Chapter 137 - Scouting for Information

"Of course, it’s a joke," Bede said with a chuckle. "Alright, I’ll keep this in mind, but don’t get your hopes up too much. There aren’t that many Gnoll slaves out there, at least I’ve never seen them in large numbers. On the other hand, there are quite a few Goblin slaves."From start to finish, Hanson sat by with a smile, not saying much, perhaps having learned a thing or two from the last lesson, realizing the virtue of silence.

Regardless, as long as he was here, no matter what deal Bede struck with Gaven, he’d have a part in it—that was the rule of the caravan.

"Mr. Hanson, if you don’t mind, I’d like to talk to Uncle Bede alone for a moment," said Gaven. There were some things he preferred not to involve Hanson in.

"Sure." Now Hanson truly seemed more perceptive, nodding without hesitation and getting up to leave.

As Hanson disappeared from the doorway, Bede couldn’t help but remark, "People are really intriguing. Since that incident with you, Hanson has matured a lot. Now, he is most dedicated to this route, and if nothing unexpected happens, should I not be around, he’ll probably take the lead."

"As long as he sticks to his duties, I have no objections," Gaven said. He didn’t have much of a grudge against Hanson. The uproar had simply caught him in the middle. "How’s the wrap-up with the Red Crow Mercenary Brigade going?"

"Ha..." Bede chuckled.

"What’s so funny?" Gaven was puzzled by the laughter.

"It’s been a long time, and since you haven’t said a word, I thought you didn’t care about it at all," Bede shook his head. "You’re good at keeping cool. Don’t worry, Klay broke the rules first, and you didn’t go out of your way to trouble the warriors of the Red Crow Mercenary Brigade. After I explained everything to their higher-ups, they said they’ve put it past them."

After a brief pause, Bede continued, "The Red Crow Mercenary Brigade says they won’t pursue the matter, but that doesn’t mean those few mercenaries have no hard feelings. From what I hear, in recent times, they’ve been very attentive to Blackwell and this trade route. Chances are, your Blackwell Tribe has been marked by the Red Crow Mercenary Brigade, and it won’t be long before someone from their top brass will reach out to you."

"This is just a prologue," Gaven tapped on the table. "The Red Crow Mercenary Brigade sees Rocklands as their backyard, and now that a significant Monster Force has popped up there, how can they not pay attention? Since Uncle Bede, you have ties with their higher-ups, could you feel out their stance? It’d be best if you could ensure they don’t treat the Blackwell Tribe as a Monster Force and deal with us forcefully."

"Feeling out their stance is no problem," Bede said with a wry smile. "But trying to influence the attitude of their top brass, forget about it. Your Uncle Bede doesn’t have that kind of sway."

"Maybe not before, but with me backing you up from behind, your influence might be higher than you think," Gaven revealed a sly smile. "Uncle Bede, you’re now our Blackwell Tribe’s spokesperson out in the world. When you have time, take another trip to the Red Crow Mercenary Brigade and see for yourself."

With Gaven’s nudge, Bede’s eyes suddenly lit up, and he slapped his thigh hard, "Brother Gaven, I wouldn’t have thought of that. On my last visit, Calsa’s attitude towards me was indeed a bit different from before. We even had coffee together. With that connection, I’ve got a much better idea. When I get back, I’ll make a special trip to Arabey to check out the Red Crow Mercenary Brigade’s headquarters."

Bede was more concerned about this matter than Gaven had anticipated.

Understandably so, as they had already seen the benefits in the Blackwell Tribe. The more prosperous the tribe, the greater their potential earnings, so they naturally wouldn’t want anyone tampering with their gold mine.

"When you get to Abel, Uncle Bede, go ahead and do your thing. As long as it benefits Blackwell and our trade, I’ll back you up a hundred percent," Gaven gave Bede his full blessing.

It was only a matter of time before they engaged with the Red Crow Mercenary Brigade, but how to approach them was a delicate matter.

Gaven himself stepping in wasn’t out of the question, but successful negotiations would be celebratory while a fallout would leave no room for maneuvering.

However, for a smooth operator like Bede, who played the middleman, there would always be a way out, both in the case of success or failure.

The two foxes, one old, one young, had an in-depth discussion on the potential attitudes of the Red Crow Mercenary Brigade, speculated on various possibilities, and devised coping strategies for Blackwell and the Bede Caravan in different scenarios.

Bede had only just left the Blackwell Tribe along with Hanson. Upon their arrival in Tivandun, they went their separate ways.

Of the eight Harpy Eggs, Bede entrusted four to Hanson, asking him to transport and auction them off in Sambia.

Bede himself, with a few guards, took the remaining four eggs and rode quickly towards Abel City.

Abel City.

One of Komeer Kingdom’s three main cities, second only to Susar City and Masonber City, located in the northeast of Komeer Kingdom.

It was a frontier city and a traders’ city, renowned as Komeer’s land-based commercial hub, a vital land transport nexus. Several major routes met here, connecting north to south, east to west.

Its role as a frontier fortress became somewhat secondary with Komeer Kingdom’s annexation of Tivandun, but its commercial nexus became increasingly prominent.

Merchants, warehouses, companies, caravans, cattlemen, commercial investors, and pioneers from other regions of Komeer Kingdom bustled in the city.

