"I know a town nearby," Fret said, "let's take these bodies there and sell them for some money." His suggestion elicited incredulous looks from the soldiers. Initially, Fret didn't understand their reaction, but soon he realized the major issue: transporting all the bodies would require multiple trips.
"Alright, don't look at me like that. Let me think of a solution," Fret said, opening the system shop for vehicles. As he browsed, he was surprised to find a section featuring various 1940s-era vehicles, such as the Cadillac Series 62 and Chevrolet Fleetline. While these vehicles were expensive, their prices were relatively affordable compared to military trucks. Fret had initially considered buying military trucks, believing they would be more practical in the long run. However, acquiring such trucks would require several hundred more system points.
After careful consideration, Fret decided to purchase a vehicle for short-term use, with plans to upgrade later. Despite the vehicle's production date being earlier than the 1940s, Fret reasoned that its inclusion in the shop was due to its continued use during that period.
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Civilian Vehicles Available SP: 146
Ford Model AA truck - 100 SP
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Although the Ford Model AA was originally produced in the early 1900s, its use extended into the 1940s as various countries and military forces adapted and modified the truck for their needs. It was employed for tasks such as military supply delivery and staff transportation. Despite the high cost, Fret was considering this truck for his current needs. His initial plan was to focus on hunting and selling the carcasses to earn money, which he intended to save for future expenses. However, whether he would pursue this plan or abandon it would depend on what he encountered in the town.
Fret wanted to buy the truck and load all the bodies before heading to town, but he was unsure if a road through the forest could accommodate the Ford Model AA. If there was no suitable path, he would face the prospect of wasting his hard-earned system points, which would be a significant blow. After careful consideration, Fret ordered his soldiers to drag the dead bodies while heading toward the path leading to the town.
Ten minutes later, they arrived at an open path wide enough to fit the truck. Without hesitation, Fret purchased the Ford Model AA and summoned it on the road where he was standing. A white, blinding light surged from thin air before the truck materialized in front of them, perfectly positioned as Fret desired.
The Ford Model AA was a rugged, reliable vehicle with a classic design that resonated with the early 1900s aesthetic. It featured a sturdy, boxy frame with a pronounced front grille and large, round headlights. The truck's wooden cargo bed and simple, functional lines were characteristic of its era, while its solid steel wheels and high ground clearance emphasized its durability. The Model AA was known for its impressive power and versatility, making it a favored choice among military forces for its ability to transport supplies and personnel across rough terrain. Its robust engine and sturdy construction allowed it to handle various tasks, which is why it was widely used in both civilian and military applications. Seeing the truck in person left Fret astonished. Although he had seen many pictures of this model and knew its capabilities, seeing it materialize before him in the flesh was a remarkable experience.
After a few seconds of admiring the truck, Fret ordered his soldiers to load all the bodies. Hearing his command, the soldiers began their work, carefully arranging the wild boars, the wolf, and the rabbits in the cargo bed. With the bodies neatly placed, Fret called William over to the passenger seat, as he would be the one driving.
As Fret settled into the driver's seat, the other five soldiers climbed into the cargo bed and attempted to make themselves comfortable. Despite their efforts, the cramped space left them less than comfortable, and they cast pitiful glances at Fret.
"Don't give me that look; you're all soldiers," Fret said sternly, trying to maintain authority despite their evident discomfort. He then started the truck, the engine rumbling to life.
William, seated beside Fret, wore an expression of excitement and pride. His thoughts were filled with the notion, 'I'm the most trusted man of the Grand Marshal.' The thrill of being so close to Fret made him feel honored, even as the truck began its journey along the dusty road.
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It took about five minutes to arrive at the town. When they entered, all eyes were on the truck, as it was an uncommon sight. Although the town, surrounded by two superpowers, was striving to advance its technology, most nearby stores still used horse-drawn carts. Only the library and administrative buildings had trucks like this. Fret had chosen this vehicle deliberately, knowing that arriving with a more modern or military vehicle might draw unwanted attention from military or law enforcement.
Soon enough, the truck that had caught everyone's attention stopped in front of Kane's building. Kane and his family, initially surprised, assumed it was a military officer arriving due to Kane's elite military background. Their shock deepened as they saw Fret and several armed individuals disembark.
"Long time no see, Kane," Fret said with a smile, extending his hand for a shake. Kane, still in shock, shook Fret's hand reflexively before snapping back to reality.
"What the hell is this?" Kane asked, breaking free from his surprise. Amused by Kane's reaction, Fret decided to tease him a bit. "I was actually an intelligence agent. We saw you as a fit candidate and decided to assess you before inviting you to the department," Fret said, clearly enjoying Kane's confusion.
