Chapter 141

Vipen, the unscrupulous merchant.

A merchant operating mainly in Isgangar, he makes his living by exploiting northerners. A conflict arises with the residents of Lake Fortress. However, upon discovering Asies, he offers to sell her, but naturally, she refuses.

As payback, Vipen decides to cut off the regular trade he used to conduct with Lake Fortress. The player’s task is to connect Lake Fortress with a new merchant.

‘And that new merchant is me.’

In the game, the goal was to establish a branch in the north and prepare a support base for them, but that’s currently denied. With buildings to buy and preparations to be made, the timing isn’t right now.

In the game, clicking a button would create a shop in a day, but that isn’t the case now. Unnecessary effort is unwanted.

Thus, the method I chose was to find someone who could take my place.

“Hey, trash. Why on earth do I have to go with you?”

Linbar, sitting in the baggage compartment of the carriage, grumbled. We had left the village and were heading towards the city within Isgangar.

Our group consisted of the Dwarf coachman, me, Asies, and Linbar.

“Why don’t you bring Perka who seemed so eager to come? Why am I here?”

Apparently, Perka and he had already exchanged names and it seemed he just didn’t like me.

“Miss Perka is serving her sentence for her past actions. Mr. Linbar is coming as a witness on my behalf.”

“What kind of witness?”

“A witness to tell the villagers how kind a slave merchant I am. Besides, this is for the village’s benefit, and naturally, someone must come with me, right? Would it make sense for only us outsiders to go?”

“That… hmm. You’re right.”

Even though Linbar didn’t like me, his sense of justice stopped him from arguing further. He glanced at me, clearly wanting to say something.

“Go ahead, speak freely.”

“So, is it really true that with the goods we’re offering, we can obtain supplies for half a year?”

They seemed to doubt if they were betrayed.

“It’s absolutely true. Even considering the geographical characteristics of the north, it’s quite generous. In areas with active trade, the items would be worth much more.”

“So that merchant guy was trying to swindle us?”

“He’s likely been doing that for a long time. Given your minimal trade with outsiders, you probably don’t have the eye to judge the value of goods.”

“Damn son of a bitch….”

Realizing they were taken advantage of, Linbar’s face twisted as he ground his teeth.

Then, letting out a sigh, he relaxed. His gaze softened as it turned to me.

“Uh… thanks. Thanks to you, we didn’t get scammed.”

“Haha, it’s not really something to thank me for. This deal was rather extreme. Setting aside fur pelts, wyvern wings are extremely valuable materials.”

“Are they?”

“Yes. Anyone would have gone crazy upon seeing them. With a little fairness, you would have secured significant profit, but greed tripped him up.”

As a result, I gained an opportunity to build rapport.

“If you really want to thank me, help me obtain a gem from the village chief.”

“You’re digging your own grave for saying too much. If you’d just kept quiet, you’d have been seen differently. Sigh, a slave merchant, huh, so what else do you expect from someone like you?”

***

We arrived at Brund, the central city of Isgangar.

Just as the native peoples coexist with large cities in Africa, it is the same in Isgangar. There are traditionalist northerners, and also civilization-minded people who live a normal city life.

Among these, Brund is the largest city in Isgangar. Though, compared to cities in other regions, it doesn’t even qualify as a metropolis.

“How is it? Quite different from Doomheim, right?”

“Yeah….”

“Cities each have their own unique characteristics. Traveling around various cities can be quite fun.”

“Are you my dad or something….”

You don’t understand yet.

This small bit of communication is key.

Main storylines are important, but the normalcy gained only from everyday life greatly helps in Asies’ liberation.

“Lami… is my dad…?”

“Haha, a master closer than a father, isn’t it?”

“Enough with the nonsense, why are we here?”

“There is someone we should visit.”

If a restaurant succeeds, it opens franchises in other areas to expand its business for profit.

Merchants do the same.

Since different regions allow for various types of business, even in these polar regions, you’ll find franchises of large merchant guilds.

The place I sought was the Snow Cloud Guild.

The Isgangar branch of the Celestial Pavilion.

The igloo-like building housed workers who were arctic animal humanoids. A sea elephant who looked like they found everything in life annoying approached me.

“Why have you come?”

“I’ve come to see the branch manager.”

“Hmm, I don’t recognize your face. Did you make an appointment?”

“I haven’t made one separately.”

“Do our branch managers look like they have time? Don’t bother others and leave quickly.”

With clear disinterest, the sea elephant sighed openly, waving their hand to shoo us out.

This was the response I expected.

‘That’s why I brought something.’

I took out something I had kept hidden carefully in my inner pocket to ensure I wouldn’t lose it.

“Th- that?!”

The lethargic sea elephant was suddenly startled.