In such a city, an old hand in business like Bede felt right at home. He headed straight for the Weary Knight Inn, knowing the city like the back of his hand.

This inn is famous for an ancient Knight’s coffin that has never been opened, which was salvaged from a church that had been burned to the ground centuries ago.

The lid of this stone sarcophagus is carved with a knight in armor lying with arms and legs outstretched, one hand on his chest and the other dangling over the side of the coffin, looking as if he had just fallen asleep.

The sarcophagus is sealed with lead metal, and although local legends suggest the body inside is clad in a suit of armor made entirely of gold, visitors are warned that it’s best not to touch it.

Uncle Bede, of course, wasn’t here for the coffin; he chose this place to stay because it was one of the Red Crow Mercenary Brigade’s unofficial outposts.

The plump, merry, and horribly ugly innkeeper, Alannali—who could scare children to tears—was an affiliate of the Red Crow Mercenary Brigade, and anything that happened at the Weary Knight Inn would reach the ears of the higher-ups in the brigade.

"Mr. Bede, it’s been such a long time, what kind of wind has blown you this way?" Alannali’s homely face beamed a sincere and warm smile as she opened her arms to give Bede an enthusiastic hug.

"Alannali, you’re as beautiful as ever," Bede laughed heartily, returning the warm embrace.

However, the girth of both individuals was quite astonishing. When they collided, flesh rolled in waves, and their arms simply couldn’t wrap around each other.

Alannali’s smile grew even brighter as she ushered Bede in, asking, "Mr. Bede, have you collected any romantic stories or wonderful music lately?"

"No romantic stories, no wonderful music, but I have brought some unique goods," Bede said with a mysterious air.

Alannali’s interest was immediately piqued. "Unique goods? What kind of goods? Do tell."

Bede looked around cautiously, as if afraid of eavesdroppers, and whispered, "Bird Demon eggs."

"Harpy eggs?" Even though Alannali tried to keep her voice down, it came out a bit too loud—probably half of the patrons of the Weary Knight Inn had heard, and many turned their heads to look their way.

Seeing the pained look in Bede’s eyes, Alannali apologized in a quieter tone, "I didn’t mean to just now. Where did you get such rare goods? Planning to sell them in Abel? Got a buyer? Need me to introduce you to a few interested clients?" The source of thɪs content is ɴovᴇl_Firᴇ.ɴet

"Is the Mage Calsa around in Abel lately? He once asked me to keep an eye out for this kind of goods; I wonder if he would be interested. After all, he’s an old friend. With such goods, friends come first. If it doesn’t sell, I’ll have to trouble Alannali," Bede asked with a smile.

Selling Harpy Eggs was just a pretext, a way to make in-depth contact with the higher echelons of the Red Crow Mercenary Brigade, which was his main purpose for this trip.

Calsa was one of the top men in the Red Crow Mercenary Brigade whom Bede knew, one with a seat among the top three.

Not only was he a powerful Mage, but also a retired War Mage from the Komeer Kingdom’s War Mage Legion, and in Abel, his influence reached everywhere.

It was said that the contract the Red Crow Mercenary Brigade signed with the Komeer Kingdom’s Royal Family to clear the Rocklands was facilitated by him.

"The goods that Mr. Calsa wants." Alannali’s expression changed to one of realization. "Your timing is perfect. Mr. Calsa’s afternoon tea time is approaching; look, isn’t that him coming now?"

Along with the crisp sound of the doorbell ringing.

A tall man walked in, dressed in the tight long robes that War Mages commonly wear, but it was stained with grease, and the original color was no longer discernible. His hair and beard were disheveled, and heavy bags under his eyes suggested severe sleep deprivation. He looked perplexedly at Bede, who was eagerly approaching him, and asked, "Who are you?"

Bede, unfazed, introduced himself, "Bede, the grain merchant Bede Sechi. Just two tens of days ago, we had a drink here together. You mentioned you wanted some unique eggs for your experiments, and I’ve collected a few to show you."

Calsa’s retirement from the War Mage Legion wasn’t without reason. His memory often posed problems, either getting confused or lost completely, supposedly a side effect of a failed attempt at some unique Spell.

"Oh?! I remember now," Calsa’s gaze seemed to regain focus with Bede’s reminder, and his expression brightened, "Last time, you even brought back four Red Raven dimwits who had been captured by a Gnoll Tribe. Come on, let’s sit down for a drink. Let me see what good goods you’ve brought."

"Yes, yes, that was me," Bede said, grinning along. This Mage Calsa was as direct in his speech as ever.

Last time, those four mercenaries didn’t take their capture too seriously, but after a thorough tongue-lashing from him, it poured oil on the fire, creating many unnecessary problems.

But there are times when one cannot help but seek him out.

As Bede followed Calsa inside, he said, "It’s four Harpy eggs; I wonder if the Master might be interested?"

"Harpy eggs? That’s rare merchandise, not something you’d see around here. Where did they come from? Hmm, don’t tell me yet, let me guess. They wouldn’t happen to be from the Rocklands, from that Gnoll Tribe called Blackwell, would they?" Calsa’s memory might be problematic, but his intelligence was still that of a high-level Mage.

Seeing the other party bringing up the Blackwell Tribe itself, Bede naturally climbed onto the bandwagon, "Exactly, they are from the Blackwell Tribe in the Rocklands, has the Master heard of this tribe before?"