Chapter 392 - Qualified Merchant

"Miss Regina, this is a manor, so brooms should certainly be placed where they are most needed, not where they are most frightening. Scaring people is truly the most terrifying thing, and the atmosphere here is already fearsome enough. By deliberately creating such an ambience, are you planning to scare those merchants to death right here?""Believe me, those who are scared of this will turn back at the door. Those who like this sort of thing, even if they are scared to death, will still come inside. It’s the thrill they’re after. When the time comes, we’ll just create a terrifying atmosphere in the manor; we won’t cause them any harm. Anyway, Aunt Olive will be there, so even if there’s a problem, they won’t die," Regina said with an air of experience, as if to say listening to her was the surest bet.

Upon further thought, Gaven seemed to agree that it was indeed the case. After all, there was nothing to lose. "All right, I’ll leave the arrangements for the manor to you, Ms. Estelle."

"Present," Estelle materialized out of thin air.

This ghost-like behavior scared both Regina and Lord Ilmater so much that they almost drew their swords.

The dense negative energy in Weizemay Manor severely interfered with their perception abilities.

"Right, it’s this kind of surprise that we need." After the shock, Regina was excited. "But it’s too direct. The most terrifying thing is when it’s fleeting and subtle."

"For the next ten days, you will work with Miss Regina to coordinate the staff in the manor for rehearsals, to thoroughly enhance the atmosphere of the manor, aiming to leave an unforgettable memory for those guests," Gaven suggested. "If necessary, Miss Regina, you can give them intensive training to improve their acting skills."

"That’s a great idea, a great idea," Regina said repeatedly. "It’s settled then. Leave this to me; I guarantee to create a perfect ghostly stage drama right here."

"All right, it’s decided then." Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs NovᴇlFir(e).nᴇt

Unlike the excited Regina, Lord Ilmet was less enthusiastic. After wandering around for a bit, he followed Gaven back to the new village side, as he was more interested in the fantastical construction of the scenery there.

The dream of multicultural cooperation had once been just that—a dream.

The Crownbearers of Comanso gave this dream to the people of the Valley, opening it to them all.

Because of this dream, they established Mystorno, an elven city open to all kind-hearted races.

Dwarves, Demi-humans, humans, half-elves, elves, Fae Race, and other sage races all converged here to jointly build this city.

But harsh reality proved that this dream was really difficult to realize.

Mystorno gave birth to organizations like the Harpists, who sought benefits for all the kind-hearted races of the continent.

It also gave rise to Blade of Victory, an organization that venerated elven supremacy and was extremely xenophobic.

This dream lasted for over five hundred years.

Until the year 714 of the Valley Calendar, when Mystorno fell, and the Elf Royal Court raised the high flame crown, isolating themselves from the world and shattering the dream completely.

Yet, this shattered dream continued to live in the hearts of countless individuals, and Lord Ilmet was one of them.

Although he was born a human, he was committed to forging good relations with elves who didn’t respond to the Great Retreat and was dedicated to defending Comanso Great Forest, suppressing the spread of darkness within.

Before this, Lord Ilmet always felt that he was doing well in this respect, leading the way for everyone.

But when compared to this newly acquainted half-elf, he seemed to fall far behind; he had always focused on elves and neglected the omnipresent Fae Race around him.

They too were a forest race, and if united, they could be a formidable force as well.

Gaven, on the other hand, wanted to have an in-depth exchange with this nominal Lord of Battle Valley, but he did not have the time.

Some merchants, eager to seize business opportunities, had arrived earlier than he had anticipated.

Gaven left those floating in Yewen Pond alone, but those merchants who landed had to follow his arrangements, setting up camps in designated areas.

In just three days, the merchants’ campsites planned and flattened by Gaven were occupied by five caravans, setting up fourteen huge tents.

And this was just the beginning; the main body of merchants had not yet started to arrive.

Conservatively estimated, by the day of the auction, there would be over a hundred caravans gathered here, with merchants, coachmen, boatmen, and guards numbering over three thousand.

They weren’t simply coming for the Ghost Grape Wine but were taking advantage of the large gathering of merchants here to offload some unsold goods or acquire scarce commodities.

Such a large gathering of merchants was quite rare in the Valley, especially one so aggressively advertised a month and a half in advance.

"Mr. Gaven... Young Brother Gaven, it’s me, it’s me, Bede, Bede Sechi..."

Gaven, who was busy to the point of distraction, heard a familiar voice in the crowd and, turning with the sound, saw a familiar round figure frantically waving at him.

"That’s my friend; let him come over," Gaven told the two towering Lord’s warriors.

The two squads of Lord’s warriors brought by Lord Ilmater had already joined the security work of the auction, and the two in front of Gaven were assigned as his personal guards.

They were not there to ensure Gaven’s safety but rather to intercept those business owners who tried to approach him in advance.

Compared with the Tesser Immigrant Soldiers, these local-born Lord’s warriors from Battle Valley, who had followed Lord Ilmater for years, were more intimidating to the merchants.

Bede approached in an almost rolling manner, the excitement on his greasy round face about to spill over. Before he even reached Gaven, he began to rattle on, "When I heard the name Gaven Nort, I guessed it might be you. And with the Tesser background and a group of Gnoll servants, the possibility was all the more likely. But I really didn’t expect it to be you."

