episode_0139
by fnovelpiaThe permafrost zone of Isenggar is so desolate that there is not even a proper carriage road. Some say that trying to sell something in such a remote place is crazy.
Most merchants are active in the southern part of the country, which borders the sea and has active trade.
That might definitely be the right answer.
Because the so-called upper classes of the continent used the southern part as their main base.
That’s why it was wrong.
The Southern commercial market was already saturated: cheap goods, brutal competition, and greedy big bosses.
Will the new top, or merchant, survive?
The answer is obviously NO.
The battlefield at the top of the large building.
The weak can never survive.
The South is a red ocean.
But here, the cross-eyed merchant called Bipen was different. He found a way to survive in the fierce competition.
‘The greatest treasures are hidden in the most dangerous places.’
A place where farming is difficult due to extreme cold and where supplies are easily cut off. A land where people desperately need everything from basic necessities to luxury goods.
Bipen thought of the North.
The reason Bipen chose the North was simple: he was attracted by the risk and high profits to be made through trade.
They bring in fruits, salt, various fabrics, and daily necessities that are hard to find in the polar regions cheaply from the south, and travel around Isenggar to sell them at several times the price.
On the other hand, they buy the byproducts of the devil that can only be obtained in the North at a low price. They are northerners who are not accustomed to trading and have no other place to sell them, so they have no choice but to sell them cheaply.
“Long time no see! I brought you some stuff you might need.”
Then, Bipen went around the North and found the Lake Fortress.
Lake Fortress is more difficult than other regions of Isengar, but its warriors are capable. The byproducts they produce are rare and exceptional in quality.
In a word, it was a place with good marketability.
”Let’s take a look at the items.”
At Jorn’s words, Vipen gestures. His men unload the boxes one by one. Adults and children alike rush in and look at the items with curious eyes.
“I brought it with care! Hey, kid over there. Don’t touch it, it’ll get dirty. ”
Inside the box were a variety of items. Children were looking at toys, women were looking at fabrics and food, and men were checking out tools.
These are items that are not particularly special, but are definitely helpful in life. They are especially necessary for northerners who lack everything.
“That’s all I can show you. What have our northerners prepared? I’m really looking forward to it!”
The sharp, squinty eyes and square snout gave off the impression of a merchant to anyone who saw him.
As Yorn nodded, his men spread out bundles on the floor and laid out their belongings.
“These are the things we prepared.”
“Oh?”
Bipen’s squinted eyes twitched.
‘This is a reindeer’s horn… Could this be a wyvern’s veil? I can’t believe how big it is! And it even has yeti fur on it!’
Bipen draped the Yeti’s fur over his arm. It was thick and fluffy, and the texture was not damaged, so it was of excellent quality. It was the best of the best.
If a fur of this quality were to be sold on the market, it would cost approximately 70 gold coins.
I just heard that a certain noble lady was looking for fabric to use for making a winter coat. She is very fond of luxury goods, so if you can persuade her well, you can easily get 100 coins.
Coming to Lake Fortress was the right choice.
“Good stuff. There is nothing lacking in trading. Have you decided on an item to trade with the chief?”
“Just wait a minute.”
Soon after, after discussing with the residents, the list was compiled and handed over to Bifen. Bifen checked the exchange items that Jorn had suggested.
First of all, salt.
Although difficult to obtain naturally in the North, it is essential for food preservation and flavor.
Next are silk thread, strong cloth, and needles for sewing leather. Plants that can be used medicinally and edible seedlings such as rutabaga.
Lastly, various food items including fruits. It was a list that did not allow even a single bit of waste. It was indeed a reasonable choice.
“Confirmed.”
The subordinates who received orders from Bipen presented the items to be handed over.
Chin. Chin.
Yorn looked at Bifen as he saw what they had offered as barter.
“What is this?”
“These are the items you wanted.”
“Isn’t the amount small?”
The items that Bipen had offered were more than before, but considering that he had given them the wyvern’s veil and yeti’s fur, they were still not enough.
“Are you making fun of our Northgard right now?”
“Ah~ There are many circumstances. There is a famine, so the price of fruit is as high as gold, and on top of that, the cold in Isenggar is getting worse. Do you know how much it costs to transport goods here?”
“So this is all you can give me?”
“I also feel really sorry, but there is nothing we can do right now. However, when the economy stabilizes, we will definitely lower the price.”
Bipen’s argument was somewhat true, but it was mostly a leap. The goods the Northerners offered could have been exchanged for the entire contents of the wagon, but what Bipen offered was only half of that.
‘Why should I trade fairly?’
They are savages who don’t even know the true value of things. It’s such a waste to pay a fair price to these people who don’t even know the ways of the world.
This is the charm and another benefit of doing business in the North.
Bipen smiled slyly and hid his true feelings.
“Why are you like that? Are you not going to trade?”
“These aren’t enough. Bring me more stuff.”
“Hmm, if that’s the case, then there’s nothing we can do. We have no choice but to not trade.”
“What?”
“I think you’re mistaken. I have no obligation to do business with you?”
It’s a shame that I wasted my time coming here, but it doesn’t matter.
There are no merchants who come to this remote place in person except for Bipen. On the contrary, there are many people who want to buy things. Supply cannot keep up with demand.
If you sell Beefen anywhere else, they won’t be able to get their stuff unless you buy it from Beefen. If you don’t buy it, they’re the only ones who will lose out.
“That’s good, since the chieftain of Frost Hollow needs the goods. They’ll buy them for a higher price! They were already short on supplies, so this is a good thing.”
“Captain. I don’t know about anything else, but medicine and salt… .”