An octagonal badge with a snow-white fox painted on it.

An emblem indicating trust from Celestial Pavilion’s Yu Hwa, it serves as a free pass to enter the Celestial Pavilion.

“I’ve been dispatched from the Celestial Pavilion. I’ve come to meet the branch manager. Would it be alright if I come in?”

It’s time for the undercover inspector’s appearance.

***

“Welcome, Dispatch Officer! It must have been tough traveling to such a perilous place. Although it’s a humble place, please make yourself comfortable!”

The polar bear humanoid branch manager of the Snow Cloud Guild seated me at the place of honor.

In possession of a token allowing private meetings with Yu Hwa, among those I know, only Hilde has one as well.

It was impossible for a mere branch manager to refuse meeting me. To him, I was already an officer sent by Yu Hwa.

“If you had given us prior notice, we could have provided a more grand welcome…”

“The welcome is unnecessary. I’m here on business.”

“Business, you say…?”

“Haha, there’s no need to worry so much. It’s not what you’re thinking. Being selected personally by the guild head, surely you’re excelling in your responsibilities?”

“Of course!”

The branch manager sighed in relief.

By the way, in reality, all of Yu Hwa’s employees are competent. When hiring someone, she can clearly see their future as if with a third eye. It’d be odd if they weren’t capable.

“Then may I ask why the Dispatch Officer has come all the way to Isgangar?”

“Our guild head wishes to expand the business. Opening trade routes with Isgangar’s tribes and expanding our network.”

“With those barbarians?”

“What? Barbarians? You furry bear, you’ve said too much!”

Linbar sprang up from his seat.

“Dispatch, Dispatch Officer. Who is this person…?”

“He is a resident of Lake Fortress, a Northguard. My companion.”

“My apologies. I didn’t mean to offend. Please excuse me.”

The branch manager bowed deeply.

Anyway, among the oppressed races, humanoids are one of the representatives, and here they go being looked down upon. There’s no one as equal in their treatment of others as I am.

“Let’s return to the main topic. The Snow Cloud Guild wishes to trade with Isgangar’s tribes. We would purchase the byproducts of the magical beasts they hunt and provide goods of equivalent value.”

“Why must we do so…?”

“Hmm, if things progress smoothly, I could mention to the guild head how competent the Isgangar branch manager is….”

“Hem! It’s true, northern magical beasts byproducts are highly valued. We’ve also been eyeing them.”

At least this branch manager has some level of sense.

“Then let’s proceed.”

“Well, we’d like to, but….”

“Because of Vipen?”

The branch manager nodded.

After sipping some water, he continued.

“You’re not wrong. Undoubtedly, merchant consortia like Vipen operate in this northern region. But they’re no obstacle for us. We’re a branch of the Celestial Pavilion.”

“I see.”

“But the problem lies in Chief Zik being their backer.”

Zik Snowspear.

The chief of Frost Hollow, the largest group in Isgangar.

“Targeting trade with northerners while opposing Zik is contradictory. A lot of northerners follow him after all. Moreover, antagonizing him could impact our ongoing businesses.”

“Conversely, handling Zik is the solution then.”

“Indeed. There’s no race better adapted than polar humanoids in the polar regions. With a path open, transporting goods would be possible anytime.”

“Good. The story is sorted out.”

Deal with Zik.

Reorganize the tribal hierarchy of Isgangar.

Place Lake Fortress at the top.

“Hmm, but Zik is without a doubt the strongest warrior in the north. If you provoke him carelessly—”

“Shh.”

I placed a finger on my lips.

Are you doubting me now?”

“Ah, no, it’s just that…”

“The guild head sent me here. Doubting me is doubting their acumen. Should I report that the Isgangar branch manager is dissatisfied with the guild head?”

“No! Absolutely not! The guild head must have everything planned out! It will surely go well! Yes, it will go well…!”

I smirked.

“I’ll send word again soon. Be prepared by then.”

***

“Please take care when you leave!”

We left the Snow Cloud Guild with the branch manager’s respectful farewell.

Everything went smoothly.

Power really is a wonderful thing.

“You seem to be quite an influential figure. That big bear didn’t even dare to speak a word.”

“It’s not that grand. It’s just leveraging someone else’s power. The crucial part comes next.”

Linbar’s expression was filled with concern.

“Do you really plan to catch Zik? Speaking frankly, this is embarrassing my pride, but Zik is the strongest among the Northguards. Even the late Lord Baschal barely managed to match him. In the end, he never won.”

“It’s fine. We have Miss Asies, who is stronger than me.”

Though Linbar sniped, “What’s there to boast about being stronger than you…,” he didn’t refute my point. After all, he was among those who had witnessed Asies’ strength.

“There’s no need to prolong things. Let’s go.”

***

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