Doland was located at the northern end of the Breezy Plains, close to the Flower Forest. In this chaotic city, there were the most poor people living in it, and the most soldiers stationed there. It was where the most crimes were born. Every second, someone died, and every second, there was a crime. In this cursed city, only the real villains could survive.
There was no doubt that Kaman was a real villain.
Of course, Cayman would never admit it himself. In fact, Cayman had always called himself a great philanthropist because he had always felt that he had provided countless people with employment opportunities, allowed them to have three meals a day, and had money to support their families. Such a contribution was not something that those who were full of benevolence and morality could compare to.
In this city, there were few who did not know or interact with Kaman. This plump middle-aged man in his forties did not look impressive, but he was actually the real decision-maker of the Rosen Union. This union controlled more than 80% of the ore trade in Doland. Perhaps a table knife in one's house was made from the ore sold by the Rosen Union. In recent years, the Rosen Union's business had been expanding, and they had extended their reach to every field they could reach. Their wealth was like a rolling snowball, and there were even rumors that the Rosen Union had boarded the Glittergold Trade Union's ship, and would soon monopolize more than half of the industries in Doland.
Of course, rumors were just rumors, and no one could verify their authenticity.
However, one thing was certain: Kaman had been in a good mood these few days. Of course, this had nothing to do with the Glittergold Trade Union, but was all because Kaman had discovered a mineral vein in Black Clouds Town. A few days ago, he had sent a few experienced miners to take a look, and the results showed that it was a rich vein of refined iron. This news made Kaman happy for a few days.
Kaman had been in the ore business for a long time, and his understanding of the ore market was far superior to that of ordinary people. He knew very well that the price of refined iron ore had been rising again and again in the past year, and had more than doubled compared to a year ago. If this coincidentally discovered refined iron ore vein were to be mined properly, it would definitely bring huge profits to the Rosen Chamber of Commerce.
Moreover, Kaman remembered clearly that Castellan Gomok had sent someone to bring him a message at a banquet a few days ago, asking him to think of a way to get his hands on a batch of refined iron ore. If he grasped this opportunity well, he might even be able to establish a connection with Castellan Gomok, and his business in Doland would be smooth sailing.
These few days, Kaman had been planning to mine it.
Black Clouds Town was a small place with only a few hundred households, and most of them relied on farming for a living. Kaman had already sent someone to investigate, and the owner of the vein seemed to be the descendant of a declining noble. It was said that he was so poor that he could no longer afford to eat. As long as Kaman gave him some money, it should not be a problem for him to get the title deed …
Kaman had never been worried about that. With the current power of the Rosen Chamber of Commerce, what was a descendant of a declining noble family to them? As long as he was willing, there were at least a few hundred ways to force him to hand over the title deed.
What really worried Kaman was the mining problem. Mining a refined iron vein required a lot of manpower, and the miners he had were definitely not enough. Moreover, these fellows were really disobedient — not only did they ask for high wages, but they were also clamoring for benefits. Kaman fumed at the thought of it. Damn it, it's good enough that I'm giving you food to eat, and you still dare to ask for benefits? When my batch of dwarven slaves arrives, you'll all go home and starve …
Looks like I'll have to urge them after I get the title deed …
Just as Kaman was plotting, there was a sudden rush of footsteps outside the study.
"President Kaman, t-t-something … happened!"
Kaman frowned when he heard the panicked voice. None of his subordinates were capable at all. If they panicked over such a small matter, what would he do if something big happened? Looks like I'll have to find some time to teach these fellows a lesson …
"Damn it, shut up!" Kaman glared at him. "Are you possessed, Barbeid? Why are you yelling in broad daylight?"
"No, no, no … President Kaman …" The middle-aged man called Barbede hurried into the study room. He panted a few times before he managed to catch his breath. "Something really happened!"
"What exactly happened?" Kaman frowned as he looked at his useless subordinate. "Did something happen in Black Clouds Town?"
"Y-yes." Barbeid gulped and looked at Kaman nervously. "I'm sorry, President Kaman. I didn't manage to handle the matter you asked me to …"
"You didn't buy the title deed?" Kaman was a little surprised. In his original plan, buying the title deed was the easiest. He was just a descendant of a declining noble, and he would have been dizzy with just a few thousand gold coins. Why couldn't he buy it? Could it be that this fellow is demanding an exorbitant price and wants to give me a high price?
Damn it, if that's the case, don't blame me for being rude …
"I'm sorry, President Kaman …"
"If you're sorry, save it for the grave. I just want to know the reason. I just want to know why you couldn't buy the title deed. Was it because the other party asked for too much, or did they ask for some other harsh conditions? Anyway, Barbeid, you better give me a reasonable reason …"
"It's like this, President Kaman. I followed your instructions to Black Clouds Town this morning to look for Abraham, a run-down noble, to discuss the purchase of the land deed …" Barbede began to speak with trepidation under Kaman's intense gaze. "Who knew that when we found him in the tavern, he told us that the land deed had already been sold to a young man from Jarrosus. He also told us that the young man seemed to want to build some sort of tower on that piece of land …"
"What the hell …" Kaman's lungs almost exploded when he heard that. If not for the fact that he was trying his best to suppress his anger, he would have given him a slap. "Idiot, you idiot. He sold the title deed to someone else. Can't you buy it back from that person? Damn it, do you know how much that mineral vein is worth? Let me tell you, it's worth at least two million gold coins, and a chance to build a good relationship with the castellan. How could you come back so foolishly? Damn it, are you a human or a pig? "
"Ro … President Kaman, let me explain …"
"Alright, alright, I'd like to hear what you have to say!"
