"The border region… the risks… come with the profits," Angry Wind answered honestly. At this moment, he needed to ensure that his words provided a full explanation to the leader of the Hunter Spear tribe in order to gain his initial trust. "The appearance of magic scrolls—if only a few—many tribes would just buy them for collection. But if there are large quantities…"
Angry Wind glanced at Kent with awe.
"Mm… the production might be quite a lot," Kent responded.
Angry Wind's heart trembled once more. "If there is a large quantity, it could break the balance of power among the various factions on the continent. If the news spreads, it might bring about an auction from all sides, even competition and snatching."
"I'm not worried about being snatched," Kent sensed something unusual in the conversation.
"No, my lord, it's not the scrolls being snatched, it's you," Angry Wind said, his eyes fixed on Kent's fingers, which were lightly caressing the scroll. "If Angry Wind guesses correctly, my lord, your subordinates… are they… masters proficient in magic?"
"Oh? Why do you ask?" Kent looked at him with interest.
"You easily gave me this scroll, and there's a large amount of star-patterned paper available for sale… This means that your goods are not bought, nor are they seized…" Angry Wind suddenly stopped, beads of sweat appearing on his forehead. He quickly looked at Kent and hurriedly corrected himself, "Not that they were given to you, but there's only one possibility—your subordinates must have made these themselves. Furthermore…"
Angry Wind glanced again at Kent's hands.
"Go on, what else?"
"Additionally, you didn't seem to care much about the two magic-engraved parchment I gave you. If you weren't knowledgeable, you wouldn't have overlooked them. Even in large tribes, such magic-engraved parchment is considered treasure."
"Mm, you're right," Kent smiled. Based on Angry Wind's deductions, Kent could tell that this was a meticulous person who understood business well. He would likely be a valuable business partner.
However, Kent still couldn't see what was valuable about these two pieces of parchment.
"My lord, if that's the case, an auction in the Northern Lands would bring you the greatest profit," Angry Wind said, his eyes gleaming. "Angry Wind believes that once the news spreads, all the major factions will bid for the magic scrolls at any cost."
"At any cost? Why are you so certain?" Kent glanced at Angry Wind.
"Magic scrolls are already rare on the Red Earth Continent, my lord, the quantity is extremely limited," Angry Wind said. "But if there is a continuous supply channel, it could disrupt the balance of the factions. Therefore, in order to strengthen their own power, and put pressure and constraints on their opponents, the major factions will surely try to win over the owner of the scrolls. Gaining trust will bring long-term benefits." Angry Wind regained his confidence as the leader of a merchant caravan, his smile blossoming. "Thus, Angry Wind would suggest, my lord, that you seek a balance of interests between the various factions."
A round of applause rang out in the empty tavern hall.
"I didn't expect a caravan leader to have such insight," Kent lightly clapped his hands, praising him. "You only lead such a small caravan. Don't you feel it's a bit beneath you?"
"My lord, Angry Wind aspires to a vast sky, just lacking the opportunity to spread his wings," Angry Wind replied solemnly.
"Then… would you be interested in being my auction agent?" Kent asked.
Angry Wind froze.
Satisfaction points from Angry Wind: +100, +100, +100…
Kent secretly wondered, this Angry Wind, his satisfaction seems to have come a bit suddenly…
"Of course! My lord, this… this is an honor!" Angry Wind responded excitedly.
"Don't be in a hurry to agree, Angry Wind," Kent waved his hand. "What I want isn't just a one-time auction agent."
"My lord, although the Angry Fire Caravan isn't large in scale, its influence in the Northern Border is not insignificant. Angry Wind has been in business for many years and has established good relationships with both human and non-human factions. If you wish to expand the influence of the Hunter Spear Red Star… or open more trade routes, Angry Wind is willing to offer his humble assistance."
Angry Wind even mentioned the Hunter Spear Red Star, which made Kent feel that he was being more perceptive than expected. A businessman who was good at reading people, with keen insight and abilities, would make a great business partner.
"You come from the Angry Fire Tribe? Your tribe isn't very large, how do you manage to get enough support?" Kent asked.
"My lord, although the Angry Fire Tribe is just a medium-sized tribe, we are only a few days' journey from the Forging Hammer Fortress…" Angry Wind steadied his excitement and answered.
"The Forging Hammer Tribe?" Kent immediately understood. With such a powerful faction backing him, it made sense that Angry Wind could conduct business with all the factions on the continent.
The Lima Plateau, where the High Plateau Tribe Alliance is located, is divided into four major regions: East, West, South, and North. The Forging Hammer Tribe is one of the four super-tribes of the High Plateau Tribe Alliance and is the leading tribe of the western region. As the owner of the famous Forging Hammer Legion on the Red Earth Continent, their tribe's location, Forging Hammer Fortress, is situated in the northwest corner of the Lima Plateau, the closest super-fortress to the Northern Border.
Impression… it seems like Splitting Blade came from the Forging Hammer Legion.
"Since you have such strong support behind you, let's start discussing the specifics of our cooperation," Kent smiled. "Aside from being an auction agent, the market for the star-patterned paper needs to be expanded. If I remember correctly, the price of the parchment in the High Plateau Alliance is about one common gold coin?"
"Yes, my lord, one common High Plateau gold coin," Angry Wind replied cautiously.
"Well… we'll start by giving you a thousand sheets of star-patterned paper for sale."
"A… a thousand?" Angry Wind's chest felt as though it were being struck by countless hammers.
"The base price is fifty silver coins per sheet, which is the cost of the star-patterned paper. The rest, you can decide," Kent leaned forward slightly and then took out a book made from over twenty sheets of star-patterned paper, handing it to Angry Wind, speaking in a lower voice. "Of course, I expect you to carefully record the sales and prices, and when you return next time, we'll decide which caravan to work with long-term based on that."
Angry Wind swallowed nervously. A book worth dozens of gold coins… this was a huge undertaking.
"Coal furnaces, I'll only give you a few samples. If any tribes need them, make sure to record them in this book, also add detailed notes…" Kent spoke carefully, item by item. "Mmh, the trade routes of various tribes, their specialties and prices, and the seasons they produce."
"Recording all this is easy…" Angry Wind carefully took the book, afraid of dirtying even a corner. "My lord, don't worry… Angry Wind will strive to become your long-term partner."
He said this solemnly.
"Then it's settled," Kent let out a long breath, standing up, looking very relaxed. "I'll send the thousand sheets of star-patterned paper to the cart early tomorrow morning. Tonight, enjoy the bonfire and wine."
"My lord, wait, there's one more thing…" Angry Wind's expression was a bit awkward. "About the five hundred gold coin deposit…"
"Ah, that… pay it when you return next time. It's only five hundred gold coins." Kent's face carried an innocent smile, though it seemed to be mixed with a hint of warmth and a touch of threat. He leaned in a little closer and said the following words, which made Angry Wind feel completely crushed and willing to do whatever it took.
"Trust… is worth far more than this price."