Accompanied by royal guards, Altu entered the council hall of the imperial palace. The hall was bathed in soft light, with large stained-glass windows casting warm, colorful shadows. Along both sides of the long table sat the core representatives of the Kingdom of Yaltos, each with an air of scrutiny, seemingly awaiting the significance of this meeting.
Raphael personally stepped forward to introduce Altu to the core members of the royal family.
"Mr. Altu, thank you for coming. Allow me to introduce you to these esteemed individuals. This is Count Vessen, who oversees the kingdom's financial affairs; this is Lady Annabelle, the Marchioness, responsible for the royal diplomacy; and Duke Horace Cohen, the pillar of our military," Raphael said politely.
Altu elegantly bowed. "Thank you for your warm reception. It is an honor to exchange with the royal family. The order and strength of Yaltos are admirable, and the history and culture of your nation fill me with great respect."
Count Vessen spoke first, "Mr. Altu, the fire crystal you presented at the auction piqued our great interest. Could you tell us more about its origins?"
Altu smiled and nodded. "Count, the fire crystal is not just a precious gem; it symbolizes power and eternity. In many cultures of the Western Continent, it is seen as a symbol of hope and miracles. As for this particular piece, it was acquired through our regular trade in the merchant guild. Yaltos' prosperity and order are the main reasons we chose to come."
Lady Annabelle, with a slight smile and a hint of probing in her voice, asked, "Such a valuable item, why choose to auction it in Yaltos and not in the Western Continent?"
Altu paused for a moment, his tone steady, "Lady Marchioness, this is precisely my confidence in Yaltos. Not only does this kingdom have a vast market, but it also has a well-established order. I believe the royal family will find the perfect place for these treasures."
Duke Horace Cohen spoke in a low voice, "Such an important item, do you understand its true value, or the risks it may carry?"
Altu responded calmly, "Your Grace, the fire crystal indeed holds extraordinary meaning, but our guild is not composed of scholars, and our research on it is limited. I believe that with Yaltos' great wisdom and resources, it can uncover its mysteries. As a merchant, my role is to discover and provide, not to explore and control."
The atmosphere in the council hall shifted as King Leon entered. Altu raised his head, respectfully observing the ruler of Yaltos: Leon was tall, with sharp, eagle-like eyes, and his expression was stern and cold. He wore a deep blue royal robe, its golden embroidered emblem gleaming brightly, and a long sword hung at his waist, adding to his imposing presence.
Leon nodded slightly and spoke in a low, powerful voice, "Mr. Altu, welcome to Yaltos. I've heard you've brought extraordinary treasures to New Port, adding glory to our palace."
Altu, neither obsequious nor arrogant, responded respectfully, "Your Majesty is too kind. The fire crystal is indeed a rare object, but its true value lies in its ability to shine here in Yaltos."
Leon's sharp gaze focused on him. "It is said that this gem is connected to the mysterious ancient kingdoms of the Western Continent. Can you explain its true secret, Mr. Altu?"
Altu's heart skipped a beat, but he remained composed. "Your Majesty, this gem is indeed exceptional, but its secrets may require more specialized scholars to uncover. I believe, under your leadership, Yaltos can solve its mysteries."
Leon smiled slightly, as if satisfied with Altu's response, but he did not let go of his probing. "Then, can I expect you to bring more rare treasures from the Western Continent?"
Altu responded respectfully, "Your Majesty, whatever you desire, our guild will do its utmost to bring it to you. Yaltos is a formidable kingdom, and we look forward to expanding our cooperation with you."
He paused and subtly changed the subject. "At the same time, I hope this opportunity can further strengthen our trade relations. As one of the largest merchant guilds in Solantis, we will do our best to bring any valuable goods and resources your kingdom needs from the Western Continent. Whether it's rare commodities or royal treasures, they will be delivered promptly. I believe that with Yaltos' strength and potential, working closely with our guild will bring mutual benefits."
Leon's expression softened, and it was clear that he was intrigued by Altu's proposal. "It seems your guild is not just a trade intermediary, but a truly far-sighted and influential entity. If, as you say, we can further promote our cooperation, it would indeed benefit my kingdom's development greatly."
Altu smiled. "Your Majesty's foresight is what we most admire. Our guild has always been dedicated to bringing the finest resources to Yaltos, and we are ready to offer our full support."
Leon was silent for a moment, his eyes reflecting deep thought. "Well then, Mr. Altu, I've heard your proposal. We shall have more exchanges and cooperation in the future, and I trust that you will be well rewarded in Yaltos."
Altu then took out a delicate item from his pouch — a shimmering silver amulet inscribed with ancient runes. He placed it gently on the table and spoke slowly, "As a token of my respect for you and your kingdom, this amulet was crafted by the finest artisans of the Western Continent. It can effectively ward off some external threats. If Your Majesty is willing to cooperate with our guild, this treasure will be of great use."
Leon's eyes lit up with excitement. He eagerly accepted the amulet and examined it closely. "What a precious artifact. No wonder you were able to obtain such a thing, Mr. Altu." He was clearly pleased and almost could not conceal his excitement. "I believe you must have a deeper understanding of our kingdom, and this gesture I will remember."
Altu felt that he had earned Leon's trust. He bowed respectfully, "Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty. Our guild will not disappoint you."
However, Leon's curiosity was far from satisfied. He seemed increasingly interested in Altu's background and the situation of the Western Continent. "Mr. Altu, since you are so knowledgeable about Western Continent trade and culture, can you elaborate on the trade routes? I have heard that the Highland Steps of the Solantis Empire are the vital link connecting with other parts of the Western Continent."
Altu maintained his smile and lowered his head slightly. "As you know, the Highland Steps of Solantis have always been an important trade route. However, due to the civil war many years ago, Solantis severed its connections with other nations. Due to the steep geographical differences, communication with other regions is quite difficult, and as a merchant, I am not well-versed in the specifics."
As the meeting continued, it was clear that Leon was deeply interested in Altu and the business opportunities he brought. However, he was unable to break through the layers of mystery surrounding Altu. Altu cleverly avoided questions regarding his personal identity, maintaining an enigmatic facade. Nevertheless, this meeting undoubtedly strengthened Leon's trust and willingness to cooperate with the representative of the Solantis merchant guild.