"We looked for that Jarrosus man, but he said he wouldn't sell it, no matter how much we offered …"
"Damn it, he's too arrogant, too arrogant …" Kaman was shaking with rage. He had never thought that there would be someone in Doland who would not give face to the Rosen Union. Damn it, he wouldn't sell it no matter how much we offered? I'd like to see who has the guts to say something like that …
Kaman stormed out of the study and quickly summoned a few dozen subordinates. These were all Kaman's trusted aides, and even the most junior of them had been with him for five years. There were Level-12 Warriors, Level-13 Bandits, and even a Level-11 Mage. Under normal circumstances, when money couldn't buy something, Kaman would have them buy it for him …
"Everyone, bring your weapons and follow me to Black Clouds Town!"
"Yes!"
More than ten carriages rolled up a cloud of dust as they drove towards Black Clouds Town.
"President Kaman, look …" Barbeid pointed to a hill in the distance as the carriages reached the entrance of the town. "They're there!"
"Yes, I see them …"
Kaman looked from afar. There were about a dozen people standing where Barbede was pointing. Some were old, some were young. Among them was a young man wearing a long black robe. He seemed to be discussing something with an old man beside him.
"Felic, have you really made up your mind?" Herza frowned. To be honest, he still could not figure out why this fella had chosen to build the tower in such a place. To Herza, it was like a joke. There were plenty of places in the vast Breezy Plains, but this fella had chosen such a remote and backward place like Black Clouds Town after such a long search …
"Yes, it's quieter here …" Lin Li smiled, and casually threw out a reason that was not really a reason.
"…" Herza shook his head, and gave up on trying to persuade him.
Moke, on the other hand, had a look of disdain on his face. "What a joke …"
"Shut up, Moke." Herza only felt a headache coming on. He really regretted bringing this idiot along when there were so many mages in the Supreme Council. Did he take the wrong medicine along the way? He had been picking on Felic the whole time. Damn it, can't he use his brain? How could a young man who could stand out in the finals of the trial be someone easy to deal with? Damn it, just you wait. When Felic takes his revenge on you, I'll be happy to watch you make a fool of yourself …
"Mage Moke, what's so funny? Why don't you tell us so that we can laugh a little?" Lin Li was already used to Moke's picking on him after a few days. He was not angry when he heard Moke's sarcasm. He only planned to teach this fella a lesson …
To Herza's relief, after his warning, Moke finally restrained himself a little, and did not continue to target that young mage who was full of thorns. Then, everything became much simpler. Since the President had already made his decision, Herza did not continue to persuade him. He only called an accompanying mage over, and asked him to send an official letter to the Supreme Council. Three days later, an engineering team would head to Black Clouds Town, and the construction of the tower would officially begin.
At this time, Kaman had already alighted from the carriage, and was rushing over with a group of subordinates.
"President Kaman, that's the person who bought the deed!"
"Oh?" Kaman glanced at him from afar. This young man was about 20 years old, and looked gentle. He did not look like a shrewd businessman. If he talked to him nicely, it should not be difficult to seal the deal. However, the old man beside him looked rather shrewd, and might give the young man some bad ideas. He had to think of a way to get rid of him …
After calculating in his mind, Cayman squeezed out a warm smile.
"Good afternoon, everyone. Please allow me to introduce myself. I am President Kaman of the Rosen Union. I wonder if I could spare some of your time to discuss a deal that would benefit everyone?"
"Oh, so it's President Kaman. Nice to meet you …" As Kaman had expected, the gentle-looking young man was easy to talk to. A warm smile appeared on his face as soon as Kaman finished his self-introduction.
Damn it, it's a good thing I'm here. Otherwise, I don't know how this deal would turn out if I only listened to that idiot Barbede's side of the story …
Just as Kaman was feeling lucky, he heard the young man say, "But President Kaman, I'm really sorry, but I will definitely not sell the deed, so I'm afraid there's no business between us."
"…" Kaman's warm smile froze on his face.
Kaman was a successful businessman, and he was far better at turning his back on someone than most people. However, it was only today that he suddenly realized that he was far behind this young man. What did it mean to turn one's back faster than one could flip a book? Everything was clear from the young man before him …
"Alright, President Kaman, if there's nothing else, I won't take up any more of your time."
Kaman panicked. "How about five thousand gold coins? Or six … seven thousand gold coins? You have to know that seven thousand gold coins is a lot of money. If you miss this opportunity, you might not be able to earn it again!"
"It's such a large sum of money, you'd better keep it for yourself …"
"Then don't blame me for not going easy on you …" Seeing that 7,000 gold coins was not enough to move the other party, Kaman did not continue bidding. He only waved his hand at his men. "Go and have a good talk with this gentleman."
"Yes!"
Kaman's men were indeed well-trained. In the blink of an eye, they had surrounded Lin Li. Seeing that a fight was about to break out, Herza panicked. He hurriedly reminded Kaman, "President Kaman, I advise you not to do anything stupid. You'll regret it …"
"Don't worry, I just want to have a good talk with this gentleman. I won't hurt him."
"…" Herza could not help but roll his eyes when he heard that. Idiot, I'm afraid he'll hurt you …
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