Should I say that I was lucky? The Veji Merchant Caravan was well organized. All the border officials on the way recognized Sindy, so there were no obstructions at all.
It was just that the world was quite tense right now, and the security at the borders had increased by several levels. Us newcomers met with some trouble.
"Isn't this because the world is quite tense? That's why I hired some mercenaries to help watch over the border. "
Sindy's reason was quite convincing. The two famous mercenary groups were also quite convincing. The only thing that wasn't convincing was that we didn't seem like mercenaries at all.
We had no reputation, no military achievements, and even our mercenary registration was just recently completed. We seemed more like spies than merchants. But since Sindy's "shiny little gift" was far too convincing, the border officials merely laughed it off and didn't see anything at all.
The customs declaration, approval, and other procedures for the goods would have taken at least two and a half days. But since the goods were precious "new products of the season", the border officials made everything as simple as possible with the help of the border officials. In the end, they glanced over the goods and directly let them through.
As for me, I still didn't know that this was the beginning of my misfortune. I was just a small peddler who "smuggled" in because of a major merchant caravan. I was quite happy that I was able to make it through. It was only natural that I took the initiative to thank the "big boss" for his assistance.
"No, no, I should be the one thanking you. Although you're quite young, your knowledge is truly astonishing. I've learned a lot from our recent interactions … If possible, could you please join our Veji Merchant Caravan? I'll recommend you to the president. Please consider it. Even for someone as talented as you, it's far too difficult for you to start from scratch. It'll take several decades to build up your connections and funds. As long as you're willing to join the Veji Merchant Caravan, I guarantee that your future position won't be any lower than mine. "
Sindy Veji's words were quite sincere. He was abnormally calm on the way here. He didn't understand the small battles between mercenaries, but he only understood the inconceivable ways of thinking of the young man in front of him, such as his understanding of the banking industry and how to raise funds for opening up a trade route. These were all completely unknown theories, but after thinking about them, he felt that they were quite feasible.
As for the extra cost, it was worth it just for the current rewards. Now, Cindy treated the Chamber of Commerce as his family, and he was trying to poach people for his boss.
Facing this sincere uncle, I felt a little embarrassed. It seemed that I had gone overboard with my acting. In the end, I could only say that I was following the rumors of the merchant caravans and that my family's financial situation was quite good. I came out as a merchant to accumulate experience in the name of my parents, and in the end, I would have to return and take over the family business.
Yes, all of the above was the truth. Of course, it was slightly misleading. It was just that he didn't say that he was inheriting his parents' business. The so-called family business was just the business of the royal family.
"… That's a pity. If you ever change your mind, the Veji Merchant Guild will always welcome you."
Looking at the regretful merchant uncle, who was fooled by my sincere rejection, he was stunned. In the end, he still gave me a recommendation letter that was basically useless to me. The little bit of guilt I had left in this world was triggered.
"It seems that I am very talented in business. That's why Uncle is so disappointed."
Every time I felt proud of myself, the silly cat would immediately jump out and annoy me as always.
"You really know how to talk nonsense. An expert is actually fooled by an outsider. Do you know how much salt is worth right now? Do you know which trade route is the most profitable? Theory and practice are two completely different things. Most importantly, you've seen how merchants interact with border guards. Do you even know how to lower your voice and give them money? "
Alright then, this was truly cruel reality. Being friendly would bring wealth? Lowering my voice? A merchant's smile? I would probably punch him right in the face.
"Hmph, silly cat, you speak as if you know everything."
"Of course I know. Mages burn money. How can they survive if they don't know how to do business? After so many years of accumulation, I have many large merchant caravans under my command. My yearly income is enough for me to simultaneously start several dozen research projects at the Seventh Circle and above."
The Seventh Circle was the equivalent of a Legend-ranked mage. Normally speaking, even Legend-ranked mages would only be able to start a single research project. This meant that this person was actually able to support several dozen Legend-ranked mages. Just how rich was he?
Hearing this, I paled in fright. I didn't expect that a tycoon would be right next to me. Not only that, this silly cat was actually a rich and beautiful tycoon. After doing some calculations, I discovered that this fellow's personal income was no less than that of a mid-sized city.
"Tycoon, please take me with you! Please sponsor me! Please support me! Please lend me a loan … please support me! "
"Sure, Princess Peach …"
"Shut up, silly cat! If you mention this again, I'll sell you off as a talking cat. "
Alright then, after the usual cat and human battle, I obtained yet another victory. Hmph, did you really think that you could defeat me in human form? I could even spit saliva! My arms and legs were also rather long! I could even touch and pinch … cough, cough, no, lower limits were never important!
Still … in the chaotic battle, I managed to touch the front of the young girl's body. It was so flat that my fingers were aching. The flying deck was so hard that even I was crying tears of sympathy.
"… I think I should prepare some more milk for you. My hands are hurting. It's not a good thing to be accused of abusing a pet. "
"You pervert! I'm going to go all out against you! Weren't you the one who didn't want me to transform into my adult form!? "
"In your dreams, silly cat, you actually want to be taller than me!? Obediently be your flat princess and wax your flying deck on time. "
Alright then, the second round of the cat and human battle began.
Cough — cough — getting back to the main topic, with Cindy's attentive protection, my fake identity became my real identity. It went quite smoothly for us to sneak in. When we arrived at our first destination, the border city of Lakalila, we didn't even see a single bandit on the way, let alone a dangerous magical beast.
