Chapter 181: The Wager with the Savages!

"What do you know? If it's a trial, you must hide your identity—otherwise, what's the point?"

"So, the surname of Baron Gervas isn't the key—his Firebrand Horses, and the fact he always uses Glowstones in every transaction with us, prove everything!"

"Besides, who has ever seen a border lord spend a hundred gold coins just to buy a few slaves?"

Upon hearing this, his subordinates all nodded in agreement.

"Moreover, Baron Gervas is a true noble with principles—last time, though he collected our taxes, he compensated our caravan with the premium value of Glowstones."

"And this time, he only took a ten percent tax, yet we still made ten gold coins extra from the premium!"

"Sigh, I was foolish last time, trying to avoid Baron Gervas—but he never looked down on us!"

"From now on, if you find good slaves, send them straight to Stormhold!" Kuopo sighed.

"By the way, Manager Kuopo, can this tube really sell for five gold coins?"

Kuopo immediately turned his gaze to a small wooden box hanging from the saddle.

Inside the box was a strange copper tube called a single-lens telescope.

Kuopo had personally tested its effect—it could pull people and scenery hundreds of meters away into sharp close-up, incredibly strange.

"It should work. Though not a true magical item, its effect is nearly the same!"

"So once some nobles who love odd gadgets hear about it, they'll definitely want to buy!"

"Besides, Baron Gervas didn't charge us a penny—if no one buys it, we can just bring it back to him!"

"That's perfect! If we actually sell it, we'll get five silver coins as commission!"

…

Kuopo's telescope was something Gervas had made him bring along.

Though Mixius and Deputy Commander Adri would also help promote it for Gervas.

But don't put all your eggs in one basket—Kuopo's team, though a slave caravan, dealt with plenty of nobles.

So it was also a chance to promote the single-lens telescope.

After Kuopo and his men left, only fifty tribal savages remained.

"You can understand our speech, right?"

This world was strange—nearly all races shared one language.

Like the Beastfolk, Humans, and Elves—all were the same.

Though accents sometimes existed, basic communication was still possible.

When Gervas first transmigrated, he'd been puzzled for a long time.

After all, even in his past life's 21st-century civilization, unified language had never been achieved.

How had this fantasy world managed it?

Had there once been a great unification in ancient times, in this world of countless races?

Of course, whether such unification ever truly existed was unprovable—and irrelevant!

What mattered was that the unified language of most races truly eased communication between races in this fantasy world.

Hearing Gervas's question, the savages merely cast him a cold glance but said nothing.

Crack!

"Baron Gervas is asking you a question!"

Migen raised his eyebrows, whipping his horsewhip through the air with a sharp crack.

Only then did the savage slaves turn their attention back to Gervas.

Yet their faces still held contempt: "Human, you bought us with gold and shackled us."

"But the dignity of Black Bear Tribe warriors cannot be trampled—so don't expect us to kneel and call you master!"

"If you want that, just kill us outright!"

Damn! Migen blurted out in shock.

"You lowly slaves still talk about dignity? Then let me, on the Baron's behalf, test your so-called dignity!"

"Because I, Migen, believe no dignity survives a whip!"

With a snarl, he prepared to strike without mercy.

These slaves dared to be insolent before their lord—they deserved a brutal lesson.

As Migen raised his whip, Gervas raised a hand to stop him.

"Black Bear Tribe, huh? Tell me—did your entire tribe lose the war and get captured, or just your small squad?"

"Our Black Bear Tribe is mighty! Even if the Black Wolf Tribe and Gray Fox Tribe conspired, they couldn't shake our entire tribe!"

"If they hadn't used our women and children as bait, then ambushed us with triple our numbers, my Black Bear warriors would've crushed them!" The largest savage among them spoke.

Gervas smiled slightly, not questioning—he'd gotten the information he needed.

"Good. Then tell me—do you want to return to your tribe?"

"Human, you'd really free us? Don't pretend. I'll say it again."

"You can chain us, whip us—but we won't call you master or kneel to you!"

The big savage sneered—he clearly didn't believe nobles had such kindness.

"Who said I won't be kind? I'm about to make a bet with you—if you win, I'll free you and let you leave the kingdom safely. Tell me, do you want to go back?"

The savages stirred slightly, but the largest among them remained calm.

"Noble, what do you want to bet on?"

"What else would I bet with savages like you? You boast of your strength—so let's bet on combat! I'll send fifty men against your fifty. If I lose, I keep my word and let you go!"

"But if you lose, you stay and serve me for three years. After three years, I'll release you. Deal?"

"Noble, you're not planning to send fifty titled knights, are you? If so, no need to fight—we're strong, but none of us can match supernatural power!" The big savage immediately rejected.

"Who said I'd use titled knights? I'll only use fifty ordinary guards. As long as you don't use supernatural power, I guarantee not even a single knight will fight!"

"My lord!" Migen and the others exclaimed in shock.

But the big savage was even more eager than Migen: "Noble, are you serious? Fifty ordinary guards?"

Gervas silenced Migen and nodded: "Of course. It's up to you savages—do you dare?"

"And whether you dare to honor the wager!"

The big savage snapped: "Human noble, if you truly send only fifty ordinary guards to fight my Black Bear warriors, I accept your wager!"

"And I swear by the God of Giants—I will honor the terms of this bet!"