Translator: AnubisTL
Time flowed onward.
As the fleet reached a narrow section of the Western Riverbend, the tranquil water suddenly erupted in towering columns of spray.
Countless crystalline droplets shattered and scattered.
With a clanging of metal, thick iron chains rose from the depths, stretching taut across the river and blocking the path of the Iron Shield Merchant Guild's ships.
Simultaneously, Silvermane's centaur warriors emerged from the reeds along both banks. Their armored hooves pounded into the shallow water, their towering figures blocking the sunlight and casting long, slender shadows across the river.
"Stop the ships! This stretch of river is under the jurisdiction of the Ironforged Tribe!" the burly centaur boss boomed, his deep voice resonating across the hulls.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Blades were drawn.
The Iron Shield Merchant Guild's guards drew their gleaming swords, fully armed and gripping their weapons, eyes sharp with vigilance. At the same time, the decks split open, and two tower-like alchemy golems of steel rose from the holds, standing like iron sentinels.
A team that dared to trade in a land teeming with ferocious beasts and demonic creatures was either filled with reckless daredevils or possessed significant resources.
However, the alchemy golem's engine did not immediately activate.
Hammer, the ship's purser, wiped the water from his face—whether river water or sweat, he wasn't sure—and stepped onto the deck. He first ordered his guards to lower their weapons, then waved to the centaur boss, forcing a smile.
"Let's discuss this calmly. Harmony brings prosperity, after all."
"We've always had pleasant dealings. Why resort to such drastic measures?"
The ship anchored, temporarily mooring at the riverbank. Hammer's deerskin boots sank into the damp river sand.
He refused his guards' escort and disembarked alone, approaching the burly centaur boss and offering a bottle of fine southern wine.
Seeing the centaur accept the wine,
the merchant's tense shoulders relaxed slightly. He asked in a low voice, "Lord Zachary, why have you stopped us today?"
The Ironforged Tribe had occupied the southwestern region for over a decade, frequently trading with merchant ships. Among them, Silvermane Zachary was the most frequent face.
As the purser of a merchant caravan that regularly traveled the southwest, Hammer had dealt with Silvermane many times before.
He knew Silvermane Zachary's ways well.
This centaur boss of the Ironforged Tribe would never rashly stop a merchant ship without a serious reason.
He vaguely guessed the reason but pretended ignorance.
A knowing smile curved Silvermane's lips. "Hammer, why ask the obvious?"
The merchant's smile froze, and he quickly waved his hands. "What are you implying? I truly don't understand."
At this, the centaur boss's smile vanished, and his usually amiable expression turned cold and stern.
"The Ironforged Tribe permits merchant guilds to pass through the river bend under our jurisdiction. We regularly clear the river of beasts, escort your caravans, and provide every convenience—all without charging a toll. Our sole requirement is fair and reasonable trade."
He spoke plainly, his tone businesslike. "However, recently, multiple guilds have passed through our territory without stopping."
"Including your Iron Shield Merchant Guild."
He leaned forward abruptly, his massive frame casting an oppressive shadow that engulfed the slender merchant. "It seems we've been too lenient. You've forgotten who you're dealing with."
Behind him, the centaur warriors simultaneously slammed their halberds against the ground, the metallic clang startling a flock of waterbirds into the air.
On the riverbank, dozens of longbows were drawn taut, their gleaming arrows aimed squarely at the merchant ship's guards.
Cold sweat beaded on Hammer's forehead as he pulled out a handkerchief to wipe it. "So that's what this is about. We didn't see any of your people the last few times we passed through and were in a hurry, so we just went straight through. Since we've met today, how about we trade at our usual price?"
"High-grade iron ore, 700 gold coins per ton," Silvermane stated bluntly.
"Ah, that's... We're not buying gray magnetite at the moment," the merchant said, his face creasing with difficulty.
Silvermane listed several other ores, but Hammer kept making excuses, politely refusing each one.
After a moment of stalemate, the centaur chieftain suddenly changed the subject. "What price does the Gold Tooth Tribe offer you?"
The merchant fell silent for a moment, then realized the Ironforged Tribe wouldn't be easily fooled. He stopped evading and admitted, "For high-grade iron ore, for example, the Gold Tooth Tribe only pays 600 gold per ton. Their prices for other ores are also lower than yours."
As an old tribe with deep roots in the Frontierlands, the Gold Tooth Tribe controlled more resource sites than the Ironforged Tribe. Having operated for generations, their processes were more refined, their alchemy industry was more developed, and their production capacity surpassed that of the Ironforged Tribe.
Moreover...
The goblins didn't mind sacrificing short-term profits through mutually destructive price wars with the Ironforged Tribe. As long as they could monopolize the trade, the current losses were insignificant in their eyes.
Silvermane frowned. "We'll buy your spices at 120% of market price."
Hammer smiled bitterly and shook his head. "The Gold Tooth Tribe is offering 140%."
Silvermane fell silent, but he didn't allow the trade to proceed.
The negotiations had reached an impasse.
"Lord Zachary, how about a toll fee?" Hammer asked, his voice low, almost a whisper.
Silvermane remained silent, the only response being the metallic clang of the river wind whistling through the iron chains.
At that moment, a deep voice echoed in Silvermane's mind:
"Tell him the Ironforged Tribe never charged tolls before, and we won't now, nor ever will."
This was the mental whisper of the Iron Dragon Solgorn.
Using a mind spell, he had established a mental link with Silvermane and was now directing the negotiations.
"Your Majesty, the Iron King, isn't this somewhat inappropriate? They're currently more willing to trade with the Gold Tooth Tribe and charge us a toll. At least we could recover some of our losses."
Silvermane asked in his mind.
"Compared to such petty gains, our reputation is more important. We must focus on the future."
After a brief pause, the command came, sharp and decisive: "Let them pass. Let them leave."
Silvermane said no more, relaying the iron dragon's words to Hammer.
When the centaur boss spoke, the merchant leader's pupils dilated slightly, a flash of surprise crossing his face.
"Go. You may leave."
As Silvermane waved his hand, the iron chains blocking the river slowly retracted, and the archers on the bank lowered their bows.
"Lord Zachary, your magnanimity will not be forgotten."
A smile spread across the merchant leader's face as he bowed deeply.
He then boarded his ship and set sail from the Western Riverbend, heading toward the Eastern Riverbank, which was controlled by the Gold Tooth Tribe.
After they had left...
The iron dragon stepped out of the dense forest on the south bank, his cold eyes fixed on the direction the merchant ships had sailed.
"Your Majesty, the Iron King, are we to swallow this insult?" Silvermane bowed slightly to the iron dragon before asking in a low, resentful tone.
"I overlooked one thing," the iron dragon said slowly. "The Gold Tooth Tribe is wealthy. Engaging them in a trade war or price war would be like attacking a long-term strategy with short-term measures—a foolish move."
He admitted that the goblins' provocations had ignited his competitive spirit. Facing the Gold Tooth Tribe's petty maneuvers, the iron dragon had wanted to retaliate in kind, to show the goblins the wisdom of dragonkind.
But the reality was clear.
The Gold Tooth Tribe's deep reserves and reckless underestimation of their opponents would only harm the Ironforged Tribe's interests without truly damaging the Gold Tooth Tribe.
After careful deliberation, the iron dragon gradually suppressed his pride. He decided against launching an immediate price war and prepared to hear Garos's advice first.
(End of the Chapter)
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