The land of Isgangar, located in the permafrost region, is so desolate that it lacks even proper roads. Some say trying to sell goods in such a remote place is a crazy endeavor.
Most merchants operate around the southern regions, where trade is thriving thanks to the coastal areas.
That might be true.
The most prominent trading companies on the continent have established the south as their main base.
Hence, it was a mistake.
The commercial market in the south was already saturated. Cheap goods, brutal competition, and greedy large trading firms.
Can a new company or merchant survive?
The answer is, of course, NO.
A battlefield for large trading firms.
The weak can never survive.
The south is a red ocean.
But here, the merchant known as Vipen, with his squinting eyes, was different. He had found a way to survive amidst fierce competition.
“The greatest treasures are hidden in the most dangerous places.”
A land where extreme cold makes farming difficult, and the supply of goods is prone to disruption. A place where people desperately need everything from basic necessities to luxury items.
Vipen thought of the north.
The reason Vipen chose the north was simple. He was attracted to the high profits obtained through risk and trade.
He would bring hard-to-find fruits, salt, various fabrics, and necessities cheaply from the south, traveling across Isgangar to sell them at several times the price.
Conversely, he buys byproducts of monsters, which can only be found in the north, at low prices. The people of the north, unfamiliar with trade and having no other place to sell, have no choice but to sell them cheaply.
“Long time no see! I’ve brought the goods you need.”
Thus, Vipen traveled through the north and arrived at Lake Fortress.
Though Lake Fortress was more rugged than other regions of Isgangar, the warriors there were competent. The quality of the byproducts they offered was uniformly rare and excellent.
In short, it was a place with high marketability.
“Let’s see the goods.”
At Jorn’s words, Vipen gestures. His subordinates deftly lower the boxes. People of all ages gather around, their eyes full of curiosity as they inspect the goods.
“I brought them with great care! Hey, you there, kid. Don’t touch it carelessly, or it’ll get dirty.”
Inside the boxes were a variety of items. Children looked at toys, women checked fabrics and foodstuffs, and men examined tools.
While there was nothing particularly unique, the items definitely had utility in life. Especially for the people of the north, who lacked everything, their value was even greater.
“This is as much as I can show you. What kind of items did our northern folks prepare? I’m very curious!”
With his sly squint and cheeky demeanor, Vipen clearly gave off the impression of a merchant.
When Jorn nodded, his subordinates spread out the bundle on the floor and laid out the goods.
“These are the items we prepared.”
“Oooh?”
Vipen’s squint twitched.
‘This is a reindeer’s horn…. Could this be the hide of a wyvern? I can’t believe it’s this large! And yet, yeti fur too!’
Vipen draped the yeti fur over his arm. Thick and fluffy, with an undamaged texture—it was of exceptionally high quality. One of the best of the best.
If such quality fur were put on the market, it would easily fetch around 70 gold coins.
Just in time, he had heard that a noble lady was looking for fabric to make a winter coat. She loved luxury items, so with some persuasion, he could easily sell it for 100 coins.
Indeed, coming to Lake Fortress had been the right choice.
“Good goods. There’s nothing lacking for a trade. Has the chieftain decided on the items for exchange?”
“Please wait a moment.”
Not long after, a list was organized after a discussion with the residents and handed to Vipen. Vipen checked the exchange items proposed by Jorn.
First, salt.
It’s hard to obtain naturally in the north, but essential for preserving food and enhancing flavor.
Next were silk thread, strong fabrics, and needles needed for sewing leather. Medicinal plants, as well as edible saplings like rutabaga.
Finally, a variety of food items, including fruits. It was a list that allowed not even a hint of waste. Indeed a reasonable choice.
“I’ve verified it.”
Subordinates who received Vipen’s orders presented the items to be exchanged.
Thud. Thud.
Jorn looked at what they offered as a trade and turned to Vipen.
“What is this?”
“These are the items you wanted.”
“Isn’t the quantity a bit small?”
The items Vipen had presented were more than before, but considering that he had offered the hide of a wyvern and yeti fur, the amount was woefully inadequate.
“Are you looking down on our Northguard?”
“Ah, there are various circumstances. Due to the poor harvest, the price of fruits has skyrocketed like gold, and above all, the cold in Isgangar is getting worse. Do you have any idea how much it costs to transport goods all the way out here?”
“So, is that all you can give me?”
“I truly regret it, but there’s nothing I can do at the moment. However, once the economy stabilizes, I will surely lower the prices.”
Vipen’s claims were partially true but mostly exaggerated. If the northern people had offered their goods, they could have traded for the entire cartload, but what Vipen presented was merely half of that.
‘Why should I trade fairly?’
A barbarian who doesn’t even know the true value of goods. It would be a crime to pay what they are worth to such ignorant folks.
This is the charm of trading in the north and another advantage.
Vipen smiled slyly, concealing his true feelings.
“What’s the matter? Are you not going to trade?”
“It’s utterly insufficient. Bring more goods.”
“Hmm, if you put it that way, we have no choice. It seems we cannot trade.”
“What did you say?”
“It seems you’re under a delusion. I have no obligation to trade with you.”
The time spent coming this far was wasted, but he didn’t care.
No other merchant would come to such a remote place besides Vipen. On the other hand, the demand for goods was overflowing. Supply couldn’t keep up with demand.
Vipen could sell elsewhere, but they won’t be able to find goods without him. If they do not buy, they only incur losses.
“Just in time, the chief of Frost Hollow requires goods, so this worked out well. They pay even higher prices! Our supply was already short, and this has turned out for the better.”
