Rise of the Legendary Emperor

Chapter 166: New Merchants

The next day, Gabriella's ship arrived at Agoria.

Arrora went to the coast side where the ship docked at, to meet the businesswoman and inspected the cargo she had delivered. The black-armored Stodemar was already there at the scene when he arrived.

The most important things were the construction material like metal pipes, bricks, woods. The materials they bought for Everlight had basically run out causing the construction work in Agoria to be stopped. With the new materials, they could start to build new roads and houses for the people in Agoria as well for the refugees.

Apart from the construction materials, she had also brought crates full of mine ingots that couldn't be mined in Emir to forge armors, weapons and tools. It would take almost a day to unload that.

To Arrora's surprise, Gabriella did not come alone this time, she had brought some new merchants with her.

"Arrora, everything be good, I checked all tha crates meself"

Since Gabriella brought mages to unload the crates and transport them to the castle, Don's men didn't have to do anything.

After the delivery was completed, Gabriella and her new friends followed Arrora back to the castle for snacks.

"Please, take a seat, his majesty will be with you soon"

Arrora could see the nervousness in their eyes and guessed that they might have heard of what happened at Enarin somehow.

"Thank you, Lady Adria" 

Gabriella and the merchants bowed their heads and seated themselves.

After a few moments, Arrora brought Don to the throne hall as the merchants quickly stood up and bowed their heads. Their eyes were full of respect and fear towards him as he motioned them to sit and sat on the throne.

"She brought back all the goods that she promised"

Arrora whispered into Don's ears as he nodded and flicked his wrist as a stack of gold coins appeared before Gabriella.

"Gabriella, the payment "

She stood up again as she bowed and put the coins in her space ring without counting.

"Your majesty, this is Abel from Moondust metals, my friend. He's also one of the businessmen who deal in metal ingots if you need metal, he's the man you should talk to"

Gabriell introduced them one by one.

''This is Ian, he has a lumber mill called Oakland in Monivelle and just like with Abel, if you need any kind of wood, say the word to him" Gabriella pointed at the next merchant woman who looked slightly older than her.

"Your majesty, this is Haley from Silk road, they are one of the best in the fabric business. They all are very interested in doing business with you, your majesty. Since they are very good friends of my father and mine, I couldn't refuse when they asked me to come with me and meet you "

"It's an honor to meet you, Your majesty" Abel who had long grey hair and dark complexion said.

"Your majesty, we know that you're already dealing with Gabriella, but if you can give us the same chance to do business with you, we'd be honored"

Don was surprised to hear Abel as the merchants would not usually look desperate considering it could hurt their business but the trio that Gabriella brought seemed nothing but desperate.

"I've noticed you're doing rebuilding the houses around here, your majesty, we, Oakland can offer you the best price for your lumber need, your majesty"

Don looked at Haley to hear what she has to say

"Your majesty, the winter is nearing and people need warm clothes more than anything at that time, just like Abel and Ian, we can offer you the best price for clothes, fabrics, and garments."

After hearing the three of them, he turned his gaze at Gabriella

"Gabriella, isn't it bad for your business if I made a deal with them?"

Gabriella smiled as she said

"Your majesty,Grega's merchant guild will be the one handling all the transportation and its where we make our profits beside if you make a deal with them, they still have to pay us a small percentage from the profits"

Simply her guild would act as a middleman and since Don or the other merchants had no ships or infrastructure to do the transportation, both of them had to rely on Grega's merchant guild.

"Alright, now I'm going to ask you guys a question and I want your honest answer, no lies, got it?"

"Yes, yes, of course, your majesty"

They nodded their head and waited for Don's question as their heartbeat started to increase

"Have you or have you not heard about what happened in Enarin?"

The four of them looked at each other for a moment and then Gabriella answered him with a slow nod

"Yes, your majesty, we heard what happened, it's the hottest topic among rank fours nowadays"

"then you also may know that most people would try to avoid making any deals with me or having anything to do with me and my kingdom?"

The four of them looked bewildered when they heard him as he continued

"So why do you guys seem eager to do business with me and take a risk?"

After a staying silent for a few moments, Abel sighed

"Times are tough for small merchant guilds like us, your majesty, big merchant guilds taking over our businesses, buying small guilds, killing our men, doing everything in their power to end our businesses"

"Big merchant guilds like Thunder hearts?"

Gabriella and others looked surprised 

"Your majesty, how do you know them?"

"I like to know everything about the person or an organization that I'm dealing with, Gabriella, including their rivals"

Gabriella nodded and sighed as Abel continued

"If we small guilds don't stick together and don't take risks, your majesty, we are good as gone"

Don understood the meaning of Abel's words as it was natural for the strong to prey on the weak and since they looked desperate and told him to give the best price for the goods, he guessed that it might be a good idea to make the deal with them, especially with Haley considering the upcoming winter when the people would freeze to death without warm place and warm clothes.

Yet, he needed to check their background before making a deal with them, just to be safe.

" Tell you what, I'm going to Emir today, but I will be back here in two days. So in the meanwhile,

 you three should stay here and make a list of what's your best prices for each material. I will check it out and give you an answer when I'm back"

Abel, Ian, and Haley sighed in relief and smiled as they nodded their heads

"Then we'll wait for you here, your majesty"

Don then looked at Gabriella

"You too Gabriella, I have something important to talk with you when after I've returned"

She had no idea what important thing he had to talk with her but she agreed to stay anyway. Plus she was afraid to say no to a grandmaster.

"Yes, your majesty"

"Alright then, guard"

He called out for the guard as the one outside the throne hall door came running

"take these gentlemen and ladies to the guest house"

"Yes, your majesty" the guard bowed and motioned the merchants to follow him as they bowed towards Don and followed the guard to the guest house.

After everyone left the throne hall, Arrora asked

"We had already bought enough materials right?"

"I know, but I have a feeling that we can make a good deal with them, plus the winter will be here soon, we need Haley's help to prevent the people from freezing to death" 

"And you want to order some fancy things for building restaurants and tea houses, am I correct?"

She correctly guessed what he planned in his mind and smiled when she saw him nodding.

"Tell Joel to order his men to ask around the merchants, just to be safe"

"Consider it done, so are we leaving now? Do you want me to tell Arwen?"

He shook his head

"No, Arwens staying here, we don't want anyone to do anything funny when we're away"

Even though he wasn't sure that someone might try to do anything while he's away, he didn't want to take any chance. Arwen and his men could even fight a couple of peak level great masters and he didn't think that Rosaline or her friends would come attacking his kingdom because they would probably be getting prepared for the dungeon in Enarin.

"Amaryll is really excited about opening restaurants, you know"

"Oh? Has she finished training the cooks?"

"Not yet, but they will be when we need them"

Just when he was talking about restaurants, Don remembered something

"The old woman who sold you tea, you have to send someone and bring her and settle her here, or someone would eventually find out about the recipe and turn into a competitor"

"Already sent one of my men, she will be here when we return"

"Well, then it's time we go to Emir and deal with the nobles"

The black armored men and his carriage were already outside as he stepped into his carriage and started the journey to Emir.