Chapter 568: Transaction

Returning to Giles Tower, Xia Duo first contacted Niya to inform her that the territory's fleet had arrived and that he would be leaving soon, then asked for her help in contacting Beilaila. Niya did not agree immediately, but instead asked for the reason, "Why are you looking for Beilaila?"

"To discuss some matters with her."

"Discuss what matters?"

Hiss—

Xia Duo felt a bit strange; no matter what he had asked Niya for before, she had never had so many questions. What was wrong with her today? However, there was nothing unspeakable about his business with Beilaila, so he said it directly:

"I want to talk to her about hiring a fleet. You should still remember the Seven Cities Council sending an Army to clear the Underground Passage, right? I think this might impact maritime trade. Isn't Beilaila's family in shipbuilding? Perhaps they have some idle fleets; it would be perfect to hire them to transport the residents to Daxia Territory."

"So that's it! Then I'll contact her right away!"

Interrupting the Sending, Niya touched her cheek, hurriedly got up, and left to find Beilaila in person.

……

On the other side, Xia Duo was not idle either; he continued to contact Jiabasi and his son, notifying them to head to the port to board the ship and prepare to return to the territory.

Not long ago, he had just obtained the remains of the Ancient Magic Artifact that Jiabasi had restored. The structure was indeed very precise, and although it had not a shred of Magic power, he was already very much looking forward to it.

However, researching this might be even more difficult than cracking Feierde's Spellbook, so Xia Duo temporarily added it to his list of things to research, waiting until he had time to study it.

Xia Duo still valued Jiabasi highly; he had already decided that once they returned to the territory, he would let Jiabasi and his son explore that ancient ruin where the mysterious clay tablet was discovered.

In the future, Xia Duo even planned to recruit more experienced veteran Adventurers to explore the Territory; who knows, they might discover even more ruins! ……

A moment later, Niya sent a message, inviting Xia Duo to meet in a Reception Room on the Public Level of Giles Tower, saying that Beilaila had already arrived.

After receiving the message, Xia Duo set off immediately and arrived at the agreed-upon meeting place.

Seeing Beilaila, Xia Duo finally realized why Niya had asked so many questions earlier, though it was also possible he was overthinking it—Beilaila was a female Mage, and because there were so few female Mages, Xia Duo had completely ignored Beilaila's gender before.

What he had spoken earlier was Netherese; if he had spoken Elvish, he might have remembered Beilaila's gender, as Elvish names contain information such as gender.

"Niya, Mage Beilaila, sorry to have kept you waiting."

"It's fine, we just arrived too." Beilaila smiled slightly, very poised and generous, "Mage Xia Duo, Mage Niya just told me, you want to hire my family's fleet?"

"Yes, if there are any idle fleets."

"There probably aren't any idle fleets right now, but it's hard to say about the future." Beilaila frowned; although she resisted her father making her take over the Territory, she still had some understanding of her family's business.

The military action regarding the Underground Passage announced by the Seven Cities Council some time ago did indeed make her worry. Once it was proven that the Underground Passage was safer than the sea route, maritime trade would shrink significantly.

It might even weaken the influence that her own Territory derived from the shipbuilding industry. At this point, no matter how much she disliked her family, Beilaila couldn't help but plan for them.

"Mage Xia Duo, er—Lord Xia Duo, my father gave me a caravan when I came of age. I haven't paid much attention to it over the years, but there are probably 5 ships left. I can have them serve you, but I don't know how much Lord Xia Duo is willing to pay?"

Upon hearing this, Xia Duo did not answer immediately but considered it seriously.

The only risk of the sea route was actually a fjord section near the Dwarf city of Asikeer, where the wind and waves were high and sea monsters even appeared; sailing there often involved taking great risks.

And although the Underground Passage connected Danzo and Netheril, the starting point on the Netheril side was not in Seventon. While one could go by land, it was still not as convenient as the sea route.

