, Merchant Guild Head Tade wanted to believe it was not his own thought.
Branch Head Benshi was someone like a friend with whom he had spent decades.
‘No, it can’t be…….’
Merchant Guild Head Tade shook his head hard.
When he arrived at the Merchant Guild Head’s Office, Branch Head Benshi was waiting in front of the door.
“Merchant Guild Head.”
“Branch Head Benshi, did you come because you had questions about the trading caravan preparations?”
“I came because I have a request.”
“Come inside first.”
At his words, Merchant Guild Head Tade opened the door with an awkward smile.
Soon after both of them sat down, Branch Head Benshi got straight to the point.
“I would like to add the mercenaries I hired to this trading caravan.”
“……Branch Head Benshi.”
“Ragnar Territory is not free from the threat of monsters. You know that, don’t you? We must prepare thoroughly.”
“Hoo, tell me the name of the mercenary group you recommend.”
“There is a merchant guild that trades spices while traveling between the Tylers Empire and the Daon Kingdom. It’s a small place called the Sinoah Merchant Guild, and the mercenaries affiliated with them are highly skilled.”
When the name Sinoah Merchant Guild came up, Merchant Guild Head Tade nodded without showing it.
At his seemingly indifferent reaction, Benshi lifted the corner of his mouth.
In that brief moment, Merchant Guild Head Tade became certain of what Benshi’s smile meant.
“What number are you thinking of?”
“About 100. The Benshi Merchant Guild intends to step forward and hire them.”
“Could you give me time to think about it? I will give you an answer by tomorrow.”
“Of course, but I truly hope you will grant this request.”
“I will review the branch head’s request positively.”
“Thank you. Then I will take my leave.”
The moment Benshi left, Kyle released his concealment from a secluded corner and revealed himself.
At Kyle’s sudden appearance, Merchant Guild Head Tade’s eyes widened.
Kyle, observing his reaction, nodded.
“Merchant Guild Head, accept Branch Head Benshi’s proposal.”
“But, Young Master…….”
“Do not worry. I will safely escort the Merchant Guild Head to Ragnar Territory.”
“Is this what you meant by an unforeseen situation?”
“From the moment I arrived here, I saw several people reeking strongly of the smell of blood.”
“Hoo…… I understand.”
In the end, Merchant Guild Head Tade decided to follow Kyle’s words.
However, he added a condition to Kyle.
“Young Master, in return, could you move together with our trading caravan?”
Kyle, who had intended to quietly follow from behind, pondered briefly before answering.
“I also have a condition.”
“What condition is that?”
“If anyone asks about me, just say I am a knight dispatched from Ragnar Territory.”
If he were to accompany the trading caravan, it was necessary to conceal Kyle’s identity.
Understanding the intent, Merchant Guild Head Tade nodded.
“Is there anything else you need?”
“Just procure one potion. With my current hair, I stand out too much.”
Since there was no one in the guild with white hair, it was obvious he would draw unnecessary attention during the trading caravan.
That was why Kyle asked Merchant Guild Head Tade for a potion that could change hair color.
“Understood. I will obtain it as quickly as possible.”
“Then I will be going.”
Kyle turned his steps and left the Merchant Guild Head’s Office.
Meanwhile, Branch Head Benshi, who had returned to his mansion after meeting Merchant Guild Head Tade, loosened his buttons as if feeling stifled.
“Tell the Sinoah Merchant Guild to prepare to participate in the trading caravan to Ragnar Territory.”
As Benshi spoke toward the empty mansion, a man revealed himself.
“I will deliver the message.”
“Tsk, to think Ragnar Territory would show signs of recovery. Just what was the Sinoah Merchant Guild Head doing? He spoke with such confidence.”
“……More than 100 first-rate assassins moved to seize Ragnar Territory. However, it appears not a single one survived.”
“Haa, we must find out everything about what anomaly is occurring in Ragnar Territory on this occasion. And during this trading caravan, Merchant Guild Head Tade will be eliminated.”
It was something that had to be decided anyway.
And for the sake of the organization he belonged to, he had to take complete control of the Rapid Merchant Guild.
As Benshi wore a sinister smile, the man bowed his head.
“I will deliver it as such.”
“The assassination of Merchant Guild Head Tade must never fail. Tell them to make thorough preparations.”
When the man disappeared back into the darkness, Branch Head Benshi headed to his study.
Leaving his clothes strewn about, he grabbed a bottle of wine.
Then, without even a glass, he gulped it down.
“Thirty years of companionship. It seems time to bring it to an end, Merchant Guild Head Tade.”
A week had already passed since the Branch Head Meeting ended.
To depart on the trading caravan bound for Ragnar Territory, Benshi and Merchant Guild Head Tade were gathered in one place with a large number of people in tow.
“Branch Head Benshi, are the departure preparations complete?”
“Yes, Merchant Guild Head.”
“Perhaps because it has been so long since traveling to Ragnar, my steps feel heavy.”
“Isn’t it a good thing? If Ragnar recovers, the Rapid Merchant Guild will be able to rise to even greater heights.”
For an entire week, the Rapid Merchant Guild had gone mad buying up food and daily necessities.
To the extent that they committed half of the food stored in their warehouses to this trading caravan, the Rapid Merchant Guild had staked its very survival on trading with Ragnar.
The number of porters mobilized exceeded 300, and the number of mercenaries responsible for escorting them was also around 300.
It was a massive movement of over 600 people in total.
“Depart.”
At Merchant Guild Head Tade’s command, the enormous trading caravan began to move.
Originally, if they used a teleportation gate, they could arrive in two days, but the cost of using a gate was expensive.
The time it took from the Royal Capital to the northernmost reaches was two weeks.
Naturally, this trading caravan was bound to be long.
As he watched the back of Branch Head Benshi walking ahead, Merchant Guild Head Tade gripped the reins of his horse tightly.
‘I’m sorry, Benshi. This time, it seems I must abandon you first. I will live on cherishing our thirty years of companionship.’
Unaware of Merchant Guild Head Tade’s feelings, or perhaps knowing them all too well, Benshi turned back, met his eyes, and gave a faint smile.
‘Farewell. All that you have accomplished will be used for the greater cause.’