“No! I have lost all desire to deal with you. I went through all the trouble to come here, but you don’t even show me gratitude. This is not how you deal with barbarians. What are you doing, not carrying any goods?”
The men close the lid of the box.
“It’s nothing special, but it’s full of color.”
“Is that so?”
“That’s right. The stuff is all cheap. I wouldn’t take it even if they gave it to me for free.”
“What? What kind of uncivilized person dares to… .”
Bipen turned his head, greatly offended by the complaints of the ignorant barbarian. There were two women there.
“I only told you the truth, are you dissatisfied?”
One is a woman with big breasts and a plump body.
It’s a body type that suits everyone’s taste, but it’s one that even enthusiasts would go crazy over.
But what caught Bipen’s eye was what was next to him. The moment he saw Asys, Bipen’s squinted eyes opened and his hidden pupils were revealed to the outside world.
‘A woman like that among the savages?!’
She is a beauty of such a level that it is hard to believe even after seeing her.
It seems like the goddess of winter has appeared.
“Who is that woman?”
“… is a slave.”
“What? Slave?!”
These savage bastards.
There is a limit to being rude.
She is a beauty too precious to be left in such a remote place.
“You are a truly beautiful woman. Do you have any intention of handing her over to me? I will give you a lot of money.”
“We in Northgard do not traffic in human beings. And her masters are not us.”
“Not you? Then who are you?”
“That’s….”
“Are you interested in my slave?”
Karami, carrying a backpack, approached the noise with leisurely steps.
Even at first glance, his attire and appearance gave off an air of guilt that was not seen in northerners. Bipen looked at Karami with eyes full of caution.
“Are you the master of this woman? Or rather, is this woman really your slave?”
“My slave is definitely right.”
“Taking this woman as a slave… . I can’t believe it! What the hell are you doing?”
Are you a noble?
Or maybe even royalty?
“My name is Karamira, the slave trader. He is also known as the slave messenger in the world.”
“Slave Messenger! You’re the famous messenger?”
“Wow, even the northerners know me.”
“I know! If you’re a merchant, you can’t not know!”
The notoriety of the slave messenger is well known.
Buying up a large number of people and disposing of them all. Taking items from nobles, and stealing Young-ae to erase all traces of her from the world without anyone knowing.
Even the elves, which anyone interested in slaves would be happy to see, were eliminated.
The life and value of a slave are nothing compared to the lowly desires of a messenger.
Then, surely…?
“What are you going to do with that slave…?”
“I should send it when the time comes.”
oh my god!
You’re going to kill that beautiful woman too?
He’s not usually a crazy man!
“I’d rather buy her. Sell her to me!”
“I will decline. She is more important to me than money”
“What kind of nonsense is that…!”
Losing such a beauty would be a loss for all of humanity. However, the Karami that Bipen saw didn’t seem to care much.
“I saw you briefly behind me, but you said you wouldn’t do the deal?”
“That’s right…but.”
Bipen’s attitude became cautious.
“Hmm, that’s strange. Yeti fur is the best, and wyvern venom is also a precious material used in advanced alchemy.”
“That’s right… .”
“If you convert that into money, you can easily buy half a year’s worth of necessities, but it’s ironic that you can only buy a few boxes.”
Bipen, who had been hit hard, protested urgently.
“But am I the only one who comes to this rough wallpaper to sell my stuff? Considering distribution, this level of price increase is quite reasonable!”
“Is that so?”
“That’s right! You buy and sell people, not things, right? When it comes to business, I know more than you!”
Bipen made a hasty excuse. If they got caught haggling over prices here, they might tell the other tribes.
Then the business will fail.
I’m sure Karami doesn’t know either.
You seem like a person without any morals.
Karami, who had been drooling, opened his mouth.
“Hmm, you know better than me… But I think I could do better than you if I were to do business.”
“What, what did you say?”
“Don’t you think it’s ridiculous to discuss the qualities of a businessman in a place where you can’t even find competitiveness?”
“Not only did you call me a fraud, but you even doubted my abilities! I had high expectations because of your reputation, but I was seriously mistaken!”
Bipen ordered his subordinates to hurriedly load the luggage.
“I can’t stand this humiliation! It’s really unpleasant! I’m going to go. I won’t come here again, so don’t even think about bartering! ”
Bipen left the village, leading the carriage as if he was running away.
It was the first time for the villagers to see Bipen so flustered. They felt relieved, but in the end, they were unable to obtain the important items.
“What should I do, Captain? There are more than one or two things I need right now.”
“… … .”
“Should we try to make contact with other tribes as soon as possible?”
Yorn couldn’t answer right away. This was his first time experiencing something like this.
Even if you bring goods from other tribes, it only causes immediate complaints. If merchants really don’t come, the future becomes uncertain.
They have already come to know the convenience of things from the outside world, so they cannot live like they did in the past.
Karami sneaked in among the tribesmen discussing with serious expressions.
“It looks like you’re in a lot of trouble. Can I help you?”
“How can you help me?”
“Oh. People have changed a lot. If it were before, I would have dismissed it by saying, ‘Northgard does not accept help from outsiders,’ but now I see that you are curious about the method.”
“If you’re going to talk nonsense, get out of here.”
This guy, that guy.
The merchants are all dissatisfied.
“Haha, I’m joking, I’m joking. I’m part of the reason things turned out this way, so I’ll take responsibility.”
Karami had an idea.
Well, Bipen is an unscrupulous merchant who comes to Lake Fortress.
I knew things would turn out like this.
“If that guy doesn’t come, just have another merchant come.”
And, the solution to that.
“What?”
“The merchant class is one that will go to the afterlife if they can make a profit.”
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