Even if everyone took the Underground Passage in the future, ships would still be needed in the past.

And Beilaila wanting to stop the merchant fleet to use for him, while not necessarily causing the chamber of commerce to shut down, would certainly cause quite a bit of trouble if the caravan had to transform and completely abandon the sea route to take the land route.

Although he would pay the hiring fee, it might not necessarily compare to the losses caused by those troubles. This was clearly a favor. Xia Duo thought about it and ultimately did not refuse, but he still proposed increasing the hiring fee.

"Mage Beilaila, I am willing to hire your fleet at twice the market price. Additionally, please help me contact idle fleets in Seventon; within this year, the more the better!"

Humans are social creatures. Even the most powerful person, unless they have completely extinguished their emotions, will always have likes and dislikes, joy and anger, love and hate, and grievances, weaving a complex interpersonal society from which human favors are unavoidable.

However, Beilaila refused Xia Duo's double hiring fee. She said, "I am just preparing to try to transform the chamber of commerce to open up land trade routes for the family. If it weren't for those sailors who have worked for me for many years and given so much, I would have wanted to sell the fleet directly. Now, letting them run some inland river shipping can be considered a reward for them. You don't need to pay extra commission for this."

"As for your request to contact other fleets, I can only say I will do my best."

Since the other party had said so, Xia Duo did not insist; after all, paying a little less was a good thing, "Then many thanks, Mage Beilaila."

Afterward, the two chatted for a few more sentences, and Beilaila excused herself, saying she had something to do.

Only Xia Duo and Niya were left in the Reception Room. Seeing Niya pursing her lips with a hesitant look, Xia Duo couldn't help but ask: "What's wrong? It looks like you have something you want to tell me; if you want to say it, just say it!"

"Er—" Niya smoothed her hair and looked at Xia Duo, her eyes flickering, "I thought wrong just now. This matter shouldn't have been hidden from you. Just before you came, I talked with Beilaila for a while, and I have already promised to help her contact Konnifila City."

"Although Xibodeng Territory is famous for its shipbuilding, their specialty is actually a type of spice that can alleviate the fatigue of Spellcasting. In the past, it was all shipped to Asikeer and then sold to the Eaerlann Elf. Now they want to expand trade to Keman."

"……"

Xia Duo really wanted to roll his eyes. He knew that pies wouldn't fall from the sky for no reason and hit him on the head; even because of Niya's status, it was impossible to pay for nothing.

So that's where they were waiting for him!

If Niya had discussed it with him beforehand, he could actually have asked for more, because fleets and such could be found anywhere, especially since he had already become an Arcanist, a member of the ruling class of Netheril.

If he came forward personally, it wouldn't be that he couldn't find a fleet, just not as conveniently as through Beilaila.

But if there were no Savile Territory helping to lead the way, Xibodeng's spices might not necessarily be able to enter the Keman market. At the very least, being blocked at Savile Port would be uncomfortable enough.

Of course, in reality, it was impossible for Savile Territory to casually use its advantageous position to block others.

But all in all, this transaction was one where both sides could benefit.

Beilaila had made up her mind to try the Underground Passage trade route and had also obtained a channel to Keman.

As for Xia Duo, he had obtained a fleet, and even Savile Territory, which seemed to have gained nothing, could actually use Xibodeng Territory's spices to increase its own influence as a channel provider.

In addition, this transaction itself also increased the connection between Nan Jing and the Inner Land. As future interests became more intertwined, perhaps they could develop into allies.

In fact, belonging to the same Giles Tower faction, they were already natural allies; it was just a matter of the closeness of the relationship.

……

After comforting Niya, Xia Duo proposed to leave, "I'll contact you via the Communication Magic Tool later. I'm going back to the ship first."

"In such a hurry?"

"There are so many new residents, I'm a bit worried."

"Alright then."

Bidding farewell to Niya, Xia Duo replenished some food at Giles Tower before finally leaving Giles Tower.

(End of chapter)