Turning Chapter 1095

Chapter 1095

"The land south of the desert, which is called the South here, is a place where numerous small tribes gather, sometimes antagonizing each other and sometimes harmonizing, living freely. There is a common language and religion, but it's difficult to call it one country like this empire. Each tribe has different traditions, ways of life, and diverse thoughts, and they respect each other as children of the same moon."

Following Gohum's explanation, Aim opened her mouth.

"The Nabi Manaik tribe, which is the root of our trading company, has valued this freedom and mutual respect. But... lately, the political situation in the South is very strange."

"Exactly which part do you feel is strange?"

In response to Kishiar's question, Gohum continued the explanation.

"Some aggressive tribes with a history of armed conflict with the Orr Empire across the desert border have always argued that we should achieve the 'unification of the stars' and confront the empire, but that was largely irrelevant to most tribes living away from there. However, these days, tribes that have never expressed such opinions before are adding their voices to that opinion, and there are even rumors that they have tried to threaten or forcibly subdue opposing tribes."

'...Unification of the stars?'

It was the first time Yuder had heard this phrase. As soon as Yuder's eyebrows twitched slightly, Kishiar also sharply delved into that part and asked.

"I'm curious about what the unification of the stars means. Could you explain it in a bit more detail?"

"Ah. That's a phrase that appears in an old story passed down orally among us."

Gohum spoke the imperial language very well. Although her speed of speaking gradually slowed down as if she found it difficult to translate some words, she still answered the question without wavering.

"Long ago, our ancestors who came down from the north across the desert to the south... those called the 'Initial Twenty Stars' were all those who came out under the same moonlight, but it is said that they received a curse that they could not be together forever while crossing the desert. To solve that curse, they each led their followers and split up to create the first 20 tribes, and they swore to 'return to one root' when the curse was resolved someday. The name of that oath is the 'unification of the stars'."

An unwavering smile appeared on Kishiar's lips.

"That's an interesting story."

It wasn't just Yuder who recalled the memory of interrogating Aton with Gloe's 'Truth' card the moment he heard this story.

Aton is an Udaquan, a priest of the Black Moon, and a descendant of the Wolf's Eye tribe chief. He, while talking about the records from before the Great Destruction, the 'Last Emperor's Records', which he said were passed down secretly in his tribe, left this statement at the end:

'If the goal is achieved, we might finally break free from our long curse and have a true leader who unites us. Perhaps... we might even... have a king...'

Could that 'long curse' he mentioned be the 'curse of not being able to be together forever' that Gohum just talked about?

That question was resolved before Yuder could open his mouth, surprisingly, by Mick asking first.

"What is this curse of not being able to be together forever? The name sounds very ominous."

"Well. Those who believe in that story often say that the fact that no one has appeared to unify all the tribes of the South for a thousand years is the reality of that curse. We don't believe it, but..."

According to Gohum, it wasn't that there hadn't been attempts to unify all the tribes in the South over the past thousand years.

"From time to time, there would appear those who claimed to resolve the curse and attempted to invade or merge other tribes. Of course, none succeeded. Because opposing tribes joined forces to stop such people."

"Then there must be opponents besides the tribes proposing the unification of the stars."

"That's right. The problem is that even such tribes are changing their opinions or keeping their mouths shut unusually quickly this time."

The Cat Whiskers tribe, to which Gohum and Aim belonged, was said to have little presence within the South due to its small size.

"Perhaps because of that, no one has appeared yet to try to forcibly change our opinion. However, in this atmosphere, I think... it's probably only a matter of time."

Gohum's expression darkened.

"It's not good. When you try to forcibly gather people who are so different, there will surely be problems... Usually, the Black Moon Order, which used to mediate between tribes at times like this, doesn't actively step forward, perhaps because the atmosphere has become strangely weird since the appearance of the 'chosen ones'."

"To be honest, there are times when I think the Order is rather encouraging this atmosphere."

Aim interjected and added her opinion. Her face, which had taken off her cloak like Gohum, was somehow similar enough to make one certain that they were from the same tribe as soon as one saw it.