I really didn’t misjudge you, little brother Gaven, no, it should be Lord Gaven now, no matter where you go, you’re no ordinary man, and the things you do are extraordinary, too.

In the Rocklands, you were able to lead a bunch of Gnolls to expand and develop new territory.

In the Valley, you could lead the people here to carve out a whole new world."

Bede couldn’t help but be excited.

The image of Gaven joining their caravan with a Goblin Sorcerer servant and a naive Maiden Priestess, traveling with them, was still vivid in his mind.

To secure some starting materials, he engaged in all sorts of tricks with them, managing to get something out of nothing.

Yet in just a few short months, he became a famed Gnoll Lord in the Rocklands, an uncrowned king.

If one could attribute this achievement to luck,

then the creation of a foundation in the Valley right afterwards, preparing to auction the Ghost Grape Wine that created a buzz throughout the entire Valley, couldn’t be explained by luck alone; it was indeed a testament of extraordinary abilities beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Even if Gaven was someone he had watched grow up, Bede had to afford him the respect due, for Gaven had become someone he looked up to.

Just now, if Gaven hadn’t nodded his assent, Bede would have had to honestly stay huddled with the other business owners, without even the chance for a private conversation.

Behind him, among those business owners, were several who usually looked down their noses at him and never gave a second glance to his recently established role as the head of the trading association.

Now, they were probably looking at him with envy, which made Bede feel refreshed and his spine straightened up a notch, although the difference wasn’t all that significant regardless of it being straight or not.

After Gaven finished reviewing the last item on the inventory list, he looked up with a smile and said to Bede, "Uncle, you flatter me. I’m not as impressive as you say. It was just good fortune; I simply picked up a bargain from Mr. Darnell, securing a batch of rather unique wines.

Who would have thought that the merchants from the Valley and Sambia would be so enthusiastic, unexpectedly turning this auction into a trade fair, greatly increasing my burden. Look at me, I’m so busy that my heels are nearly kicking the back of my head."

He didn’t bother asking Bede why he wasn’t concentrating on his old business of trading iron rocks.

If he knew about opening up new territories, then so did a businessman like Bede who had spent a lifetime scheming; with a keen nose for business opportunities, he would burrow wherever the chance arose.

If he hadn’t come this time, he wouldn’t qualify as a credible business owner.

"Lord believes this is a coincidence, but to us seasoned merchants, this scenario is inevitable. Lord, the way you had those Wandering Opera Troupes and Bards advertise for you was simply brilliant. Wherever those opera troupes and bards go, news about the Ghost Grape Wine spreads.

When even the farmers who never leave their homes know about it, how could the merchants not be aware?

If they failed to realize that this place would become a hub for merchants with countless opportunities, they aren’t fit to be merchants.

Lord, you opened a new door for us merchants. I believe it won’t be long before not only the opera troupes and wandering poets from the Valley and Sambia, but the entire Felen will be engulfed in a whirlwind of promotion."

As Bede got increasingly excited, he gesticulated wildly, his face flushed with enthusiasm and his words coming out in a spray.

Because this represented a brand-new business pathway filled with endless opportunities.

In the end, he couldn’t resist rubbing his hands and saying, "If we’re talking about the most effective, it has to be the Song Dragon Singing Troupe, led by Miss Regina of Battle Valley Princess. I heard that Miss Regina is the leader of this promotion and has a close relationship with you, Lord. If possible, could you please introduce me, so the Song Dragon can help spread the word for our thousand voices too?"

"That’s easy; Miss Regina is right here at the moment. At dinner tonight, I’ll have someone invite you. I’ll arrange for her to sit with you, but such promotion isn’t free, especially with Miss Regina being a natural talent in this area. Her commission isn’t low." Gaven certainly didn’t mind helping things along.

After all, their collaboration had always been excellent, making outstanding contributions to the development of the Dragon Oak Territory, especially the connections he had made in Komeer, which were extremely beneficial, even managing to draw in a Legendary Mage.

In the end, Gaven added, "But I have one condition."

"Don’t just talk about one condition, I’ll agree to ten conditions," Bede said excitedly.

When it comes to promotion, it’s essential to seize the initiative.

For those who act first will definitely get the juiciest piece.

Compared to seeking other singing troops and bards who are unfamiliar with the situation, it is far better to hire the ones who have already been successful once.

"My condition is that you no longer call me Lord. It just sounds so awkward coming from you, uncle." Gaven said with a smile, "You’re not one of my lieges, so don’t follow their lead. Let’s stick to the way it was before, just call me Brother Gaven."

"Fine, I’ll keep calling you Brother Gaven. Truth is, I also find the formalities awkward," Bede laughed heartily.

"Did you bring your old stock this time, too? Transporting various foods and wines?" Gaven took the opportunity to ask.

Bede gave Gaven a thumbs-up, "Brother Gaven, your guess is spot on. I really went back to my old trade, but I didn’t bring food. Since I guessed you’d be here, you definitely wouldn’t be short on food. This time, what I brought is all drink, five whole ships of it."

"As long as it’s not iron ore from Blackwell that you’re transporting."

"I’d have to have a head full of iron ore to bring iron to find buyers at a wine auction."