Traveling Merchants

Being a traveling merchant in the God-Forsaken Land was no easy task.

Although a single round trip could yield earnings equivalent to at least half a year's income for an ordinary commoner family,

yet, when weighed against the harsh climate and potential dangers along the way, this income seemed far less enticing.

A large portion of the bones buried in the desert belonged to those unfortunate merchants who had been left behind in this savage land.

Even so, there were always newcomers, harboring dreams of striking it rich overnight, who set foot on this path paved with yellow sand and skeletal remains.

“Crack—”

A skull exposed on the surface of the yellow sand was crushed under a horse's hoof.

As they ventured deeper into the God-Forsaken Land, Magricius felt as if the very air was about to catch fire.

As a newcomer to the trade, this was his third time visiting this legendary land cursed by the gods.

The profits from his first two trips had successfully transformed him from a penniless boy into a somewhat well-known minor merchant.

Gently patting the heavily panting packhorse beneath him, Magricius wiped the sweat from his forehead, shielded his eyes from the blinding sun, and gazed out over the desolate landscape.

Under the intense heat, the distant air shimmered and warped.

Amidst the endless, earthy-yellow hills and boulders, that rare splash of green was incredibly conspicuous.

“Guys, looks like we've arrived. Stay sharp in a bit, and don't let those savage fellows intimidate you.”

“Otherwise, we'll end up losing out on quite a few copper coins.”

Magricius turned back and shouted to the three mercenaries riding behind him.

“Don't worry, Boss.”

A shirtless man with a scarred face rode forward.

“We're professionals. Those savage, backward fellows won't even dare to squeak when they see us.”

“With those words, I'm at ease.”

Magricius licked his dry lips, cast his gaze toward the oasis, took a sip from his canteen, and continued:

“Guys, let's squeeze every last gold coin out of those savages!”

He spoke loudly, and as soon as he finished, he dug his heels into the horse's flanks and galloped forward.

Kicking up a cloud of flying dust...

...

“Chief! Chief!”

A young kobold dashed in from outside the oasis, shouting at the top of his lungs, drawing the attention of many kobolds in the tribe.

Before they could even step forward to ask what was happening, the kobold had already rushed toward the largest stone house in the settlement.

“What happened?”

Fido walked out of the stone house. Recognizing the approaching kobold, he leaned on his cane and took a couple of steps forward to meet him.

“Dart, didn't you go out with the hunting party? Why are you back so early?”

“Ch—Chief...”

The young kobold, Dart, rested his hands on his knees, bending over and panting as he spoke:

“The merchants... those traveling merchants are here!”

“Are they finally here?”

The wrinkles on Fido's brow creased deeply.

After instructing his tribesmen to inform the two Graces, Fido entered the stone house alone and lifted the stone stool he usually sat on.

He then pulled out several mud-covered gold coins from underneath, carefully stuffing them into the animal skin pouch he wore.

...

The square was already crowded with kobolds.

They conversed in low whispers.

Their gazes frequently swept over the few humans on horseback surrounded in the center, as well as the goods loaded onto their packhorses.

It was almost as if they were looking at rare animals.

Though, compared to the primitive and savage God-Forsaken Land, these humans from civilized society truly could be considered rare beasts.

Magricius growing somewhat annoyed by these prying stares, he shot a look at the mercenaries beside him.

Understanding instantly, the mercenaries put on fierce expressions one by one.

Unveiling the imposing aura of class-holders without any attempt at concealment.

Terrified, the kobolds shrunk their necks and took a few steps back.

“What a bunch of uncivilized brutes,” one mercenary said loudly, completely unconcerned about whether the kobolds would hear him.

“Isn't that the truth?”

Another mercenary, who looked like a cleric, also spoke up:

“They were savage enough to swing their swords at the gods. Yet, the great deities didn't exterminate them, but instead gave them this place to live.”

“The gods are truly too merciful.”

“Ahem...”

A sudden cough interrupted their discussion.

Hearing this sound, the kobolds voluntarily parted to make a path.

Fido walked out from the crowd step by step, leaning on his cane.

Seeing that the main figure had arrived, the mercenaries tactfully shut their mouths.

Magricius, on the other hand, wore a brilliant smile as he dismounted from his packhorse.

He spread his arms wide and went to greet the slowly approaching old kobold.

“Oh! My dear Chief Labudoderic, how wonderful to see you again.”

“I wonder what you would like to trade for this time? I've brought plenty of good stuff!”

“Salt.”

Fido dryly spat out the word, staring at the human before him with vigilant eyes.

He had absolutely no intention of embracing this treacherous merchant.

Fido still remembered that during their first meeting, this cunning merchant had worn the exact same passionate expression.

Only, after that embrace, the crystal he had worn for many years went missing.

Receiving such a cold shoulder, Magricius cursed the old, immortal kobold fiercely in his mind.

On the surface, however, his face remained a mask of smiles.

“I knew it~”

“But what are you going to trade with, my dear Chief Labudoderic?”

“Dried fruit, and gold coins.”

As he spoke, Fido reached into his animal skin pouch and began rummaging around.

“Oh! Dried fruit again!”

Magricius raised his head and squinted, revealing the face of a dishonest merchant.

“Dried fruit hasn't been selling well lately. Those nobles and influential figures grew tired of these dry things long ago...”

Halfway through, he suddenly shut his mouth. His eyes went wide with disbelief.

“What did you say? Gold coins?!”

He then saw the old kobold before him pull out a gold coin, still smeared with dirt, using his withered fingers.

Losing his composure, Magricius snatched the gold coin.

After scrutinizing it closely, and completely disregarding the mud on the coin, he popped it into his mouth and bit down hard.

“Oh, by His Grace the God of Light! This is actually a real gold coin!”

Caught in the sunlight, the Rose Emblem engraved on the gold coin shimmered with a dazzling golden light, making Magricius's eyes ache slightly.

Carefully holding the gold coin in his hand, he shifted his gaze back to Fido's aging face.

The disdain in his eyes vanished, replaced by a flattering smile.

“Oh! My dear Chief, where did you get this gold coin?”