“Chieftain. As for the medicine and salt…”
“No! My desire to trade with you has completely vanished. I went through all this trouble to come here, and you don’t appreciate it. At this rate, I won’t be trading with a barbarian. What are you doing? Don’t load the goods.”
The subordinates close the lids of the boxes.
“Not much, but the pride is immense.”
“Is that so?”
“Indeed. The goods are all cheap. They wouldn’t even be genuine if given away for free.”
“What did you say? Which barbarian dared to—”
Annoyed by the complaints of the ignorant barbarian, Vipen turned his head. There stood two women.
“One is a short and chesty woman.”
It’s a preference, but those who like it would go wild for her figure.
But it was the other one next to her who captivated Vipen’s attention. The moment he saw Asies, Vipen’s squinted eyes widened, revealing his hidden pupils to the outside world.
‘A woman like that among barbarians?!’
She was a beauty beyond belief.
Like the manifestation of the winter goddess.
“W-Who is that woman?”
“…She’s a slave.”
“What? A slave?!”
These barbaric cretins.
There’s a limit to ignorance.
Such a beauty is too precious to be kept in such a desolate place.
“She is truly a beautiful woman. Do you have any intention of selling her to me? I can pay handsomely.”
“Our Northguard does not engage in human trafficking. Besides, we are not her master.”
“You’re not? Then who is?”
“That is…”
“Are you interested in my slave?”
With arms crossed, Carami approached leisurely toward the commotion.
Her attire and appearance exuded an air of nobility that was rarely seen among the northern people. Vipen regarded Carami with suspicion.
“Are you the owner of this woman? More importantly, is she really a slave?”
“She is indeed my slave.”
“I can’t believe you would carry such a woman as a slave…. Who are you?”
A noble?
Or are you from royalty?
“I am Carami, a slave trader. I am also known as the Death God of slaves.”
“The Death God! You are that famous merchant?”
“Oh dear, even northern folks know me.”
“Of course! Any merchant would know!”
The infamy of the Death God was widespread.
Buying and disposing of beasts in bulk, even securing items from nobles, while secretly whisking noble daughters away, erasing them from the world without a trace.
Anyone interested in slaves would long for Elves, yet the Death God eradicated them all.
The life and value of slaves amounted to nothing in the face of the Death God’s lowly desires.
Could it be…?
“What will happen to that slave…?”
“When the time comes, I will release her.”
Good heavens!
Will he even kill that beautiful woman?
He’s not just an average madman!
“I would rather buy her. Please sell her to me!”
“I must refuse. She takes precedence over money for me.”
“What nonsensical…”
Losing such a beauty would be a loss for all humanity. But Vipen perceived that Carami didn’t care much.
“Rather, I glimpsed from behind—did you not say that you wouldn’t trade with us?”
“Indeed… but.”
Vipen’s attitude grew cautious.
“Hmm, that’s strange. The yeti fur is top quality, and the wyvern’s hide is a rare material used in high-level alchemy.”
“Y-Yes….”
“The amount you can obtain in money would gather supplies worth half a year, yet it’s ironic that you can only buy a few boxes of goods.”
Vipen, hit with a direct critique, protested urgently.
“But I’m the only one selling goods coming to such a rough hinterland! Considering distribution, this level of price increase is entirely rational!”
“Is that so?”
“It is! The Death God buys and sells people; you’re not selling goods, right? In terms of commerce, I know more than you, Death God!”
Vipen hastily made his case. If he were caught gouging prices here, they might tell other tribes.
Then his trade would be over.
Surely, Carami wouldn’t be unaware of this.
Those who lack moral standards…
Carami, who had been quietly smoking, finally spoke.
“Hmmm, you say you know better than I. However, I think I could likely perform even better than you in trading.”
“What did you say?”
“Debating the quality of a merchant in a place where you can’t find any competitiveness—it’s laughable even to yourself, don’t you think?”
“Not only have you accused me of being a scammer, but you’ve also doubted my abilities! I had high hopes because of your notorious reputation, but I must have misjudged you.”
Vipen hastily had his subordinates load the goods.
“I can’t endure this humiliation any longer! I’m truly offended! I will leave. I will not set foot in this place again, so don’t even dream of trading!”
Vipen fled the village, driving the cart as if escaping.
It was the first time the villagers had ever seen Vipen so flustered. While there was a sense of exhilaration, they ultimately could not obtain the essential goods.
“What shall we do, chieftain? We urgently need several items.”
“…”
“Should we at least try to make contact with another tribe?”
Jorn couldn’t immediately respond. It was the first experience for him as well.
Even if they obtained goods from another tribe, it would only suffice for immediate needs. If merchants truly do not come to this area, the future becomes uncertain.
Having already discovered the conveniences of goods from the outside world, they couldn’t live as they once did.
In the midst of serious discussions among the tribe members, Carami subtly interjected.
“You seem to be in quite a bind. Would you like some help?”
“How do you propose to help?”
“Oh, many things have changed. In the past, you would have dismissed it outright, saying, ‘Northguard does not take help from outsiders,’ but now you seem curious about how to go about it.”
“Get lost if you’re going to say useless things.”
Neither this man nor that man.
All merchants are unlikable.
“Haha, just kidding, just kidding. I take responsibility for the situation since I have a stake in this matter.”
Carami was already scheming.
That is, Vipen is an unscrupulous merchant who comes to Lake Fortress.
She was aware this would happen.
“If that guy doesn’t come, it’s simple; have another merchant come instead.”
And the solution.
“What do you mean?”
“The merchant is the type that will go to hell for profit.”