"...Therefore, we wanted to tell you that the deal you proposed, Duke, can never proceed smoothly without considering the current political situation in the South."

Gohum finished her story. Kishiar slowly looked over Gohum and Aim, who were looking at him with tense faces, and then raised the corners of his lips in a bright smile.

"Hmm. Indeed, I chose people very well."

"..."

"You are very honest and brave. The fact that you accepted the trade deal with the empire while knowing all those difficulties is a choice that's impossible without considerable courage, guts, and a desire for peace. Thank you for telling me honestly. And what I have to say about this is still only one thing."

Towards the two merchants who were surprised by the unexpected response and had their eyes wide open, Kishiar said clearly.

"That I started this after considering all those calculations, so I will make sure you don't regret the deal."

"Ah..."

A faint admiration appeared on the faces of the two.

"The Cavalry... you, Duke, already knew about this aspect as well."

"As any merchant would know, when selling something, the more people who need that item and the more peaceful the road to sell it, the better. What I want is the same as you. If the deal goes well, I couldn't ask for more."

Although he spoke indirectly, it wasn't difficult to guess his meaning.

Kishiar, the Cavalry, the Empire wants peace.

They will do anything to make trade with the South, which will be a symbol of that, successful.

That's all they want, and they have no intention of going further.

"So, if it's alright, shall we now write up the contract related to this trade together? It seems better to continue more detailed discussions afterward."

Gohum bowed her head.

"Let's do that."

"Everything I said today will be recorded in the contract as is, so there's no need to worry about the words changing."

At those words, the merchants' faces brightened as if light was seeping into them. The weight of the words of Kishiar, who is the emperor's only brother, the Cavalry Commander, and a new Swordmaster, is no longer light. Everyone present, including Kishiar himself, clearly knows this fact, which is why such statements have a positive effect.

Yuder felt a thrilling sensation.

'No matter how much they say they were thinking of passing information to Kishiar because the political situation in the South wasn't going as they wished, they are still southerners. There's no way they didn't worry about the repercussions of this choice.'

They would naturally have been concerned about whether their choice might lead the entire South down an unfavorable path, and because of that, they would have tried to keep their distance as much as possible after passing on just a little information.

It's all Kishiar who is making them unable to retreat and turning them into proper helpers. He knew all too well what the other party was worried about and what they wanted.

As soon as Kishiar gave a nod, Mick Shuden took out a rolled-up bundle of papers from the bag he had placed at his feet.

"It's really good that I brought plenty of these in advance."

It was the highest grade among the contracts used by merchants, with almost the same effect as a temple's vow.

"Well then, now it's time to reveal what the item I'm going to entrust to you is."

Kishiar took something out from inside his clothes. Everyone's gaze focused there. What he took out was a transparent reagent contained in a glass bottle about the size of a finger.

"A suppressant that can help alleviate the manifestation and heat symptoms of second gender awakeners. It's an item that arrived from the capital today after five rounds of improvement."

Gohum and Aim's eyes widened.

Everyone now knows that there are awakeners who have manifested a second gender. However, many people still don't properly know about the pain they go through. Kishiar lightly shook the bottle in his hand and opened his mouth.

"The number of people who need this medicine is still small. But it will gradually increase. Moreover, given the nature of the heat that repeats at regular intervals, it's an item that needs to be used for a lifetime, so I believe you understand more than enough how important it is to properly establish a sales route."

The two merchants were smart. Not taking their eyes off the reagent, Gohum swallowed hard.

"...I understand. It will be an incredible item."

"This is just the beginning. As I said earlier, items for awakeners are continuously being developed."

Mick's hand holding the magic pen flew across the paper. He skillfully wrote down all of today's conversations and completed a draft of the trade contract, then showed it to Kishiar and Gohum.

When the two finished checking and signing in turn, a bright light flowed from the paper. It meant that the contract had been concluded.

"The regional exclusive sales rights and commission-related matters will be written separately on the second page, so you can discuss that with me. The Duke has entrusted that part to us at Shuden."

"Understood."

Gohum, who nodded, took a deep breath.

"Now all that's left is to work hard for the success of this deal... We will do our best."