"Whew, the domain lord here is an old friend of our Veji Merchant Group. More than 40% of our goods are from here. It seems that we won't make a loss this time."
Cindy had a great smile on his face. He had already been prepared to lose everything. It was truly unexpected for things to go so smoothly.
"Although those undead are quite scary, they actually made our journey much safer."
Unlike Heloise's normal magical research, which required a large amount of money, the biggest problem with undead magic research was the "lack of materials." That was why in the past, in order to catch undead mages, all one needed to do was guard a graveyard or burial mound. It was said that every year, the most successful Holy Knight would receive a sum of money from the graveyard guards. They all treated the graveyard as their own home.
And through certain channels, I learned that the Bardi Empire actually gave the high-level undead nobles the status of being able to freely gather "materials." This doubtlessly caused a huge uproar.
In order to avoid the public's anger and backlash, the Bardi Empire temporarily didn't touch the nobles' graveyards. However, the bandits, bandits, and magical beasts, as well as other species, who were considered wanted criminals, met with trouble. These "volunteer" mercenaries and researchers wouldn't listen to any words of refusal. After a good beating, the undead mages would have a few more skeleton soldiers and zombies under their command.
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when I heard this rumor. Should I say that the undead mages did good deeds with evil intentions? At the very least, all the bandits and undead who didn't become research materials swiftly washed their hands or disappeared without a trace. All the main streets instantly became much quieter.
"Well, it's only temporary. The quality of the materials directly determines the quality of the final product. The bones of commoners are nothing more than trash that will fall apart at the slightest breeze. Only the corpses of the strong are top-quality materials. And in this era where the strong preys on the weak, the strong will always have a corresponding status. Naturally, they won't be casually tossed into a graveyard after death. "
"For undead mages, if commoners' graveyards are small dishes and nobles' graveyards are snacks, then the graveyards of the various countries' royalty will be a luxurious feast. I don't believe that they'll be able to resist."
The two veteran undead mages came to the same conclusion and smiled at each other. Nothing else needed to be said.
"It seems that you have a deep understanding of royalty's graveyards. You've done it before? How many times? How many times have you been caught? How much is your bounty? "
"Of course. Don't think that just because you've dug up a few ancestral graves in the Kingdom of the Elves, that you're amazing. I'm your master, and I've heard of 'The Ten Greatest Blind Spots of Graveyard Guards — The Joy of Successfully Stealing Vegetables from Right Under Your Nose,' and 'How to Determine the Status of Materials from Noble Emblems and Tomb Decorations.' These are all must-read books for undead mages. "
"Oh, oh, oh, you're the one who wrote those classics? I'm such a loyal reader, but why is it that you've written more than ninety of the 'Ten Greatest' novels, and it's still not over yet?"
"Of course, if it ends just like that, how am I going to continue scamming for royalties? Starting from the 'Ten Greatest' novels, it'll never end! My goal is to create a sea of stars! By the time I'm done, the number of chapters I have will be equal to the number of stars! "
"… That's not a day where it'll never end. Sigh, I'm still too inexperienced in this field of research (shamelessness). If there's no more content, I'll just write it. But you must have heard of my practical book, 'Eighteen Ways to Use the Luoyang Shovel'. I heard that it's selling quite well. "
"You're the one who wrote that half-finished eunuch book? You still dare to brag about it? Watch me fill in the holes! "
"… People need to look forward. It's too troublesome to fill in old holes. I'd rather keep digging new ones."
"As expected, you're a shameless bastard. Forget it, I don't have the face to scold you, so let's just leave it at that."
In certain aspects, Harloys and I were the same type of person. We were both theoretical scholars who specialized in academic research (haha). At this moment, if one ignored the bite marks and scratch marks on one's face, and the other's broken fake tail and messy blonde hair, they would truly be a good pair of master and disciple who shared the same interests (and were in cahoots with each other).
Cough — cough — let's get back to the main topic.
While I sighed at how unexpectedly peaceful this journey was, Uncle Harloys would wait here for small merchants from all over the world for at least half a month. Our goal was Port Victoria, so naturally, it was time for us to part ways.
But before we left, Uncle Harloys was actually invited to a banquet at the domain lord's residence. Considering that I was helping the small merchant "Rolo" establish his connections, he kindly invited me as well. I originally wanted to refuse.
"I heard that there's a major character from the Bardi capital, and he seems to be a distant relative of the royalty. If you want to take the trade route to Bardi, this is a great opportunity."
The trade route wasn't important. What I really wanted was to obtain information about the royal family and the capital from the empire's upper-echelon nobles.
And so, I gladly went to the banquet, but in the end …
"Damn, why are these guys still chasing me!?"
"Didn't you go to the domain lord's residence for a banquet? How did it become that you're being chased, and you're dragging us down!? "
I glanced behind me. Those nobles' private soldiers were still chasing me so closely.
"Um, it's a long story. On a moonlit night, we …"
"We're being chased. Tell me clearly!"
"How unfortunate!!!!"
Alright then, this was indeed a short story. However, the resentment and deep sorrow contained within were echoing throughout the forest. The sorrow contained within was enough to move the heavens and earth, causing anyone's heart to tremble. Just how pitiful was this? Just how much resentment was there?
"I'm so pitiful!"
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