Chapter 35: Big Money

Chapter 35

From the way the older merfolk looked at his grinning son. Kai suspected Sehn knew Reishi could have forced him to drop the price lower. Luckily he had not said anything, so Kai could put away all the shiny copper mesars in his satchel.N0v3lTr0ve served as the original host for this chapter's release on N0v3l--B1n.

Maybe he didnt think it was worth saying anything for such a small sum. A mans trash is another mans treasure. I dont think either father or son would give me a good deal just because Im a child.

Stepping back with a satisfied expression, Kai let Moui take the stage. The hunter took off his bag and started a very different negotiation.

The first items he offered to be examined were three pelts that seemed to belong to some kind of mammal with brownish fur. Kai noticed faint traces of mana present even after the animal had died. Reishi didnt seem as impressed.

First-tier, but not really that impressive. Its not worth the hassle to make anything out of this. Reishi dismissed the pelts, giving them back to Moui, who took them without a word. He didnt seem disappointed and proceeded to take the next item without missing a beat.

A series of different materials of animal origin were taken out in quick succession. At first, Reishi showed no interest, but things soon changed when it became clear Moui was going from his worst items to the most rare and valuable.

The young merman turned the hide in his webbed hands, his eyes narrowing as if to look for something only he could see. Late first tier. Some kind of draconic subspecies if I had to guess. Too bad this specimen had not reached maturity yet. I can give you 3 mesars for it. Ill need to find a good craftsman to make something of them and they are rare around here.

Moui grunted a no, the price was too low. Contrary to Kais negotiations, there was not much talk during their haggling. The hunter mostly grunted monosyllabic answers and Reishi offered another price or declined.

To the young merfolks credit, he didnt get intimidated by Mouis demeanor. Even if he got a little frustrated at the short answers and refusal to elaborate. It was clearly a deliberate tactic on the part of the hunter.

With all the help the Guide offered, it must be almost impossible to get a good deal from a specialized merchant. Who knew all the skills at play Kai wasnt aware of? To come out on top Moui decided to refuse to play at the merfolks game, changing the rules instead.

Kai's ears had not missed the mention of a draconic subspecies in Reishi's words. Dragons were always the most powerful and feared animals in many books he read in his previous life. To his surprise, Reishi hadnt shown anything more than mild interest in it.

It was clear whatever Moui had hunted in the Veeryd jungle was very far from the huge mighty dragons of Kais imagination, but the lack of a reaction made him think. It might be that the draconic subspecies was little more of an overgrown lizard or maybe Kai might have to rethink his preconceived notions of the most badass fantasy creature.

Elydes showed an uncanny resemblance to Earth, with many myths and legends appearing to be real here. Kai had long-since stopped trying to explain it. If there was an explanation out there, he had no idea where or what to look for it. Maybe one day some clues would fall into his lap, until then it was better to ignore this.

He should be careful not to take things for granted. Even if his Earths knowledge might turn out to be true, it was better to verify first. Moreover, there were thousands of stories and legends about magical creatures, many of them contradicting each other. Even if one of them were true, it did him little help if he didnt know which one.

The draconic hide ended up being sold for 5 mesars. Considering this was only one of the items Moui brought and not the first he sold, Kai had to reconsider his uncle's wealth. He thought he was poor since he lived close to one of the worst neighborhoods and wore simple clothes. Clearly, he had been wrong.

Im sure he can spare a couple mesars for his dear nephew.

One deal after another more and more precious materials were brought out. From the pelts of tier one creatures they passed to tier two hides, bones and fangs of beasts Kai had never seen before.

The selection of these more precious materials was smaller, but Kai could see the traces of mana on them were unmistakably higher and Reishi bargained for all of them. Goods were exchanged for growing amounts of money and given to a human attendant to be taken away.

Kai had thought himself rich after he closed his deal. Now he was feeling the opposite.

Im pretty sure we have reached 2 silver mesars, thats 100 coppers.

These were not sums of money you easily saw in Greenside. Probably in the whole archipelago with the sole exception of Higharbor.

Kai and Moui turned to see Reishi coming after them. He was putting on a robe with a large hood to hide his features. My father is going to take care of the rest for today. I can show you our goods on sale. You are going there right?

The young merchant was correct in his assumption, but his proposal felt suspicious.

Does he want to make sure we spend all the money we earned buying from him? And people say Im the shameless one

Following him out of the tent, Kai heard the disgruntled grumbles of the people in line. They must have remained inside longer than anybody else. It was understandable that some people were upset.

Hiding behind Mouis big figure to not attract attention, Kai waited for the merman to make way. The time they took was already proof enough, he didnt want to advertise they were walking away with full pockets.

After exchanging a few words with one of the sailors, Reishi took the lead. But instead of going towards the other tent, he headed for the dock.

Reishi turned towards them with an explanation. We only brought a few common trinkets to shore. Unloading most of the cargo off the Fortuna is too much of a hassle. You dont have to come if you dont want to, but all our best and most precious items are still on board. I can give you an exclusive tour since you were the most interesting clients today. Do you want to come and see?

Kai exchanged a silent conversation of glances and shrugs with the hunter, both trying to see if the other had any objection. There were none.

Do you want to see our rare and mysterious treasures on board the Fortuna? No, you dont have to come, you can also look through the trash we brought on shore. So, what do you prefer?

Kai rolled his eyes internally. Of course, they would want to take a look at the best items. They lived in Greenshore, when else would they get the chance to see, let alone buy, anything like that?

Ive got an inkling Im not gonna get off that ship with all my money. Just a thought.

Reishi led them to a small boat they used to ferry people and goods to shore. Two human sailors with impressive biceps were already waiting there. The group jumped on board. The distance wasnt far, but still a couple minutes away. Sitting down Reishi lowered his hood and the two sailors started rowing.

Not one to waste a chance, Kai immediately filled the silence. Why did you hide your identity? The people who came to sell already know and I can assure you gossip runs faster than the wind in Greenside. Everyone will know of you before the day is over.

This whole deception looked a bit pointless to him. They could have just shown their faces to the crowd and been done once and for all. Sure, some people might be put off by the idea of dealing with another race, but that was going to be a small minority.

Reishi smiled cunningly. We are counting on the rumors spreading. We showed our faces in a previous village and it was a mess. Ive seen pirate raidings cause less alarm. Better to create intrigue. People will flock to come and see the mysterious mermen. You should see the faces they make when they enter the tent and see us.

Kai looked at the merfolk in a new light. He had underestimated him. Instead of being hindered by the prejudices of a backwater town like theirs, they had turned it into an elaborate publicity stunt, using themselves as bait to attract more people.

The hunter narrowed his eyes at the merchant. All the people who have never seen a merfolk before will be stunned in place. Im sure that doesnt hurt in the negotiations.

The merman's smile grew wider. Yeah, that doesnt hurt either.

Kai's jaw dropped a little as more layers of the seemingly simple scheme were uncovered. No matter the world, people always came up with the most conniving ideas to make some bucks.

Reaching the hull of the Fortuna, they climbed aboard with a rope ladder. The ship looked even more impressive from up close. The was deck sparkling clean, the sails shimmering with a silver hue in the sun.

Come on, the cargo hold is this way. Reishi guided them, perfectly at home on the ship. Im sure youll find many interesting items.

Even if Kai knew the merchant just wanted their money, he couldnt help but eagerly follow him inside the ship, wondering what they were going to see.