Chapter 2089: Big Business, A Contract of Indenture

Under the introduction of Kezimo, a Senior Arcanist from Fenwick Tower, one of the Seven Towers, Xia Duo met Governor Golin of Taisha, who wore a crown of fresh flowers, aboard a Magic Ship on the Taisha River outside Konnifila City.

According to Kezimo's introduction, Golin came from an Upper Family of Kemansuoer and was himself proficient in Magic, and even more so in the ways of the world in human society; he did not rely solely on his family background to achieve his current status as a governor managing all affairs on the northwestern border of Kemansuoer.

"Governor" is a translated term; in the Elvish context, it carries the meaning of "Sub-King" or "Candidate Crown King," which is why this Governor Golin could wear a crown—though it was only a crown of fresh flowers, the essence was not much different.

Of course, in the Elf World, there are not a few who are qualified to wear a crown, but among the Northern Elf Kingdoms, only Kemansuoer has such appointments.

Because Crown King Yiner Suo Er has high enough prestige and has lived long enough to keep things under control; if it were in Yierlan or Yinerfalan, the mere appearance of a "Sub-King" would basically be a precursor to a coup.

Xia Duo has a decent understanding of Elven history, but his knowledge of Golin himself came more from hearsay from outsiders, and he had never dealt with him before; now, upon meeting, he immediately sensed a certain trend in the other party that was being held back but not yet released.

"To think he is a High Mage?!"

Xia Duo was shocked; when Kezimo introduced him before coming, that was not what was said. At the time, Kezimo only said that this Governor Golin was a Senior Mage in his early years and had long since abandoned his magical skills due to handling secular affairs for many years.

Now it seems that either Kezimo was not honest and did not give him accurate information, or Kezimo's intelligence was outdated—and outdated by far.

He hadn't even managed to investigate whether the other party had abandoned their magical skills!

From one perspective, this also demonstrates the prowess of this Governor Golin; if Xia Duo were not currently in a Saint Form Avatar—which is the same as, or even more advanced than, a High Mage—and sensing at close range, he likely would not have been able to detect this powerful control over the Magic Net String, which had no external manifestations and was only slightly reflected in the background of the Magic Net.

"Governor Golin, I presume City Lord Kezimo has already told you the purpose of my visit. I wonder what the response from Kemansuoer is?"

"Lord Xia Duo, this matter is truly difficult for us! Just a short while ago on the Sluwen battlefield, we all saw the power of your Floating Fortress. Now that you want to let that fortress enter Kemansuoer territory, do you think we should agree?" Golin asked in return.

Although the results had already been transmitted before they met, it did not prevent him from striving for some benefits for himself; if it were too easy, wouldn't it fail to show his importance?

Of course, given that both parties had already met, his words had a somewhat tacit understanding; Xia Duo understood immediately but did not promise any benefits.

Whether in human society or Elven society, directly requesting or delivering benefits is always somewhat undignified.

Xia Duo turned his gaze to Kezimo, and Kezimo immediately took over, "Governor Golin, Lord Xia Duo's visit to Kemansuoer this time is driven by his fascination with the unique cultural and natural landscapes within Kemansuoer, and this is precisely a reflection of Kemansuoer's openness, progress, and tolerance. I believe this is a beneficial matter for both your country and our side."

"But that is, after all, a fortress of immense power!"

Golin wore a distressed expression and continued to complain: "And it can move at will. Even if we all know Lord Xia Duo has no other intentions, the Commoners below do not know that. To rashly allow a Floating Fortress to enter the country would cause panic domestically."

"That is easy to solve. As long as what enters is not the Floating Fortress, why can it not be a cloud?"

After speaking, Kezimo cast an inquiring look at Xia Duo. Xia Duo nodded, indicating he could accept this. While this trip certainly had a nature of showing off, as long as the upper echelons of Kemansuoer knew, everyone could save face.

If the Floating City had to go in its actual form, it would be similar to sailing a warship into another country's territorial waters on Earth. Although Xia Duo himself felt the Floating City was just a civilian facility, other countries would not think so!

If one wants to enter a village, one must follow its customs.

Xia Duo does not yet possess hegemony, and even if he had the qualifications to dominate one day, he would not do so; everything will follow normal procedures.

Subsequently, Kezimo extended an invitation to Governor Golin, inviting him to attend a secret auction in Konnifila City. This was essentially a bribe for Golin, paid out of Xia Duo's pocket, totaling 20 Arcane Crystals.

Drip, drip, drip—with the surplus production of the two 【Misella】 devices in the Floating City, he could produce them in just three or four seconds. Xia Duo naturally felt no heartache at all; if things could be settled using only Arcane Crystals, that would be a great thing indeed.

Of course, this was not a loss for Golin either; at least before the 【Misella】 device was made public, Arcane Crystals were indeed a very precious type of universal artificial Gemstone.

Xia Duo's previous arms trade with Evereska was also settled in Arcane Crystals, and Evereska even felt they had made a huge profit!

This is actually the result of information asymmetry—one side is willing to pay, and the other is willing to accept. Even if information regarding 【Misella】 is made public in the future, no one will have anything to say.

……

Regarding Kezimo's invitation—which was effectively a bribe—Golin agreed immediately. But just when Xia Duo thought the matter was settled, Golin said:

"I have some other matters I would like to discuss with Lord Xia Duo privately. I wonder if it would be convenient?"

This latter sentence was clearly also directed at Kezimo, but in this situation, Kezimo obviously could not make the decision himself and once again turned his inquiring gaze toward Xia Duo.

Xia Duo considered it and ultimately agreed. He felt that the matter Golin wanted to discuss might be related to the Seven Towers, or rather, unfavorable to the Seven Towers.

However, what did that have to do with him? From the moment the Seven Towers attempted to construct the Ascension Order, he was destined to not be on the same page as them, plus he had recently refused an invitation from Jilan Tower again.

He and the Seven Towers were now only a step away from an open falling out. Their values were incompatible, and they only maintained their current seemingly friendly relationship due to external pressure.

Therefore, he was very curious to hear what fresh news Golin might have!

……

Soon, Kezimo left the ship and stood on the shore waiting, occasionally casting his gaze toward the Magic Ship. On the ship, Golin finally spoke:

"Lord Xia Duo is truly doing a massive business!"

"How does Governor Golin mean that?"

"Now that there are no outsiders here, I will speak plainly—spices!"

When mentioning spices, Golin cast a meaningful look at Xia Duo, as if to say, we have long known about that little business of yours.