"What is that?" Kane asked, puzzled, trying to make sense of the situation.
"I'm just messing with you. These guys are my companions, as I mentioned. They're just part of it," Fret said, gesturing to his soldiers. "I came here to sell some goods, but I'm not sure who to sell them to. I wonder if you might be interested. If not, could you direct us to someone who would be?"
Kane's expression shifted to a more serious, businesslike demeanor as he processed the information. "What goods?" he asked, his tone becoming professional. Although the shop was managed by his wife, Kane still assisted with various business matters, ensuring fair treatment, especially in cases where others might not take his wife seriously.
Fret moved to the back of the truck, where his soldiers opened the cargo bed to reveal its contents. "Three wild boar carcasses, one wolf, and ten rabbits," Fret announced. Kane was taken aback, as the wild boar and wolf were considered luxury items due to the difficulty of hunting them. "You... you hunted all these?" Kane stuttered, impressed.
"My people did. They're well-trained," Fret said proudly, glancing at his soldiers. Though he didn't train them personally, he was their Grand Marshal, responsible for their successes and failures alike. "That's really impressive," Kane replied, examining the soldiers. As an elite soldier himself, he recognized their strength and skill.
"What do you say? Can you buy these?" Fret asked, giving Kane time to consider.
"I can buy one wild boar and a few rabbits, but that's all," Kane replied after a moment of thought. He could afford more, but he wasn't sure he could sell all of it profitably, as high-quality meat wasn't something most ordinary people could consume.
"Oh, then is there somewhere else I can sell the rest?" Fret asked, disappointed by Kane's limited offer.
"You might try the Ministry of Food and Nutrition office. They might be willing to buy the remainder, though I can't guarantee they'll take it all," Kane suggested, then added, "Come find me after you've sold to them. I'll buy whatever's left."
"Are you not buying it yourself?" Fret asked, surprised to see Kane heading inside.
"They'll offer you a better price than I could," Kane replied without looking back. Initially shocked, Fret decided to gift one wild boar to Kane as a gesture of goodwill. "Alright then, I'll give you one for the help you provided me yesterday," Fret said, and his soldiers unloaded one wild boar and carried it inside the store.
"What are you doing?" Kane asked, surprised by Fret's generosity.
"A token of friendship," Fret replied with a smile. "You can eat it with your family or sell it—it's your choice." He then left the store with his soldiers and climbed back into the truck.
A few seconds later, the truck reversed, and Fret got out, walking back into the store. Kane and his family watched in disbelief. When Fret spoke, their disbelief turned to hearty laughter.
"Where was that office?" Fret asked, embracing the laughter and his own embarrassment.
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After obtaining the location of the office, Fret quickly made his way there to sell his goods. Upon parking outside the building, he was greeted by several employees who initially thought he was coming from the headquarters. Their surprise grew when they learned he was just a hunter, but their enthusiasm remained high, delighted by the arrival of such high-quality meat.
The following minutes were spent negotiating the price for the carcasses Fret had brought. At first, Fret was hesitant, suspecting that the initial offer was too low. However, after the office staff presented him with pre-designated prices set by the ministry, he was convinced. Despite this, Fret still engaged in some bargaining and managed to sell all the bodies for a total of CR2,550 (Heradian Crown). He was pleased with the amount, not considering that it might be cheap. From his assessment, 2,550 CR could likely afford him real estate and several vehicles, but he chose not to pursue those options for now. Instead, he aimed to accumulate more funds and focus on supplying the kingdom with the weapons he planned to produce.
"I will be around for a few days, and during that time, I'll probably hunt many wild boars. I'm wondering if the office will be able to purchase that many?" Fret asked, wanting to clarify his next steps in case the office couldn't keep up with his supply. Although he could research alternative buyers, traveling further distances was not ideal, and he was wary of making mistakes due to his unfamiliarity with the kingdom's culture and rules.
One of the employees, who appeared to be around forty and likely held a position of authority, responded, "If you supply us with two wild boars daily, we could purchase them at CR1,000 each, CR500 per boar. The price would increase if you bring wolves and rabbits. How many can you commit to bringing each day?"
"Not less than two, though I can't guarantee that number considering possible changes in the hunting zones," Fret replied after a brief consideration. He wasn't lying—providing two wild boars daily was feasible given his soldiers and their equipment. However, if the forest inhabitants were to flee, it would pose a challenge, forcing him to either track their movements or find a new hunting ground.