While voicing their complaints to the gate guards, the merchants ultimately chose to pay the required entry fees listed in the merchants' rate. Despite their discomfort at having to spend 2-5 silver per wagon, with the cost escalating based on the size of their wagon, they resigned themselves to this expense.
Initially, some merchants suspected that the gate guards were scamming them, as the fee system appeared quite different from those in other cities. However, upon learning that this fee system had been recently changed and implemented by the current lord of the city of Bathsheba, they felt powerless to contest it.
With a heavy sigh, Fuego lamented, "We're just out of luck this time. The city's new lord seems exceptionally greedy." He shared his frustrations with fellow merchants Henrik, Sean, and two others as they guided their wagons into the city.
Beside Henrik walked his son, Tomas.
"Dad, didn't you say we could enter the city for free?" Tomas inquired, confusion knitting his brows.
Henrik let out a sigh and, pausing to gently pat Tomas on the head, explained, "Things have changed." He continued, "Remember this, Tomas. Life doesn't always go as planned. Just a moment ago, we were confident we'd enter without paying, but now, look at us. You have to be ready for anything, good or bad."
Tomas looked up at his father, absorbing his words.
Henrik added, "And whether things turn out for the better or, unfortunately, for the worse, we must adapt."
As they walked, Fuego and the others couldn't help but chuckle at Henrik's fatherly advice.
"Classic Henrik, always the teacher to his son. I'm a bit jealous," Sean said with a chuckle, giving Henrik a friendly pat.
"Jealous because you have too many firstborns and can't choose," Fuego teased Sean, sending the group into laughter.
---
As Henrik and his son Tomas walked through the city's uneven streets alongside other merchants and their wagons, guarded by hired adventurers, they were pleasantly surprised. Henrik had braced himself to explain to Tomas the city's less appealing aspects, like the expected foul smells and dirty streets. However, to their astonishment, aside from the uneven road, the streets were clean, and the air was free of any unpleasant odors, a stark contrast to their previous visits.
Despite the roads' imperfections, the marked improvement from their last state made them seem almost charming and inviting, especially in the absence of any foul smells. This unexpected cleanliness added a layer of satisfaction to their journey.
Henrik noticed Tomas, who was joyfully observing the surroundings. Even though the city's condition was still far from good and lacked the aesthetic appeal of other cities within the Kingdom of Valthorn, it seemed to captivate Tomas. This fascination was likely due to Tomas experiencing new sights, further enhanced by the cleanliness and odor-free environment they were walking through. Remarkably, the streets here were even cleaner and more pleasant than those in their own hometown, which, despite being more even, were often marred by animal waste and unpleasant smells.
"We're getting close to the city market, son," Henrik said, patting his son's back. He noticed Tomas's curiosity towards the teenagers hanging around on the streets, looking a bit unkempt. Gently, he reminded his son, "It's best to stay a bit cautious around here."
Henrik was wary. He knew the city's reputation for being dangerous, aware that if not for their adventurers' vigilance, their goods might be at risk of theft.
Tomas nodded, understanding his father's concern as they approached the bustling city markets.
Henrik and the other merchants were disappointed that they could no longer conduct business directly with the city officials and elders of Bathsheba as before. However, determined not to let their journey go to waste, they knew they had to engage with the market stalls and vendors instead.
The market stalls and vendor spaces in Bathsheba's city markets were mostly under the ownership and jurisdiction of the city officials and elders. But with those officials now imprisoned, it was uncertain whether the market stalls were still operational or if they had been removed by the city's new lord. The merchants were stepping into the unknown, hoping for the best as they prepared to trade in the city's markets.
The city market was atleast bustling with life. Despite the city's struggling economy, there remained opportunities for the residents to make a living. Beyond the jobs provided by the city lord, individuals leveraged their skills for daily sustenance. Blacksmiths, artisans, and carpenters offered their services or sold their creations to local business owners or directly to the city lord.
Previously, these skilled workers often sold their goods to city officials and elders at low prices. But with those officials now out of the picture, the craftsmen and women found a sense of relief, selling their work under less oppressive conditions.
Others in the city found income by offering their services as guides or assistants to newcomers, particularly adventurers and travelers just passing through.
Approaching the city market, Henrik gestured to the surroundings and said to his son, "This is their market."
Tomas looked around with a slight frown, commenting, "It's quite small, and there aren't many people."
Sean laughed lightly and replied, "Well, yes, it's small and quiet. But remember, this is Bathsheba."
Fuego, eager to explore, announced, "Let's go check out their goods," and led the way into the market.
The presence of the merchants sparked excitement among the vendors, who saw in them a chance for good business.
Henrik and his companions followed, entering the lively market. As they delved deeper, the merchants dispersed, each pursuing different items, drawn to various stalls by their unique needs and interests.
While Sean scoured the market for medicinal herbs, Fuego examined pottery and linens, and Henrik focused on agricultural products, inspecting the variety of fruits and vegetables available.
Wandering through the market with his son and the hired adventurers, guiding their wagons, Tomas, Henrik's son, quickly noticed something unusual about the produce. Pointing to a stall, he asked, "Dad, why do the fruits and vegetables look like that?"
Henrik, drawn by his son's curiosity, peered at the produce and was equally intrigued by their unusual freshness and sheen. He approached a vendor's stall with Tomas to take a closer look.
The vendor, noticing their interest, greeted them warmly, "Are you interested in these vegetables, sir?"
Henrik, slightly taken aback by their vibrant appearance, replied while trying to maintain his composure, "These vegetables... they look exceptionally fresh and shiny. How is that possible?"
The vendor smiled, a reaction Henrik, a reaction he'd seen before from other curious customers, whether locals or visitors. "Ah, well, I can't claim to know all the details, but their remarkable condition is thanks to the lord's invention."
Henrik and his companions exchanged puzzled looks. "Invention?" Henrik echoed, his curiosity piqued even further.
---
In the city castle, Ryan had just received word that merchants were visiting the city for trade once more. He learned about the small hiccup at the city gates regarding entry fees, but Ryan didn't fault the guards for their actions.
After all, Ryan had never directly interacted with these merchants before; they had previously dealt with the city's former officials and elders, not with him directly.
However, Ryan couldn't help feeling a surge of excitement at their arrival. To him, these merchants represented a golden opportunity to showcase and trade a new product he had recently developed.
Thanks to to the system he had access to, Ryan had acquired a prototype from the "System Shop," enabling him to create a product that significantly extended the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. Not only did it maintain their quality and minimize losses, but it also enhanced their appearance. This invention, a preservation wax, was a game-changer, and Ryan was eager to introduce it to the merchants.